Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Chestnut.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey has been anything but linear and that’s what makes it powerful. I started my career in tech as a developer, one of the few Black women in most rooms I entered. Over time, I moved into leadership and then pivoted into quality assurance leadership roles, where I discovered that my real passion wasn’t just in systems and processes, it was in people. I found myself naturally drawn to developing talent, building culture, and leading with empathy.
But the environments I worked in didn’t always support that approach. I often felt like I had to choose between driving results and being human-centered…until I joined Calendly as their Head of Quality. That’s where everything shifted. For the first time, I was in a space where people truly lived by their values. One of those values was “Start with Human,” and it gave me permission to lead in a way that felt true to who I was. That experience became the catalyst for launching my leadership and career coaching business.
Today, I partner with tech organizations to elevate team performance, strengthen leadership communication, and foster healthy, inclusive cultures through people-first coaching, workshops, and strategic guidance. I’m certified in multiple leadership frameworks, including DISC and Leadership Behavior DNA, and have built a reputation for helping teams and individuals go from stuck to soaring.
I also design and deliver career coaching programs and training for Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). As someone who has often been the only minority in the room, I’m especially passionate about supporting underrepresented team members in showing up authentically in any space they choose to be in, because they belong in every space.
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that when you gain clarity, you build confidence, and that confidence creates a power no one can take from you. That power is what I help others tap into, especially those who, like me, have felt overlooked or underestimated. My story is still unfolding, but every step I’ve taken has been toward one goal: helping people lead and live with authenticity, boldness, and impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not…and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The road has had plenty of bumps, detours, and roadblocks. I came up in tech at a time when diversity and inclusion were more buzzwords than practice. As a Black woman in leadership, I often found myself underestimated, overlooked, or expected to shrink to make others comfortable. I had to work twice as hard to be seen as competent, and even then, I often felt like I was wearing a mask just to be accepted.
One of the biggest struggles was navigating environments that didn’t value people-first leadership. I had a heart for developing others, creating psychological safety, and building inclusive cultures, but in many rooms that was considered “soft” or not strategic. It was incredibly frustrating to have a vision for human-centered leadership, but feel like I had to mute that part of myself just to survive.
Imposter syndrome also had a grip on me for a long time. It’s hard not to question your worth when you rarely see yourself reflected in the spaces you’re working so hard to belong in. I often internalized rejection or resistance as a sign that I needed to change, be less, or hide more.
But those struggles shaped me. They pushed me to get clear on who I am, what I believe, and how I want to lead. That clarity built my confidence, and that confidence gave me power. Power to show up fully. Power to create the space I had always longed for. Power to turn my pain into purpose.
So no…it hasn’t been smooth. But the challenges refined me, and they now allow me to support others with empathy, strategy, and lived experience. And that’s a gift I wouldn’t trade.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Leaders’ QA Consulting, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business helps tech companies build high-performing teams by addressing what actually drives performance…people. I specialize in leadership development, culture optimization, and communication strategy that accelerates execution, improves retention, strengthens collaboration and results in profits.
What sets my work apart is that it’s not just about motivation; it’s about measurable impact. I help engineering teams move faster with fewer breakdowns, reduce friction between departments, and lead more effectively in high-stakes environments. My frameworks are rooted in behavioral science and real-world tech leadership experience, not just theory.
I’ve spent over 20 years in tech, including roles as a developer and Head of Quality, so I understand both the technical and people sides of growth. My clients include ERGs, people leaders, and executives who want to improve how their teams operate—from the inside out.
I also coach 1:1 within my PowerHouse Professionals program, a transformative experience for high-achieving women in tech. I guide them through my signature ASCEND framework. It’s designed to help professionals gain clarity, build confidence, and activate the kind of power that fuels sustainable performance and impact.
At the core of everything I do is a belief: Clarity builds confidence, and confidence drives consistent performance. I’m most proud of creating spaces where teams don’t just grow, they scale with purpose, alignment, and long-term business results.
If you’re looking for surface-level culture work, I’m not the fit. But if you want to create real alignment between leadership, performance, and people then you’ll want to talk to me.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is dancing on the drill team while living in Bamberg, Germany. We performed at basketball games, and every time I hear “Motownphilly” by Boyz II Men, I’m instantly transported back to one of our final performances. We had custom-made pants with graffiti spray paint on them, and you couldn’t tell us nothing!
Even now, that memory lives on. In fact, one of my oldest friends from the team and I busted out a few of those same moves at her wedding years later. It’s the kind of joy you never forget.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erikachestnut.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikachestnut/
