Harris Appointed LeadBoston Moderator
Posted by Sylvia Ferrell-Jones on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 06:06 PM
Cheryl Harris, New LeadBoston Moderator
YWCA Boston announced today the appointment of Cheryl Harris as moderator of LeadBoston, a well-regarded, year-long executive leadership development program focused on social responsibility.
Harris, a seasoned consultant, executive coach, manager and facilitator brings more than 25 years of diverse business experience to her new consulting role. She works with public, private and non-profit executives who seek to make systemic change to their organizations and/or their constituents.
Her clients have included Pfizer Corporation, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Greater Lynn Senior Services, The Family Center of Somerville and The Patrick Lyndon School.
“We’re delighted to have Cheryl part of the YWCA Boston team as it re-launches LeadBoston,” says YWCA Boston President Sylvia Ferrell-Jones. “Cheryl is well-known in Boston for modeling a measured and holistic approach to social change that allows people to rethink constructs and become more aware of the intended and unintended impact of their leadership approach and decisions.”
Harris is an ideal fit, according to LeadBoston alums who have worked with her. “Cheryl’s work with my department was transformational,” says Christy Egun, LB ’10 and Director of Boston Partnerships at MGH’s Center for Community Health Improvement. “Her leadership training helped us come together and make critical improvements to our community efforts.”
Michael James, LB’09 and newly appointed director of diversity at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, is ecstatic about Harris’s new role with LeadBoston. “Cheryl has been a great professional resource for me over the years. LeadBoston 2012 class members will greatly benefit from her facilitation, training and coaching.”
Prior to establishing her own consulting firm, Cheryl Harris & Associates, Inc., Harris was a Managing Partner of Ibis Consulting Group, Inc.; Director of Human Resources at Executive Perspectives in Boston, MA; and Director of Operations, Director of Customer Service and Human Resources Manager at Delta Dental Plan of MA.
A certified life coach and conflict mediator, Harris is also an ordained Baptist minister. She is a co-author of YWCA Boston’s interracial Community Dialogues curriculum. Harris also holds a BA from Emmanuel College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Boston University. She is a lifelong Bostonian.
Now in its 21st year, LeadBoston launches a 6-month program in January 2012. Applications from mid-to-senior level executives in the corporate, government and non-profit sectors are now being accepted. For more information, please click here, or contact LeadBoston Coordinator Janeen Smith at 617-5431 or leadboston@ywcaboston.org.