No Boxes: Just Verses

In this incredibly insightful episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with technology executive and operator, Panya Lei Yarber-King. Are you a leader trying to manage high-pressure situations, advocate for your worth, or find a deeper connection between your faith and your career? Panya’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, the strength of faith and independence, and the mindset that you should "keep on moving" despite any obstacle. Tune in for the blueprint on mastering digital transformation and leading mission-critical AI infrastructure.

Panya Lei Yarber-King is a technology executive and strategic operator with 20 years of experience in large-scale IT operations and infrastructure strategy. She currently leads Meta’s Illinois data center operations—one of the company’s most advanced AI-driven facilities—supporting platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Meta AI. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Business School, Panya is also a dedicated community builder, serving on several non-profit boards focused on education and girls' empowerment.

Key Takeaways:

• The Work Ethic of Independence: Learn how Panya's mother, who worked for over 40 years, instilled a core principle of resilience and fierce independence, showing Panya that you always pick back up and keep moving despite setbacks.
• Discover the early career lesson Panya learned when her manager told her she wasn't ready for a promotion. She advocated for herself, walked directly to the hiring manager's office, and ultimately got the job—proving that you can't let others hold you down.
• Hear how a high-risk pregnancy forced Panya to embrace delegation as a necessity, realizing that it’s okay to ask for help and that her team was ready and willing to support her—a vital lesson in trusting your team.
• Find out why a data center is crucial, acting as a mission-critical building filled with the servers and infrastructure that power everything you use online, including the latest AI applications.
• Understand how a single track meet invitation exposed Panya to the beauty of Stanford’s Palm Drive, giving her a vision and a challenge that drove her academic and professional journey.

Panya Lei Yarber-King’s journey proves that your faith and your ambition can carry you through any challenge. What obstacle are you ready to face head-on and "keep on moving" through this week? Be Grateful and subscribe to the podcast!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this powerful Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with visionary global CTO and corporate board director, Lakecia Gunter. Are you a leader battling imposter syndrome, seeking to master the calculated risk, or looking to build a career that is truly purpose-driven? Lakecia's story is a profound testament to the value of sowing good seeds, owning your brilliance, and believing that you are Unstoppable. From her humble, supportive roots in Florida to leading Microsoft's global technology strategy, tune in for the playbook on navigating corporate tech with high IQ and EQ.

Lakecia Gunter is an accomplished corporate board director and C-suite executive, currently serving as an independent director for IDEX Corporation and a board advisor for Responsive.io. As the former CTO for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions, she led digital transformation and technical innovation, shaping the technical vision for the industry's largest partner ecosystem and empowering partners with AI and Microsoft technologies.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how Lakecia’s mother and a strong family/community showed her that support and resilience are the foundation for rising above circumstances.
• Discover how strong mentors, including her college director and her manager at a major tech company, created a blueprint for success—giving her internships, securing her fellowship funding, and planting the seed for her C-Suite trajectory.
• Hear Lakecia's journey to realizing that she had earned her seat and had to stop trying to prove anything to anyone else, embracing the mantra of being Unstoppable and owning her unique differentiation (high IQ and high EQ).
• Find out why Lakecia believes her career success and opportunities are a direct result of sowing good seeds and extending grace to others, knowing that actions are lasting and emotions are temporary.
• Understand the devastating moment her mentor passed away, leaving her without a safety net, and how she channeled that loss to carry on the mentor’s work, proving her faith and resilience.

Lakecia Gunter’s journey is a powerful call to own your brilliance and trust that you have what it takes to succeed. How will you walk into the confidence that you should possess this week? Follow Lakecia's podcast and step into your unstoppable future!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH LAKECIA GUNTER:

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this inspiring Verses in Service episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we celebrate the journey of Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and a true trailblazer. Are you a leader trying to make a bold career pivot from law to operations, or looking to build a career defined by service and joy? Elicia's story is a powerful testament to the value of kindness, strategic networking, and why the "soft skills" you learn on the job are the real currency of the C-Suite. Tune in to hear the playbook for achieving firsts and leading with authentic joy.

Elicia Pegues Spearman is a force in executive leadership, known for her record of achieving historical "firsts." She is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Connecticut and was the first person of color hired into the C-Suite at General Dynamics Electric Boat. A former in-house lawyer who worked for the FBI, she successfully pivoted her career into Human Resources and operations. She is the first woman from Connecticut to serve as the North Atlantic Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Key Takeaways

• Kindness as a Foundational Skill: Learn how Elicia's childhood practice of always picking the last kid for the team instilled a lifelong core value of kindness and making space for others.
• The Strategic Move from Law to HR: Discover why Elicia voluntarily pivoted from being a lawyer to taking on roles in Human Resources—it taught her organizational design, compliance, and training—the crucial operational skills needed to run a business.
• The Power of the Lateral Move: Hear how she intentionally took a perceived lateral step (HR Business Partner) to gain intimate business knowledge right next to the finance clients, a skill that propelled her into executive leadership.
• Your Board of Advisors Should Be Well-Rounded: Find out why your most valuable mentors are often not CEOs but trusted friends and family who know you personally and will tell you the truth, knowing when "money's not everything."
• The Necessity of Asking for Grace: Understand why she had no regrets about asking for grace from her job and community leadership roles to be present with her father during his terminal illness—a vital lesson in prioritizing family over the clock.

