In the Cut
LEADERSHIP BLOG
An intro from Sheila.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Venu Gupta
Committed to fostering solidarity and political engagement among people of color across backgrounds and identities, Venu’s work spans many sectors including law, business, media, education and nonprofit. A compassionate, human-centered leader, Venu works with individuals and clients to explore and promote anti-racism and racial justice practices.
Sheila and Venu discussed Venu’s leadership style and her aspirations to transition into ministry. They also explored the concept of inspiration, the importance of decision-making and the impact of personal values on leadership.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Archita Fritz
Archita says that she was never supposed to be in those rooms. Not in boardrooms where multi-million-dollar decisions get made. Not in private equity meetings where marketing is an afterthought. Not in leadership huddles. The only woman. The only person of color. The only voice asking different questions. And yet, here she is. A LinkedIn Top Voice in Thought Leadership and award-winning product marketing strategist, innovator, keynote speaker, podcaster and board member.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Dr. Thane Kreiner
Dr. Thane Kreiner started his impressive career as a scientist, founding and leading 4 life sciences ventures as the CEO. As the Executive Director of Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, he transformed it into the world’s leading university-based accelerator. Building on his relationship with Santa Clara University, Thane co-founded Black Corporate Board Readiness designed to accelerate the representation of qualified Black leaders in corporate governance.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Sena Kwawu
Sena holds equally the skills of an operator and innovator and has put them to good use over his impressive career in high growth and mature public companies. His transformational leadership instincts started in Ghana and have benefited global teams and the customers they serve. At whatever table Sena has a seat, expect that his contributions will matter today and for many days to follow.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Tsitsi Hampton
Meet Tsitsi Hampton, a career merchant with a strong female family foundation, she leads with a spirit grounded in respect and collaboration. She is always comfortable in her leadership roles and clear about what needs to happen “in the moment” to successfully lead her teams. As she says, “Leadership must be fluid to meet the moment.”
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Delida Costin
Committed to equipping individuals and teams to get to where they want to be, Delida Costin has spent more than 3 decades serving as a chief legal officer, chief people officer, corporate secretary, board member and investor.
I guarantee that if you read this short In the Cut Leadership Conversation, you’ll leave with something new on your mind.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Lisha Bell
My 2nd installment of In The Cut Leadership Conversations, features Lisha Bell, a tech veteran and a fearless warrior in the creation of wealth for underrepresented founders and investors.
Read her inspiring story and why her work is so important… for all of us.
In the Cut Leadership Conversation with Greg Webb
In my first in a series of In The Cut Leadership Conversations, meet Greg Webb. He’s a veteran in the beverage industry having owned an Anheuser-Busch distributorship in New Jersey and holding management roles with Anheuser-Busch and Miller Coors. He continues his work consulting with distributors on growth strategies and serving on the Advisory Board of the National Black Brewers Association.
You’re invited to read his evolving story of leadership.
Introducing In the Cut Leadership Conversations with Sheila
I have always loved the topic of leadership. As a kid I devoured biographies and autobiographies, grasping at what made someone tick. Learning about what made them soar or sour through life. Understanding what they were thinking when making life-changing decisions that affected many beyond themselves.
On March 3, 2025 I am launching my new leadership series, In the Cut Leadership Conversations with Sheila. I’ll be chatting it up with some incredibly cool and brilliant people who lead in ways that I admire and respect.
Rethinking Confrontation as Conversation
Most of us choose to describe significant and ongoing differences with others as being in conflict, so much so that it seems to require a confrontation to resolve. The word confrontation brings with it a stream of anxiety and uncomfortableness, often leading to avoidance. But what if conflict is simply an opportunity for conversation?
Encouragement is a Necessary Management Instinct
The truth is that things don’t always go as you planned. You are not in control of everything and mistakes are going to happen. How you deal with this and how you are supported influences how you feel in the moment and long after.
The Positive Impact of Mindfulness on Young People
It’s Thankful Thursday and today I’m celebrating the groundbreaking work of the Mindful Life Project and its Founder and Executive Director, JG Larochette.
JG and I met last year on LinkedIn. He reached out to join my network and I took a look at his profile and website, loved the work he is doing and accepted his invitation. We then connected on a short call where I learned more about his organization and his dedication to young humans.
Try Better Tuesday: Leaders as Listeners
It’s Try Better Tuesday and my focus in on leaders as listeners. We need far less talking and far more listening.
Performance Reviews Should be a “No-Surprise” Zone
It’s that time of year – performance reviews. Whether you’re on the receiving or giving end of a performance review, it can be an anxiety inducing process. This week we’ll consider ways to try better on the giving side.
Resilience Found in a Slinky
When I was a kid, there was always a Slinky toy around. Maybe even more than one! I spent hours flipping that thing back and forth as the tinny sound of metal meeting metal accompanied whatever I asked of my Slinky.
Surprisingly there’s a real-life lesson to be learned from a Slinky. Resilience.
Celebrating 10 Years!
I met Precious J. Stroud, Founder, BlackFemaleProject, a handful of years ago after receiving an invitation to an event. I was so impressed with her mission that I wanted to know more.
Thankful Thursday: Ben Reuler
This week’s Thankful Thursday gratitude is for my new friend, Ben Reuler. Ben is the CEO of In the Area Productions in Seattle Washington and is leading some powerful anti-racism conversations with white leaders.
Venu Gupta, Creating Systems Change from the Inside Out
Venu Gupta is a real one! Find a way to join her doing something important anywhere that she is. She’s a truth teller and heart healer and I couldn’t be happier to call her my friend.
Try Better Tuesday: This is how it’s done!
It's Try Better Tuesdaty and THIS is how it’s done! Congratulations, Nicole Taylor, and your team at Silicon Valley Community Foundation.