We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sabrina K. Garba. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Sabrina K., thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely. One of the recent moments that I’m really proud of is being invited to speak at SXSW this year. It felt like such a full-circle moment. For years, I’ve been helping organizations navigate cultural shifts, build more intentional leadership cultures, and communicate with authenticity. But to be asked to step onto a major stage for innovation and culture like SXSW, where some of the most important conversations about innovation and leadership are happening, that was big.
I had the incredible opportunity to speak at SXSW, where I shared insights on what it truly takes to lead as a woman in today’s global business environment, especially when balancing visibility, vulnerability, and influence with authenticity. Throughout my journey of building Glass Ladder Group (GLG), we’ve empowered women founders through our accelerator, WIA, while launching Honey Hive as a platform for personal development and self-actualization. Receiving the official invite was such a full-circle moment for me, and I couldn’t help but share the excitement with my team. It’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and how our work continues to support and amplify women’s leadership, growth, and empowerment on a global scale.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell them a bit about what you do, your brand or organization, and what makes it interesting/special/unique, or anything else you’d like them to know about you / your story /your brand, and what you are working on / etc.
Hey, I’m Sabrina K. Garba, and over the last decade, I’ve built three mission-driven brands that center socially driven change, leadership development, and community well-being. As the founder of Glass Ladder Group (GLG), a strategic advisory and enablement firm specializing in communication, culture and institutional engagement, WIA, an accelerator for women founders and executives across sectors, and Honey Hive, a personal and leadership development community centering women leaders I’ve had the opportunity to see how building brands with powerful and interconnected missions can lead to life changing opportunities and systemic change.
Through GLG, my team and I help organizations, leaders, and institutions navigate cultural shifts and complex challenges. Whether it’s rebuilding trust, adapting strategies, or leading through change, I work alongside CEOs and senior leaders to ensure their organizations stay aligned with their values and empowered for success. By doing this work, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you choose to be and how you show up, especially in moments of uncertainty or tension.
After years of running GLG and pursuing a PhD in Business Psychology, I realized there was so much business and financial knowledge and opportunity that women were excluded from, or didn’t have access to. I launched WIA as GLG’s corporate social responsibility project in 2019, and we have seen phenomenal results for our participants. Through WIA, we’ve worked to make sure that more women receive critical executive and entrepreneurship guidance from women just like them, helping them feel seen as they make extraordinary career advances. WIA is an example of how we leveraged GLG’s mission to do social good with a sharp focus on empowering women through personal and business resources, courses, and networking opportunities focused on increasing impact, innovation, and influence.
And last but not least, there’s Honey Hive, our community opportunity to exhale. When Honey Hive came along when I noticed just how many women like me needed a nurturing, inclusive space to vulnerably connect, share their experiences, and genuinely support each other. I wanted to build a community where personal growth and leadership go hand in hand. Honey Hive has become a place where women cheer each other on. It’s a place for us to come together, heal, create a plan and stick to it, and celebrate wins and lessons. Whether it’s a stage for our annual variety show, in our work corners during Soft Life Session coworking sessions, or on our nature hikes, we spend time intentionally taking up space for our desires with confidence.
With all of these projects, what makes our work unique is that we blend holistic approaches to social change, leadership, and community empowerment. I am grateful to be able to build a fulfilling life where I get to work on all the things that matter to me while designing the life I desire; aligning work with my personal interests and my core values. Having the privilege to do all of this has created a truly fulfilling life for me, even when it’s challenging. I hope that more people are inspired to create brands that truly reflect who they are and the dynamic legacies they aspire to build and ultimately leave behind.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
When it comes to work, the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from the incredible people I work with, especially my team, clients, and the women in Honey Hive and WIA. Through Glass Ladder Group (GLG), WIA, and Honey Hive, I am constantly learning and growing alongside these amazing individuals. Whether it’s guiding leaders through complex challenges, helping organizations navigate cultural shifts, or supporting women on their personal growth journeys, every interaction teaches me something new about resilience, leadership, and navigating change.