Elicia Pegues Spearman’s journey is a powerful reminder that if you are grounded in kindness and constantly seeking knowledge, your career will be defined by an abundance of joy and purpose. Who do you need to add to your well-rounded Board of Advisors this week? Follow Elicia's journey of service and let her inspire your next move!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH ELICIA PEGUES SPEARMAN:

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this special Verses in Service miniseries episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with powerhouse operator and servant leader, Nichole Jordan. Are you a leader battling imposter syndrome, navigating traumatic personal loss, or looking for the blueprint to authentic leadership in corporate America? Nichole's journey is a powerful testament to adaptability, resilience, and the core belief that self-worth is your ultimate superpower. From being the first Black woman in the Wharton West Coast program to scaling tech companies across five continents, this conversation provides the playbook for leading with vulnerability, trust, and purpose.

Nichole Jordan, COO of Indr, Inc., scales go-to-market strategies and builds customer success practices. Formerly COO at Remix Software (acquired by Via), she managed executive accounts for 400+ cities globally. Jordan is a national board member for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as Far Western Regional Director, and serves on the American Red Cross Bay Area Board of Directors (BioMed committee, sickle cell initiative). She is also a member of The Links, Incorporated (San Francisco chapter) and was President of the African American Art and Culture Complex Board (2011-2016). 

Key Takeaways:Learn how Nichole's childhood—moving to seven different elementary schools—taught her early lessons in adaptability, observation, and the critical skill of quickly building trust in any new environment.

• Discover why a leader's ability to show empathy and vulnerability and build non-work related connections is the foundation of trust, leading people to follow you because they know you genuinely care.
• Hear Nichole's struggle with imposter syndrome in her high-powered MBA program and how she learned to use the song "Masterpiece" as a mantra to remind herself that she was "perfectly made by God" and a masterpiece just as she is.
• Find out why Nichole quit her job after profound personal loss, only to be hired back with a promotion months later. She channeled her grief into personal rebuilding (therapy, fitness) and trusted that stepping out on faith would lead to a better role.
• Understand why her commitment to organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha and the American Red Cross (in honor of her brother) is not a hobby, but a civil rights mission that provides community, sisterhood, and a foundation of lifelong service.

Nichole Jordan's journey is a powerful reminder that vulnerability is strength and that your ability to lead with authenticity is your true competitive edge. Where can you show up more authentically this week? Find Nichole's full playlist and start building your own blueprint for unboxed leadership!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH NICHOLE JORDAN:

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this electrifying episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with AI governance expert and founder, Steven Wolfe Pereira. Are you a leader trying to navigate the complex world of AI transformation or looking to make a bold career pivot? Steven's journey is a powerful testament to servant leadership, calculated risk-taking, and why AI literacy is the new financial literacy. From his Dominican immigrant roots in Mount Vernon to cutting his teeth on Wall Street and pioneering data-driven marketing, this conversation provides the playbook for leading in the age of intelligence.

Steven Wolfe Pereira, founder of Alpha, addresses the lack of AI governance frameworks for boards. With 25+ years in tech, he led over $5 billion in strategic transactions at AI-first companies like Datalogix (acquired by Oracle, $1.2B) and Neustar (acquired by Golden Gate Capital, $3B). His experience includes executive roles at Publicis Groupe, TelevisaUnivision, Quantcast, and co-founding Encantos. A board director for the Latino Community Foundation, Save the Children, and Whalar, Steven combines operator and boardroom insights. A Fulbright Scholar with degrees from Tufts, MIT Sloan, and Stanford, his AI, data, and tech expertise has been featured in Bloomberg, Fortune, Fast Company, and Forbes. He started his career at Blackstone Group and Akamai Technologies.

Key Takeaways:

• Servant Leadership is Foundational: Learn how Steven's immigrant upbringing and military school experience instilled the lifelong question, "How can I help?"—the core philosophy of a servant leader who puts the team and community first.
• The Power of the Calculated Pivot: Discover why leaving a big banking bonus for an engineering role at a startup (Akamai) was the greatest calculated risk he took, proving that sometimes you must take a financial step backward to leap forward in your career .
• A Breakdown Leads to a Breakthrough: Hear the crucial zero-to-one builder mindset: a breakdown (like the world shutting down during his startup's capital raise) must be treated as a moment that drives the breakthrough to success.
• AI Literacy is the New Bar: Find out why we are at a monumental moment—the AI era—where every leader, regardless of industry, must become a "qualified technology expert" and understand AI from a strategic and business lens.

