We had the good fortune of connecting with DOROTHY ENRIQUEZ and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DOROTHY, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started The Ellevate Collective, for a several reasons. But the top three reasons are 1. Over my fifteen years serving in corporate America, I had seen similar gaps time and time again. Across fields and industries, folks were struggling with what many of us know as soft skills. I never liked that term because in my mind if it can prevent me from accelerating…it’s a hard skill. I wanted to create a firm that could focus on one of the larger gaps that companies identified over the years. 2. I wanted to create a new voice in Leadership with a commitment to redefining the color of leadership from two stand points. Part A is that there should be more diversity at higher levels in our fortune 100, 500 and 1000 companies. Part B the fathers and mothers of leadership have been older white people, it’s time to offer leadership insight from a diverse perspective. Moreover, it’s important to offer up the fact that it’s okay and welcomed to introduce colors into the c suite that go beyond the usual black, navy blue, tan and gray. 3. The Ellevate Collective exists to add a burst of energy into a space/field/skill that over 81% of companies identify as important and to ignite folks to lead from every seat they sit in.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Our TEC Advantage is that we are black women with robust backgrounds, and we offer unparalleled data analytics that allow us to be able to track the transformation and the ROI.

As experts in leadership, learning and diversity, equity, inclusion & engagement (DEIE), we offer stylistic approaches to presenting, facilitation and coaching with an intentional focus on accessible, relatable, and transformational leadership. Making it relatable to each person no matter where they are in their leadership journey. Offering practical and strategic tips and tricks to elevate the leadership for each leader to ensure they are optimized and equipped to lead from every seat they sit in. This adds value to grow people up to the next level.

Our approach considers how adults learn, how women ascend into leadership and the impact of neuroscience to ignite the mindset, toolset and skill set required to lead strategically, authentically and congruently. Here at Ellevate, we enhance how leaders carry out and show up day to day in their jobs and careers to positively impact the bottom line. This takes a sharp departure from how people are used to learning about and applying leadership.

The biggest lessons I have learned mostly surround business acumen: understanding the criticality of contracts, having a pipeline, leaning in with clients that need extra hand holding, understanding who the ideal client is as well as navigating a global team in the most impactful way.

I strive to be the Beyonce of my industry because I believe that not only to organizations need to lean into the power of leadership but so do Black Women CEO running successful businesses.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like food and a good vibe…so if someone was coming to hang out with me in DFW for a weekend…on Friday afternoon we would visit The Highland Park Village for some high end shopping. Then for lunch we will head to Gloria’s and if we are hungry later, we can head over to KISS for great food, a vibe and ambiance. Saturday, we will go to brunch at Thirsty Lion then head to Dallas Museum of Art. After we walk up an appetite, we will head to YardBird for dinner. Sunday, we will go to church and after church we will head to Common Table for a Hip Hop Brunch. So fun! Can’t wait to hang out!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out Cheryl V. Mitchell, Shayla Varnado, Dr. Laci C. Robbins, Sandye Brown and Anita Goldin…in various ways these ladies along with so many other powerhouses have been instrumental in helping me wrap my mind around the calling that has been placed on my life. They’ve encouraged me to take up space, play full out and trust myself.

Website: https://www.theellevatecollective.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevateher/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothyenriquez

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theellevatecollective?si=j9J-VKNbHdVWtNU5

Other: https://the-ellevate-leadership-circle.mn.co/ https://theellevatecollective.com/be-accountable-be-fabulous/

Image Credits
Ealim Photography Teangelo Bell

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