“When people ask me why I got into law enforcement, I often think about an injustice I experienced when I was in seventh grade,” said Boyden, the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Marshal in California, and the first Black person to serve in that role for the eastern district of California.
Boyden’s mother dropped her and her best friend off at the mall so they could hang out. The two young girls were walking around when a white woman approached Boyden and, out of the blue, pushed her.
“My initial reaction was to yell, ‘Hey,’ and when I did, she grabbed my wrist in this death grip, and said, ‘What are you going to do about it?’” Boyden recalled.
Teachings from her mother quickly came to mind. “As she said those words and I saw the hate in her eyes, I began to take note of her physical description — something my mother taught me — to get the who, what, where, and to see if there were any witnesses,” Boyden said.
Boyden immediately found the mall police officer and explained what happened. “He believed me, which showed me that police officers are here to serve and protect,” she said.
It wasn’t hard to locate the blond-haired woman donning jeans and a Santa Claus sweater at the mall. While the police officer approached the woman, Boyden and her best friend watched from the background.
So what am I going to do about it? I’m going to hold bullies like you accountable, and that’s still what I do to this day.
“I saw the officer ask for her ID, and then I saw her eyes lock with mine, and I knew in that moment that her question had been answered.
“I said to myself, ‘So what am I going to do about it? I’m going to hold bullies like you accountable,’ and that’s still what I do to this day.”
Boyden joined the U.S. Marshals Service as an intern while attending Alabama State University, on a track and field scholarship. Intrigued by the organization’s fugitive apprehension program, she also noticed a lack of diversity among its leadership. As the first Black acting U.S. Marshal in the eastern district of California, she takes pride in her role and is hopeful more women — and women of color — recognize what’s possible through her and others’ examples.
“I wanted to blaze this trail before I saw anyone that looked like me in this position,” Boyden said. “I sought to be what I didn’t see as a young woman, and am hopeful women today see themselves in me and others who have reached such heights.”
When it comes to Summoning Confidence: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty, the panel she’ll be speaking on at the 2024 Pathways for Women Conference, Boyden recommends being open to advice and feedback.
“I was advised early on not to assume the audience will immediately relate to me,” she said. “If I can turn my focus from thinking about how I’m coming off to everyone, and refocus on connecting with them, confidence is a natural byproduct.”
Pathways for Women
Boyden is one of many business leaders speaking at this year’s Pathways for Women Conference, a day-and-a-half forum designed to inspire and encourage women in their careers. The event takes place August 26 and 27 in Anaheim.
Boyden and other business leaders will address common challenges, including being the first woman to accomplish something in their industry, facing imposter syndrome and burnout, speaking positively and productively in a culture where nothing goes unnoticed, and tips for generating visibility around your achievements.
Pathways was founded in 2022 by CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost who has too often found herself the only woman in the room in business meetings.
“I remember looking around searching for faces of other female leaders, and too often came up short,” Frost said. “When women make it to a certain level of an organization, we have a responsibility to bring others up. That’s what the Pathways for Women Conference is intended to do.”
Conference Topics
Keynote Speaker Kimberly Brown
Kimberly Brown is an international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and career and leadership expert. Her leadership development company, Brown Leadership, provides organizations with tailor-made solutions to engage, develop, and advance their workforce.
Working Session — Say It Skillfully
- Molly Tschang, Founder and CEO, Abella Consulting/Say It Skillfully Inc.
The Firsts: Women Who Pioneered New Pathways
- Marcie Frost, Chief Executive Officer, CalPERS
- Amanda Ray, Retired Commissioner, California Highway Patrol
- Preet Didbal, Former Mayor of Yuba City
Summoning Confidence: How to Navigate Career Uncertainty
- Lasha Boyden, U.S. Marshal, U.S. Marshals Service
- Cassandra Lichnock, Chief Executive Officer, CalSTRS
- Kim Malm, Deputy Executive Officer, CalPERS
- Grace Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE)
How to Promote Your Work and Develop Your Brand
- Rachel Zillner, Co-Founder, Clutch
- Jane Barry Moran, Managing Director Programs & Research, Out Leadership
- Hitesh Shah, Director of Business Development, BDO