Meet Nekisha
Nekisha Ladd is the CEO of Pavo Pluma Consulting, based in the St. Louis Metro Area. A retired U.S. Air Force leader with more than two decades across military, federal, and contracting environments, she works at the intersection of people, technology, and mission helping organizations operate with clarity, security, and care.
Nekisha Ladd has a way of bringing calm into complicated spaces. It shows up in how she listens before she speaks, how she asks questions without defensiveness, and how she centers people even when the work is technical and high-stakes. Her leadership doesn’t announce itself loudly. It’s felt in the steadiness of teams, in systems that work because the humans behind them are supported, and in decisions made with both precision and compassion.
Lessons Learned Under Pressure
Her earliest leadership training didn’t come from a textbook. It came from service. Beginning her career in the United States Air Force, Nekisha learned discipline, responsibility, and the weight of accountability early on. A deployment to Iraq would leave a lasting imprint one that shaped not only how she leads, but why.
“The pressure, the stakes, and the responsibility of supporting missions in that environment taught me how to stay steady, It taught me how to prioritize what truly matters, and how to care for people even in the hardest circumstances.”
Those lessons stayed with her as she transitioned into human resources, where she learned the inner life of organizations the tensions, the unspoken dynamics, the quiet reasons teams either thrive or fracture. HR taught her how to listen deeply, navigate conflict, and create space for people to do their best work.
The Interview That Changed Everything
Nothing about Nekisha’s path into technology was planned. It unfolded through curiosity and a willingness to step forward before she felt ready. The pivotal moment came during an interview for a role in a federal IT directorate despite having no technical background at the time.
“I remember sitting before a seven-person panel and asking if they were sure they had selected the right candidate, They told me they could teach me the technical skills, but they needed someone who understood people.”
That sentence opened a door she hadn’t known was there. Nekisha walked through it with humility and resolve, learning relentlessly while leaning into the strengths she already had: communication, relationship-building, and clarity under pressure. Over time, her career expanded across project management, cloud, architecture, Agile practices, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT—each chapter adding texture to her leadership.
Carrying More Than One Weight
With growth came challenges. Stepping into roles before feeling fully prepared required courage and trust both in herself and in the teams around her. But another, quieter challenge shaped her just as profoundly: navigating spaces where she was often the only woman of color in the room.
“It required a different level of preparation, confidence, and composure, I learned early on that I had to be both technically credible and emotionally steady, even when assumptions were working against me.”
What once felt like an obstacle became part of her leadership identity. Those experiences sharpened her voice and deepened her empathy, reinforcing her commitment to inclusive leadership and visible representation. She learned how to advocate not only for herself, but for others who needed to see someone like them succeed.
Building What She Needed to See
After more than twenty years of service, Nekisha retired from the Air Force and founded Pavo Pluma Consulting an intentional culmination of everything she had learned. The firm focuses on people-centered technology solutions, supporting small to medium businesses, defense contractors, and professional services organizations.
“What drives me is the belief that people and technology must work together seamlessly to achieve meaningful outcomes, Leadership is about serving as a bridge connecting strategy to execution, and people to the tools they need to succeed.”
Her work today is grounded and practical: strengthening systems, securing environments, and helping teams operate with confidence. Just as important, she mentors others, advocates for inclusive cultures, and reminds organizations that technology only works when people feel seen and supported.
Looking Ahead, With Purpose
As she grows Pavo Pluma Consulting, Nekisha is focused on building scalable frameworks and lasting partnerships but her longer vision is deeply personal. She wants to mentor the next generation, especially women and people of color navigating careers in technology and cybersecurity.
“Don’t be afraid to step into roles where you feel underqualified, Often, your perspective, empathy, and leadership potential are just as valuable as technical expertise.”
It’s a lesson she lives daily one shaped by service, resilience, and a belief that growth happens when courage meets care.
Closing Reflection
For Nekisha Ladd, success isn’t measured only by outcomes or accolades. It’s quieter than that. It’s found in teams that leave stronger than they arrived, in systems that protect what matters, and in people who discover their own capacity because someone believed in them first. Her leadership carries the imprint of everywhere she’s been and the steady intention to leave every mission, and every person, better than she found them.
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