An Interview With Martita Mestey
Self-care is not optional, it’s strategic. I used to believe pushing harder was the only way to succeed. Over time, I realized that rest, boundaries, and balance made me a stronger leader. Taking care of myself has allowed me to sustain momentum and show up more fully for the people I serve.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alexis Nicole White.
Alexis Nicole White is a Strategy Execution Advisor and Organizational Change Practitioner with more than 18 years of experience leading high-stakes business initiatives that align strategy with measurable outcomes. Beyond her corporate leadership, she is deeply committed to advocacy, championing STEAM education, workforce development, and equity through service on Atlanta Public Schools’ Governance Team and mentorship with Junior Achievement. As a dynamic leader, Alexis makes a lasting impact in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities alike.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
As a child, I was always very creative and heavy into the fine and performing arts. However, in middle school, I was introduced into the science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEM) fields, through my participation of Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP). With this, it balanced my passion for my creativity along with my interest in technology. I received my first personal computer in 1997, so I was ahead of the trend, and it allowed me to break and fix my CPU, code and develop websites, and use the computer to my creative advantage.
Originally, I aspired to become a journalist, but the Great Recession disrupted that path. Instead, this change of plans allowed me to step into the audiovisual industry, where I learned the significance of strategy and operations. Inevitability, this pivotal shift ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in technology, and project management, which lead me to do the work that I do today. I help organizations to turn bold ideas into measurable results.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is how transferable leadership skills are, especially when partnering with school systems to improve student outcomes. While serving with organizations such as the Atlanta Public Schools Governance Team, I saw that many parents underestimated the impact of their voices, assuming decisions would be made without them. Over time, they learned that their engagement truly does shape outcomes, and when given space for honest dialogue, families who once felt overlooked became active partners in driving change. That experience reminded me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about amplifying voices, building trust, and making equity a lived practice.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes I made early on was during my first big community meeting. I was so focused on preparing my strategy and making sure I had all the facts lined up that I completely forgot to check if the microphone was on and, of course, it was not. Rather than panicking, I ended up projecting my voice as loudly as I could to ensure that every stakeholder could hear me clearly. Since I had to speak more from the top of my mind, I had the opportunity to tell more anecdotes and leverage my personality, which helped build a stronger connection with the crowd. That experience taught me two lessons that I’ve carried with me ever since: don’t sweat the small hiccups, and sometimes the best connection comes from being human, not perfect.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
I’m making a social impact by focusing on equity, education, and empowerment. In my experience and service with the Atlanta Public Schools Governance Organizational (GO Team) Team, I’ve leveraged my skills and expertise to ensure families and communities have a real voice in shaping policies that affect students. I also draw from my personal experiences of being in school, feeling overlooked, and needing that representation. As an adult, I champion STEM education creating pathways for underrepresented groups to access opportunities and thrive. For me, impact is about more than individual projects, it’s about building systems of trust, amplifying voices that are often overlooked, and creating sustainable change that reaches across classrooms and communities.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One story that stands out to me was when I served as Team Mom for my son’s football team. One day, a parent confided her frustrations about her child’s school, and she didn’t know how to approach the leadership team. She struggled to interpret his test scores, and felt lost when told he might need an IEP due to behavioral challenges. Drawing on my experience with the Atlanta Public Schools Governance Organizational Team, I translated the information into plain language and equipped her with specific questions to ask the school. Watching her confidence grow as she realized her voice mattered was powerful. Over time, she not only advocated more effectively for her son but also began encouraging other parents to speak up. That experience reminded me that when we empower one family with knowledge, we create a ripple effect of advocacy that strengthens the entire community.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes, there are three things that would make a meaningful difference in addressing these challenges. To start, we need to hold every politician and policymaker accountable to prioritize equity in education by ensuring resources are distributed based on student needs, not just standardized formulas. Funding should reflect the realities of underrepresented and underserved communities. While it used to be, it is not any longer due to recent political shifts, and this is a huge disservice our most vulnerable scholars. Next, communities must foster stronger parent engagement by providing accessible tools, training, and spaces for families to understand data, advocate for their children, and participate in decision-making processes. We do this in Atlanta Public Schools, and there is a noticeable difference when parents feel empowered, outcomes improve across the board. Lastly, society must continue investing in workforce development and STEAM career pathways that prepare students for the future. It’s not enough to get them through school; we need to ensure they have real opportunities to thrive beyond graduation. Together, these three areas, equity, engagement, and empowerment, address the root of the problem by giving every student a fair chance at success.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To, leadership is defined as the ability to inspire trust, create space for others to contribute, and move people toward a shared vision. It’s not about ego, titles or authority, it’s about amplifying voices, especially those that are often overlooked, and ensuring everyone feels valued in the process. For example, I saw firsthand how parents who once felt powerless became active partners in shaping educational outcomes when their voices were invited and respected. That, to me, is true leadership, guiding others not by having all the answers, but by empowering them to see their own influence and strength.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Your path won’t be linear, and that’s okay.
