Testimonials

WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Scharrell as a Speaker

  • “Leading with the Future in Mind: Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging”, and we got SO MUCH from that experience.  Scharrell is an incredibly creative, engaging, knowledgeable, and wise speaker and leader, plus she is a whole lot of fun!  I highly recommend everyone attend.”

    Abby Edmunds, Director of Volunteer Service, Pacific Symphony

  • "Scharrell Jackson is one of the most dynamic and influential speakers today because she is an organizational game-changer. She speaks with authenticity, transparency, and credibility that has resulted in a voice that speaks from a unique lived experience that anyone can relate to."

    Anita Polite-Wilson, Ph.D., President, Dr. Anita Enterprises, Inc

  • “Scharrell is not only an amazing executive and leader, but she is also incredibly generous with her wisdom, knowledge and talents. She is a gifted speaker who connects with her audience and is always warm, authentic and always keeps it real. She is a mentor to so many and an advocate for women.”

    Melissa Beck, President at Anonymous Philanthropy LLC

  • "I highly recommend Scharrell Jackson as a keynote speaker I have witnessed and gained from Scharrell‘s excellence in speaking as keynote and panels both in person and virtual several times each year. I have also seen organizations within the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For call on Scharrell for speaking engagements as well as sponsorship of her event: Leadership In Heels.”

    John Moomey, Executive Relationship Manager at UKG

  • “Scharrell is an outstanding keynote speaker. She gave a talk at our firm's leadership summit that was so well done. We received excellent feedback from all of our attendees. Scharrell also led a breakout session on inclusion, equity and belonging that was very heartfelt and thought provoking. I highly recommend her if you want a dynamic speaker that will leave people wanting more."

    Mike Callahan, Partner, Chief Operating Officer at Aprio

  • “Scharrell is a dynamic speaker and coach with a keen ability to not only command the room but engage her audience in a way that’s genuine and thought provoking. Whether its leading a panel of experts, delivering a master class on corporate leadership or pulling the best out of her pupil in a one-on-one coaching session, Scharrell will not only captivate and inspire you to become a better leader, friend and colleague, but more importantly, to live a life authentic to you, boldly and confidently.”

    Amber Scott, Real Estate Investment Director at Northwestern Mutual

  • "Scharrell is an exceptional leader, role model, and thought partner. She is committed to supporting other women on their leadership journey and helping them fulfill their true potential. Scharrell is a dynamic and inspirational speaker focused on transforming how we lead ourselves and our teams.”

    Marciela Rios, CEO of Human Options

  • “I greatly enjoy the perspective, approach and heart of Scharrell through work projects. She has a keen eye on strategy, and is able to see through obstacles to what could be. Her approach to individuals is one that brings the best out in them, while staying focused on the efforts of the team and the goal of the business. You will not regret working with Scharrell!”

    Will Hill, CEO at Will Hill Consults

  • “Scharrell is a highly-motivated leader and leadership coach and an incredible speaker. Her genuine and honest approach to guidance and career advice is invaluable. Sometimes we just need to hear the truth and with Scharrell, that also includes her truth which she uses as inspiration and as an example of what to do and sometimes what not to do. I highly recommend Scharrell as she brings a passion to everything she does and exceeds expectations at every turn.”

    Nikole Reed, Regional Vice President, INFINITI West

  • “Ms. Jackson is a phenomenal leadership coach. My professional confidence and cadence, leadership style, communication and strategic thinking and planning have improved tremendously. She continues to go above and beyond for her clients dedicating her life’s work to bettering the lives of others.” Thank you Ms. Jackson for helping me show up everyday as my best self. Thank you for helping me navigate my professional and personal life hurdles. I am forever grateful for your contributions and impact!”

    Morgan Stinson, Social Impact Manager D&I Leader at MGO

  • “Scharrell is a brilliant and inspired speaker. I have enjoyed several extraordinary keynote speeches which have uplifted listeners and provided unique insights into the art and craft of leadership. I wholeheartedly recommend engaging her as a speaker.”

    John Forsyte, President at Pacific Symphony

  • "I wanted to let you know that I spent some time watching your video, a few times actually. You have a powerful message that is beautifully articulated in this video. Your energy and passion for this topic shines through, which is really hard over video, especially when it’s not a scripted message that you are sharing directly into the screen. You are always inspiring and I am going to adopt the phrase ‘gracefully disrupt.'"

