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"When we connect with the essence of who we authentically are and grow in self-knowledge and awareness, we not only become stronger leaders, but we can begin to take steps to live a more intentional, purpose-driven life." ~S. E. Reed |
About Sharon
Globally-minded and locally-focused, Sharon Reed is a business strategist and storyteller, with a gift for working seamlessly across culture, geography, and function, and at all levels of leadership. An advocate for living an authentic, values-aligned life, Sharon is also passionate about inspiring and facilitating individual and collective change -- believing in the power of data, people, partnerships, and persuasive storytelling to maximize impact and growth.
Engaging in complex leadership challenges across an array of industries within the public and private sector, Sharon's career includes business, management, and consulting work on issues ranging from women's economic empowerment, economic and workforce development, to personal leadership development, clean energy, and sustainability, representing organizations including the United Nations (Empower Women team), U.S. Department of Energy, Fortune 500 clients, Mecklenburg County Bar Association, state and local government, and KPMG LLP.
Sharon has been widely recognized for her service, advocacy and leadership work. In 2016, Sharon received the ATHENA International® Women’s Leadership Award for Service (Charlotte, NC) for her work on the Global Girls Project, a not-for-profit story-telling platform she co-founded with her then 10-year-old daughter, designed to explore the relationship between character, for values, and coming into one's authentic voice and leadership, and how these factors play out in the global gender conversation. Sharon is also a recipient of the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Charlotte Outreach Award, and was named by the Mecklenburg Times as one of 2016’s 50 Most Influential Women. Actively engaged in service at the local and global level, in 2011, Sharon also received the Distinguished Rotarian Award for her work in advancing global education and engagement, and was recognized in 2016 for her work on the award-winning United Nations - Empower Women campaign, #iamwoman, and resulting book, Voices of Change, introduced at the High Level Panel at the 2016 session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
A published author on personal leadership development, women's economic empowerment, and the relationship between creativity and innovation in business and industry, Sharon holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a graduate of Gallup's Accelerated Strengths Coaching Program, Prosci's Change Management Certification Program, the Women's Leadership Program at the Center of Intentional Leadership (Charlotte, NC), Stanford's D-School Certificate Program in Design Thinking for the Social Sector, and the McColl Center for Art & Innovation's Innovation Institute (Charlotte, NC).
Engaging in complex leadership challenges across an array of industries within the public and private sector, Sharon's career includes business, management, and consulting work on issues ranging from women's economic empowerment, economic and workforce development, to personal leadership development, clean energy, and sustainability, representing organizations including the United Nations (Empower Women team), U.S. Department of Energy, Fortune 500 clients, Mecklenburg County Bar Association, state and local government, and KPMG LLP.
Sharon has been widely recognized for her service, advocacy and leadership work. In 2016, Sharon received the ATHENA International® Women’s Leadership Award for Service (Charlotte, NC) for her work on the Global Girls Project, a not-for-profit story-telling platform she co-founded with her then 10-year-old daughter, designed to explore the relationship between character, for values, and coming into one's authentic voice and leadership, and how these factors play out in the global gender conversation. Sharon is also a recipient of the CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Charlotte Outreach Award, and was named by the Mecklenburg Times as one of 2016’s 50 Most Influential Women. Actively engaged in service at the local and global level, in 2011, Sharon also received the Distinguished Rotarian Award for her work in advancing global education and engagement, and was recognized in 2016 for her work on the award-winning United Nations - Empower Women campaign, #iamwoman, and resulting book, Voices of Change, introduced at the High Level Panel at the 2016 session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
A published author on personal leadership development, women's economic empowerment, and the relationship between creativity and innovation in business and industry, Sharon holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a graduate of Gallup's Accelerated Strengths Coaching Program, Prosci's Change Management Certification Program, the Women's Leadership Program at the Center of Intentional Leadership (Charlotte, NC), Stanford's D-School Certificate Program in Design Thinking for the Social Sector, and the McColl Center for Art & Innovation's Innovation Institute (Charlotte, NC).
My Leadership Values & Philosophy:
True leadership is inclusive by nature, building bridges rather than walls through the gift of authentic connection. Rooted in respect, it holds space to acknowledge difference, while remaining aligned to its core vision and values. Born of integrity, it is courageous in thought, word and deed, willing to take risks and advocate for what is right over what is popular; for what is true over the convenient. Purposeful in nature, it is not defined by its title, but by its ability to influence positive change. Collaborative and humble, the best leadership serves, enables and empowers others to grow into their best selves, seeking not to glorify itself, but to acknowledge and exalt the good of others along the way.
True leadership is inclusive by nature, building bridges rather than walls through the gift of authentic connection. Rooted in respect, it holds space to acknowledge difference, while remaining aligned to its core vision and values. Born of integrity, it is courageous in thought, word and deed, willing to take risks and advocate for what is right over what is popular; for what is true over the convenient. Purposeful in nature, it is not defined by its title, but by its ability to influence positive change. Collaborative and humble, the best leadership serves, enables and empowers others to grow into their best selves, seeking not to glorify itself, but to acknowledge and exalt the good of others along the way.
(c) 2010-2019 Sharon E. Reed-Heart By Design. All rights reserved. | P.O. Box 664, Davidson, NC 28036 | Banner Headshot Photo Credit: Piper Warlick Photography