Roar with Lakecia Gunter Podcast

In this powerful episode of ROAR, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey, tech executive at Google and founder of Mother AI. Together, they dive deep into what it means to challenge societal narratives, embrace cultural roots, and rewrite personal and professional scripts. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Brooklyn with strong Trinidadian roots to becoming a tech leader, entrepreneur, and Broadway executive producer. She offers candid insights into resilience, community, and the role of mentorship in navigating the often challenging landscape of tech and leadership.

Stephanie also discusses the creation of Mother AI, a venture dedicated to empowering parents to navigate the digital age confidently. She highlights the importance of demystifying AI for families, creating equitable opportunities, and ensuring technology is a tool for empowerment, not fear. This heartfelt conversation is a celebration of agency, resilience, and the courage to challenge the "no" at every stage of life.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• (04:46) Stephanie's upbringing in Brooklyn and how her Caribbean roots shaped her values.
• (09:20) How early exposure to STEM set her on a lifelong journey of curiosity and engineering.
• (11:25) The pivotal career shifts that led her from engineering to tech leadership at Google.
• (21:55) The life-changing moment when she challenged a "no" and landed her dream role.
• (24:20) The inspiration behind founding Mother AI and empowering parents to embrace technology.
• (31:37) How Stephanie is bridging the gap between AI and parenting with a deeply human approach.
• (37:55) The profound impact of reconnecting with her Trinidadian heritage on her leadership style.
• (46:30) Her unexpected journey into Broadway production and how it fulfilled a childhood dream.
• (51:07) Why high-achieving women often struggle with internal fulfillment—and how to reclaim personal agency.
• (54:05) Stephanie’s powerful message on rewriting your own narrative and leading with authenticity.

I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!

Let's Connect

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect with Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of the ROAR Podcast, Lakecia Gunter sits down with Shelmina Babai Abji—bestselling author, former IBM VP, and founder of ShowYourWorth.ai—to explore the transformative concept of intentional attention. From humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming a global thought leader, Shelmina shares how learning to focus on what truly matters propelled her career forward and enriched her life.

Together, they discuss how defining success on your own terms, setting healthy boundaries, building meaningful relationships, and cultivating deep reflection can drive both personal and professional growth. This conversation is packed with actionable strategies and inspiration for anyone feeling stretched thin or stuck in reactive mode. You’ll walk away with a blueprint for channeling your energy toward what matters most—and ultimately, becoming unstoppable.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• [02:55] What inspired Shelmina’s journey from humble beginnings to executive leadership
• [06:01] Why defining your own version of success changes everything
• [09:08] The role of boundaries in sustainable success
• [11:57] How to build your own Personal Success Plan (PSP)
• [14:46] Why relationships are not optional—they’re strategic
• [18:04] How challenges build confidence and resilience
• [22:00] How to say “no” with grace and protect your personal brand
• [25:00] Why weekly reflection builds momentum and motivation
• [28:30] Intentional growth: how to stay relevant for the long game
• [33:00] How to redefine success over time and trust your inner potential
• [40:55] A call to action: pull others up as you rise
• [42:30] Lightning round: Get to know Shelmina on a personal level

I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!

Let's Connect

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect with Shelmina Babai Abji

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• LinkedIn
• Buy her book: Show Your Worth on Amazon
• Explore her AI platform

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of ROAR, host Lakecia Gunter sits down with Rachel Skaff—Head of North America Partner Sales at AWS and a longtime champion for mentorship and inclusive leadership. From her roots in civil engineering to driving cloud innovation at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, Rachel shares her inspiring journey and the life lessons she’s picked up along the way. She opens up about how mentorship shaped her career pivots and why building authentic relationships can unlock personal and professional growth.

Together, Lakecia and Rachel dive into the evolving role of AI in career development and the enduring power of human connection. You’ll hear practical tips on how to start your own mentorship journey, how to leverage AI as a support tool, and why the simple act of “just starting” can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Whether you're early in your career or navigating new terrain as a leader, this episode will spark action and reflection.

In this episode, you will learn:

• [03:59] Rachel’s unexpected journey from a cattle ranch and civil engineering to tech leadership at AWS
• [10:00] The pivotal role mentors played in shaping her career transitions
• [13:44] How to naturally build mentorship relationships through generosity and curiosity
• [17:10] The two most powerful words to remember when starting anything new
• [22:06] The rapid evolution of AI and how to stay grounded through human connection
• [27:55] Free and practical ways to start learning about AI today
• [30:53] Why no one makes it alone—and how to overcome the fear of asking for help
• [35:33] A final piece of wisdom: “It never gets easier. You just get better.”

I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!

Let's Connect

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect with Rachel Skaff

• LinkedIn
• The Ella Project

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful episode of ROAR, I sit down with communication expert Jenna Lange to explore the intersection of AI and authentic human connection. They delve into the art of high-stakes communication, the critical role of storytelling, and how leaders can adapt in an AI-driven world while maintaining authenticity. Jenna shares her personal journey, her key lessons learned in executive communication, and why building genuine relationships is more vital than ever in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

With AI increasingly shaping our interactions, Jenna and Lakecia discuss how to balance efficiency with meaningful connection. They unpack strategies leaders can use to communicate effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and harness AI tools without losing the human touch. If you’re looking for actionable insights on how to communicate with clarity, connect with purpose, and lead with authenticity, this episode is a must-listen!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• [04:22] Jenna’s fascinating journey into the world of communication and how global experiences shaped her expertise.
• [07:56] The three pillars of effective communication: connect, be clear, and compel.
• [10:56] AI’s impact on communication—how it enhances efficiency and the risks of replacing human connection.
• [14:11] Strategies to ensure AI adoption strengthens, rather than diminishes, authentic relationships.
• [19:25] How AI-powered agents are being developed to help leaders scale their communication skills.
• [26:03] The evolution of authentic leadership in a tech-driven world and why leaders must learn to flex between their different “authentic selves.”
• [32:52] Tips for building real connections in the workplace outside of high-stakes meetings.
• [38:15] The power of curiosity and how it leads to meaningful engagement and trust.

I hope you find as much inspiration in this conversation as I did. Let’s keep breaking barriers and lifting each other as we climb—together we can ROAR!

Let's Connect

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect with Jenna Lange 

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Book: Jenna Lange - Please Don't Picture Them Naked 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.