    Erica Zuniga, Principal, SAA

Scharrell as a Coach

  • “Authentic, intimate and powerful doesn’t say enough. In the center of her heart is a desire to lift the energy, spirit and value of every person she meets. If you are down and out, she will take you from the miry clay to top of the hill. If you are a mid-level employee, she will inspire you to grow and reach new heights. If you are in the corner office, she will teach you to lead employees to maximize their talents, performance and contributions. It is good to know there is someone out there in the center of turbulence whom you can trust, learn and grow with skill and competency.”

    Dr. Robert J. Adamik, Human Resource Consultant, AVA Certified Personality Master Analyst, US Navy Veteran and USC professor

  • "Scharrell is amazing! She led our annual Board DEI training session. Scharrell actively engaged our Board in a candid discussion using real life experiences as background. Instead of the training feeling like a "canned" presentation, our Board felt comfortable in asking heartfelt questions on how to understand their biases, improve our work together, and make their organizations and our community more inclusive. Her answers demonstrated her command of the subject matter but also gave our Board practical ideas they could implement. Afterwards, several Board members let me know it was by far the best DEI training they had ever attended. What I believe makes Scharrell different in this space is that she has lived experience, an impressive background, and is a great communicator. I highly recommend her!"

    President & CEO at Orange County United Way

  • "Scharrell is positive and passionate, and her knowledge as a business leader and experience in DEI consulting combine to help create strategic objectives for an organization to keep DEI top of mind. Scharrell is amazing at listening, determined to follow through, and delivers on her promises. She has impacted our firm, our leaders, and others by asking the right questions and identifying themes that became the basis for initiatives that would help us get better, which is a cultural imperative at HT. Scharrell communicated with me personally to ensure I was not blind-sided and delivered outstanding executive summaries of her work to our DEI Advisory Team. Scharrell takes the mystery out of what DEI really is. Now there is more open discussion around Diversity of Thought and having confidence in conversations that before might have been avoided. Scharrell has expanded our view to go beyond racial diversity and embrace belonging through better communication on the “why” of key initiatives in the firm. Scharrell has helped our organization embrace DEI as part of and critical to executing a sustainable strategy and creating a “best place to work.”

    Randy Nail, CEO, HoganTaylor

  • “Whether in the role of a Keynote Speaker, Coach, Mentor or C-Level Executive, Scharrell defines great leadership. A gifted and stimulating speaker, Scharrell leaves audiences motivated and challenged by her intimate, authentic, and powerful messaging. But it does not stop there. After listening to most speakers, one may be left feeling good, but not knowing quite what to do next. Scharrell provides the action steps that enable people to break through what is holding them back. She is a highly skilled, experienced, and successful executive who freely shares her life lessons, business acumen and strategies for success with the intention of elevating others to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.”

    Trina Fleming, VP Employee Engagement, Training and Corporate Responsibility at Lendistry

  • “You will not find a more dynamic, inspiring, capable and visionary leader than Scharrell. She has a knack for developing leaders at every level and identifying talent within people and drawing it out to maximize the benefit for both the individual and the Organization. I've been very lucky to learn so much from Scharrell as a leadership coach. The investment she's made into my career (and personal life) are too many to count. She is very passionate about developing leaders, holding leadership trainings, one-on-one trainings - whatever it takes to elevate leaders at every level. Plain and simple: Scharrell's business acumen, leadership and forward-thinking make her an invaluable asset. It's been a pleasure to work for her and I hope to continue to do so for many years coming.”

    Nick Ryan, Senior Cybersecurity Leader, RSM US LLP

  • “Scharrell is a dynamic speaker and coach with a keen ability to not only command the room but engage her audience in a way that’s genuine and thought provoking. Whether its leading a panel of experts, delivering a master class on corporate leadership or pulling the best out of her pupil in a one-on-one coaching session, Scharrell will not only captivate and inspire you to become a better leader, friend and colleague, but more importantly, to live a life authentic to you, boldly and confidently.”

