It’s Lakeisha McKnight! I am a certified leadership coach, teacher and speaker who was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey in the U.S.A. I am ultimately a leadership strategist because I enjoy helping career focused women expedite the process towards unleashing the leader within (meeting their ideal professional selves). As a strategist, I help women move from local influencers to global moguls.
I have empowered 100,000+ aspiring lady entrepreneurs and corporate professionals from the U.S.A. to Africa to Asia. I serve corporations and associations inclusive of conference event hosts, empowering professionals in the areas of leadership development, peak performance, sales and marketing, business development, and women’s empowerment.
I am the owner of two companies: The ILEAD Company LLC and Women of Elevation Career Services International Inc. (both located in U.S. and Africa).
The essential thought that drives what I do is: Build the people and the people will build the business.
I grew up in an inner city called Paterson in Northern New Jersey (20 minutes outside of Manhattan, NY). I experienced hardships (i.e. child sexual abuse, absence of my biological father) that helped shape the message of inspiration I share with others. Despite the hardships, I excelled academically rising as the Valedictorian of my high school class, where I graduated with a major in Theater.
My faith in God, husband, mother, and children are my sources of inspiration. I am also inspired by music and healthy food. (Yes! I am Lakeisha McKnight and I am a smoothie-aholic! LOL)
I truly believe that we are all born to lead. However, becoming a CHAMPION or WINNING leader is a lifestyle experience. During my journey, I have been fortunate to receive awesome training (and affiliation with) from professionals inclusive of:
- Dr. John Maxwell,
- Robert Kiyoski,
- Fred Pryor,
- Grant Baldwin, and
- Josh Shipp.
There are many things I have been blessed with accomplishing on my journey thus far. Here are just a few of them:
- ‘Entrepreneur of the 2010-2011 year’ by Cambridge’s Whose Who as well as named the U.S. 2010 Ambassador for an international leadership organization.
- Former President Bill Clinton who gave her a presidential citation for her community service in 1999.
- A women’s organization called Achi Magazine honored Lakeisha with the 2014 Orator’s Award.
- In 2015, the 4th book that Lakeisha published called The WAKE UP book obtained attention from major media outlets including Fox, ABC, and the International Business Times.
