Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Delaney McCloud.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As the daughter of Irish immigrants, it’s in my DNA to be a storyteller. So, it’s no coincidence that my career began as a television journalist sharing the narratives of the people and communities I met along the way.
In my transition from newsrooms to boardrooms and convention center stages, I’ve learned that everyone has an undeniable story arc in their lives that they can choose to share to make an impact. How you decide to do that is up to you. But it’s in those stories that human connection and influence live. I love helping people and organizations find those messages that align with their goals to make a change in their organizations, communities, families, and elsewhere.
A little about my background. I’m an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, TEDx Speaker, Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®), adjunct professor, executive coach, Olympic Torch Bearer, author and communications practitioner. My jam is helping executives & their teams improve their executive presence so they can drive business results. I oftentimes partner with human resources and learning and development leaders on their talent development initiatives. Think of me as an extension to your team.
Prior to my role as Director of Corporate Communications for UNC Health, I led professional development initiatives at Walk West, a three-time honored INC 5000 firm. From media training to presentation coaching and workplace communications programs, my goal is for you to move hearts and minds with your communication. In addition, I’ve been an adjunct professor at NC State University’s Jenkins MBA Program teaching Business Communications, a frequent lecturer at UNC School of Medicine and at my alma mater, Florida State University where I serve of the College of Communication and Information Board.
I’ve been fortunate to appear in numerous publications, including Sheryl Sandburg’s Option B digital platform, Thrive Global, Enterprising Women and co-author of the compilation, Keep Going, Memoirs of Strength, Courage & Perseverance. In 2019, I had the opportunity to share my big idea with the world on a TEDx stage. This passion project prompted me to write to the White House advocating for bereavement leave policy. That letter turned into an invitation to meet one on one with President Joe Biden in the summer of 2021 when they discussed the need for paid bereavement leave.
As a citizen of the world, I was born in Nairobi, Kenya and spent my early years in East Africa attending schools in Kenya and Tanzania before moving to the United States. In addition to my television career, I worked for the Department of Defense’s U.S.O. program and traveled all over the Middle East, Mediterranean and Europe entertaining American troops as part of an all-girl group, The Florida Girls. I stay busy in the community serving on a number of Boards of Director and advisory committees for non-profit organizations in North Carolina. I’m married with three kids and during my free time, you’ll find me planning our next family vacation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing smooth is remarkable, right?
One of my core beliefs is people are stronger than they think they are. When our daughter was diagnosed with cancer, our world stopped. Our family quickly went into the fight of our lives to save Macie. Her strength and tenacity blew every one of us away. But her tiny body couldn’t withstand the difficult treatments she underwent. We lost her. And we lost ourselves in the depths of grief.
Looking back now, I wonder how we were able to wake up and face our new existence without her. But we did. We know that our Macie would have wanted us to still live, still love, still show up for each other. So we did.
That’s when I left my career in television journalism for a new journey as an entrepreneur.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a professional speaker and corporate communication practitioner, I believe that communication is the foundation for everything we do in business and in life.
One of my mantras is “Power Skills Are Today’s Power Play”.
In an age where digital conversations are quickly replacing the spoken word, it’s crucial to develop strong communication and presentation skills to make your mark. These are not “soft skills”. Instead, they are most certainly power skills. Whether it’s presentation coaching, workplace communications, media training or an executive presence workshop, I help you succeed by connecting your message to the people who need to hear it.
Whether it’s through the media training, advanced presentation coaching, workplace communication workshops, or executive coaching, I make sure your words matter.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks is part of my DNA. In fact, anyone who’s an entrepreneur is a risk taker.
To be able to do this, it requires a mixture of experience, confidence, resilience and optimism. Fall down six times, get up seven times. That’s how I think about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sharondelaney.tv/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharondelaneymccloud/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharondelaneyontv/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondelaneymccloud/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwltFl2Jcdet09n9aaCxcQ
- Soundcloud: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxwltFl2Jcdet09n9aaCxcQ
