Quanda Francis has set her sights on becoming the fiduciary steward of one of the nation’s largest and most intricate retirement systems, managing over $250 billion in assets. Her mission is rooted in responsibility, resilience, and the enduring belief that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can always choose how we respond to them.

Life is built on choices. From the everyday to the life-altering, our decisions shape our path forward. Some moments are overwhelming, filled with uncertainty, or riddled with setbacks. Yet, these are the times that reveal our inner strength. At a young age, Quanda encountered challenges that could have dictated a very different story. Becoming a mother at 17, having to leave school, and growing up amid instability were defining experiences. Rather than surrender to those odds, she chose to rise above them.

A Platform Built on Empowerment

What distinguishes Quanda’s enterprise is her distinctive coaching philosophy and communication strategies. She developed the B.E.P.I.C. framework – a methodology designed to instill strength and confidence during difficult times. This approach lies at the heart of her work with mentees, especially women navigating male-dominated industries. Through her company, she champions women’s education and empowerment, helping them develop essential skills to thrive professionally. Beyond skills, Quanda believes in igniting inspiration. Over time, she has utilized her network and platforms to spotlight examples of perseverance and achievement.

Today, she is widely recognized as a trailblazing PR strategist, influential media figure, and branding expert.

Notable Achievements and Recognition

Quanda takes pride in being the first female entrepreneur in her family. She is a member of the Forbes Business Council, Chairwoman of WMW Lounge in New York, and part of the Young Entrepreneur Council. In addition, she is editor-in-chief of her own lifestyle publication and a celebrated public speaker. She launched the podcast “What Makes a Woman” and has contributed thought leadership to platforms like Entrepreneur, Forbes, and HuffPost. Most meaningfully, she mentors girls in orphanages, providing them with entrepreneurial education and a path to independence.

Adapting to the Digital Era

The pandemic reshaped how the world conducts business. Quanda and her team embraced the shift, leveraging digital tools to expand their reach. Their transition led to the birth of the Zavo PR Academy, a virtual learning hub that equips professionals and entrepreneurs with branding and communication expertise. The academy focuses on helping individuals amplify their message, establish their niche authority, and build visibility across platforms. This pivot not only broadened their impact but also protected jobs within the organization.

Global Vision and Future Plans

Zavo Media Group is set to scale internationally, with plans to launch offices in Paris and Dubai. The vision is to continue amplifying voices often left unheard, enabling individuals to tell their stories with authenticity and purpose. Quanda is committed to mentoring those who seek more from life, helping them realize that success isn’t just about surviving – it’s about thriving. Her mission remains anchored in storytelling, empowerment, and innovation.

Entrepreneurship: A Test of Will and Creativity

Quanda believes that entrepreneurship is a deeply personal art form. It demands resilience, vision, and the courage to keep going despite uncertainty. Her journey began as a college dropout and single mother. Without industry knowledge, she approached a PR firm with a proposal – in exchange for introducing clients from her family’s restaurant, she would be allowed to observe and learn. After a year of intensive learning and mentorship, she launched her own firm in 2017 with just $5000 and a steadfast determination to succeed.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: stay the course. Every obstacle, every delay, and every wrong turn contributes to the final masterpiece. You may not see it now, but the effort is always worth it.

Resilience Refined

Quanda’s journey has been marked by transformation through adversity. Today, she wears many hats – entrepreneur, CEO of Sykes Capital Management, community leader, data scientist, and candidate for New York State Comptroller. With degrees from NYU and Long Island University, she blends academic rigor with lived experience.

The principle guiding her path is C.O.D.E.: Choices, Ownership, Determination, and Empowerment. She emphasizes that her achievements are the result of conscious decisions, relentless effort, and a deep sense of purpose.

Breaking Barriers and Redefining Leadership

Quanda has entered spaces traditionally dominated by men, such as accounting and data science. Her journey into boardrooms required more than skill – it demanded confidence, perseverance, and self-validation. She has held roles at the New York City Police Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration. These experiences led to the formation of Sykes Capital Management, a consultancy focused on education analytics, financial literacy, and workforce development. The firm provides strategic solutions to clients of all sizes and helps them scale sustainably.

One of its core initiatives is the integration of coding into early education and a push for digital literacy to match 21st-century job demands.

The Pledge: Investing in the Future

Through Sykes Capital, Quanda launched “The Pledge” – a workforce development initiative that aims to create 100,000 paid internships annually for youth in underserved communities. The goal is to provide skills, mentorship, and economic mobility to future leaders. These internships are part of a larger ecosystem that focuses on replicable solutions and scalable change.

Leadership Culture and the Post-Pandemic World

Quanda cultivates a business culture that is inclusive, agile, and purpose-driven. Her leadership style emphasizes ownership, collaboration, and shared success. She believes that true leadership is reflected in action – modeling the behaviors one expects from others.

While the pandemic accelerated remote work, Quanda sees it as part of a broader need to rethink organizational strategy. No plan exists in a vacuum. Education, housing, workforce systems, public health, and law enforcement are interconnected. For lasting change, leadership must consider the big picture.

What Lies Ahead

Quanda has already made history, becoming the first African American woman to run for Mayor of New York City in a general election under a political party she founded. She has been honored globally, including recognition on the African continent and the prestigious Madam C.J. Walker Global Citizen Award. As a result of her advocacy, 100,000 jobs were allocated to the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program, representing an investment of over $220 million.

She now focuses on revolutionizing K-12 education using AI and machine learning to tailor learning to individual students. Her next goal is to pursue the role of New York State Comptroller and continue to blaze a path for others to follow.

Words of Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs

Quanda encourages women to reject limiting beliefs and embrace their power. Her advice is to never silence yourself or internalize doubt. Build meaningful relationships, invest in mentorship, and understand the difference between a mentor and a sponsor. A mentor offers guidance; a sponsor opens doors.

If you can’t connect with someone directly, read their story, learn from their journey, and use it as fuel for your own. Everyone deserves a seat at the table – and when that table doesn’t exist, build one yourself.