OUR FOUNDER

Sheri West is a former Fortune 500 management executive turned social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of women’s leadership organization LiveGirl. She is a career-readiness expert, podcast host, and champion for equity and inclusion, with over 25 years of corporate and leadership development experience. West founded LiveGirl in 2014 to pay it forward to the next generation of diverse female leaders—and has served over 18,000 girls to date through its free-of-charge leadership development, mentorship, career readiness, and advocacy programs.

West is the author of Confidence Unleashed: 10 Kick-Ass Strategies To Grow As A Leader (Without Changing Who You Are). This guided workbook—inspired by a decade of mentoring young women—is the ultimate roadmap to unleashing your leadership potential and building an authentic, fulfilling career.

West regularly speaks on women’s leadership and career readiness, co-hosts the award-winning Confident podcast with her college daughter, and publishes the popular LinkedIn newsletter, Confidence Unleashed. She serves on various boards and loudly advocates for policies and practices that open doors for women and girls. In 2024, she was named one of the 100 Women To Know in America. Visit SheriWestLeadership.com.

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The Village “She Is Rising” Q&A

with Sheri West

A former management executive (at GE, PepsiCo) -- what made you decide to leave the corporate world and found LiveGirl?

I enjoyed an exhilarating, successful corporate career. I was able to travel the world and climb the corporate ladder. However, when I became a parent, I started to reflect more upon the unique obstacles that women face - both externally (systematically) and internally. I wanted to make sure that girls and young women had the opportunity to build the necessary skills and had access to mentors, role models, and career-launching experiences. We’re all aware that gender norms emerge early and that stereotypes plague our culture and workplaces. Women are underrepresented in our government and in positions of power/leadership. So, I founded LiveGirl to pay it forward to the next generation of fierce, diverse leaders. There has been an increasing amount of discussion on women’s issues, but they remain grossly underfunded: only 1.9% of US philanthropic funding is dedicated to supporting women and girls (with most going to reproductive health). I acted in the belief that social innovations were possible - and necessary - to disrupt the sexism and racism that permeate our schools and workplaces. *Enter LiveGirl.* 

What inspires you most about your work?

The girls I work with everyday. They are fierce and persistent, even as they tackle steep obstacles that most fully-grown adults would struggle with. I was inspired recently by a young woman of color who had to navigate the loss of her father to Covid, while still surviving high school and applying to college. Through LiveGirl League, she launched a Covid peer support group, and is now a thriving college freshman. I was also inspired by a Muslim first generation college student, who was initially afraid to raise her voice because she was taught that women in her culture aren’t supposed to be heard. However, she started a journal to explore the cultural differences that made her uncomfortable. She wrote and wrote and wrote and was awarded a full ride college scholarship for her essay. I was further inspired by a brilliant young woman from an orthodox Jewish community, whose grit and persistence helped her pass her GED and college entrance exams. She joined SHE WORKS and turned her internship at a Fortune 500 company into a full-time offer. These girls are everything. They inspire me. They show me what’s possible. They give me hope for the future.

As you look into the future, where do you see gender equity movements taking us?

Given the systemic barriers that hold women back and the current political environment charged to reduce women’s rights, it may feel like an uphill battle. However, I ask myself every day, “What can I do?” and am inspired by the girls I work with to take action. A look back at the progress of the last 50 years can inform the future. Until the 1970s, women couldn’t sign a mortgage or get their own credit card, and they could be fired just for becoming pregnant. Unfortunately, we’ve taken a step back on reproductive health recently, and discrimination is still a struggle in the workplace. Women, especially women of color, are still underpaid and often harassed. But women have always had to fight for their rights, and LiveGirl will continue to advocate loudly for policies and practices that open doors for women and girls. We must all commit to doing what we can - mentorship, sponsorship, calling out gender bias and microaggressions in the workplace - so that we may collectively take a big step forward for gender equity.

About Sheri West

Sheri West is the Founder, CEO, and Chairwoman of LiveGirl. She is passionate about equity and inclusion and has over 25 years of corporate and leadership development experience. Ms. West is a former management executive (GE, PepsiCo) turned social entrepreneur who has taught leadership development courses at the GE Management Development Institute. Sheri regularly speaks on a wide range of topics relating to women’s leadership, co-hosts the Confident Podcast with her 19-year-old daughter, and publishes a regular LinkedIn newsletter. She was recently featured in the NY Times and at the Yale Women's Leadership Launch and the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Conference. Her honors include being named “Best Friend to Girls” by Moffly Media and a Community Champion by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Her education includes BA Finance and Masters of Leadership Development from Michigan State University and Executive Women’s Leadership Certificate from the Yale School of Management. Originally from Michigan, she is married with three children and a puppy and now lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, where she is actively involved in the community and served nine years on the Board of Education.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Women Leaders: Celebrating the Legacy of the 19th Amendment