    Amber Scott, Real Estate Investment Director, Capital Provider - Debt & Equity at Northwestern Mutual

  • “I have witnessed and gained from Scharrell‘s excellence in speaking as keynote and panels both in person and virtual several times each year. I have also seen organizations within the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For call on Scharrell for speaking engagements as well as sponsorship of her event: Leadership In Heels. Scharrell has also impacted the lives of so many employees, entrepreneurs and peers who calling her for insight. Scharrell is an excellent mentor, coach, and lifetime advocate of your success when teaming with her. The best is yet to come from Scharrell Jackson!”

    John Moomey, Executive Relationship Manager at UKG

  • "I was part of the Better Together meeting this afternoon and just wanted to say WOW. You have a way of making the uncomfortable conversations comfortable. Everything you said was spot on. I like to think that I have the same type of personality as you, a “straight-up” type, if you will. I have been trying to work on myself more recently as I know that I can come off as intense or direct sometimes just because I am comfortable with myself in the way, but I do find that I can struggle with tone or how I say things to people that could come off to them as an attack or offend them. Especially because I have learned recently, like you mentioned, you have to have empathy and mercy for people. You never know the walk people take in day in and day out and what they struggle with. I felt as if your presentation was fit for my situation and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! You are amazing and I know just in that short hour you definitely have given us an outstanding message that everyone can resonate with. Thanks again and I look forward to following your journey!"

    Alexis Burr, CPA & Director at CLA

  • "After one session with Scharrell Jackson, I have a crystal clear business model and pricing structure that is fully aligned and empowering. She was able to take my scattered thoughts and big ideas and clearly simplify the real power of my value and put it into a practice that has impact. I am so grateful for her priceless gifts of empowerment."

    Allison Hare, Podcast Host, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur

  • “I started working at a company at a pivotal time in its growth. The company was moving from a small operation to a large and fast moving enterprise. Scharrell was responsible for transforming that company to be able to move at a faster pace and take full advantage of its growth potential. She was not just tasked with tweaking operations here and there but to designing them and implementening them from the ground up. To do this at any company would have been a challenge, but to do this at a fast moving technology company while still retaining the soul and feel of a small company was no small feat. Scharrell was not only able to accomplish this in short order, she did it while keeping a smile on and pushing employees to do our best. Great leader whom I will continue to learn from in the future."

    James Alva, CEO @ Adelante Partners

  • “You are one of the most powerful and inspiring speakers I have ever heard. All I could think of after I heard you was that I wanted to get to know you and hoped one day we would reconnect. Here is an opportunity. Your powerful and uplifting speech was on how to lead your own business, the importance of goals and focus and that no one should tell you, that you can't. It is about your delivery, you deliver messages with such a driven and passionate approach, you energize people.”

    Helene Blanchette, President of Phycians C. Council

  • "I heard your keynote, Amplifying Your Voice, for Women's History Month and all I can say is "WOW"! I love your approach to life and how you authentically share your story. I love the way you weave in the real- life experience and share the how as participants ask their questions. You respond in such an authentic way, giving tools of how to execute, this is rare~ I Loved the way you relate to all aspects of a person's life, especially how you empower women and those who have been marginalized. I always leave conversations with certain phrases that resonate with me, and the words you use like silent outcome or take emotion and pride out of the conversation are great for everyone to be reminded of if we truly want to be inclusive. Thank you for sharing your trauma and being so transparent and vulnerable and for giving a personal example of when you didn't amplify your voice in reference to raising your children and moving through your career being the only woman and minority, however you got there and created a seat and a voice at the table for others. You are truly a dynamic speaker and have the experience to help others in an impactful way. I walked away more aware, stimulated and equipped to make a change."

    Jim Carson, CEO Survivor2Leaders

Scharrell as a Business Consultant

  • "I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible impact you have had on me and my business. As a seasoned CEO, I did not realize the full extent of the opportunity I had to level up until I began working with you as my Leadership Coach and Business Consultant. Your guidance and expertise have significantly shifted me into higher performance and greater business results. Thanks to your coaching model, I am now far more strategic, focused, and intentional in my approach to leadership. Your insights have helped me better align my team of A-players, leading to greater efficiency, productivity, and overall success. Your commitment to your clients is truly unparalleled, and your ability to provide personalized coaching and guidance is a testament to your deep knowledge and experience. I cannot thank you enough for the transformation you have helped me achieve. Again, thank you for all that you do. "

    Dereck E. Moore, President & Difference Maker, Building Maintenance of Tomorrow, LLC

