Corp Facilitator on Inclusive Leadership & Culture-Driven Results | Executive Coach for Senior Leaders | DEI Strategist | CEO, Born2Win Coaching
In a second-grade classroom in Chicago, a young Michaun Winborn sat with a copy of The Color Purple. It was a book far beyond her grade level, and her teacher, operating on a snap judgment of what a child “should” be able to comprehend, confiscated it. What followed was a masterclass in leadership that Michaun would carry for the rest of her life. Her father, then the Dean of Students, did not argue with the teacher. Instead, he simply handed Michaun the book and asked her to read and explain a random passage. When she did so with ease, he turned to the educator and delivered a mandate: “Don’t ever interrupt her learning again.”
That moment became the cornerstone of Michaun’s philosophy. It taught her that advocacy and agency must coexist and that leaders have a profound responsibility to create safety around growth. Today, as the CEO of Born2Win Coaching and a former Vice President at JPMorgan Chase, Michaun spends her days ensuring that the “learning” of thousands of employees is never interrupted by systemic bias or inclusive skill gaps.
The Power of Substance
Michaun’s perspective was shaped in environments that valued education and excellence. Moving from Chicago to Columbus at age seven, she was often immersed in private school settings where she was frequently “the only” in the room. These years were not just about academic rigor; they were about observing the unspoken rules of belonging and the weight of representation.
Her professional path began far from the executive boardrooms, at a Blockbuster Video in the late 1990s. Handling the register and the daily rhythm of service, Michaun learned the fundamental importance of every individual in an ecosystem. It was here that she first began to see how culture is built—not through mission statements, but through the daily interactions and small moments of trust between people.
Navigating the Corporate Landscape
Michaun’s career trajectory is defined by a decade of high-impact leadership at JPMorgan Chase. Rising to the level of Vice President, she navigated the complexities of retail, banking, and property management. However, her true calling emerged in the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
As a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC), she became a bridge-builder in an era of corporate volatility. She recognized that while many leaders had the intent to be inclusive, they lacked the skill. She watched as turnover climbed and diverse talent “exited quietly” because the legacy systems they inhabited were never built for them. Michaun stepped into that gap, transforming DEI from a compliance-based “side initiative” into a business imperative for sustainable performance.
A Landscape, Not a Line
Perhaps the most profound influence on Michaun’s leadership style is her role as a mother to two autistic boys. She often notes that they share a diagnosis and her DNA, but almost nothing else. One seeks constant connection; the other protects his energy. One sings; the other observes in silence.
“The spectrum is not a line. It is a landscape,” she frequently shares with her clients. This lived experience has reshaped her understanding of intelligence and communication. In the corporate world, she uses this lens to challenge the “conformity over capacity” trap. She teaches leaders that silence does not equal disengagement and that movement is not the opposite of focus. By humanizing the workforce, she helps companies reduce legal risk and repair fractured cultures.
Building a Legacy of Inquiry
With the launch of Born2Win Coaching, Michaun is now focused on “legacy-building, not just compliance.” Her advice to the next generation of leaders is a reflection of her own journey: “Do not confuse visibility with growth. Focus on building substance before chasing visibility.”
Michaun’s work is grounded in the belief that judgment is a shortcut for the lazy, while inclusion is the reward for the curious. She remains a firm believer in the wisdom of Carl Jung: “Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge.” Her mission is to slow leaders down, helping them replace judgment with curiosity and intent with impact.
As she facilitates the “She Thrives” program and speaks at summits across the country, her message remains unwavering. She isn’t just coaching professionals to be better managers; she is coaching them to be the kind of leaders who, like her father, refuse to let anyone’s potential be interrupted.
Editorial Note
Michaun Winborn’s journey is a powerful reminder that inclusive leadership is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and mastered. Whether she is navigating a reduction in force or launching a WBENC-certified coaching firm, she operates with the conviction that everyone is born to win. As you reflect on your own leadership legacy, ask yourself: Are you creating an environment where growth is protected, or are you letting assumptions stand in the way of potential?