Moffly Media as their 2019 Light A Fire "Best Friend to Girls" Honoree

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Q&A WITH SHERI

Sheri West has a passion for girls leadership with over 25 years of corporate and leadership development experience. She is the Founder, CEO & Chairperson of LiveGirl, a nonprofit organization that builds confident leaders. Prior to LiveGirl, Ms. West spent 16 years as a finance executive at General Electric Co., a multinational company, where she was instrumental in its Women’s Network and taught leadership development courses at the GE Management Development Institute. In 2014, she founded LiveGirl to “pay it forward” and prepare the next generation of female leaders. Sheri regularly speaks at national conferences on the importance of building confidence and resilience in girls and co-hosts the Confident Podcast with her 16-year-old daughter. Her honors include being named Best Friend to Girls by Moffly Media, a Community Champion by the CT Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, and a “Woman Of Inspiration” by the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund. Her education includes a BA Finance and Masters of Human Resources and Leadership Development from Michigan State University. She is married with three children (ages 19, 16, and 12) and lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, where she serves on the New Canaan Public Schools Board of Education.

Question:  What advice would you give your middle school self about confidence?

Aspire to be one of a kind, not one of many. The teen years are difficult, navigating middle school and trying to figure out where you fit in. I remember the pressure to conform. And LiveGirl has shown me how vulnerable middle school girls are today as they face adolescent pressures amplified by social media. My advice to my middle school self: “Be you! Believe in yourself!” It is empowering to let go of the fear and the “what if’s” and channel your positive energy to rule the world!

Question: What is one of your favorite family traditions? 

Family dinners. On Sunday nights,we power down all of the devices, make a delicious home-cooked meal (My favorite is tacos!), and we eat and TALK. We talk about our roses & thorns, we talk about current events, and we talk about the week coming up. Then, we play a family board game or card game. (Up & Down The River and Euchre are family favorites.) We all look forward to this special family bonding time.

At LiveGirl we teach our girls the importance of accepting oneself even when you don’t feel so sparkly … Question:  How do you respond when you receive a compliment?  

A compliment is a gift! I let it wash over me and fully embrace the positivity. And then, I pass it on! #PassOnPositivity

We believe pursing a passion is a great way to build confidence for girls …  Question: If you had free time to pursue a “passion project” what would it be? 

Girl empowerment IS my passion project. It is an especially important time to empower our girls to rule the world. I enjoy reading about “makers”, girls and women who inspire the world, and I enjoy being a positive force in girl culture and mentoring girls.

An important skill we teach our girls is how to identify how she feels about a situation and ask for what she needs to make it better …  Question: How good are you at communicating what you feel and asking for what you need with others?

(I think) I’m pretty good. I would say that I understand the value of social emotional intelligence and strive to label and express my feelings. I recently heard a talk by Dr. Mark Brackett (Yale University) and he introduced me to his Mood Meter app (where you chart and journal your emotions), which I have begun using.

Question: Social Media … Love it or Hate it?

Love it! Social Media is like Spiderman’s superpowers ... with great power, comes great responsibility. So, it’s important to use social media responsibly! But I love being able to connect and build community with my LiveGirls on social media. I also love the ability to pass on positivity and inspiration @goLiveGirl. Also, I curate my feeds so they inspire ME! Some of my favorite follows are @Time @GirlsWhoCode @AMightyGirl

Question: What do you do to help balance your digital life and you’re your “real life”?   Any tips to share?

Put down the phone! And talk to my kids! (ps. My tip is to actually “power down” your device, so you’re not tempted!)

Question: When you look out into the world, who do you see as great role models for girls?

Great question! I admire Amy Poehler and the Smart Girls community that she is fostering. She is providing an important voice right now during these turbulent, political times. And I admire Serena Williams and Beyonce for their fierceness and confidence to excel on their own terms.

We teach girls to embrace making mistakes … Question: Can you think of a mistake that you made that led to great things – an important learning or a new direction?

It’s more of a failure than a mistake, but I was cut from my high school softball team and I was DEVASTATED. But it forced me to try some new things (I eventually found track & field) and it also taught me the resilience to pick myself up and try harder!

Question: Do you have any tips for pushing through fear?

Face the fear! Realize that the uncomfortable feeling in your gut is there because you are putting yourself out there, being brave, and on your way to kicking butt!!  Embrace the feeling as a rite of growing as a leader!!