I’m Ophelia, founder, owner, and operator of SitchRoom LLC.
For over 24 years, I have been in the trusted profession of Nursing, including 15 years in progressive leadership roles: from the bedside to the boardroom.
Black.
Woman.
C-Suite executive.
This combination often prompts Black junior leaders to ask, “How did you do it? Who was your mentor?”
Among the most valuable contributions to my career has been episodic support from people who helped me work through certain decisions or arrive at solutions for specific problems. Strikingly, very few of those situational advisors were Black, their own careers slowed or stymied by lack of mentors, as well as sponsors, allies, and coaches.
I am committed to changing this narrative.
In addition to a leadership career that includes awards for leadership practice and expertise in team training, I have also mentored/sponsored/coached several Black leaders in career design, one or more promotions, compensation negotiations, salary increases, professional development, and day-to-day leadership quandaries. In the last few years, several of my mentees and coaching clients were promoted to coveted Director positions, the leadership level at which racial diversity usually begins to dwindle; and some are now preparing to pursue executive roles. I am honored to be a facilitator and champion in their leadership career journeys, and to bear witness to their layered success.