LaShonda Herndon

Welcome to the professional hub of LaShonda Herndon, MBA, a trusted leader and strategic partner in the life sciences industry. This platform reflects LaShonda’s extensive career dedicated to advancing operational excellence in pharmaceutical and biotech environments while ensuring that groundbreaking scientific work reaches patients efficiently and safely. With over a decade of expertise in laboratory equipment, processes, regulatory compliance, and team leadership, she has built a reputation for precision, innovation, and reliability. Beyond her professional achievements, LaShonda is passionate about mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and empowering teams to perform at their highest level. Through her unique combination of scientific understanding, operational mastery, and commitment to collaboration, LaShonda Herndon continues to help shape the future of life sciences with purpose and impact.

LaShonda Herndon, MBA

LaShonda Herndon is more than an Account Manager; she’s a strategic partner and problem-solver for the Southeast Region at MilliporeSigma. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, she brings over a decade of experience in laboratory equipment, workflows, and safety compliance, earning a reputation as the go-to resource for training, project support, and team leadership.

Her career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries is anchored in a big-picture mindset: every process she manages and every solution she implements ultimately helps bring life-saving treatments from the lab to the patient. She pairs a deep scientific curiosity with operational precision, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, has recently earned an MBA in project management, further sharpening her ability to make strategic decisions, coordinate complex operations, and lead cross-functional teams. Whether she’s designing experiments, streamlining workflows, or reviewing SOPs, she approaches every challenge with efficiency, clarity, and purpose.

Her expertise includes:

Guiding programs from planning to completion with strong workflow, timeline, and budget management.
Leading teams across multiple sites and communicating with stakeholders at every stage.
Authoring and reviewing documentation to uphold safety and regulatory compliance.
Bringing technical mastery to lab procedures, training, and project tracking tools like Microsoft Office Suite.

Driven by a passion for both science and process, LaShonda Herndon continues to build her career around innovation, collaboration, and excellence in the life sciences industry.

The Art of Creating Family Traditions – Why They Matter and How to Start Ones That Last for Generations

Family traditions are more than just special moments tucked into the calendar; they are the threads that weave generations together. Whether it’s a holiday ritual, a birthday custom, or a quirky family-only celebration, traditions carry meaning far beyond the activity itself. They tell stories, pass down values, and create a shared sense of belonging that can endure for decades—sometimes even centuries. In an era where schedules are busy and families can be spread across the globe, the intentional creation of traditions is a powerful way to keep loved ones connected.

LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, explores why family traditions matter, the benefits they bring to every member of the household, and how you can start meaningful ones that stand the test of time.

Why Family Traditions Matter

1. They Foster a Sense of Belonging

At their core, traditions reinforce the idea that each person is part of something larger than themselves. For children, this sense of belonging builds emotional security—they know there is a place and a group where they are valued. LaShonda Herndon understands that for adults, traditions serve as an anchor, reminding them of where they came from and the shared experiences that bind them to their loved ones.

Psychologists often point out that consistent traditions—whether weekly, seasonal, or annual—help create a “family identity.” This identity strengthens relationships and offers comfort during times of change or uncertainty. For example, a simple Friday night pizza-and-movie ritual can become a cherished constant, no matter how chaotic life feels outside the home.

2. They Connect Generations

Traditions act as a bridge between the past, present, and future. Stories of “how Grandma used to do it” or “why Dad insists on making this exact pie recipe” keep history alive. Younger generations gain insight into their heritage, cultural background, and the unique quirks that make their family special.

In some cases, traditions evolve while still preserving their roots. A candle lighting ceremony from an older generation might become a hybrid celebration that incorporates both ancestral customs and modern twists. LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, explains that this adaptability is part of what keeps traditions relevant and meaningful over time.

3. They Create Anticipation and Joy

Knowing that a tradition is coming up gives family members something to look forward to. The anticipation itself can be just as valuable as the event. LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, explains that this is especially true for children, who often find comfort in predictable, repeated rituals. Even adults benefit from the mental boost of an upcoming celebration—whether it’s an annual camping trip, a winter holiday gathering, or an autumn baking day.