We are living at the birth of the age of intelligence, and the bar for leadership is being raised. How are you investing in your AI literacy this week? Follow Steven Wolfe Pereira's work on LinkedIn and embrace the future that is already here!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this special on-the-go compilation of No Boxes: Just Verses, recorded live from Martha's Vineyard, we share powerful leadership insights from leaders who believe in recharge, community, and equitable futures. Are you a leader battling burnout, seeking deeper community connections, or looking to hardwire your values into the future of culture and technology? These short bursts of wisdom from private banker Justin Harmon, marketing executive Kellie Pean, and philanthropic CEO Michele Jawando will give you a quick boost of clarity and purpose to set the vibe for your day.

Justin Harmon is a Wealth Advisor with Truist Bank, working with high-net-worth individuals and families. He leverages all of Truist’s resources and a team of specialists in financial planning, investments, credit, estate planning, philanthropy, and family governance, to provide his clients with holistic planning.

Kellie Pean is an experienced cultural marketing executive with a proven track record of building results-driven brand programs across many sectors from CPG to media for more than 15 years. As Co-Founder and CEO of Brand New: A Collective (BNAC), Kellie works with a diverse roster of clients to create immersive experiences, partnerships and content that push the boundaries of what branded entertainment traditionally encompasses. 

Michele L. Jawando serves as president at Omidyar Network, where she oversees a multimillion-dollar portfolio and spearheads the organization’s efforts to make technology work in the service of society. She seamlessly integrates emergent issues, narrative development, inclusive investment strategies, and policy work across all initiatives of this philanthropic organization, which has committed more than $1.94 billion to organizations that share its vision since its inception.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how successful leaders recharge—from runs and yoga on the beach to disconnecting in nature—to ensure they bring their best, most refreshed self to every challenge.
• Discover why natural, in-person dialogue and reconnecting with a diverse network are essential for breaking free from the "Zoom mentality" and finding connection and recharge.
• Find out why embracing "unboxed" leadership means living wholly and authentically within yourself, rejecting the restrictions and narrow views others try to put on you.
• Hear why leaders must intentionally hardwire equity and ownership into the future of technology and culture to ensure all communities can participate and have a seat at the table to win.

CONNECT WITH GUESTS:

Justin Harmon LinkedIn 

Kellie Pean LinkedIn | Brand New: A Collective

Michele L. Jawando LinkedIn | Omidyar Network

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CONNECT WITH SHANNON:

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with the influential investor and entrepreneur, Vishal Verma. Are you a leader trying to navigate the high-risk world of venture capital, overcome self-doubt, or find a deeper mission in your work? Vishal's journey is a powerful testament to the value of immigrant work ethic and the idea that "failure is not an option". From his family's humble beginnings to building a global investment firm and championing education at UC Merced, this conversation reveals the mindset and persistence needed to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Vishal Verma is a General Partner at Edgewood Ventures, LLC. and Redwood Collective, LLC. He has invested in 17 top-tier venture capital and private equity firms, and holds stakes in over 20 private companies including Wiz, Anduril, Antropic, Glean, and Mistral. Vishal is a Senior Advisor to Honorable Dick Gephardt and Honorable Secretary Michael Chertoff on International Strategy, and the founder of Sidebar Summit. He is an active member of The Chicago Club, The Indus Entrepreneurs, the US India Cyber-security Track 1.5 Dialogue hosted by CFR and ORF, the Board of Trustees of the University of California at Merced, the Leadership Council at the RFK Foundation, and Best Buddies. While pursuing his MBA at Chicago Booth, Vishal founded Hyde Park Angels. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Santa Clara University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Too Legit to Quit" Mindset: Vishal's immigrant father, who arrived in the U.S. with $8, instilled an unwavering work ethic, teaching him that failure is not an option.
• The Power of Relationship Building: An early internship helped Vishal, a self-described high school introvert, master crucial relationship-building skills for business and life.
• Growth is Slow, Death is Fast: Vishal learned from the dot-com and telecom busts that startups must focus on making money, conserving cash, and building strong fundamentals to survive.
• Education is the Equalizer: Vishal believes education solves global problems and supports UC Merced to create generational change in immigrant families.