  • “Scharrell was keynote speaker focusing on Inclusion and Belonging for the Women's Symposium of Southern California event on International Women's Day. She was amazing, inspirational, motivating and entertaining. She reinforced our theme "Power Up -- Knowledge is Empowering!" and embraced our mission of financial literacy. She represents the success story of how women despite the challenges and obstacles along the way with determination, perseverance and smarts, they achieve greatness and then share their wisdom to support others. She captured the audience and took them with her through her story. This is a women I want on my team! Susan Viator, Chairperson Program Committee, WSSC”

    Susan Viator, Wealth Planning Consultant

  • "Just wanted to message you and let you know how much I appreciated your powerful and passionate presentation today. I've attended a lot of these kinds of events and usually the information is generic, lukewarm, and not super helpful. This was the opposite!! I loved getting to know you a bit and felt very supported and empowered by your words. Thanks again."

    Sheila Zamanian, Esq. CPA, Senior, Private Business Services at EisnerAmper

  • "Thank you so much for your time today, Ms. Jackson! It was exactly the kind of session I was hoping to have today. It left me feeling encouraged and excited to start communicating more with my circle of people telling them what I need and asking what they need from me. So many wonderful points from your session and I’m so excited to USE the things you spoke about every single day, in my life!"

    Jill Higgins, Tax Technician, State and Local Tax Group at Moss Adams

  • "Absolutely phenomenal presentation this morning for Moss Adams. Everyone on my team was chatting, sharing how inspirational you are. I felt like you were talking straight to me and hitting all of the points that plague me. Thank you for what you do and being who you are. You are a force!"

    Laneé Pasion, Human Resources Business Partner

  • "Thank you so much for your presentation and candid conversation with our board members yesterday.   Many came up to me afterwards and said it was the best discussion on DEI they’ve been part of.    Your style encouraged them to engage and think more deeply on how they can impact change in their organization and in the community.   My guess is you will have some new clients shortly!      I hope you’ll be willing to come back next year and the year after that and the year after that and…"

    Sue Parks, CEO Orange County United Way

  • "Walsworth would like to express its gratitude to keynote speaker, corporate consultant, and executive coach Scharrell Jackson for presenting to our firm on the relevance of Juneteenth and implementing positive change. In addition to serving in executive #leadership positions for more than three decades, Scharrell is the Founder and CEO of Leadership in Heels, a women’s speaker series focused on personal and #professionaldevelopment, #authenticity, and confidence. Scharrell’s presentation covered several relevant, timely, and actionable topics, including fostering collaboration, establishing effective mentorship programs, and nurturing a #culture of belonging. She provided us with a roadmap to continue our #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion initiatives to give everyone at the firm a seat and a voice at the table. Scharrell’s enthusiasm, insights, honesty, and perspective resonated with firm leadership and staff members alike. We are all very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a passionate and inspirational leader in the business #community."

    Dee Cohen Katz, Managing Partner at Walsworth

SCHARRELL AS A SPECIALIST

  • "Scharrell is amazing at listening, determined to follow through, and delivers on her promises"

    Her knowledge as a business leader and experience in DEI consulting combine to help create strategic objectives for an organization to keep DEI top of mind. Scharrell is amazing at listening, determined to follow through, and delivers on her promises. She has impacted our firm, our leaders, and others by asking the right questions and identifying themes that became the basis for initiatives that would help us get better, which is a cultural imperative at HT. Scharrell communicated with me personally to ensure I was not blind-sided and delivered outstanding executive summaries of her work to our DEI Advisory Team. Scharrell takes the mystery out of what DEI really is. Now there is more open discussion around Diversity of Thought and having confidence in conversations that before might have been avoided. Scharrell has expanded our view to go beyond racial diversity and embrace belonging through better communication on the “why” of key initiatives in the firm. Scharrell has helped our organization embrace DEI as part of and critical to executing a sustainable strategy and creating a “best place to work.”

    Randy Nail, CEO, HoganTaylor

  • "She has given us an outstanding message that everyone can resonate with"

    I was part of the Better Together meeting this afternoon and just wanted to say WOW. You have a way of making the uncomfortable conversations comfortable. Everything you said was spot on. I like to think that I have the same type of personality as you, a “straight-up” type, if you will. I have been trying to work on myself more recently as I know that I can come off as intense or direct sometimes just because I am comfortable with myself in the way, but I do find that I can struggle with tone or how I say things to people that could come off to them as an attack or offend them. Especially because I have learned recently, like you mentioned, you have to have empathy and mercy for people. You never know the walk people take in day in and day out and what they struggle with. I felt as if your presentation was fit for my situation and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! You are amazing and I know just in that short hour you definitely have given us an outstanding message that everyone can resonate with. Thanks again and I look forward to following your journey!

