Shonnah Hughes is the Global Product Growth & Innovation Evangelist for GetFeedback, a WiT Diversity User Group Leader and a Salesforce MVP. Shonnah is an enthusiastic, supportive leader offering 10+ years of proven accomplishments across Salesforce Administration, customer service improvements, project management, and training & development. Shonnah is best known as a diversity and inclusion strategist focused on improving organization and community learning, relationships, and reputation. We were lucky enough to connect with Shonnah briefly over her time in the Salesforce Community, and as a female leader:

Can you tell me a bit about what you do in the Salesforce Community and what your role is?

I have multiple roles in the Salesforce community. I am the global product growth and innovation evangelist with GetFeedback by SurveyMonkey and we are a customer and a partner, so I am responsible to nurture and grow our relationship with the Salesforce organization and the Salesforce customer and partner Trailblazer community. I am a co-lead of the Women in Tech Diversity community group as well as a Salesforce MVP.

As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career?

Being a Black woman who doesn't apologize for taking up space.

Who inspires/inspired you and why?

I draw inspiration from everyone I meet. I truly believe that we can learn something from every interaction we encounter, good or bad. I draw strength, wisdom, and knowledge from these interactions, and they, in turn, inspire me in a multitude of ways. If I had to choose just one person though I would choose my older sister Meya, she was always unapologetically herself.

What are some of the characteristics of a good leader?

Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Authenticity, Honesty, active listening, knowledge seeker

What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?

“Raise up your voice not so that you can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” Never apologize for being a powerful woman. We cannot succeed when half of us are being held back. So, acknowledge and own the privilege that you have so you can use it to influence change and in doing so invite others to do the same!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Being a mother

Where will we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?

Saturday at 10 am hopefully I'm sound asleep lol