Session: #FearlessRoarMore: Cultivating Courage in Leadership and Innovation
Lakecia Gunter, Chief Technology Officer, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft will delve into overcoming fear and embracing courage in the tech industry (with a focus on bold leadership, innovation, and the art of making bold decisions), encouraging attendees to adopt a fearless approach in their careers.
Bio
Lakecia Gunter currently serves a Chief Technology Officer for the Global Partner Solutions (GPS) organization at Microsoft, the largest partner ecosystem in the industry, empowering partners to drive digital transformation.
In this role, Lakecia defines technical vison and strategy for GPS to achieve Microsoft’s mission through partners, enabling partners to build innovative solutions that help customers achieve their digital transformation goals and achieve successful business outcomes. Lakecia is at the forefront of helping guide GPS and our partners through the next wave of our technological innovations and advancements in AI.
She has held several leadership roles at Microsoft. Most recently, she served as Vice President and General Manager of the Device Partner Solution Sales (DPSS) group at Microsoft. Lakecia is responsible for building, marketing, and selling, Microsoft’s leading devices and solutions to the company’s device ecosystem, including OEM, distribution, and reseller partners, as well as its commercial, consumer, and education customers, which generates over $4B in channel revenue and influences over $20B for the company.
Lakecia previously served as Vice President and General Manager of the Worldwide Internet of Things (IoT) Partner Ecosystem, Global Channel Sales at Microsoft. In this role, she designed and executed Microsoft's IoT partner ecosystem strategy, including sales and go-to-market execution, to drive disruptive growth opportunities with the largest global solution and service partners, building intelligent edge and cloud solutions to accelerate customers’ digital transformation. Throughout her career in the tech industry, she has had the opportunity to lead multi-billion-dollar businesses and accelerate transformation, develop new channels and markets, drive M&A initiatives and lead global organizations.
Prior to joining Microsoft, she held several leadership roles at Intel Corporation, including Technical Assistant and Chief of Staff to the CEO as well as Vice President in the Programmable Solutions Group. She currently serves as an independent director for IDEX corporation and is a member of the Board’s Compensation Committee and Nomination and Governance Committee.
Lakecia has been named to The CRN Women of the Channel list for 2023 for her leadership in the industry, strategic vision and channel advocacy that directly impacts the growth of the channel. In addition, she has been recognized as one of 100 Influential Women in Tech to Watch in 2022 by WomenTech Network. In 2021, Lakecia was named to Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Corporate Director’s list.
She volunteers through numerous community service organizations both locally and nationally. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council as well as Black Women on Boards. She recently launched a podcast called ROAR with Lakecia Gunter where she spotlights leaders, industry experts, executive coaches, and successful entrepreneurs from around the globe.
Lakecia earned her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of South Florida and her master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.