I began my journey aspiring to be a journalist, but the Great Recession changed everything. At the time, I felt lost, but looking back, that detour opened doors to technology, strategy, and leadership I never imagined. It taught me that success often comes from embracing pivots, not resisting them.
2. Leadership is more about listening than talking.
When I first joined the Atlanta Public Schools Governance Organizational Team, I thought leading meant presenting solutions. Instead, I learned the most impact came when I stopped talking and truly listened to parents and teachers. Their perspectives reshaped how I approached problem-solving.
3. Don’t underestimate the power of community advocacy.
As Team Mom for my son’s football team, I helped a parent understand her son’s test scores and advocate for him. What started as a one-on-one conversation became a ripple effect, with her encouraging other parents. That moment reminded me change doesn’t always happen in boardrooms; it starts in everyday spaces.
4. Failure is a teacher, not a verdict.
Early in my career, I once forgot to check if a projector worked before a big meeting. When it failed, I had to improvise with markers on a whiteboard, which ended up sparking better conversations than my slides. That experience showed me mistakes can create unexpected opportunities for connection.
5. Self-care is not optional, it’s strategic.
I used to believe pushing harder was the only way to succeed. Over time, I realized that rest, boundaries, and balance made me a stronger leader. Taking care of myself has allowed me to sustain momentum and show up more fully for the people I serve.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire a movement, it would be the Equity in Action Movement, a commitment to making equity more than a buzzword, but a lived practice in every community. Too often, people (families, students, and even employees) feel unheard or invisible in systems designed to serve them. This movement would focus on amplifying voices, breaking down barriers to access, and equipping people with the tools to advocate for themselves and others. Imagine if every parent felt confident advocating for their child, every student had a pathway to opportunity, and every community had a seat at the decision-making table. That ripple effect could transform not just schools, but workplaces, neighborhoods, and society at large.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite life lesson quotes is, “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” This has been especially relevant in my journey because I’ve learned that you don’t always have to rush to defend yourself or prove your worth, time and truth will reveal it. Whether in my career, advocacy work, or personal life, I’ve seen how integrity and consistency always rise to the surface, even when it feels like others overlook or underestimate you in the moment. It reminds me to stay grounded, keep doing the work, and trust that what’s real will always shine through.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
If I could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, it would be Stacey Abrams. I deeply admire how she has combined strategy, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to drive systemic change while staying grounded in community. Her ability to navigate both political and civic spaces with resilience and clarity is inspiring, and I would love the opportunity to learn from her experiences, especially about building coalitions, sustaining momentum, and turning bold visions into lasting impact.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow my work online through several platforms. On LinkedIn, I regularly share insights on leadership, transformation, and community advocacy: linkedin.com/in/alexisnicolewhite. I also write thought leadership articles and op-eds on Medium, where I explore topics at the intersection of equity, education, and organizational change: medium.com/@alexisnicolewhite.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: How Alexis Nicole White of ANW Consulting Is Helping to Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.