25: From Fast Food Crew to COO, CEO, and Executive Coach: The Inspiring Leadership Journey of Roy Quejada

Send us a message :) Welcome to another episode of Fearless Possibilities! In this powerful and inspiring conversation, host Sha Nacino sits down with Roy Quejada, former CEO of Popeyes Philippines, former COO of Kuya J Group, respected management consultant at Readiness Quotient (R/Q), and passionate executive coach & mentor.Roy candidly shares his incredible journey from starting as a fast food crew member at McDonald’s while in college, to rising through the ranks as COO, CEO, and now helping executives and teams unlock their full potential. Drawing on decades of experience, Roy reveals the real mindset shifts, leadership lessons, and resilient “inner game” it takes to grow from the frontlines to the boardroom. Plus, actionable advice for leaders navigating strategy, people, empathy, and the age of AI.If you’re a business leader, aspiring manager, HR professional, or anyone passionate about personal and professional growth, you’ll love this episode packed with stories and actionable insights!CHAPTERS:00:00 - Starting as a Crew Member: Dreams and Early Ambitions00:42 - Proudest Moments as a CEO00:57 - Unseen Sides: Faith and Strategic Leadership02:13 - Balancing Profitability and People: The Strategy Dilemma04:18 - The Building Analogy: Gaining Perspective in Leadership05:32 - Career Growth: From Crew to CEO07:38 - Overlooked or Underestimated: Developing a Competitive Mindset10:13 - Core Values: Honor and Excellence10:34 - The Shift from Manager to Executive12:35 - When Experience Becomes a Liability14:08 - What You Must Unlearn as a CEO16:14 - Engaging on the Ground: The “Go Where the Action Is” Principle17:38 - Kindness and Compassion in Leadership19:11 - Feeling Seen by a Leader: The Power of Presence22:20 - Tough Decisions: Leaving McDonald’s for Yellow Cab25:26 - Breaking the Mold: Promoting Non-Graduates27:02 - The Meta Coaching Journey: Winning the Inner Game28:58 - Life After the C-Suite: Exploring Possibilities31:31 - The Importance of Inner Game for Executives31:47 - Fast and Fearless Talk: Small Acts of Leadership33:21 - Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Empathy in Leadership36:49 - Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI38:43 - Faith as a Foundation39:50 - Roy’s Message to Leaders: Resilience and Listening40:45 - What Keeps Roy Going: The Power of Family41:31 - Why Roy Said Yes to Fearless Possibilities42:56 - Roy Interviews Sha: What Keeps Sha Going44:14 - Closing Thoughts & Gratitude✨ HIGHLIGHTS:The CEO Mindset Shift: From Execution to Strategy Intentional Kindness Drives Results Human-Centered Leadership vs. AI Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Winning the Inner Game Step-by-Step Growth and Fearless Decision-Making Listen now, and start unlocking your own Fearless Possibilities!Connect with Roy Quejada:http://linkedin.com/in/roy-quejadaConnect with Sha Nacino:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sha-nacino/Join Sha’s free email newsletter: https://shanacino.com/fearlessSupport the show:Please subscribe to our Podcast. Simply click “Follow” on your Spotify app.Claim your GIFT at https://www.shanacino.com/fearlessSupport the show