Sharon Lease
Her nominator described Sharon as a “beacon of joy.” Even when faced with challenges, it’s Sharon’s willingness to make tough decisions and relentless commitment to the success of others that holds it all together.
What makes you feel proud?
I am most proud of having a happy marriage with a wonderful husband and two beautiful, caring and accomplished daughters. I am also quite proud of working with professors, teachers and administrators to achieve personal success along with a commitment to building better communities and a better world.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
The people with the biggest influence in my life have been professors who pushed me academically, a pastor who encouraged my commitment to service for others and, most importantly, a husband who has supported me unconditionally to undertake numerous professional challenges.
“I would like to solve the problem of our limited understanding of each other whether that limited understanding be in terms of personal experiences, basic language/communication modes, political viewpoints and spiritual perspectives/values.”
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
Growing professionally and becoming a leader has meant encountering what many would term obstacles (e.g. developing new programs, employing talented individuals with distinctive personalities, addressing financial crises head-on, and accommodating rapidly changing technologies.) So, for me, obstacles should be viewed as challenges and opportunities.
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
I would like to solve the problem of our limited understanding of each other whether that limited understanding be in terms of personal experiences, basic language/communication modes, political viewpoints and spiritual perspectives/values.
sharon is one of 100 women we have featured in the inaugural issue of Hundred Magazine. To learn more about her and the other 99 women, buy the issue.
