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Who we are
Change agents
Yolk Lab’s North Star – Our chief goal as experienced talent & organizational development experts is to equip your leaders and teams with the skills and mindset to overcome challenges, capitalize on growth and new opportunities – and, of course, adapt to change – now and in the future.
Why we exist
It all started in 2018, with an eye-opening conversation in a Silicon Beach kitchen. Two former Talent & Organizational Development executives (now thought partners) realized a simple yet important truth about organizations, Talent Drives EVERYTHING including speed in which things get done and ultimately the results.
The Dynamic Duo
Combining 30+ years of expert insights, Yolk Lab was developed with an inclusive lens to equip leaders and teams with adaptable tools and immersive experiences to successfully navigate high change environments.
They’ve helped leaders and teams navigate change across multiple industries including financial services, tech startups, and entertainment.
SHAKIRA GAGNIER aka SHAK
What we do isn’t magic, but it’s pretty darn close.
Alter Ego Role: If I wasn’t helping leaders navigate change, I would be transforming the interior design of tiny houses.
Throughout her career, Shakira has held a wide-range of transformative people development leadership roles across entertainment, startups and finance: Operating Partner, Human Capital at LightBay Capital, VP, Diversity & Inclusion at Paradigm Talent Agency, Director of Learning and Development at WarnerMedia, Vice President of People, Diversity & Inclusion & Engagement at Fullscreen/Otter Media, and Senior Manager Learning and Organizational Development at Universal Music Group.
While at LightBay, she advised portfolio ....
While at LightBay, she advised portfolio companies on talent strategy and DEI, producing solutions spanning employee engagement, inclusion initiatives and talent performance to enable operational success. At Paradigm, Shakira produced an innovative, immersive education accelerator, Agents of Change, featuring disruptors Devon Franklin (Award-winning Producer & Oscars Diversity Governor) and Sanjay Sharma (Chairman of CAPE). During her tenure at WarnerMedia she played an integral role in producing the first Virtual Global Enterprise Inclusion Race Equity Intensive for all HR professionals across 8 countries. While at Fullscreen she produced the 1st people development department and created “IGNITE,” a people leader program with 50% parity between male and female emerging leaders. She has served on the board of Universal Music’s Women’s Network, a community of over 500 women across several record labels. And has led LightBay’s foundation, creating partnerships with Social Justice Partners LA, LA Room & Board & Rock the Street, Wall Street.
She is also a Board Member of two Los Angeles nonprofits: Open Paths Counseling, a mental wellness facility and Project Optimism, a K-12 educational consulting organization.
She is also a Board Member of two Los Angeles nonprofits: Open Paths Counseling, a mental wellness facility and Project Optimism, a K-12 educational consulting organization.
SHARIFA AUSTIN
What we do isn’t magic, but it’s pretty darn close.
Alter Ego Role: When I’m not facilitating difficult conversations, I’m tending to my plants, striking a yoga pose or cooking up a vegan meal.
Since transitioning from the non-profit/government industry to her current role in Music & Entertainment, Sharifa continues to make her mark by empowering potential at the highest levels. Sharifa has worked with and developed innovative training experiences for leaders across several major labels including Interscope Records, Motown, Capitol, LVRN, Def Jam, and Universal Music Publishing.
Since transitioning from the non-profit/government industry to her current role in Music & Entertainment, Sharifa continues to make her mark by empowering potential at the highest levels. Sharifa has worked with and developed innovative training experiences for leaders across several major labels including Interscope Records, Motown, Capitol, LVRN, Def Jam, and Universal Music Publishing.
She also works with the President of Global Business ....
She also works with the President of Global Business Development and e-Commerce to co-create and drive the Talent Development strategy.
In her role as Sr. Director of People Development and Organizational Effectiveness for Universal Music Group, Sharifa played an integral role in developing the framework and driving the successful implementation of the first global New Manager Training program, Black Executive Leadership Program and Leadership Accelerator Program. She also produced and moderated an overwhelmingly positively received Music Business Education panel series on the role of the A&R’s in music. She served on the board of the Universal Music Women’s Network and was later given the honor of interim chair. During her tenure as interim chair she produced and directed a powerful reel highlighting its dedicated members and the impact of their work to the company and the community. This increased exposure drove the expansion of their territories and contributed to the growth of the network to now more than 1,000 women and counting. Sharifa’ focus on inclusion, cutting-edge approaches to tailored learning and keen instincts make her a force in any entertainment, media, sports, financial and startup space.
In her role as Sr. Director of People Development and Organizational Effectiveness for Universal Music Group, Sharifa played an integral role in developing the framework and driving the successful implementation of the first global New Manager Training program, Black Executive Leadership Program and Leadership Accelerator Program. She also produced and moderated an overwhelmingly positively received Music Business Education panel series on the role of the A&R’s in music. She served on the board of the Universal Music Women’s Network and was later given the honor of interim chair. During her tenure as interim chair she produced and directed a powerful reel highlighting its dedicated members and the impact of their work to the company and the community. This increased exposure drove the expansion of their territories and contributed to the growth of the network to now more than 1,000 women and counting. Sharifa’ focus on inclusion, cutting-edge approaches to tailored learning and keen instincts make her a force in any entertainment, media, sports, financial and startup space.
What we do isn’t magic, but it’s pretty darn close.
Together, we facilitate movement in the needed direction in a way that allows people to feel good about it. In today’s dynamic and diverse climate that is no small feat. To drive this type of change requires the ability to bring a little magic to the moment
Our Experience
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Leaders Coached
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Culture Change
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Team Transformations
supported through new language and new behavior adoption