“I’m a mother and I’ve had a pretty demanding career with raising children,” she says.
She does not frame the experience as extraordinary. Instead, she speaks about the reality many women know well: trying to honor professional ambition without pretending personal responsibilities disappear when the workday begins.
“These are seasons of life you have to go through, and you’ll be stronger for it.” — LeBon
For women entering traditionally male-dominated fields, LeBon’s advice is grounded in preparation.
Earlier in her career, she often found herself in rooms where few people looked like her.
“I thought it was always important to have the knowledge and be always prepared for the task before me,” she says.
Her standard was simple: arrive prepared, produce strong work, remain present and keep taking the next step. “Showing up as your best self, working hard to produce the best work product, volunteering for assignments, being eager to take that next extra step.”
And when something is unclear?
“If you don’t understand it, ask questions,” LeBon says. “Because if you don’t ask, you may not know.”
Cherylyn Harley LeBon, Speaking at the 2026 Women’s Forum Image provided by: Cherylyn Harley LeBon
“The government buys everything.”
She is equally deliberate about the word success.
She describes government contracting as “the essence of public-private partnership,” where private companies help government deliver products and services more effectively. But technical knowledge alone does not build a career.
“Success can be a very broad word,” she says. “We need to define success for ourselves.”
One person’s definition does not have to resemble another’s. That philosophy becomes even more meaningful when LeBon speaks about legacy. “I get up every day, and I want to help these companies grow their businesses. I want to protect them. I want to help them manage risk and also create a legacy of wealth for themselves and their family.” Across government, law and business, that thread has endured: helping people navigate complexity so they can build something stronger on the other side.
“Relationships are everything.”
LeBon believes relationship-building evolves as a professional grows, but authenticity has to remain at the center. “You want the sustaining of your relationships to be authentic,” she says.
That human side of success became especially clear as she built a demanding career while raising children.
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BUILDING THE FUTURE WOMEN
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