Sheila Ronning: Woman on a Mission

Long before women on boards was a hot topic, Sheila Ronning believed in women's ability to serve on corporate boards strongly enough to found the organization Women in the Boardroom. Today, as one of the nation’s top leadership and board service experts, Sheila excels at connecting professionals with the people and tools they need to succeed in business.

Women frequently ask Sheila, “What can I do to get on a corporate board?” Sheila replies, “Without a doubt, you need to develop your leadership skills and make connections.”

Since 2002, Sheila’s mission has been to provide training, tools and connections to help women achieve their career goals and get into boardrooms.

“Sheila is providing a much needed service to help women envision their role on boards and devise a strategy for making that happen. You will find a very invested and supportive network led by a mid-westerner with a heart of gold who wants to help make a difference in the business world for women.” - Meg Sullivan, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer, Paul Hastings LLP

Passionate About Helping Women Professionals

Sheila knows the challenges smart women face: self-doubt, fear of speaking up, lack of knowledge about board service, and limited connections. Her goal is to give women the tools, knowledge, and confidence to show up, stand up, and speak up. That’s what it takes to get to C-level positions and on corporate boards.

Track Record of Success

Sheila has built a strong track record over the years. Prior to founding Women in the Boardroom, she garnered over 10 years of strategic marketing, sales management, and operations leadership experience with companies that range from Fortune 500 leaders to visionary start-ups.

After more than a decade of working with women professionals from her office in Minneapolis, Sheila moved her life and her business to New York City. Within one year, she had more connections than many native New Yorkers.

When asked her secret to networking, Sheila says, “Be fearless, sincere, honest, and frank.” Today, Sheila has thousands of powerful connections nationwide, which she uses to help other women achieve their goals.

Sheila’s leadership development expertise has been featured in Wall Street Journal, ForbesWoman, Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Pioneer Press, and Chicago Sun-Times. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Sheila in their prestigious “40 Under Forty” list for her entrepreneurial
dynamism and reputation as a networking maven. And most recently, Sheila won the Enterprising Women of the Year Award from Enterprising Woman’s Magazine.

It’s All About You

Those who know Sheila best, as well as those who meet Sheila for the first time, all say the same thing: Sheila is a dynamic businesswoman who is also warm, friendly and down to earth. She makes you feel like you’re the only person in the room who matters.