Cheryl Harris Sutton is the President of Harris Sutton Enterprises, Inc. (HSE), a leadership development coaching, training and consulting organization created to help women, especially women of color, accelerate their careers. With a vision to uplift female leaders, HSE is not just a coaching firm, but a movement for the next generation of influential women.
As a three-time corporate Vice President, who was once a single mom and temp receptionist, Cheryl understands how to overcome the challenges and biases many women face - feeling like a minority, perhaps coming from disadvantaged beginnings, feeling stuck and knowing they’re capable of more - but not having guidance to achieve their next level of success. These are the experiences that ignite Cheryl’s passion to serve and to help her clients move from surviving to thriving.
Cheryl is deeply committed to the development of women leaders and has actively served as a mentor in multiple leadership programs. She is a dedicated mentor for Women Who Lead, a professional development accelerator created in partnership between Norfolk State University and Black Brand, the Regional Black Chamber of Commerce for Hampton Roads.
She has also previously guided emerging professionals through a corporate mentorship initiative and has contributed to the growth of aspiring female leaders by serving as a mentor in the Women Inspiring Self-Empowerment (WISE) Leadership Development Program hosted by Tidewater Community College. Through these roles, Cheryl has provided invaluable guidance, career insights, and leadership strategies, empowering women to step confidently into leadership positions and navigate their professional journeys with clarity and purpose.
Cheryl’s credentials include certification as a Personal and Executive Coach from the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute, certification as a Senior Professional Career Coach from the International Association of Career Coaches, DISC Behavioral Consultant, Corporate Facilitator, and an Executive Director in connection with the Maxwell Leadership Team. She has served as an organizational Train the Trainer delivering customized training to employees on such topics as leadership, individual job performance and teamwork. Cheryl is a member of the International Coaching Federation and the National Career Development Association.
Prior to her current endeavors, Cheryl's senior leadership journey included a significant tenure in healthcare administration, specializing in working with health insurance companies and managed care organizations. She has led the administration of statewide Medicaid and Medicare oral health programs, as well as managed behavioral health programs, ensuring access to quality care for diverse populations. Her experience is marked by over 30 years of successful team leadership, strategic problem-solving, and the implementation of effective solutions.
As a champion for the underserved, Cheryl excels in forging client and community stakeholder partnerships, with proficiency in account management, quality management and improvement, credentialing, provider network management, and ensuring accreditation and compliance.
Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media from Hampton University and a Master of Health Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, Cheryl's educational background underpins her extensive professional expertise and commitment to female empowerment and leadership
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”
― John Maxwell