Our Guests

Amethyst Roberson is an author, speaker, and wellness educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and communities build emotional resilience, leadership capacity, and sustainable wellbeing. Her work centers on healing, empowerment, and restoration—bridging faith, emotional intelligence, and practical life skills. Through books, music, keynote talks, and educational programs, Amethyst equips people to lead themselves well, navigate trauma, and reclaim their voice with courage and clarity.

Brenda A. Battle, MBA, BSN, Retired C-Suite Executive | Board Member | Advisor and Consultant Ms. Battle is a C-Suite executive with expertise in strategic planning, program development and innovative program design. Ms. Battle has designed and executed health care system strategies to foster innovation in care delivery and improve health care outcomes. She has a national reputation as a leader in health equity. She is a national speaker with several publications, and has authored several textbook chapters on improving health outcomes and health equity. Ms. Battle’s career spanned multiple sectors of health care including health systems, government affairs, managed care, and post-acute care. Throughout her career, Ms. Battle led community health transformation, fostered innovation in care delivery systems, implemented new models of care and facilitated integration of care between the hospitals, health systems and community. Most recently, she led the University of Chicago Medic…

Ja'Quan Lavender, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a remarkable individual whose journey has been characterized by excellence, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Born with a passion for athletics, Ja'Quan's talent in track and field became evident during his time at Steubenville High School. As a track standout, Ja'Quan made a name for himself in the 400-meter dash, consistently demonstrating his speed, endurance, and determination. His exceptional performances not only earned him recognition but also paved the way for his future endeavors. In 2014, Ja'Quan graduated from Steubenville High School, having left an indelible mark on the track and field program. His success on the high school stage opened doors for him to pursue his athletic aspirations at the collegiate level. Ja'Quan's exceptional track and field abilities led him to receive a scholarship to Tiffin University, where he continued to excel both academically and athletically. He embraced t…

Larry Cheatham is the President of Global AO Solutions, where he is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial freedom and create a lasting positive impact. With a proven track record in executive leadership and business development, Larry specializes in transforming operational excellence into sustainable growth and long-term success. Passionate about empowering others, he combines strategic vision, innovative solutions, and hands-on mentorship to drive results across diverse industries. Larry’s commitment to elevating people and organizations reflects his core belief that purposeful leadership can change lives and communities for the better.

Lawrence Scott is an international speaker, transformational coach, and founder of an executive leadership coaching practice. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a former Army officer, he is a certified member of the John Maxwell Team. For over a decade he has empowered world changers, from athletes to executive teams, to live and lead purposefully, specializing in leadership, communication, and personal growth, and helping leaders build systems that elevate both their lives and their teams. He launched ASPIRE, a community and online course designed to help individuals achieve fulfillment and financial freedom through purposeful living. Called an ecosystem accelerator for guiding leaders to operate intentionally and authentically, Lawrence brings energy, insight, and actionable frameworks to every speaking engagement and coaching session. He is also a fifth-generation inheritor of a family leadership legacy rooted in St. Louis.

As the Chief Technology Officer for the Dallas Mavericks, Phillip leads the strategic direction and execution of the technology vision, delivering innovative and engaging content across multiple platforms. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry, spanning enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure management, process consulting, technical leadership, and strategic consulting. He holds an MS in Entertainment Business, an Executive Certificate in the Chief Technology Program from the Wharton School of Business, an Executive Certificate from the PGP program at the McCombs School of Business, a PMP certification, and a CSM certification. These credentials reflect his commitment to continuous learning and excellence in the field of technology. His mission is to create value for the Dallas Mavericks, NBA, and its stakeholders, and to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the technology organization.

Phillip Yates is an accomplished attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities. He is the founder and CEO of Equiliberty, an innovative fintech platform focused on increasing access to credit, capital, and wealth-building resources for underrepresented individuals. Beyond Equiliberty, Phillip co-founded Diversity Fund Houston, a $3 million seed fund that invests in Black and Hispanic tech founders, and launched initiatives such as Black Entrepreneurs Week and Latino Entrepreneurs Week to spotlight and support minority business owners. He also serves as Chairman of Impact Hub Houston, where he helps drive social innovation and entrepreneurship across the region. Recognized as an Ecosystem Builder of the Year, Phillip is passionate about using technology, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to close the racial wealth gap and empower people to achieve financial freedom. With a background in corporate and…

Ralph E. Owens II is the host and executive producer of The Leadership Sovereignty Podcast, which he co-hosts with Terry Baylor. Together they have built a career acceleration platform for professionals who want to increase their influence, navigate workplace politics with integrity, and position themselves for promotion. Ralph is a Chief Information Officer in financial services and a two-time Houston CIO of the Year finalist. His career spans financial services and energy generation, where he has secured critical infrastructure, navigated complex regulatory environments, and built high-performing teams that consistently deliver under pressure. He is also a United States Navy veteran. Much of what he teaches about leading under pressure, and about the difference between authority and influence, started there. He built this show for a specific reason. Most professionals are never actually taught the things that determine whether they advance. Every episode is designed to clos…

Rob Zelinka is a transformational CIO and senior technology executive with over three decades of experience leading enterprise-wide digital, cloud, and operational strategies. Most recently, he served as Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Jack Henry, where he oversaw technology strategy and operations at one of Forbes’ Best Places to Work. His career also includes transformative leadership roles at TechnipFMC and PROS, where he drove operational rigor, digital innovation, and large-scale technology transformations across global organizations. Recognized as a three-time Orbie CIO finalist and active member of the WSJ CIO Council and CNBC Technology Executive Council, Rob is a trusted voice in the future of leadership and technology. He serves on multiple advisory boards, guiding executives and organizations through disruption, growth, and cultural reinvention. Today, Rob channels his experience into advisory services, thought leadership, and leadership development.…

Shachella James is an award-winning technology professional with well over a decade of professional experience across multiple industries, consulting services, manufacturing banking, telecommunications, and now utilities. She is responsible for information and operational technologies, and enterprise architecture. Her expertise also spans strategic and capital planning, cloud services, data center operations and infrastructure operations. She is keen on workforce management and serving up the talent pipeline for the future.

Terry Baylor is the co-host of The Leadership Sovereignty Podcast, which he hosts alongside Ralph E. Owens II. Together they have built a career acceleration platform for professionals who want to grow their influence, navigate workplace politics with integrity, and position themselves for promotion. Terry is the CEO of Lift Life Technology, a healthcare technology company delivering secure connectivity and cybersecurity to private practices and direct primary care organizations. His career spans strategic IT leadership and large-scale digital transformation, where he has guided teams through Agile adoption, complex modernization, and the kind of organizational change most companies underestimate. He is a mentor, speaker, and longtime advocate for keeping technology human. He has delivered insights at events including Cisco Live, and he coaches high-performing teams on leading with authenticity and agility. His conviction is straightforward. The most powerful connections still happe…