Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs

Branding Room Only with Paula T. Edgar

From the military to the music world, Paula Boggs has made her mark by bravely navigating new spaces and pioneering career paths for herself. After serving at the Pentagon and in the White House as an army officer, she spent a decade at Starbucks as its Chief Legal Officer before leaving to write and perform music with the Paula Boggs Band.

As you listen to our conversation, you’ll be inspired and in awe. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and breaking barriers. And she inspires others to embrace their authenticity, find joy in their work, and make a positive impact in their respective fields.

In this episode of the Branding Room Only podcast, you’ll learn about how Paula’s background influenced her leadership style and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Paula will also reveal the importance that mentorship and sponsorship can have in shaping careers, the value of servant leadership and the lasting impact it can have on an organization’s culture, and more!

1:24 - What personal branding means to Paula and her three-word self-description, favorite Maya Angelou quote, and Jill Scott hype song

3:32 - Why asking where Paula grew up has a more complicated answer than it does for most people

13:22 - The role of law school as a delay strategy for Paula and how she used failure to open doors of opportunity

23:08 - A textbook lesson in mentorship and sponsorship (and the difference between the two)

31:28 - A need to be fulfilled in a job and how Paula continued to break ground in her career journey

36:11 - How Paula got exposed to music at an early age and returned to writing and performing music after a 15-year hiatus

41:51 - Why Paula stayed on as Starbucks General Counsel for a few years even as she felt called to do something different

45:42 - Servant leadership as an essential attribute for good leaders and the legacy Paula left behind at Starbucks

55:20 - Sources of joy for Paula, the one thing she’ll always stand by, and her Branding Room Only magic

Connect With Paula Boggs

Boggs Media, LLC | LinkedIn | Twitter/X

Paula Boggs Band | Facebook | Twitter/X | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify

Mentioned In Breaking Barriers, Pioneering Career Paths, and Making a Positive Impact with Paula Boggs
Crafting a Personal Brand in the Corporate World with Zabrina Jenkins
Sponsor for this episode
This episode is brought to you by PGE Consulting Group LLC.

PGE Consulting Group LLC is dedicated to providing a practical hybrid of professional development training and diversity solutions. From speaking to consulting to programming and more, all services and resources are carefully tailored for each partner. Paula Edgar’s distinct expertise helps engage attendees and create lasting change for her clients.

To learn more about Paula and her services, go to www.paulaedgar.com or contact her at [e-mail], and follow

Are you ready to make 2025 your year of growth and achievement? Join Paula Edgar, for a transformative, free session for my annual intention and goal-setting webinar.
Join me, January 4th, 2–4 p.m. ET, and start your year strong
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