Basketball to Boardrooms and “Recovering from Corporate America”: Chief of Staff Shantel Wilkins

Shantel Wilkins stops by the show and talks about overcoming challenges in her childhood, finding a basketball coach who made a huge impact on her and changed the trajectory of her life, and why and how she had to recover from the corporate world grind.

She is now the Chief of Staff at Donor’s of Color Network and working on something she is passionate about. She encourages others to find their “mission fit” and pay attention to the stories we tell ourselves and define our own narratives.

One of my favorite quotes from Shantel is: "If people don’t give you a seat at the table, sometimes you have to bring a folding chair."

01:21 Background and Early Life

02:36 The Power of Sport and Mentorship

05:08 Overcoming Adversity and Challenging Narratives

07:41 Transitioning to Corporate America

09:24 Finding Purpose and Passion in Work

13:51 The Role of a Chief of Staff

17:34 The Importance of Member Focus in Philanthropy

25:41 The Role of a Chief of Staff in Navigating Cultural Fit Issues

27:48 Transitioning from Corporate to Non-Profit

33:22 The Importance of Self-Care and Humanity in Leadership

36:32 Closing Thoughts

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.