Black History Month 2023: Kyndryl Leaders Talk Careers, Mentors and Giving Back

Director and Counsel, Benefits & Compensation at Kyndryl

“Become OK with being uncomfortable. It is during those times where you step out of your comfort zone that you will be challenged and experience the greatest career growth. Pressure creates diamonds.”

My inspiration in life

My mother single-handedly receives all the credit for anything great in me or that I have ever accomplished. Growing up, she poured into me through her words of encouragement, love, books, music and culture. She did not play when it came to my grades — so everything I did was with the thought that I always wanted to make her proud. She prayed me through law school and cheered for me to follow my dreams and never give up.

Journey to the finish line

My greatest career accomplishment was graduating from law school – not only once but twice, all while working full time. Seeing how proud my mom and other family members were to see me walking across the stage is a memory that lives on in my life today.

The importance of giving back

Remember to reach back and pour into others. As evangelist T.D. Jakes once said, “If you have achieved any level of success, then pour it into someone else. Success is not success without a successor.”

Chief Marketing Officer, Kyndryl France

“Become a subject matter expert in something and be really good at it — once you establish credibility, leadership will follow.”

The intersection of customer and brand advocacy

Listening to and understanding customer needs in a specific market is both an art and a science. I’m extremely passionate about unlocking Kyndryl’s brand potential and delivering value for customers.

Championing equality and justice

There are so many leaders in Black history who repeatedly challenged racial violence and the prejudiced systems protecting its perpetrators. Let their legacy serve as a reminder of how far we have come and how far we have to go. We must keep pushing to make the world a better place for the generation that comes after us.

Keep going, keep growing

Plan, re-plan, execute, fail, learn and re-learn — the key to success is to never give up.

Sr. Threat Intelligence Analyst at Kyndryl

“Protecting Kyndryl and its customers is a role that never gets boring — and I get to do all of it while working with some of the most amazing human beings on earth.”

Leading with kindness

Much of my career success has come from being empathetic and understanding to the people around me — even, and perhaps especially, if I don’t agree with them.

My true hero

My father was such a phenomenal human being. He had the ability to befriend people from all backgrounds and didn’t compare himself, his struggles, nor his victories to others. He also taught me to adjust, adapt and overcome, which is core to who I am today, both personally and professionally. I hope that I can live up to — and someday exceed — the example he instilled in me.

Advice for the next generation

Work hard, master your craft and never stop learning. Replace the word “challenge” with “opportunity” in your mind because many challenges you come up against, one way or another, will prove to be your greatest opportunities.