Lisha Y Lewis

I attribute my success to a combination of my upbringing, my military experience, and my faith. My parents instilled in me the importance of respect, discipline, and treating people based on their character and contributions. Those values became the foundation for how I approach both life and work.

My time in the military strengthened those principles by teaching me resilience, accountability, and the importance of teamwork under pressure. It shaped my ability to adapt, stay focused, and lead with confidence in challenging situations.

I also credit my faith for keeping me grounded and giving me a strong sense of purpose. Together, these experiences have helped shape my character, work ethic, and commitment to serving and supporting others.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “Nothing beats a failure but a try.” That mindset has stayed with me because it reminds me that growth comes from taking action, even when the outcome is uncertain. Setbacks are part of the process, but they also create opportunities to learn, improve, and keep moving forward.

My military experience reinforced that lesson and taught me something equally important: if you want to be an effective leader, you first have to know how to follow. Learning to listen, trust the process, and work as part of a team gave me a deeper understanding of discipline, accountability, and leadership. Together, those lessons have shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities in my career.

I would advise young women entering my industry to believe that the sky is the limit, remain persistent, and never give up, even when challenges arise. I would encourage them to stay focused on their goals, prioritize clear communication, and actively build strong professional networks. Most importantly, I would remind them that if they are not given a seat at the table, they should confidently create their own opportunities and bring their own voice forward.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is limited funding, which can impact the ability to fully develop, sustain, and expand initiatives. Securing the resources needed to create long-term impact is often one of the most critical obstacles.

Another challenge is public perception and misunderstanding of the work itself. When people don’t fully understand the mission or the purpose behind it, it can create barriers to support and engagement. Addressing that requires ongoing education, clear communication, and consistency in building trust.

At the same time, those challenges create opportunities. They push me to be more innovative, strengthen community partnerships, and find more effective ways to communicate the value of the work. In many ways, overcoming those obstacles helps build a stronger foundation for lasting impact.

I would encourage young women entering any profession to believe that the sky is the limit. Remain persistent, embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow, and never give up on your purpose. Stay focused on your goals, communicate with confidence, and intentionally build relationships that will strengthen your journey. Most importantly, never allow someone else’s limitations to define your potential. If you are not offered a seat at the table, create your own—and make sure your voice is heard. I’ve learned through military service, public service, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and now voiceover that purpose, perseverance, and faith can open doors you never imagined possible.