La-Chun is a highly effective, C-Level Executive with a proven track record of international, cross-industry/functional leadership, defining and executing business plans that improve customer/employee experiences, drive shareholder value and enhance investor returns.
La-Chun was born and raised in Rock Hill, SC. She attended Clemson University and graduated with a B.S. degree in ceramic engineering. She also has three honorary doctorates in engineering from Cardiff University, the University of South Wales and Swansea University.
La-Chun has held a variety of leadership, engineering, finance, compliance, digital, commercial and research & development roles with the US Government, private companies and General Electric (GE). After 23 years with GE, La-Chun joined Amazon Web Services in June 2020, becoming the 1st Black female and 1st openly queer, Director in Infrastructure Operations. In September 2020, La-Chun was named Envoy to Wales, becoming the 1st and only American to hold the title. In January 2023, she became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Global Protective Services.
La-Chun has immense global exposure. She has worked in 32 countries/16 USA states and has visited an additional 23 countries/33 USA states. She has also participated in strategic roundtables with United Kingdom’s Prime Ministers and various Welsh Government officials including First Ministers.
La-Chun relentlessly drives inclusion, diversity and equality (ID&E) globally. She has given >50 speeches/panels on ID&E over the past decade and has received many accolades for her volunteerism in ID&E. These include 1)ranked 2nd (2017) and 4th (2016) on the Pinc List’s: The 40 Most Influential LGBT People in Wales, 2) named as Lesbians Who Tech “Queer Women Who Have Broken Glass Ceilings in STEM” (2019) and 3) listed on Cranfield University Female FTSE Report: 100 Women to Watch (2017).
In July 2017, La-Chun spoke on BBC News (Leading Wales MD says More Equality Leads to Higher Profits) about her efforts in driving equality at GE Aviation Wales, the largest industrial company in Wales at +$3B in revenue. She was the 1st female, 1st black female and 1st openly queer, managing director of the site in its +75 year history, noting the site increased females on the shop floor from 1% to 13% during La-Chun’s tenure and launched the first Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Ally Alliance, which quickly became the largest Chapter in the UK.
La-Chun enjoys traveling internationally, attending sporting events and teaching wine classes.