    Alexis Burr, CPA & Director at CLA

  • "Scharrell’s enthusiasm, insights, honesty, and perspective resonated with firm leadership and staff members alike"

    Walsworth would like to express its gratitude to keynote speaker, corporate consultant, and executive coach Scharrell Jackson for presenting to our firm on the relevance of Juneteenth and implementing positive change. In addition to serving in executive #leadership positions for more than three decades, Scharrell is the Founder and CEO of Leadership in Heels, a women’s speaker series focused on personal and #professionaldevelopment, #authenticity, and confidence. Scharrell’s presentation covered several relevant, timely, and actionable topics, including fostering collaboration, establishing effective mentorship programs, and nurturing a #culture of belonging. She provided us with a roadmap to continue our #diversity, #equity, and #inclusion initiatives to give everyone at the firm a seat and a voice at the table. Scharrell’s enthusiasm, insights, honesty, and perspective resonated with firm leadership and staff members alike. We are all very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a passionate and inspirational leader in the business #community.

    Dee Cohen Katz, Managing Partner at Walsworth

  • "Her answers demonstrated her command of the subject matter but also gave our Board practical ideas they could implement"

    She led our annual Board DEI training session. Scharrell actively engaged our Board in a candid discussion using real life experiences as background. Instead of the training feeling like a "canned" presentation, our Board felt comfortable in asking heartfelt questions on how to understand their biases, improve our work together, and make their organizations and our community more inclusive. Her answers demonstrated her command of the subject matter but also gave our Board practical ideas they could implement. Afterwards, several Board members let me know it was by far the best DEI training they had ever attended. What I believe makes Scharrell different in this space is that she has lived experience, an impressive background, and is a great communicator. I highly recommend her.

    President & CEO at Orange County United Way

  • "Scharrell responds in such an authentic way, giving tools of how to execute, this is rare"

    I heard your keynote, Amplifying Your Voice, for Women's History Month and all I can say is "WOW"! I love your approach to life and how you authentically share your story. I love the way you weave in the real- life experience and share the how as participants ask their questions. You respond in such an authentic way, giving tools of how to execute, this is rare~ I Loved the way you relate to all aspects of a person's life, especially how you empower women and those who have been marginalized. I always leave conversations with certain phrases that resonate with me, and the words you use like silent outcome or take emotion and pride out of the conversation are great for everyone to be reminded of if we truly want to be inclusive. Thank you for sharing your trauma and being so transparent and vulnerable and for giving a personal example of when you didn't amplify your voice in reference to raising your children and moving through your career being the only woman and minority, however, you got there and created a seat and a voice at the table for others. You are truly a dynamic speaker and have the experience to help others in an impactful way. I walked away more aware, stimulated, and equipped to make a change.

    Jim Carson, CEO Survivor2Leaders

  • "She captured the audience and took them with her through her story"

    Scharrell was keynote speaker focusing on Inclusion and Belonging for the Women's Symposium of Southern California event on International Women's Day. She was amazing, inspirational, motivating and entertaining. She reinforced our theme "Power Up -- Knowledge is Empowering!" and embraced our mission of financial literacy. She represents the success story of how women despite the challenges and obstacles along the way with determination, perseverance and smarts, they achieve greatness and then share their wisdom to support others. She captured the audience and took them with her through her story. This is a women I want on my team! Susan Viator, Chairperson Program Committee, WSSC

    Susan Viator, Wealth Planning Consultant

  • "You are always inspiring and I am going to adopt the phrase ‘gracefully disrupt'"

    I wanted to let you know that I spent some time watching your video, a few times actually. You have a powerful message that is beautifully articulated in this video. Your energy and passion for this topic shine through, which is really hard over the video, especially when it’s not a scripted message that you are sharing directly on the screen. You are always inspiring and I am going to adopt the phrase ‘gracefully disrupt.'

    Erica Zuniga, Principal, SAA

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