We recently had the chance to connect with Rochelle Rawls and have shared our conversation below.
Rochelle , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“My daily rhythm is a high-speed blend of strategy and motherhood. It begins whenever my one-year-old daughter—the real boss—decides to start her day, anywhere from 6:30 AM to a ‘lucky’ 8:00 AM. Those first hours are hers: getting her ready and sharing breakfast before I make the short walk to my home office.
Once I log on, it’s an immediate dive into the deep end. My day fluctuates between managing high-volume Slack and LinkedIn threads, and reviewing what can be 100+ job applications during peak hiring seasons. I’m constantly balancing technical candidate screens with back-to-back strategy meetings with my team and hiring managers. Yet, the best part of being ‘office-flexible’ is the intentional pockets of time I carve out in between—squeezing in quick snacks or cuddle time with my daughter to recharge before diving back into the next interview.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rochelle, though most of the community knows me as #RoTheDEIPro. While my day job involves strategically shaping the future of AI as a Talent Attraction Partner at Salesforce, I’ve always seen myself as more than just a recruiter—I’m a dot-connector and a storyteller.
My mission is rooted in something deeply personal: building a tech world where authenticity isn’t a barrier, but an asset. Whether I’m leading as the Texas SWN Chair, serving on the Dallas Site Council, or standing on a conference stage at Dreamin’ in Color and WITness Success, my focus is always on people. I represent the belief that we can show up as our full selves—and for me, that means showing up as a speaker, a community leader, a world traveler, a mom, and a girlfriend.
What truly drives me is the real-world connection behind the digital profile. Being recognized as a LinkedIn Top Recruiting Voice has given me a platform, but my next goal is the TEDx stage. I want to shift the conversation on how relationship-building and radical authenticity aren’t just ‘soft skills’—they are the most powerful tools we have to drive actual change in our industries and our lives.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
“Without a doubt, it was my Uncle TeRon. When I moved to Texas right after college, he took me under his wing and installed the strategies that would define my career. I was 21, in a new city, and trying to land my first ‘big girl job,’ and he provided the blueprint I needed to navigate that world.
While my parents laid the foundation of work ethic when I got my first job at 15, my Uncle taught me the long game. We spent countless business lunches talking strategy, and I never took his advice lightly. He taught me that work isn’t just about the paycheck; it’s about the exit strategy. He was the one who pushed me to be aggressive with my 401K from day one and taught me the importance of investing in myself before anyone else.
His mantra was simple but powerful: Save early so you can retire early, and never show all your cards at once.
While I am deeply passionate about my work at Salesforce, my sights are set on a different horizon. I don’t plan to be working for someone else into my 50s or 60s. I’m building toward working for myself and creating the kind of generational wealth that changes a family’s trajectory. I’m strategically making moves today—just like my parents and Uncle did for me—to ensure my daughter and future children have every opportunity for success. For me, the career I’m building is the engine, but the legacy I’m leaving is the destination.”
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of failure, often disguised as perfectionism. I’ve always operated with the mindset that if I can’t give something 100%—or better—I shouldn’t do it at all. That internal pressure is immense; I hold myself to an incredibly high standard, and for a long time, that turned into ‘workaholic’ tendencies. I felt like every move had to be flawless to be valid.
Since having my daughter, I’ve had to learn the hard way how to find patience and step back. However, it’s a bit of a catch-22: she has taught me to slow down, yet she is the single greatest motivator pushing me to accomplish everything I’ve ever dreamed of. She made the stakes higher, but she also made the journey more meaningful.
While I’m very transparent with my LinkedIn community about my career journey, there is so much more happening behind the scenes. My mind is constantly mapping out the strategy for my next big goal—sometimes at a pace that is hard to maintain. My boyfriend is my grounding force; he’s the one who constantly has to remind me to breathe, slow down, and take it one day at a time. I’m learning that the goal isn’t just to ‘reach the top’ perfectly, but to be present enough to enjoy the life I’m building for my family along the way.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Authenticity, my brand is built on the integration of my professional expertise with my personal story. I represent the bridge between technical strategy and human connection, moving beyond the “soft skill” label to treat relationship-building as a powerful tool for driving talent outcomes.
I protect this value through:
Inclusive Environments: My dedication to shaping equitable pipelines for underrepresented groups is rooted in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive as their true selves.
Radical Transparency: By presenting myself as a mother, girlfriend, world traveler, and speaker alongside my day job, I model that identity and excellence go hand-in-hand.
Empathetic Advocacy: Whether I’m are speaking at conferences or serving on ERG boards, I emphasize that authenticity is the key to creating a truly diverse and impactful tech world.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the quiet ‘in-between’ moments where my two worlds—motherhood and my career—perfectly align without competing for my attention.
There is a specific peace in that hour after I’ve closed my laptop in my home office, knowing I’ve strategically moved the needle on a high-stakes executive search or mentored a future candidate, and I walk into the living room to see my daughter. When she sees me and runs over for a hug or a snack, the ‘Recruiter Bag’ and the 100+ applications I reviewed that day just melt away. In those moments, I’m not #RoTheDEIPro; I’m just Mom.
I also find peace in the clarity of travel. As an avid world traveler, being in a new city or a different country forces me to step out of the strategy in my head and just be. It’s where my perfectionism takes a backseat to wonder.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rothedeipro?igsh=cDFhNXJ5bTJ5enJy
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/rothedeipro
