LaQueda Ricks on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with LaQueda Ricks and have shared our conversation below.

LaQueda, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, what’s been bringing me the most joy is really leaning into the things that make me happy and surrounding myself with love. Being embraced by the people I love deeply, celebrating milestones with my inner circle, and intentionally building community outside of work has been life-giving for me. Whether it’s pausing to honor a friend’s achievement, creating space for us to laugh and pour into each other, or simply showing up for those closest to me, these moments fill me in a way that no title or position ever could. At this stage in my life, I’m more intentional about joy, protecting it, cultivating it, and sharing it. And honestly, that joy overflows into how I show up as a leader, a friend, and a woman.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is LaQueda Ricks, and I like to say that my work lives at the intersection of leadership, community, and purpose. I’m the CEO and Founder of 4D HR Consulting Firm, where we partner with businesses and organizations to create people-focused solutions that drive results. Our approach is built on the 4D framework—Discover, Design, Develop, Deliver—which means we don’t just check HR boxes; we transform cultures, develop leaders, and set organizations up for long-term success.

Beyond consulting, I’ve created platforms that bring professionals together in meaningful ways. The 4D Collective is my global community for ambitious leaders and career-driven professionals who want access to resources, coaching, and connections that help them thrive. And through Powerhouse Professionals, I host experiences like networking mixers and fireside chats that blend professional growth with celebration, culture, and connection.

What makes my story unique is that it’s rooted in resilience. From being a pregnant teen to navigating challenges that could have stopped me in my tracks, I’ve learned how to turn obstacles into opportunities. That same tenacity fuels everything I do today, whether it’s building structures for companies, coaching women into their dream careers, or creating safe spaces for leaders to learn and grow. Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding leadership development programming into various industries and continuing to grow the 4D Collective into a go-to resource hub for professionals worldwide.

At the heart of it all, my mission is simple: to develop leaders, build community, and make impact in every space I step into.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a girl with big dreams, a big heart, and a fearless imagination. But life has a way of trying to define you before you define yourself. At just 15, I was a pregnant teen, and later I found myself in an abusive marriage; situations that could have broken me or boxed me in. For a long time, I felt the weight of who others said I was supposed to be instead of walking in who I truly was.

But here’s the truth: even in those seasons, resilience was already in me. I refused to let my past or my pain have the final say. I made a decision to reclaim my voice, my freedom, and my purpose. That’s when I began to realize that the little girl who dreamed of more was still alive inside me—she just needed me to fight for her.

Today, I honor her by living boldly, building spaces for others to grow, and showing women everywhere that you are not defined by where you start, but by the courage you have to rise, heal, and keep going.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: You are more than enough, exactly as you are. The world will try to convince you otherwise, and circumstances will make you question your worth, but don’t you dare let them win. The mistakes don’t define you, the setbacks don’t disqualify you, and the love you’re searching for will start the moment you learn to love yourself.

I’d tell her that the pain she’s carrying is not permanent; it’s shaping her into a woman who will one day walk in her purpose, use her voice to impact others, and build spaces that empower people to thrive. I’d remind her that she’s stronger than she realizes, and one day she’ll look back and thank herself for not giving up.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the HR and leadership development industry tells itself is that people are ‘resources’ first and human second. Too often, we reduce individuals to metrics, compliance checklists, or positions to be filled, and then wonder why engagement, retention, and culture continue to suffer.

Another lie is that leadership is only about titles or authority. True leadership isn’t positional; it’s transformational. It’s about influence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to develop others while remaining authentic yourself. Yet too many organizations promote based on tenure or technical skills without ever investing in the human side of leadership.

I also think our industry sometimes tells itself that one-size-fits-all solutions work. But the truth is, every organization, every team, and every person is unique. That’s why with 4D HR Consulting Firm, I take a people-centered, tailored approach. With the 4D Collective and Powerhouse Professionals, I’ve built spaces that show just how powerful it is when we see the whole person—not just the employee. When we stop telling ourselves these lies and start telling the truth, that’s when we’ll see workplaces and leaders truly thrive.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people tell the story of a woman who lived boldly, loved deeply, and poured into others without holding back. I want them to say that I wasn’t just successful in business, but that I created spaces where people felt seen, valued, and empowered to step into their own greatness.

I hope they remember me as someone who overcame challenges with resilience, who turned her pain into purpose, and who never stopped building community. That I celebrated others’ wins as much as my own, and that my life was proof that no matter where you start, you can rise, thrive, and make an impact.

Ultimately, the story I hope people tell is that I left the world better than I found it; through the leaders I developed, the communities I built, and the lives I touched.

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