“Sharon Cravanas is a fierce advocate and a phenomenal coach. She brings a wealth of broad expertise, experience, and excellence that are integral components of her coaching practice. 

I hadn’t realized how valuable engaging in coaching sessions could be, how vital it would be to have a woman of color as my coach, and I never imagined how significantly our collaboration would impact me professionally and personally. 

Sharon has helped me detach from the sticky patterns of procrastination and unacknowledged self-doubt that have stalled my momentum and have interfered with completing my goals. Sharon’s style is kind and direct, with a focus on accountability. She keeps me motivated, inspired, and on task, and I look forward to our sessions. Our work together has been powerful. I’m grateful that I have finally taken this leap forward equipped with the very best coach! 

Simply put, Sharon Cravanas will help you move past YOUR obstacles that are stalling your success.”

Joelle Crepsac, aMFT, aPCC

"Sharon is a coach that will take a fierce stand for the highest version of you to emerge. She has so many superpowers but the ones that I most appreciate about her approach to coaching are that she:

• Seamlessly creates a space filled where spaciousness & imagination can both emerge and thrive

• Cheerleads and roots for her clients in ways that motivate them to really reach for the stars

• Lovingly supports clients in identifying & unpacking the barriers and obstacles that are keeping them small, stuck in old paradigms, and from embracing those stars

Sharon is truly a gem!”

Erika Powell, Ed.D

“Sharon is one of the original equity advocates in independent schools.

She is one of the original and pre-eminent DEI professionals in NAIS, and now coaches. Her listening skills, repertoire of strategies and hands-on experiences, and expertise in navigating the politics and pitfalls in leadership at the highest level are difficult to match. In the early 1990’s when NAIS offered diversity assessment reviews for member schools (Multicultural Assessment Plan - MAP), Sharon participated on several visiting committees. She was also invited to consult at various schools to hear concerns from students, families, staff and administration. Having participated in some independent consultation activities with Sharon, I was always struck by her ability to listen and help participants feel heard, and then provide opportunities for movement toward solutions. Her skills in listening, diplomacy, empathy and confidentiality served her very well in incredibly tense situations.

Well before StratéGenius was born, Sharon and a colleague were asked to consult with teacher recruitment firms, to help find teachers of color for independent schools. And, well before POCIS, she and that same colleague hosted quarterly gatherings of staff members of color in the Bay Area. This provided an opportunity for individuals to network and for the more seasoned professionals like Sharon to begin mentoring the younger staff who were being hired throughout the region.

A personal story I have of her coaching/mentoring efficacy is when I first started in leadership of the MCA (Multicultural Alliance): I was asked to keynote a DEI session, at a local high school, which Sharon was chairing. While I had some good pointers- I was underprepared. This was obvious to Sharon, and I seemed unsatisfied with my weak effort. Afterwards, she pulled me aside, and instead of haranguing me, she jumped straight into coaching-mode: she recognized my potential and asked me the right questions to help me re-evaluate my commitment to this work. What she drew out of me- from this one conversation- not only kept me in equity work, but propelled me such that I believe had this not occurred, I would never have founded StratéGenius!

Although it has been years since Sharon and I have worked together, I have always kept the vision of Sharon’s tremendous knowledge of the landscape, deep coaching skill-set and my experience with her professionalism front and center in my mind.”

Orpheus Crutchfield - Founder and President, StratéGenius.