The women in Honey Hive and WIA have been a huge source of inspiration. Their courage to pursue growth while balancing work, family, and their inner worlds gives me a fresh perspective every day. Watching them show up for themselves, ask hard questions, and commit to their own evolution has been a constant reminder that leadership isn’t just about titles or boardrooms, it’s about the choices we make in our everyday lives. These women motivate me and shape how I approach leadership.
On a personal note, I’m always learning from spiritual teachers, economists, and historians. I’ve been diving into how global systems, political, financial, and cultural, impact individual lives, especially for women and marginalized communities. This deepening of my awareness directly informs how I approach my work, advising organizations, speaking with leaders, and supporting the women in my communities.
This blend of strategy, personal growth, and global systems thinking continues to shape my leadership today. It’s a balance I’m always refining as I help organizations thrive, empower women to lead, and create meaningful, impactful journeys for all of us.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When did I stop hiding my pain and start using it as my power? Honestly, it was when I decided to take up more space publicly.
For years, I was afraid to be seen. I felt more comfortable staying behind the scenes, writing speeches, building campaigns, and guiding executives and brands on navigating culture, politics, and organizational change. I kept telling myself that I didn’t want to “add to the noise.” But over time, through both personal and professional growth, I realized that my voice has the power to make a real difference—especially in today’s cultural landscape.
After a decade of leading a team that helps Fortune 500 companies, foundations, and global organizations build trust and navigate change, it became clear to me that, to make the impact I truly wanted to, I needed to step out of my shell and lead with more courage and intentionality. For too long, I hid behind the brands, showing up inconsistently or keeping my perspectives in drafts. But now, I’m answering the call to step into the spotlight, share what I’ve learned, and amplify the voices of others, from corporate leaders to women in transition who are seeking community and tools for self-actualization.
This next chapter for me is all about visibility and impact with intention. It’s about embracing mindset, wellness, leadership, and creating space for women to connect, heal, and grow. Whether speaking on bigger stages, writing more publicly, or showing up more fully online, I’m committed to creating a space where women can thrive in all aspects of life—personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
One cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. I truly believe that when we show up as our true selves, without fear or apology, we unlock our greatest potential. Authenticity is the foundation of everything I do. It is about being real, speaking truthfully, and leading from a place of integrity.
Over the years, I have seen firsthand that when I lead with authenticity, I’m not only able to build trust but also inspire others to do the same. It creates a culture of transparency, respect, and genuine connection, which is essential for growth, both personally and professionally.
As a young founder and woman of color, I have had to learn how to protect and nurture my authenticity, often the hard way. There were times when I hid behind others, unsure of my own voice, but I now realize that embracing who I truly am is the key to living a fulfilling and impactful life. This is the value I carry into everything I do, and it is one I encourage others to embrace as well.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I was doing what I was told to do or what I was taught was possible, not necessarily what I was born to do. I followed the path that seemed most logical, the one others expected of me. It wasn’t until I hit burnout and found myself at a low point that I realized I wasn’t living the life I was meant to. That’s when I began reflecting deeply on what I truly wanted.
Building the life I desire has been a journey of embracing my authenticity and aligning my actions with my values. I’ve learned that doing what you’re born to do isn’t always the easiest choice, but it’s the most fulfilling one.
What I realized over time is that this clarity didn’t come all at once. It came from watching the people I support and the organizations I work to thrive and achieve their goals. When I started seeing the impact I was making, when I saw founders and executives stepping into their leadership power, when companies started embracing their culture and engaging their communities more fully, that’s when I knew this was my true calling. Fully stepping into this work, I felt a purposeful shift in myself and the world around me, and I’m so grateful to see the world of opportunities that have opened up since.
For me, doing what I want looks like simply dedicating my life to creating positive change in the most multi-hyphenate ways possible.. Whether it’s through my work with Glass Ladder Group (GLG), Honey Hive, or WIA, it’s a blessing to know that I’ve found true fulfillment in guiding leaders and institutions through moments of complexity, change, and opportunity. It’s not always easy, and there are challenges along the way, but I’ve learned that the only way to truly thrive is to align your choices with your deepest desires.
Contact Info:
- Website: glassladdergroup.com; honeyhivelive.com
- Instagram: @glassladdergroup; @skgarba, @honeyhivelive , @womensaccelerator
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skgarba/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/glass-ladder-group
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