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Spotlight: October 2019: Rhonda Sharpe

Each month, SEWI-ATD turns the spotlight on an active member who has been visible in the chapter by attending events and participating in other ATD functions. We are proud to acknowledge the important work of our members, provide additional career exposure within the Talent Development community, and help you to get to know a colleague just a little bit better! If you are interested in nominating another member for the spotlight, contact Lovina Akowuah at Lovina.Akowuah@gmail.com  or Meica Hatters at meicahatters@gmail.com


Rhonda Sharpe

Title: Instructor; Learning & Development Designer, Trainer, Consultant

Company: WCTC; Gateway Technical & Cumulative Performance, LLC



This month, we are pleased to feature

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Kenosha and have lived in the Milwaukee area most of my adult life. I raised one daughter and am enjoying watching her begin her journey into adulthood. After years of wearing many different professional hats, and working in various industries, I am embarking on a new calling in higher education and starting my own business. If you are going to change gears, why not make it a double, right?!?! Exhilarated to see what this next stage brings.

For fun, I enjoy camping (RV), travelling to new destinations as well as being a tourist in my own city.

What attracted you to the field of Talent Development?

At the beginning of my professional career, while working as a Computer System Administrator, I was presented with the opportunity to travel statewide and teach staff how to use the new software system. From that moment on, I was hooked! I made a concentrated effort to become the go-to for learning how to do things regardless of job role. Having experienced the ‘figure it out for yourself’ method on more than one occasion, I vowed I would never forget what it was like to be new. I wanted to provide a different experience for others. There is nothing like watching someone have their ‘a-ha’ moment and surprise themselves by what they can do.

Why do you enjoy being a member of SEWI-ATD?

Before I even landed my first official training job, the members of SEWI ATD were supportive and welcomed me into their world. Every event replenishes my soul and reinvigorates my love of learning. It allows fellow L&D professionals to gather together and ‘geek out’ about topics that we rarely talk about with our “normal” co-workers.

How do you define success?

Within the training realm, success is achieved when participants provide feedback that they were able to directly apply what they learned. Overall, I define a venture successful when I have left something better than when I found it.

Who or what inspires you? Why?

I am inspired by art – music, painting, sculpture, literature, etc.

Creating art is something that all humans do. The beauty lies in how everyone sees the world through their own lens. I am able to lose myself in someone else’s reality and gain a different perspective of my own.

Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster? Why?

Tiny elephant. A giant hamster would be really scary. A tiny elephant would be intriguing and everyone would want to have one.

If Hollywood made a movie of your life; who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

The only people in Hollywood who would want to make a movie of my life would probably be the Coen Brothers. And if that happened, then Frances McDormand would be the person I would like to see play the lead role.

What's a question I didn't ask that you wished I had? (and also give your answer)

Q. What is your favorite quote?

A. “I believe that in the search for the answer lies the answer.” – Frank Lloyd Wright


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