Shara Smith
Founder, Gateways to Greatness
Shara is a Training & Development Strategist who works with individuals, teams, and businesses to achieve a deeper level of greatness in the work that they do, as well as in their personal lives.
Shara has over a decade of experience supporting team development, strategic planning and building out training programs. In doing this work, she quickly learned to appreciate the undeniable value of both personal & professional development in empowering individuals to act, to do more, and to ultimately be more. Often personal and professional development is seen as two very distinct entities but Shara believes it is one in the same, and she approaches her work based on that belief.
Facilitation is Shara’s true passion and she is skilled in creating highly interactive and engaging learning communities for both virtual and face-to-face settings.
Shara has an unwavering commitment in ensuring positive change in individuals, teams and organizations; and that is evident through her natural knack for motivation & inspiring others. Whether it’s a social media post, blog, or speaking engagement, she is passionate about pushing others to overcome obstacles as she has in life to walk fully in their purpose.
Shara has a Master of Science in Organization Development and Knowledge Management from the George Mason University. She is an alumnus of the Rockwood Leadership Academy and earned her coaching certificate from Leadership that Works.
When Shara, a DC Native, is not working, she enjoys going out and about through the city, spending quality time with her two daughters, trying out new recipes, listening to a new inspiring audible book, or working towards her fitness goals. She is extremely passionate about women's empowerment, social justice and has a heart for teen moms and single moms; which are often topics she is recruited to speak on.