Sheila is a highly skilled, sought-after trainer and presenter known for delivering her customized, engaging, and transformational leadership programs. She partners with social, educational, and faith-based organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, improve representation, and cultivate environments where leaders can succeed at every level.
Sheila Gothard’s career began with a vision to transform lives through Higher Education. For more than 25 years, she dedicated herself to the success of graduate and undergraduate students, leaving a legacy of innovation, empowerment, and student success. That passion for leadership eventually grew beyond the university setting and inspired her to launch her own training and development business. She is committed to equipping leaders with the confidence, skills, and vision to help their organizations thrive.
A proud Midwest native, Sheila has called Greensboro, North Carolina home for many years. Drawn by her admiration for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), she joined North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she served in key leadership roles including Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life, and Associate Director of Academic Excellence & Retention. She later expanded her higher education impact as Dean of Student Affairs at a private university in High Point, NC.
Sheila’s leadership philosophy is transformational. It is focused on empowering others to lead with confidence and purpose. She has more than 30 years of experience supporting student success and continues to model leadership through community service. At Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, where Bishop Bryan J. Pierce, Sr. serves as Senior Pastor, Sheila is the Enabling Team Leader, overseeing ministries including Steward, Education Resource, Transportation, and Security.
Her leadership journey began early—at just 10 years old, she was the youngest Sunday School teacher at her hometown church in Benton Harbor, Michigan. By her teenage years, she was speaking before congregations, boldly reciting Easter speeches and unknowingly stepping into her lifelong gift of public speaking. To this day, give her a microphone, and she will shine every time.
Sheila believes education is the foundation of leadership. She holds five degrees, including:
Her academic journey reflects her belief in continuous growth, inspiring others to pursue excellence.
An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated since 1982, Sheila has served in numerous local, regional, and national leadership roles. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair of the Uplifting Our Community initiative and as a member of the Leadership Development Committee in the Beta Iota Omega Chapter in Greensboro, NC.
Above all, Sheila is family-oriented. She is a proud mother to two adult children, Aubrey and Ashley, and a devoted grandmother to Christian and Aubree. Her family remains at the heart of her work and an integral part of her legacy.
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