Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. Lawanne’ S. Grant of Leadership DevelopME, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Lawanne’ S. Grant.

Hi Dr. Lawanne’ S., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been shaped by both ministry and the marketplace. In 2017, I founded Leadership Develop ME, LLC, where I serve as Chief Consulting Officer. The “ME” stands for Mind and Execution because our focus is on providing leadership theory and strategy that transforms how people think and how they execute. Through the business, I provide leadership development, corporate training, and publishing support for aspiring authors.

Beyond business, I am deeply committed to ministry. I’m a minister, administrator, and, most notably, I serve as a First Lady alongside my husband, Bishop Darryl L. Grant, at Kingdom Builders Church International in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As I balanced multiple leadership roles in ministry and business, women began reaching out to me with questions about leadership, purpose, and navigating their unique challenges. Initially, female leaders were not a focused target audience for my business, but after receiving an overwhelming number of requests, I launched a four-week online leadership intensive. At the conclusion of the program, the female leaders asked for more, and after much prayer and reflection, I yielded to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

That decision led to the birth of FLIM, Female Leaders in Ministry and the Marketplace, in March 2020, during the height of the pandemic. What began as a response to a need has grown into a thriving organization of nearly 300 members, with 14 chapters across the United States and an international chapter in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Today, FLIM provides monthly online leadership development sessions and hosts an annual FLIM Summit, bringing women together to grow, connect, and lead with excellence. Each local chapter completes an annual community service project, and the organization overall is committed to making a lasting impact by developing the next generation of female leaders through its Junior League program.

Looking back, FLIM was never part of my original business plan, but it has become a powerful example of what happens when passion and purpose collide. It allows me to serve and empower women across ministry, corporate America, entrepreneurship, and the nonprofit sector, helping them maximize their impact in every sphere of influence.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I firmly believe that anything good can never become great without first enduring adversity. Every meaningful endeavor comes with challenges, and FLIM has been no exception. However, I don’t view those challenges as obstacles; I see them as opportunities to learn, grow, and expand our impact.

One of the biggest lessons was building something that I had never originally planned to create. FLIM was born out of demand, not from a strategic business plan. Women were asking for guidance, support, and leadership development, and I simply responded to the need. Because of that, much of the journey has been learning and growing along the way.

In the beginning, we relied on popular registration platforms and emailed Zoom links directly to participants when hosting our training sessions. As the organization grew, it became clear that we needed a more sustainable and user-friendly platform. Developing an online membership system was our first major hurdle. Today, we have a dedicated membership platform that houses all of our leadership training content in a FLIM Membership Vault, allowing members to access resources and training sessions whenever it is convenient for them.

As our membership expanded, women began expressing a desire to connect locally. That created another growth opportunity: developing a chapter structure. We had to navigate the legal and organizational processes of creating bylaws, protocols, and systems to support chapter operations. That process took about a year and required patience, diligence, and a commitment to building a solid foundation for long-term growth.

Looking back, there were certainly challenges, but there were no roadblocks that stopped us. Each challenge simply required a new level of leadership, learning, and innovation. Those experiences have strengthened FLIM and positioned us to serve women more effectively across ministry, business, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Leadership DevelopME, LLC is a leadership development and consulting firm that I founded in 2017 with a mission to transform how leaders think and how they execute. The “ME” stands for Mind and Execution because I believe sustainable leadership success requires both the right mindset and the ability to effectively implement strategy. Through Leadership DevelopME, I provide leadership development, consulting, coaching, corporate training, keynote speaking, and author development services that equip individuals and organizations to maximize their impact.

What sets us apart is our ability to bridge leadership theory with practical application. We don’t simply teach concepts; we provide actionable strategies that help leaders produce measurable results in their organizations, businesses, ministries, and communities. Our work serves leaders across the marketplace, nonprofit sector, entrepreneurship, and ministry, helping them develop the confidence, competence, and clarity needed to lead effectively.

One of the most significant extensions of this work is FLIM, Female Leaders in Ministry and the Marketplace. FLIM was birthed in March 2020 after women consistently sought guidance on leadership, purpose, and navigating leadership responsibilities across multiple sectors. What began as a simple four-week leadership intensive quickly grew into a movement and community dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and equipping female leaders.

Today, FLIM is nearly 300 members strong, with 14 chapters across the United States and an international chapter in Johannesburg, South Africa. Through monthly leadership development sessions, networking opportunities, mentorship, and our annual FLIM Summit, we provide women with both the tools and the community necessary to thrive in leadership. Our membership platform also allows women to access leadership training and resources on demand, ensuring that development remains accessible regardless of their schedule or location.

What I am most proud of is the impact. Neither Leadership DevelopME nor FLIM was built solely to create programs; they were built to create transformation. Seeing leaders gain confidence, launch initiatives, advance in their careers, strengthen their ministries, publish their books, and walk boldly in their purpose is the greatest measure of success for me.

If there is one thing I want readers to know, it is that both Leadership DevelopME and FLIM exist to serve leaders at every stage of their journey. Whether someone is leading in the boardroom, the pulpit, a nonprofit organization, a business, or their community, our mission is to provide the mindset, strategy, support, and leadership development necessary for them to lead with excellence and create lasting impact.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I am a native of Northern California, and California will always have a special place in my heart. I often say that you can take the girl out of the city, but you can never take the city out of the girl. However, Charlotte, North Carolina, has truly become home, and I have grown to love it.

What I like most about Charlotte is its sense of peace and balance. It offers many of the opportunities and conveniences of a growing metropolitan area while still maintaining a level of serenity that can be difficult to find in larger cities. I also appreciate how diverse the city has become. Charlotte is a true melting pot, attracting people from all over the country and beyond, which creates a rich blend of perspectives, cultures, and experiences.

Another thing I enjoy is Charlotte’s accessibility. Unlike California, where you can drive for hours and still be in the same state, Charlotte is connected to so many neighboring states. Within just a few hours, you can experience a completely different city, culture, or landscape. That makes travel and exploration much more convenient and enjoyable.

If I had to identify something I like least, it would simply be that Charlotte doesn’t have the same proximity to the ocean and some of the familiar landscapes I grew up with in California. There are certain aspects of the West Coast that will always feel like home to me. Even so, Charlotte’s peaceful atmosphere, welcoming community, and strategic location make it a wonderful place to live, work, and serve.

Pricing:

• FLIM Membership: $19.99 per month or $199 per year
• FLIM Summit in Las Vegas, NV $160
• Publish your Paperback or Hardcover Book: $1299
• Publish your Paperback or Hardcover Book & eBook: $1599
• Leadership Books Ranging from $10 – $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leadershipdevelopme.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawannegrant
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawanneSGrant/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawannegrant/
• Twitter: https://x.com/LawanneGrant
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUKqThF_ATcjIIIniExTs7g
• Other: https://leadershipdevelopmellc.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1058489