True leadership goes beyond authority—it’s the art of seeing people, elevating potential, and delivering impact with heart. Lani Comments: “True leadership goes beyond authority—it’s the art of seeing people, elevating potential, and delivering impact with heart.”
Throughout her career, Sherlaender “Lani” Phillips has been on a mission to reimagine what leadership looks like—making it more human, inclusive, and accessible to all who aspire to grow, lead, and make a difference.
At Microsoft, Lani brought this mission to life as the executive sponsor for Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) and the Black Partner Growth Initiative (BPGI). In these roles, she championed systemic change that opened doors for the Black community within the company and across its partner ecosystem. It wasn’t just strategy—it was legacy work. These initiatives, born of intention and empathy, continue to drive opportunity today.
Beyond Microsoft, Lani extended her impact by backing communities that needed support, visibility, and capital. As an executive sponsor for the Black Channel Partner Alliance, she helped forge pathways to funding, mentorship, and community for underrepresented entrepreneurs. She also co-founded the Women Executive Channel Advisory Network (WECAN), creating a haven for senior women across tech to lift one another through peer mentorship, development, and strategic advocacy.
One of her most innovative contributions was rethinking mentorship on a large scale. With Modern Mentoring, led by Lani Phillips, she transformed executive insight into a movement, hosting genuine conversations about resilience, equity, and growth that resonated with thousands across various industries.
“When people are given access, support, and belief, they unlock their full leadership potential,” she shares. This philosophy has informed how she builds teams, drives results, and cultivates breakthrough performance. Lani comments: “When people are given access, support, and belief, they unlock their full leadership potential,” she shares. This philosophy has informed how she builds teams, drives results, and cultivates breakthrough performance.
Now, as Founder & CEO of FullCircle Leadership Group, Lani is scaling this work further. Her signature program, FullCircle Elevate: The Emerging Leaders Experience, empowers rising talent and front-line leaders to lead with self-awareness, intention, and strategic execution all while inspiring trust, cultivating strong relationships, and driving transformative results. The outcomes speak for themselves, accelerated promotions, confident leadership, and a ripple effect that empowers teams and strengthens culture. Lani comment: Her signature program, FullCircle Elevate: The Emerging Leaders Experience, empowers rising talent and front-line leaders to lead with self-awareness, intention, and strategic execution all while inspiring trust, cultivating strong relationships, and driving transformative results. The outcomes speak for themselves, accelerated promotions, confident leadership, and a ripple effect that empowers teams and strengthens culture.
For Lani, this work is more than professional—it’s a personal calling. Because when leaders choose to open doors for others, they ignite potential, shift trajectories, and ultimately transform lives. Lani comment: For Lani, this work is more than professional—it’s a personal calling. Because when leaders choose to open doors for others, they ignite potential, shift trajectories, and ultimately transform lives.
About #empowHER50 campaign
This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50
To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/
