From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose

Laila Brock joins Dreena Whitfield for a powerful conversation about leadership, representation, and learning who you are beyond the job.

From her early days as a college track captain to shaping some of the biggest stages in sports, Laila reflects on what it means to lead in rooms that were never designed for you. She shares lessons from mentors who poured into her, the responsibility of opening doors for others, and the moment she realized success without rest is not sustainable.

This is Laila Brock. And this is how she got here.

This episode is a thoughtful reflection on identity, boundaries, burnout, and redefining purpose beyond titles.

Listen and follow How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield for more stories of purpose, resilience, and the moments that shape who we become.

(00:00) - From the Track to the Boardroom: Laila Brock on Leadership, Representation, and Purpose
(01:36) - Introduction and Setting the Stage
(01:45) - Early Leadership Lessons at Penn State
(03:24) - Influential Figures and Personal Growth
(05:10) - Challenges and Triumphs in Operations Roles
(08:55) - Transition to Business Development
(12:00) - Joining the Atlanta Dream
(15:23) - Navigating Leadership as a Black Woman
(17:50) - Representing the Ancestors and Future Generations
(18:46) - The Rise of Women's Sports
(20:15) - Reflecting on Career and Personal Identity
(23:02) - Advice for Young Women in Sports
(28:23) - Legacy and Impact in Sports
(29:33) - Quick Fire Questions and Closing Remarks