By: Alena Wiese

LaWanna Bradford commands attention the moment she takes the stage. Her voice resonates with conviction, her words deliberate, her message transformative. She isn’t just delivering a talk—she’s guiding her audience through a paradigm shift. Whether she’s speaking to corporate executives, mentoring professional athletes, or empowering women, Bradford’s message is clear: resilience, discipline, and intentionality are the keys to a fulfilled and successful life.

Over three decades, Bradford has navigated the intersections of finance, strategy, leadership, and empowerment. Today, using her signature R3 System©—Refocus, Reframe, Reconnect—she inspires individuals and organizations to redefine success through an innovative lens that overlays traditional strategic planning. Her journey has been anything but linear, and her story, both personal and professional, is a testament to the power of perseverance.

A Life Built on Discipline and Strategy

Born into a household shaped by her father’s military discipline, Bradford learned early on that structure and accountability were the bedrock of success. “My father taught me that preparation isn’t optional; it’s everything,” she says. “He used to say, ‘Think before you leap. Plan your work, work your plan, and always be ready for the unexpected.’ That lesson has stayed with me through every challenge.”

This disciplined mindset served her well as she built a thriving career in finance and business consulting. As COO of The Bradford Group, a commercial and investment mortgage brokerage with over 18 years of success, Bradford has guided the company through economic highs and lows. She also leads The Bradford Group Consulting, a firm that specializes in performance strategy, helping organizations in both federal and private sectors, and small businesses achieve transformational growth

Her extensive portfolio includes financial analysis and strategic planning for the Department of Defense, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where she has guided countless C-suite leaders in navigating change. But her success hasn’t been without challenges. As an entrepreneur, the 2008 mortgage crisis nearly dismantled her business, and a cancer diagnosis soon after tested her resilience like never before.

The Birth of the R3 System©

Amid the storm of personal and professional upheaval, Bradford began to reimagine what resilience truly meant. “It’s not about bouncing back; it’s about rebuilding smarter, stronger, and with purpose,” she says. From this realization, the R3 System© was born—a framework designed to help individuals and organizations position to remain relevant in an every changing market.

Bradford breaks the system into three actionable pillars:

Refocus: Identify what truly matters by cutting through distractions and zeroing in on the critical target, resources, connections

Reframe: Design a customized blueprint for life or business.

Reconnect: Eliminate negative traps, and commit to building sustainable success.

“The R3 System© is a personal and business GPS,” Bradford explains. “It takes the nuances of strategic planning, applies foresight and design, and translates them into a roadmap for success using an experiential perspective.

Changing Lives with the R3 System©

Bradford’s system has transformed lives across industries, from professional sports to corporate boardrooms and beyond. Her clients include athletes grappling with post-career transitions, executives seeking clarity, and women determined to reclaim their power.

John: An NFL Player’s New Playbook

Take “John,” a former NFL player whose career ended abruptly due to injury. At just 30 years old, he found himself grappling with identity loss and financial insecurity. “He told me, ‘I don’t know who I am without football,’” Bradford recalls.

Through the R3 System™, Bradford helped John:

Refocus: Recognize leadership and teamwork as transferable skills.

Reframe: View retirement as an opportunity to redefine his purpose.

Reconnect: Launch a youth mentoring program that teaches financial literacy and life skills.

“John realized that football was something he did, not who he was,” Bradford says. “That mindset shift opened the door to a fulfilling new chapter.”

Sophia: A Woman Reclaiming Her Power

Sophia, a corporate executive, came to Bradford burned out and uncertain about her next steps. “She felt stuck,” Bradford says. “She didn’t see a way forward.”

Using the R3 System©, Bradford guided Sophia to:

Refocus: Define success on her own terms rather than societal expectations.

Reframe: Turn workplace challenges into opportunities to rise.

Reconnect: Transition into a leadership coaching role that empowers other women.

“When women step into their power unapologetically,” Bradford says, “they create ripples of transformation that touch everyone around them.”

From Podcasts to Books: Expanding Her Reach

Bradford’s message extends far beyond her coaching sessions and speaking engagements. She hosts three influential TV shows—Power of the Pen, Choose to Challenge, and Business & Financial Raw Talk. Each show tackles topics ranging from leadership and financial empowerment to navigating societal norms and limiting mindsets. Through these platforms, Bradford amplifies the voices of thought leaders and shares actionable strategies with a global audience.

Her upcoming book, R3: Your Personal GPS for Success, explores her framework and its potential to reach a wider audience. “I want this book to be more than a read—it’s a tool,” she says. “Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, or a CEO, it will help you navigate life and business with confidence.”

A Movement for Women’s Empowerment

As co-founder of Celebrate You Embracing HER Wellness, Bradford has built an international network that encourages women to embrace their full potential. The initiative reaches women in the U.S., Canada, UK, Nigeria, South Africa, and beyond, helping them achieve mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial well-being.

“When women understand their worth, they become unstoppable forces for change,” Bradford says. Through workshops, mentorship, and global events, she’s equipping women to lead with purpose and create sustainable communities..

What Drives Her Vision

Bradford’s work is deeply rooted in her belief that resilience and intention can overcome any obstacle. “You are the architect of your life,” she says. “Build it with purpose, strategy, and discipline.”

Her father’s lessons on preparation, paired with her own life experiences, continue to shape her approach. Whether addressing athletes, corporate leaders, or young women, her message remains consistent: “Success isn’t about where you start—it’s about how you move forward.”

What’s Next for LaWanna Bradford?

Bradford’s vision for the future is expansive. She aims to integrate the R3 System© into schools and leadership programs, helping ensure future generations are equipped with tools to navigate life’s challenges. As her TV shows grow and her book release approaches, Bradford is building a legacy of resilience, empowerment, and transformation.

Her mission is clear: “Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about building something even better.”

Connect with LaWanna Bradford

Website: lawannabradford.com

Social Media: @lawannabradford

LaWanna Bradford isn’t just a strategist—she’s a movement leader, inspiring others to rebuild and thrive with discipline, intention, and clarity. Through her R3 System©, she demonstrates how challenges can be addressed with purpose.

Published by Anne C.