Culture Creator. Visionary. Trailblazer. Storyteller.
and Speaker
About Leshawnda
Leshawnda Larkin is a seasoned business executive with over 20 years of diverse experience across the corporate landscape. Known for her vibrant energy, vitality and a passion for storytelling and innovation, Leshawnda has left a mark on brands and marketing strategies at renowned companies such as Dolby, Samsung, PepsiCo-Frito Lay, Dr Pepper Snapple/ Cadbury Schweppes, and Johnson & Johnson.
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. Leshawnda has worked on numerous product launches, branded entertainment programs and partnerships.
Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named in Who’s Who in Black Dallas, recognized as one of DiversityMBA magazine’s top 100 under 50 diverse emerging leaders, and receiving the Dallas Fort Worth chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) Marketer of the Year Award in the Integrated Marketing Team category. Leshawnda's work advocating for VR with diverse audiences has been spotlighted by organizations like Black Enterprise.com and Get with the Program, a nonprofit STEM organization.
An accomplished speaker, Leshawnda has graced the stages of prestigious conferences and events, including Greenlight’s VRS conference, TechWeek Dallas, MegaFest International Family and Faith Film Festival, Black Public Media Story Summit, Brand Innovators, SXSW, and Art Basel.
Beyond her professional achievements, Leshawnda is deeply committed to community service and sits on multiple non-profit boards, including the Black Innovation Alliance and Legacy of Service Foundation. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, the Junior League of Dallas, and the Television Academy.
On a personal note, Leshawnda's creative pursuits extend to executive producing the independent film Jerico, which premiered at the Cannes Pan African Film Festival in Cannes, France. Additionally, she is 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.
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
Member of the Television Academy
“Pursue the things you love doing and do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. All other tangible rewards will come as a result.”