Anticipation also creates opportunities for involvement. Involving everyone in the planning, choosing the recipe, decorating the house, or selecting the activity builds shared responsibility and investment in the tradition’s success.

4. They Build Lasting Memories

The most enduring memories are often tied to traditions. You might forget the gifts you received over the years, but you’ll likely remember the smell of a certain dish cooking in the kitchen or the laughter shared during a yearly game night. These moments become part of the collective family story, repeated in conversations for years to come.

How to Start Traditions That Last

LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, emphasizes that creating a family tradition doesn’t require elaborate planning or expensive resources. The most enduring traditions are often simple, heartfelt, and easy to repeat.

1. Start with What Matters to Your Family

Think about your family’s shared values, interests, and cultural heritage. Do you love the outdoors? Maybe a seasonal hike could become your tradition. Is storytelling a favorite pastime? Perhaps an annual “Family Story Night” where everyone shares personal or ancestral stories could be the starting point.

Choosing traditions that naturally align with your family’s personality increases the likelihood they’ll be embraced by everyone—and maintained over time.

2. Keep It Simple and Repeatable

Overly complicated traditions tend to fizzle out because they require too much effort or coordination. Simplicity is key. A Sunday pancake breakfast, an annual beach day, or planting a tree each Earth Day are all traditions that are easy to maintain, even as life changes.

LaShonda Herndon explains that the more repeatable the tradition, the easier it becomes to integrate into the family rhythm year after year.

3. Make It Inclusive

Successful traditions invite participation from everyone—regardless of age, ability, or location. For extended families spread across different cities or countries, consider traditions that can be done virtually, such as a shared photo album for a yearly “family snapshot day” or a group video call to celebrate a special date.

Inclusivity ensures that no one feels left out and keeps traditions strong even when family members can’t be physically present.

4. Add a Unique Twist

A tradition becomes more memorable when it’s distinctly yours. For example, instead of just carving pumpkins in October, maybe your family holds a “Pumpkin Parade” where you display creations outside and invite neighbors to vote. Or instead of simply baking cookies during the holidays, you could create a “signature family cookie” recipe that gets passed down through generations.

The uniqueness makes the tradition something people talk about, anticipate, and cherish.

5. Document the Moments

Photographs, videos, and written reflections help solidify traditions in the family’s collective memory. You might create a scrapbook or digital album dedicated to your traditions, adding to it each year. Over time, it becomes a visual and emotional timeline of your family’s growth and shared joy.

Examples of Simple, Lasting Traditions

Weekly Rituals: Taco Tuesdays, Sunday nature walks, or Friday night board games.
Seasonal Celebrations: Summer backyard campouts, autumn apple-picking trips, or winter snowman-building contests.
Milestone Moments: First-day-of-school breakfast, personalized birthday toasts, or a family journal passed around during the holidays.
Acts of Kindness: Volunteering together once a year, organizing a neighborhood clean-up, or writing letters to extended family members.

Family traditions are more than just routines; they are a living, evolving expression of love, connection, and identity. They teach values, preserve history, and create touchstones of joy that family members carry with them for life. LaShonda Herndon explains that the best traditions are the ones that fit naturally into your life, reflect your shared values, and bring genuine joy to everyone involved.

Start small, keep it meaningful, and most importantly—make it yours. With time, these intentional moments will become the stories your family tells for generations to come.

Thank you for visiting the professional portfolio of LaShonda Herndon, MBA, a trusted leader in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With a career built on advancing laboratory operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering collaborative success, LaShonda has dedicated her work to helping life-saving treatments move efficiently from research to the patients who need them most. Her proven expertise in lab equipment, process optimization, safety standards, and cross-functional leadership has made a lasting impact on the teams and organizations she supports. Beyond her professional achievements, LaShonda Herndon of Raleigh, NC, is committed to mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and cultivating a culture of precision, safety, and operational excellence. Her approach blends scientific understanding with strategic project management, empowering teams to deliver results with confidence and integrity—shaping the future of life sciences with purpose and care.