Dr. Lakysha Laing

I attribute my success to resilience and never giving up. Growing up in the foster care system, I was often told I wasn't going to amount to anything, that I would just become a statistic, end up homeless or pregnant, all of the end-ups. Throughout my life, I was determined to prove those statistics wrong. Even when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and went through treatment all of 2019, going through chemo and radiation, I still showed up for work during one of my lowest points in my life. That might have meant I showed up at 8:30 and left at 10 o'clock, but I showed up and gave what I had. My old boss used to say to me, 'Give me 100% of what you have that day. If you have 5 percent, I want 100% of that 5 percent.' That motto has stuck with me throughout the rest of my career. If I have 10% to give you that day, you're gonna get all of it. I attribute my success to knowing what I want, standing in what I want, being very true and transparent in what I want, and seeking clarity when it's unclear.

About two to three years ago, I realized I had been seeking external validation and unintentionally shaping myself to meet others’ expectations rather than fully showing up as myself. I received feedback that I could come across as “too much” or intimidating at times, which initially made me feel as though I needed to tone myself down or fit into a narrower mold. A mentor later helped me understand that I don’t need external validation to define who I am and that I should simply lead with authenticity. Once I embraced that, I became more comfortable being firm but fair, sharing my honest perspective, and trusting that the right opportunities would align naturally. I also learned the importance of saying no when values or leadership dynamics don’t align, even if the role looks appealing on paper, because authenticity and alignment matter more than title or status.

My advice to young women entering a male-dominated industry is to use your voice confidently and intentionally. You are in the room for a reason, and your perspective is valuable, even when you may be one of few women—or the only one—at the table. Too often, I see women stay quiet in meetings even when the work is within their expertise, while others speak on their behalf. I make it a point to encourage my peers to speak up, because when we don’t, we risk being defined or represented by others rather than by ourselves. In my own experience, I’ve learned to respectfully reassert my perspective when needed, back it with data, and ensure my voice is part of the conversation. You deserve to be heard, and showing up fully in every space you’re invited into is essential.

One of my biggest challenges right now is breaking out of the “tactical ceiling.” I’m very strong in execution and operations, especially in a fast-paced call center environment, but the next step is being consistently recognized as a strategic leader capable of operating at a vice president level. To bridge that gap, I’m intentionally pursuing opportunities that demonstrate broader impact—such as leading budget ownership, managing high-cost initiatives, and taking on projects that showcase long-term strategy, not just day-to-day execution. At the same time, I focus on protecting my work-life balance and doing daily reflection so I can stay intentional, learn from each day, and continue developing into a more strategic, visionary leader.

In my work and personal life, my core values center on respect, integrity, and accountability. As a leader, I emphasize three things with my teams: knowing your people and how to communicate with them effectively, understanding the business and staying ahead of where the industry is going, and always being honest—especially when commitments can’t be met. In a data-driven environment, transparency is critical because others are relying on what you say to plan and execute. Personally, I prioritize respect, integrity, and protecting my boundaries, including truly valuing my PTO and time away from work so I can fully recharge. For me, integrity means consistently doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and showing up with honesty and respect in every interaction.