Shanell Pharr-Williams, Founder and CEO With over 30 years of experience leading, developing, and transforming leadership in high-stakes environments, she has gained deep insight into what people get wrong about leadership—and what truly works. As a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, she led diverse teams, navigated high-pressure decision-making, and built resilience under challenging conditions. Transitioning to the corporate world, Shanell held leadership roles in the electric and gas utilities industry and the Telecommunication Infrastructure industry, where she successfully led teams, drove cultural transformation, improved performance, and mentored emerging leaders. These experiences reinforced her belief that effective leadership is not about power or position but about authenticity, vision, and fostering meaningful connections. As the CEO of Pharr-Williams, LLC, a Christian-based consulting firm, Shanell empowers women in leadership by helping them break barriers and confidently lead. She created The Women’s Leadership Elevation Program and developed the MIC Framework—Make space, Inspire, and Collaborate—to shift leadership from competition to a shared success model. Her leadership impact has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Tom Voss Presidential Award for Leadership (twice), Top African American Woman in Leadership, and 40 Leaders Under 40. Through keynotes, corporate workshops, and Shanell’s upcoming Rooted and Rising book series, she challenges outdated leadership models and provides actionable strategies to help leaders rise with purpose, resilience, and influence.