Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakesha Quarles.
Hi Lakesha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up as one of four children raised by a single mother, and from an early age, I understood what it meant to live with limited resources and face disparities that can shape a child’s opportunities. My environment exposed me to challenges that could have easily defined my future, but instead, they became part of what motivated me to create something different for myself and my family.
Education became one of the primary ways I began changing the trajectory of my life. My journey was not always linear or easy. I had to learn how to navigate spaces where I did not always have the same access, resources, or guidance as others. Along the way, I became a mother, built a career in healthcare, and continued pursuing higher education while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Each accomplishment represented more than a degree, title, or position—it represented breaking barriers that once seemed permanent.
My experiences eventually led me into healthcare education and leadership, where I have had the opportunity to teach, mentor, and advocate for others who may also come from circumstances where they do not always see what is possible for their lives. I have also expanded my work into maternal health advocacy through SunFlower Births, allowing me to support women and families while addressing disparities that continue to affect underserved communities.
Today, as a healthcare leader, educator, entrepreneur, maternal health advocate, and doctoral candidate, I recognize that where I started is an important part of who I am, but it never had to determine where I finished. I did not overcome my environment by forgetting it; I overcame it by allowing those experiences to give me perspective, resilience, compassion, and purpose.
My story is ultimately one of changing the narrative. I want people—especially young people growing up in environments similar to mine—to understand that their circumstances may influence their beginning, but they do not have to dictate their destination. I am still growing, still learning, and still building, but everything I accomplish reminds me that it is possible to rise beyond what you were born into while reaching back to help others rise as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. My journey has included personal struggles and losses that have tested me in ways I could never have prepared for. I have had to navigate the pain of having a mother who has battled substance abuse, which brought its own challenges and complexities into my life and family.
In 2020, I lost my father to suicide, a loss that changed me deeply. Then, this year, I experienced another devastating loss when my brother passed away the day before my birthday. Grieving someone you love while still having to show up as a mother, professional, leader, student, and support system for others has been incredibly difficult.
There have also been seasons where I have had to carry responsibilities while dealing with my own pain privately. I have faced financial challenges, family hardships, moments of uncertainty, and times when continuing forward required more strength than I felt I had. Still, I learned that resilience does not mean you never hurt or struggle. For me, resilience has meant continuing to move forward while allowing those experiences to shape me rather than destroy me.
Every challenge has given me a deeper level of compassion for others. It has influenced the way I lead, the way I serve, the way I advocate, and the way I show up for people who may be carrying struggles that are not visible to everyone else. My life has taught me that success and grief can exist at the same time, and that some of the strongest people are simply people who decided to keep going through circumstances that could have caused them to give up.
I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I am equally proud of the person I have become through everything I have survived. My story is not one of having an easy path; it is a story of perseverance, faith, growth, and choosing again and again not to allow painful circumstances to have the final word over my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of healthcare, education, leadership, and maternal health advocacy. Professionally, I serve in healthcare education and administration, where I have spent years helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. My background as a Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant gives me firsthand clinical experience, while my education in healthcare administration has allowed me to grow into leadership roles focused on program development, student success, mentorship, and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
I am also the founder of SunFlower Births, LLC®, where my work focuses on maternal health education, doula support, advocacy, and helping families feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I am especially passionate about bringing awareness to maternal health disparities and improving the experiences of women and families who may feel unheard or underserved within the healthcare system.
I believe I am most known for being someone who serves, advocates, educates, and creates opportunities for others. Whether I am standing in a classroom, mentoring a student, leading a healthcare program, supporting a mother through childbirth, or working within my community, my purpose remains the same: helping people recognize their value, find their voice, and access opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives.
What I am most proud of is that my accomplishments extend beyond me. I am proud of the degrees and credentials I have earned and of continuing my education as a Doctor of Health Administration candidate, but I am even more proud of the people I have been able to impact along the way. Seeing a student graduate, watching someone build confidence in a healthcare career, or helping a mother feel empowered during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life means more to me than any title.
What sets me apart is that I lead from both education and lived experience. I understand what it feels like to come from circumstances where opportunities may appear limited, and I also understand what it takes to navigate healthcare, higher education, leadership, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and community service simultaneously. I do not simply speak about resilience, advocacy, or overcoming barriers—I have lived those experiences.
That perspective allows me to connect with people beyond their current circumstances. I see potential where others may see limitations. Ultimately, I want my work and my life to demonstrate that success becomes even more meaningful when you use what you have learned, survived, and achieved to create a pathway for someone else.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is my family, especially my daughter. Watching her grow into such an intelligent, thoughtful young woman brings me an incredible amount of joy and pride. Seeing her learn, develop her own ideas, and become more confident in who she is reminds me that some of the most meaningful parts of life are found in watching the people you love become who they are meant to be.
I also absolutely love being an auntie. My nieces and nephew bring so much laughter, energy, and love into my life. Being able to support them, celebrate them, spoil them a little, and simply be present for their milestones is something I truly treasure.
I have also learned that happiness includes the relationship I have with myself. Self-care has become very important to me, especially because I spend so much of my life pouring into other people. I enjoy taking myself on solo dates, trying new restaurants, traveling, getting dressed up, or simply creating intentional time to enjoy my own company. Those moments allow me to reset, reflect, and appreciate the woman I have become.
For me, happiness is not always something extravagant. It is found in family, meaningful moments, peace, laughter, and giving myself permission to enjoy life. After experiencing both challenges and loss, I have become much more intentional about appreciating the people I love and creating joy for myself along the way.
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