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Lori G. Brown

I found my calling in payroll at 19—or perhaps it found me. The industry became the foundation that helped me grow into a confident wife, mother, and CEO, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Today, my passion lies in connecting with people, sparking innovation, and making life easier for others. While I’ve traded calculators for conversations that drive change, I’ll never lose sight of my purpose: lifting others up and leading with intent. What I’m All About: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, sharing ideas, and growing together. That’s why I started my blog, Leading with Lori, to explore challenges, celebrate successes, and spark meaningful dialogue. It’s a space to reflect, grow, and inspire—both personally and professionally.

2 min read

The Power of Presence: How I Turned Up and Leveled Up

Having a vision is one thing. Turning it into reality? That’s where it gets interesting.

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2 min read

The Vision Statement I Didn’t Want to Write—But Needed

There I was—newly minted CEO of PayNW—when Mike Anderson, our founder and sole board member at the time, sat me down and said, “I’d like you to write...

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3 min read

The Accidental $11M Plan: How a 2-Year Goal Led to a Decade of Growth

Returning to Washington in 2009 felt like hitting reset on life, in the best possible way. After three incredible years in Baltimore and the birth of...

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2 min read

Fail, Learn, Lead: The Journey That Took Me Further Than I Expected

Picking up where we left off (See the last post), I had just learned a hard truth: technical knowledge alone doesn’t cut it. So, what did I do? I...

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3 min read

360-Degree Wake-Up Call: The Feedback That Changed Everything

Now that I’ve established that I’m doing this blog thing, let me start by sharing a little about myself and how I came to be where I am today....

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