Today we’d like to introduce you to Kashonna Marrow.
Hi Kashonna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been fortunate to grow up in environments where my natural gifts were recognized and nurtured. When asked whether leaders are born or made, my answer is always, “Both.” I believe my genetics granted me innate abilities, but it was my life experiences that shaped and refined them.
From an early age, caring for others—feeding, clothing, and sheltering them—felt like second nature. I’ve always known I was given a gift to love and serve people. Still, as I grew older, I found myself resisting that calling. The weight of emotional responsibility and the pain that sometimes came with loving deeply caused me to hesitate. But after wrestling with my purpose for many years, I chose to stop fighting and embrace it fully.
Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of serving others in many different capacities. Each experience has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned to listen deeply, suspend judgment, and become more aware of myself and the season I’m in. I’ve learned to lead with emotional intelligence, to extend grace—to both myself and others—and to lean into discomfort when growth requires it.
Today, as a professional speaker, coach, and leader in training and development, I have the opportunity to use all that I’ve learned to help others grow. I get to offer hope—personally and professionally—supporting individuals as they overcome challenges and move toward a more purposeful, abundant, and successful life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my greatest struggles on this journey was giving myself permission to be great. For a long time, I let my current circumstances define my future. I internalized lies that told me I was unworthy, that I didn’t belong, and that I didn’t deserve the opportunities I had been given.
I convinced myself that the state I was in—spiritually, financially, emotionally, and professionally—was permanent. I had written a narrative in which I was already defeated, and that mindset kept me stuck. It limited my ability to grow, to dream, and to move forward.
It wasn’t until life became uncomfortable enough—until the pain of staying the same outweighed the fear of change—that I found the strength to shift. Sometimes, growth requires things to hurt just enough to push us toward where we’re meant to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Simply Kashonna LLC?
Simply Kashonna (SK) is a consulting firm dedicated to the professional and personal development of employees and leaders. Through our training and development division, Leading Forward, we deliver impactful coaching and organizational training that redefines workplace culture through authentic engagement and measurable results.
Our work spans private and public sectors, including nonprofit and government organizations, helping transform workplace cultures and foster healthy, productive relationships. Every engagement is grounded in heart-centered leadership, challenging participants to embark on a meaningful journey of self-discovery and authentic growth.
Whether I’m speaking at employee engagement events, facilitating soft skills workshops, or coaching leaders toward their next level of impact, my goal is always the same: to create a transformative experience that drives real change and lasting value.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Let’s talk about the disruption of AI! In the next 5 to 10 years (or perhaps even sooner), we’ll see transformative changes in my industry that will challenge how we deliver services. The workplace as we know it is already evolving. While I don’t believe humans will ever be fully replaced, it’s clear that we must embrace AI as a powerful ally and leverage it for the greater good.
This shift will push thought leaders and visionaries to think in new ways, urging all of us to make bold, fearless, and courageous decisions to stay ahead of the curve. The key is to stay open—eyes, ears, and hearts—ready to step into this next phase of impact and innovation.
Pricing:
- Consultation required to determine proper service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leadersmoveforward.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadersmoveforward/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadersmoveforward
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplykashonna
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kashonnamarrow
Image Credit:
Roy Cox
