Why Lori Lalonde Created an AI-Powered Pathway to Executive Leadership

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

I’m Lori Lalonde, Founder of Her Executive Ascent, a leadership accelerator built for senior women ready to lead at the next level. After navigating a career over three decades in technology, I saw a clear gap: the higher women climb, the fewer resources exist to help them prepare for executive and board-level influence.

Her Executive Ascent closes that gap through a 12-week AI-powered leadership experience blending advanced training in strategic leadership, enterprise financial acumen, navigating power and politics, board readiness, crisis leadership, and AI strategy and governance. Each participant has access to Her Executive Ascent's AI coach which has been trained on our course curriculum to practice executive simulations and receive personalized frameworks tailored to them. Designed for women at the Director level and above, our mission is simple: to equip senior women to lead the future, not wait to be invited to it.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. I set out to create change. I’ve always wanted to make a larger impact for women in the industry, but I didn’t know what form that would take until recently. For years, I tried to drive that change within the organizations I worked for, but the transformation was never at the scale it needed to be. Launching Her Executive Ascent became the path to create real change by challenging outdated corporate structures and giving women the tools, strategies, and frameworks to take control of their careers and lead on their own terms.

Are you a mamaprenista?

I’m the proud parent of two adult children, a son and a daughter, and I built my career while raising them. There were things I got right and things I’d do differently. My advice to other women is simple: prioritize yourself first. Protect your health and wellbeing so you can show up as your best self for your family. When my team members were under pressure, I’d often ask, “What are you doing to take care of yourself through this?” It reminded them that their wellbeing is a priority.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched Her Executive Ascent, my marketing strategy centered on credibility and connection. I started by leveraging my professional network and building an advisory board of senior women leaders who helped shape the program content based on their expertise. Their insights informed modules like board readiness, financial acumen, and AI strategy ensuring the curriculum reflected real executive challenges. I also focused on visibility through partnerships, podcast interviews, and thought leadership on LinkedIn. While it didn’t scale as quickly as planned, it built a strong foundation of trust and high-quality engagement that continues to grow organically

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud of building the program itself. Every module, tool, and experience was intentionally designed to create real impact from day one. I spent months refining the structure, ensuring participants walk away with actionable strategies, personalized AI coaching, and frameworks they can apply immediately in their leadership roles. Seeing women gain clarity, confidence, and tangible results from the first week is the most rewarding proof of its value.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I wish I had known how much of entrepreneurship is about patience and visibility. Building something meaningful takes time, and even the best ideas need consistent storytelling before they gain traction. It’s not just about creating a great product. It’s about building trust, one conversation and one connection at a time.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

When I was building teams, my go-to question was: “How have you championed or supported diversity and inclusion in your personal or professional life?” The answers were always telling. For me, it was about creating a culture of inclusion by default. If someone feigned ignorance or dismissed the topic because it didn’t affect them, they weren’t a fit. Inclusion isn’t optional; it’s foundational to how teams thrive.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before founding Her Executive Ascent, I spent three decades building my career in technology starting as a software developer, moving into consulting, and ultimately leading multi-million-dollar digital transformation programs within Microsoft’s partner and enterprise customer ecosystems. I’ve built, trained, and led high-performing teams and large portfolios at both Microsoft and Manulife. Those experiences shaped my understanding of what it takes to drive complex change and inspired me to create a program that equips senior women with the strategic and technical fluency to lead at the highest levels.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

After decades in corporate leadership, I saw a recurring pattern: the higher women climbed, the fewer resources existed to prepare them for the next level. I was mentoring and coaching women who were brilliant but under-supported in developing strategic influence, navigating power & politics within their organization, and preparing for board readiness. I took the leap to build Her Executive Ascent to close that gap and create the kind of leadership accelerator I wished had existed when I was stepping into senior roles. One that combines strategic depth, AI fluency, and real-world application for women leading in today’s complex environment.

Do you have any recent wins?

This year, I made the leap to leave corporate and focus on Her Executive Ascent full-time which to me is a huge milestone in itself! I also completed a successful beta with women leaders across multiple industries, and their feedback was incredible. Hearing how the program helped them show up more strategically and confidently validated that this isn’t just a business idea, it’s a much-needed solution for women leading in today’s complex environment.

Who are your customers?

Our customers are senior women leaders in mid to large organizations who are preparing for executive, C-suite, or board-level roles. Many are already leading teams or divisions and want to expand their strategic influence, navigate organizational power with confidence, and lead effectively in an AI-driven world. We also partner with organizations investing in leadership pipelines for women at the executive level.

What's your top productivity tip?

Protect your thinking time like a meeting with your CEO. Strategy and clarity come from space, not speed. I block time each week to step back, reflect, and decide what truly moves the business forward instead of reacting to what’s urgent.

What's your favorite business tool?

My favorite business tool is ChatGPT not just for productivity, but for how it transforms the way I think, plan, and create. I use it as my thinking partner: to prototype ideas, refine course content, and personalize the AI coaching experience within Her Executive Ascent. It’s become an extension of my strategic thinking process, helping me move from concept to execution faster and with more creativity.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I’ve never loved the term “work-life balance”. It feels unrealistic in today’s world. I’ll admit I haven’t always been great at it personally, but I’ve always protected it fiercely for my teams. There should be a clear disconnect after hours, on weekends, and during time off. Leaders set the tone, and respecting those boundaries is one of the most powerful ways to create a healthy, high-performing culture.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by managing my energy, not just my time. I build in recovery the same way I schedule work, with intentional pauses, movement, and creative space. I’ve learned that clarity and innovation only happen when you give your mind room to breathe, not when you’re running on fumes.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have and refine as you go. Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. Build credibility first, visibility second, and anchor your business in real impact. Most importantly, protect your energy. You’re the engine of your business, and sustainability matters more than speed.

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