My journey has been a deliberate fusion of resilience, legacy, and deep commitment to impact. I've spent two decades in tech sales and consulting, navigating spaces where I was often one of few. Those experiences have taught me how to build trust, lead through ambiguity, and deliver meaningful value in high-stakes environments.
But more than that, my identity is shaped by the legacy of those who came before me. My consulting firm, Pearson Stephens, is named in honor of my maternal grandfather and aunt, two brilliant visionary people who, due to the circumstances of their time, didn't get to realize their full potential. I carry their names not just as a tribute, but as a commitment to build platforms that open doors for others, especially BIPOC professionals in underrepresented sectors like tech leadership and strategy consulting.
What motivated you to pursue an Executive MBA as part of your ongoing growth?At this point in my journey, growth has to be intentional. I didn't need an MBA to prove capability; I needed it to scale impact. The EMBA was an investment in deepening my business acumen, expanding my strategic lens, and aligning my entrepreneurial ambition with operational excellence. I chose this path to sharpen the tools that will help me build structures of access, for myself and others. Especially for those who haven't historically been invited into the room, let alone handed the blueprint.
Why did Georgia Tech feel like the right place for you to further your education?Georgia Tech felt like a natural fit because of its rigor, its innovation forward mindset, and its commitment to real-world relevance. I wasn't interested in a "check-the box" MBA; I wanted to be challenged, to collaborate across disciplines, and to walk away with frameworks that I could immediately apply. The Scheller College of Business offers all of that and more. The diversity of thought, the caliber of faculty, and the strong orientation toward technology and sustainability sealed the deal for me.
How do you successfully navigate the demands of work, life, and graduate study?Grace and structure. I've learned to give myself grace when things aren't perfect; and to be ruthless about prioritization when they need to be. I also surround myself with a strong support system and remind myself constantly why I'm doing this. Every hour I spend on a paper, a project, or a late-night call with my capstone team is an hour invested in building the future I envision; not just for myself, but for the communities and leaders I hope to serve through my work.
What’s one ‘aha’ moment from the program that changed how you think or lead?One standout moment came during a session on platform strategy. It reframed how I think about value creation, not just as a transaction, but as an ecosystem. That insight has been pivotal as our project team works to build Rooted Capital, a tech-enabled economic development platform as part of our capstone project. It's not just about building a product, it's about stitching together people, data, and partnerships to drive long-term equity and investment in underserved communities.
Where do you hope your Executive MBA will lead you next?I hope it leads me to scale and change systems, whether that's through growing Pearson Stephens into a premier consulting firm focused on AI, operational transformation, and inclusive leadership, or launching innovative platforms that bridge capital, community, and capacity. Ultimately, I want my EMBA to be a force multiplier, for my business, for my voice, and for the next generation of leaders who will walk through the doors my ancestors helped crack open.