Dr. Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, ACC is an executive leadership coach who has dedicated her career to the growth and development of individuals and the organizations they are a part of. As an ICF Certified Coach, a StartingBloc Fellow, a Google #IamRemarkable Facilitator, and a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, she believes that when leaders are empowered to reach their fullest potential, they will be able to support those around them more effectively.

It was her own experience with coaching that ignited her passion to support individuals, teams, and organizations to lead more authentically and courageously. A few of her former clients include Headspace, Glassdoor, Snap, LA Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Junior League Michigan, The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), The Salvation Army, The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, California Mental Health Advocates for Children, Black Administrators of Child Welfare, and the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute.

Dr. Cherry is the former Chief Executive Officer of The Network for Social Work Management, an international organization dedicated to strengthening and mobilizing diverse social impact leaders through education, leadership development, networking, and community-building. Under her nine years of leadership, the Network expanded globally and introduced transformative programming that not only produced better leaders but also enhanced organizational cultures. 

Her approach is informed by her Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California where she was honored with the coveted Order of Arête award, her M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University, and her B.A. in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

When Dr. Cherry is not coaching the next greatest leaders, she dedicates her time to serving as an advisor for The New York Center for Children, and a council member for the Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Adelphi University School of Social Work.

Additional qualifications: Psychological Safety, EQi 2.0 and EQ 360 certified, Diversity and Inclusion certification (eCornell), and Nonprofit Executive Leadership certificate (National Human Services Assembly)