Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 4: From East Baltimore to the Boardroom, Same Heartbeat w/ Erika Lane

Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with UMGC alumna and HR leader, Erika Lane to trace the path from East Baltimore beginnings to guiding people strategy at a major airline. Erika explains how she refused labels, chose the grind over complaints, and turned early customer service work into leadership by practicing empathy and composure.She shares the mentors and sponsors who opened doors, why she runs her life like a project manager, and how inclusive leadership starts with relatability and service. Along the way she breaks down her ‘stay ready’ system, updated materials, active networking, and the family legacy that keeps her anchored as the goals move forward. Listen for lessons on resilience, ownership, and building community that apply in any industry.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable.Host: Lauren CardilloGuest: Erika Lane, Human Resources leader, UMGC alumnaTime Stamps & Show Notes: (00:00 - 03:27) Origin Story(03:28 - 07:46) First Job & Mentorship(07:47 - 09:59) Sponsorship vs. Mentorship(10:00 - 13:57) Staying Ready(13:58 - 18:09) Work-Life Integration(18:10 - 21:04) Back to School(21:05 - 25:40) Leading with Empathy(25:41 - 27:32) No Ceilings(27:33 - 29:26) Texas Transition(29:27 - 31:12) Future Plans(31:13 - 34:16) Loving the Work(34:17 - 36:13) Navigating "The Only"(36:14 - 39:19) Owning Choices & Closing