OUR TEAM
LaShaunda Pickett-René
Founder, CEO & Chief Idea Broker
LaShaunda Pickett-René (LPR) is the visionary behind The Idea Brokerage™—a strategic consultancy rooted in innovation, bold thinking, and community-centered results. As Founder and Chief Idea Broker, she leads with a rare blend of strategic foresight, entrepreneurial creativity, and two decades of cross-sector experience that spans nonprofit leadership, public administration, and inclusive economic development.
A proud graduate of Dillard University, LaShaunda holds a dual degree in International Business and French Studies, and earned her Master of Public Administration from Walden University, reinforcing her commitment to purpose-driven impact and systems change.
LaShaunda’s professional journey reflects deep expertise in:
- Small business lending and capital readiness
- Program development and management
- Community and economic development
- Resource development and fundraising strategy
- Stakeholder engagement and ecosystem building
Her credentials include an Opportunity Finance Industry Certificate from the Opportunity Finance Network and the University of New Hampshire Carsey School for Impact Finance, as well as a Community Development Finance Certificate from the University of New Orleans—testament to her specialized knowledge in mission-aligned finance.
A connector, mentor, and advocate, LaShaunda holds multiple leadership and advisory roles, including:
- Charter School Board Member, New Harmony High School (New Orleans)
- Advisory Member, Dallas Collaborative for Capital Access
- Member, Dallas B.U.I.L.D. Network
- Former Board Member, Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola University New Orleans
- Former Executive Mentor, Loyola University New Orleans
- Former Leadership Committee Member & Coordinator, Houston Business Ecosystem Alliance for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Whether advising entrepreneurs, activating strategic initiatives, or shaping ecosystems for expansion, LaShaunda remains committed to one bold idea: every vision deserves a strategy, and every strategy deserves a champion.
IVY KINYANJUI
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Ivy Kinyanjui serves as the Small Business Administrative Coordinator at The Idea Brokerage. With a Bachelor’s Postgraduate degree in Economics and Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology and Economics. Empowering Success with seamless support to the CEO and the Team. With a genuine passion for contributing to organizations that care about their impact on the community and implement initiatives that use the power of collective efforts to bring about meaningful change.
Ivy brings to The Idea Brokerage 5 years of dedicated experience as an Virtual Executive assistant within the NGO and Corporate sectors. Ivy has built a distinguished reputation for delivering executive-level support to C-suite executives and teams. Her skill set encompasses a wide range of administrative tasks, including proficient management of emails and calendars, project coordination, travel logistics, meeting orchestration, and report generation. Notably, she also excels in customer service and cold calling, offering flexible and cost-effective administrative solutions. Ivy’s commitment extended to supporting executives in personal tasks, showcasing her dedication to holistic support.
Ivy Kinyanjui’s journey as a Virtual Executive Assistant reflects her commitment to excellence, adaptability, and a comprehensive skill set that goes beyond traditional administrative support. Her track record exemplifies her dedication to enhancing efficiency and organization drawing from these exceptional qualities and incorporating them into her role as the Small Business Administrative Coordinator at The Idea Brokerage.