Sharon was born in New York City and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, within a blended, multicultural family with roots in Jamaica, Belize, and the Philippines. This rich cultural heritage instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work, resilience, and the belief that individuals, regardless of background, can use education, empathy, and perseverance to transform their own lives and the lives of others.
A graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in psychology, Sharon began her professional journey with the intention of contributing meaningfully to others. Early experiences in preschool and residential treatment settings strengthened her compassion for children and families navigating complex circumstances. Her years as a flight attendant honed her relational and communication skills—skills she later found invaluable in public service.
Sharon entered public child welfare in 1996 with Guilford County DSS as a Community Social Services Technician, where she discovered her passion for the fast-paced, human-centered work of supporting children and families. Over the next three decades, she advanced into leadership roles across two North Carolina counties, developing expertise in applying child welfare policy through a family-centered and trauma-informed lens.
As an Out-of-Home Services Program Manager, Sharon was known for her steady leadership and deep commitment to strengthening frontline practice. She believes that effective child welfare leadership requires both courage and compassion, recognizing that each child served holds extraordinary potential and that each family deserves the opportunity to heal and thrive.
Throughout her career, Sharon has championed workforce well-being, recognizing that social workers are the heart of human services – heroes who face emotionally and physically demanding work every day in service to others. She brings to A4O a leadership philosophy grounded in psychological safety, trust, and emotional regulation, key elements of the neuroscience-informed practices that build resilient teams and sustainable systems.
After retiring from public service in 2024, Sharon continues to honor the legacy of compassion and civic responsibility modeled by her parents and grandparents. She remains committed to mentoring others and demonstrating to her daughters, nieces, nephews, and community what it means to serve with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
