Your Seat at the Table Is Not a Favor, It Is Part of Your Assignment – Dr. Lisa Yvette Jones
By Darasimi Kikelomo
Dr. Lisa Yvette Jones is being recognized for a leadership message that is resonating widely in 2026: belonging is not something women should have to earn through permission, and purpose should never require shrinking to fit someone else’s comfort. Featured in GLEBM Magazine’s The Audacious 30: Women Shaping 2026 International Women’s Day special edition, Dr. Jones is spotlighted for her work as a leadership strategist, executive coach, bestselling author, and Chief Caring Officer of iC.A.R.E. Leadership, LLC, where she equips leaders to sustain excellence without sacrificing their health, peace, or humanity.
“Your seat at the table is not a favor; it is part of your assignment,” Dr. Jones says, framing leadership not only as performance, but as stewardship.
Dr. Jones is known for her commitment to leading with both excellence and care, especially in environments that often reward results while overlooking the people responsible for achieving them. Her leadership journey includes guiding teams through crisis and uncertainty while maintaining integrity, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety. She emphasizes that high performance and humanity do not need to compete, and that leaders can deliver results while still protecting dignity and cultivating sustainable workplace cultures.
One of the defining aspects of Dr. Jones’ story is her decision to share her testimony publicly while continuing to lead in demanding spaces. She has spoken openly about conquering stage 3 cervical cancer, navigating separation and divorce, and releasing over 200 pounds and maintaining her progress, describing these experiences as part of her leadership formation and her commitment to helping others rise through truth and resilience.
“The greatest test of my life was leading through stage 3 cervical cancer while continuing to serve others with integrity and strength,” she shared. “That season taught me that peace is essential, and self-care is not optional, it is necessary.”
Her platform centers on building leaders who Lead Well, Look Well, Live Well, and Love Well, and she continues to reinforce the message that self-care is a leadership discipline rather than a luxury. Dr. Jones credits her endurance to faith, purpose, and service, explaining that when uncertainty arises, she returns to prayer, alignment, and the principles she teaches through her leadership frameworks.
The leaders and teams most impacted by her work are those who have learned they can be highly performing while remaining deeply human, and her coaching and training continues to influence women leaders and emerging voices who are reclaiming peace and owning their influence without apology.
As International Women’s Day approaches, Dr. Jones’ message has become a defining theme for the year ahead: women should not treat leadership access as a favor granted, but as responsibility aligned with purpose. Her work continues to expand conversations around sustainable leadership, caring workplace cultures, and leadership that produces impact without exhaustion.
