About Leshawnda

Leshawnda currently serves as the Director of Brand Marketing at Dolby. A well-seasoned marketing executive, Leshawnda has held marketing positions at Samsung, PepsiCo Frito-Lay, Dr Pepper Snapple/ Cadbury Schweppes, and Johnson & Johnson. Prior to Dolby, Leshawnda focused on defining and driving marketing strategy across the consumer journey, including customer targeting, media and communications strategy, for wearables and immersive technology/ VR at Samsung. She also served as the National Vice Chair of Galaxy of Black Professionals Employee Relations Group (ERG) at Samsung.

A couple of fun facts about Leshawnda. Leshawnda has worked on high-profile brand programs integrating with top entertainment properties such as The Celebrity Apprentice and The Amazing Race. Leshawnda executive produced the independent film, Jerico, which starred Irma P. Hall, Numa Perrier, JoMarie Payton, and George Wallace. The film premiered at Cannes Pan African Film Festival in Cannes, France and has won 14 film festival awards worldwide. She is also a featured co-author in the book, Shift Happens: Inspirational Stories on Finding Happiness, Achieving Success and Overcoming Obstacles.

In her spare time, Leshawnda enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling all over the world, health & wellness activities, attending concerts and film festivals, supporting the arts, and all things Oprah.

Leshawnda grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Howard University and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Junior League of Dallas, and a voting member of the Television Academy.

EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS

Duke University Fuqua School of Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Howard University, B.S. Chemical Engineering

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Junior League of Dallas

Voting member of the Television Academy Interactive Media Peer Group

Speaker

Leshawnda is recognized for her innovative and thoughtful perspective and her unique ability to unpack and translate complex topics into consumable, actionable ideas. She leads topics that are on the cusp, from technology, entertainment, culture, diversity, to health and wellness. Through her signature humor and positivity, Leshawnda engages worldwide audiences and creates a welcoming space to spark dialogue and the exchange of ideas. Audiences are left inspired, empowered, with a broader view of the world around them.

Industry

• Virtual Reality Strategy Conference. Virtual Reality Diversity and Inclusion Panel, Moderator. November 2016. San Francisco, CA

• Virtual Reality Strategy Conference. Will Diversity Take Virtual Reality Mainstream, Moderator. October 25, 2017. San Francisco, CA

• Techweek Dallas. Navigating the Next Wave of AR/ VR - Women in Virtual Reality, Speaker. November 3, 2017. Dallas, TX

• Black Public Media Story Summit. Immersive Storytelling, Panelist. April 6, 2018. New York, NY

University

• Duke University Women’s Weekend. Risky Business: Shifting Career Paths, Panelist. February 23, 2017. Durham, NC

• Duke University, Fuqua School of Business. Technology: IT as the Catalyst for Transformational Leadership, Panelist. November 18,2018. Durham, NC

Film Festival

• MegaFest International Faith and Family Film Festival. Emerging Technologies for Impactful Storytelling, Panelist. June 30, 2017. Dallas, TX

Culture Creator

Culture is the way we do things. Leshawnda helps to redefine the way we do things by challenging our thoughts on why we do the things we do and exploring how we can do better because she was taught we should all leave a place better than we found it. She encourages and empowers others to examine and rethink predefined notions, with the ultimate goal of creating a more inclusive and positive world.

• Conscious Capitalism, From Planning to Practice: Activating Your DEI Goals for Company Good, Moderator. January 27, 2022.

• Samsung Galaxy of Black Professionals ERG, National Vice Chair & Moderator. 2020

  • Juneteenth

  • The Future Consumer

  • Conversation with Congressman Jim Clyburn

  • Change Agent in Hollywood

  • The Color of COVID

  • Fireside Chat with Kenya Barris

Visionary & Trailblazer

Leshawnda’s superpower is the ability to see paths where no paths exist. As a marketing strategist, she is always looking ahead and beyond, blazing new trails with original product innovation, expansion, and brand partnership ideas that stretch our understanding and the boundaries of what is possible.

Product Launches

• Rose’s Cocktail Infusions

• Rose’s Mojito

• Margaritaville Margarita Mix

• Relaunch of Snapple

• Gear VR

• Gear 360

• Galaxy Watches - FDA approved feature (ECG)

Branded Entertainment Programs

• Celebrity Apprentice

• Amazing Race

• Maroon 5

Partnerships

• Dr. Pepper - Strategic Alliances (partnerships with General Mills, Diageo, etc.)

• Frito Lay - Anheuser-Busch

• Samsung - Facebook/ Oculus

• Samsung - Six Flags

• Samsung - Skybound Entertainment

Storyteller

Leshawnda understands the power of story. Whether she is leading new product innovations, forging strategic marketing alliances, championing film projects, or leading discussions on culture and race, Leshawnda uses the power of story to connect with, inspire, and motivate her audiences.

• Jerico film. Executive Producer. Jerico launched in Cannes, France, and won 14 film festival awards around the world.