Vishal’s journey is a powerful reminder that you are the fabric of the innovation ecosystem—and you belong. What small impact will you make today to contribute? Join his community by checking out his Sidebar Summit.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we're joined by Paris-based jewelry designer and entrepreneur, Lola Oladunjoye. Have you ever wondered what it takes to walk away from a successful legal career to follow your artistic passion? Lola’s story is a powerful testament to the value of "delusional self-confidence," continuous learning, and the courage to build something that is uniquely yours. From her upbringing in London to her groundbreaking career in Silicon Valley, this conversation reveals the songs and stories that shaped a true "unboxed" leader.

Lola Oladunjoye is the creative at the helm of LOLA FENHIRST, which she founded in 2020.​ Prior to founding LOLA FENHIRST, Oladunjoye enjoyed a successful career as an intellectual property attorney in California's Silicon Valley, working for best-of-breed publicly traded software companies. ​In 2015, Oladunjoye resigned from her role as General Counsel of the Salesforce Foundation, to pursue her dream of becoming a jewellery designer.​ By 2017, determined to transform her dream into reality, Oladunjoye had moved to Paris.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of "Delusional Self-Confidence": Learn how a confident mindset—even if it seems naive to others—can be your greatest superpower, fueling you to knock on a hundred doors to get one "yes".
• Soft Skills Are Your Superpower: Discover why Lola believes that the most important skill in a corporate career is not your technical expertise, but your ability to build relationships and work well with people .
• Leave a Great Job for a Personal Dream: Hear why Lola decided to walk away from her top legal role at Salesforce to create her jewelry brand, choosing a path where her art would be unique to her and could not be replicated.
• Normalize the "Unboxed" Path: Find out why a leader's career journey doesn't have to be a straight line, and why the most powerful thing you can do is "let people catch up" with your vision.

Lola Fenhirst’s story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to follow your dreams. What’s your unboxed career path? 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with Dr. Vicki Johnson, founder of the tech company ProFellow. Are you a leader looking for life-changing opportunities but don't know where to find them? Are you struggling to balance a mission-driven business with your personal life? Vicki’s journey is a powerful testament to the value of servant leadership and building a career that is grounded in your values. From her humble beginnings in Delaware to a global career in public service, this conversation reveals the songs and stories that shaped a true "unboxed" leader.

Dr. Vicki Johnson is a speaker, author, and founder of ProFellow, the leading U.S. platform for emerging leaders, linking a diverse national audience of 330,000 members to competitive fellowships, top graduate schools, and leadership development programs.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of an Unconventional Story: Learn how Vicki got into Cornell by telling a powerful, personal story about leading a losing high school sports team, proving that your unique experience can be your greatest asset.
• Finding Purpose in Service: Discover how her passion for public service led her to a career in emergency management, where she witnessed firsthand the power of national unity after the events of 9/11.
• Building a Business on Your Own Terms: Hear why Vicki chose to build ProFellow as a small, mission-driven social enterprise rather than a venture-backed startup, allowing her to have full control over her values and a healthy work-life balance.
• The "Bones" of a Business: Find out why she believes a company built with "strong bones"—rooted in values, a supportive community, and consistency—can withstand any challenge or economic headwind.

Vicki’s story proves that a leader's journey is a beautiful, unpredictable path, and that a mission-driven business can be a powerful force for change. Join her community by visiting ProFellow.com to start your own unboxed journey!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH VICKI JOHNSON:

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

In this inspiring episode of No Boxes: Just Verses, we sit down with the one and only Lauren Maillian. Are you a leader who has faced setbacks and wondered if you can ever get back on track? Lauren’s story is a powerful testament to the value of resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to family and purpose. From her early days as a fashion model to becoming the youngest self-made winery owner in the U.S., this conversation reveals the songs and stories that shaped a true entrepreneur who has redefined what success looks like on her own terms.

Lauren Maillian is a global CEO, three-time entrepreneur, investor, and award-winning marketer. She is the founder of LMB Group and former CEO of Digital Undivided. Lauren is also a bestselling author and was the youngest self-made winery owner in the United States. She is a recognized voice in marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and a passionate advocate for women and minority founders.

Key Takeaways:

• From Looks to Legacy: Learn how Lauren used her early career as a fashion model as a way to build capital for her entrepreneurial dreams, proving that a leader knows how to leverage their assets for a greater purpose.
• The Power of the Pivot: Discover how a challenging personal setback forced her to redefine her path and find her true strength and capabilities, leading to a profound season of personal growth.
• Redefining Success on Your Own Terms: Hear why Lauren believes a leader’s journey is not a straight line, but a series of intentional pivots, allowing you to get to the top on your own terms.
• A Leader's Routine: Find out why a leader's routine must be built on persistence, faith, and a clear vision, especially when you are an entrepreneur and no one is bringing you a paycheck.

Lauren’s journey is a powerful reminder that you can redefine your path again and again. Join us in building your own "unboxed" journey and check out the show notes to get Lauren’s unforgettable playlist!

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

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Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music)