Adyna K. Pressley
Adyna K. Pressley is a distinguished leader, author, and women’s empowerment strategist based in Jamaica, New York. With over three decades of experience in corporate leadership, she transitioned from a successful tenure as Vice President of Operations at Mutual of America Financial Group to founding AKP Innovations, LLC, a multi-venture company dedicated to empowering women and organizations through transformational leadership, intentional development, and legacy-building. Adyna’s mission centers on helping leaders rise with clarity, conviction, and purpose, guiding them through reinvention, strategic growth, and emotional intelligence. Throughout her career, Adyna has earned national recognition for her impactful work, including being named the 2025 Best Women’s Empowerment Leader in the U.S., featured on Oprah’s podcast, and listed among the Top 20 Inspirational Women of the Year. She is also the author of Rise Into You: Reclaiming Power, Love, Life, and Legacy, a transformational guide designed to help women navigate transitions, reclaim their voices, and build meaningful legacies. Her approach blends strategic insight with soulful guidance, helping individuals and organizations align vision, values, and action to achieve lasting impact. In addition to her leadership and authorship, Adyna actively engages in launching innovative ventures such as LeadHer to Rise, Queens Royale Apparel, HerVested Ventures, and LeadHerLink™ Virtual Services. Through AKP Innovations, she continues to provide online training, coaching, and consulting that equip women leaders with the tools to grow, lead confidently, and create legacies that endure. Her work reflects a deep commitment to intentional leadership, empowerment, and the transformative power of purpose-driven action.
• Nyack College- B.A.
• Honored Listee with
Marquis Who's Who
• Featured on Oprah
• Marquis Who's Who
• Black Leaders Worldwide
• Entreprenista
• LIACC
• Black Women Empowered
• MensGiving Initiative
• The Rise Into The Power of Positivity Youth Workshops
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to purpose, resilience, and the unwavering love that surrounds me — especially from my daughters.
They are my greatest inspiration and the reason I lead with intention, courage, and integrity. Every milestone — from founding AKP Innovations, to writing Rise Into You, to being featured on Oprah’s podcast, to receiving the Best Women’s Empowerment Leader in the U.S. of 2025 — has been fueled by my desire to show them what is possible when a woman stands fully in her truth.
My daughters remind me daily that legacy isn’t just what we build — it’s who we raise, who we influence, and how we rise together.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was this: “Build a life and legacy that can’t be taken from you.”
That wisdom reshaped everything for me. It taught me to anchor my career in purpose, not positions — in impact, not titles. It’s the reason I rose after a 34‑year career transition, launched AKP Innovations, wrote Rise Into You, and continued building a legacy my daughters can stand on.
That advice reminded me that my voice, my resilience, my integrity, and my ability to empower others are my true assets. Everything I’ve built since has been rooted in that truth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: lead with purpose, not pressure.
Don’t rush to fit into spaces — rise into the ones aligned with who you are becoming. This work requires clarity, courage, and a willingness to evolve, so give yourself permission to grow out loud.
Stay rooted in your values, protect your voice, and build a network that reflects both where you are and where you’re going. And remember: your story, your resilience, and your perspective are assets. Bring all of that with you.
Most importantly, know that you don’t have to shrink to be accepted. You belong in every room you walk into — and if the room isn’t ready, create one that is.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is also one of its greatest opportunities: the pace of change.
Women entrepreneurs and leaders are navigating shifting technologies, new media ecosystems, and an audience that expects authenticity, impact, and innovation all at once. That can feel overwhelming — but it also creates unprecedented room for women to build brands rooted in truth, purpose, and lived experience.
Another challenge is visibility. There are countless powerful women doing transformational work, yet many still struggle to be seen, funded, or amplified. The opportunity lies in platforms, collaborations, and communities that intentionally elevate women’s voices and stories.
And finally, reinvention is becoming a necessity, not a luxury. For me, that’s been a strength — turning a 34‑year career transition into a global mission. The opportunity now is for women to redefine leadership on their own terms and build legacies that reflect who they truly are.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life begin with my family—especially my daughters, Antoinette and Tytiana. They are my grounding force and the heart behind everything I build. I’m also deeply nourished by travel, long walks, quiet moments by the beach, and, most importantly, my monthly ME time.
That monthly massage is more than a luxury for me—it’s a ritual of restoration. It allows me to release tension, reset my mind, and reconnect with my body after carrying so much as a mother, leader, and entrepreneur. It improves my circulation, supports my emotional balance, and gives me the clarity I need to show up fully in every area of my life. That hour of intentional care helps me return to my work and my family centered, grounded, and renewed.
It’s one of the ways I honor myself, protect my peace, and sustain the energy required to lead with purpose.
