I get revved up about what we can do to support families!

25+ years of experience

Advocate for children with mental health and special needs

Nonprofit founder, experienced in policy analysis and development

Doctoral candidate in family science

Focus on family context in policy, intervention, and research

With experience bridging research, practice, and policy in child and family well-being, I am dedicated to creating lasting, positive change. My work is grounded in a deep commitment to empowering families, transforming systems, and nurturing resilience, particularly in the face of mental health challenges.

As a researcher, my current focus is on revolutionizing the child mental health system to be more supportive and less stressful for families. I investigate critical transitions, such as when adolescents are discharged from short-term psychiatric treatment, examining both the return to family life and the transition back to school. By understanding families’ experiences and needs, I aim to identify opportunities for improving support and collaboration among mental health providers, schools, and communities.

As an educator and mentor, I am passionate about preparing the next generation of professionals to be effective advocates and change-makers. I create engaging, applied learning experiences that challenge my employees and students to think critically and develop the skills needed to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. I am committed to fostering an environment of growth, curiosity, and resilience, tailoring my approach to each individual’s unique needs and aspirations.

In my policy and advocacy work, I collaborate with diverse stakeholders to drive systemic improvements and increase access to quality mental health care. I believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together insights from fields such as education, healthcare, operations, management, and supply chain to develop innovative solutions.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to elevating the voices of families and communities. I have seen firsthand the incredible resilience and strength of families facing mental health challenges, and I am committed to sharing their stories to inspire change. As one parent shared, “Sheila’s support was a lifeline for our family. She not only helped us navigate the complex mental health system but also empowered us with the tools and confidence to advocate for our child’s needs.”

My ultimate goal is to create a world where every child and family can access the resources and support they need to thrive, not just survive. Whether through research, teaching, mentoring, or advocacy, I strive to make a positive impact in all that I do. If you share this vision, I would love to connect with you. Together, we can be the change we wish to see.

Areas of Expertise:

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Family-centered care and support
• School-based mental health interventions
• Cross-sector collaboration and systems change
• Qualitative and mixed-methods research
• Policy analysis and advocacy
• Innovative pedagogy and mentorship

Let’s Connect:
Whether you’re a researcher looking to collaborate, an organization seeking consultation or partnership, a student interested in mentorship, or a family in need of support – I would love to hear from you. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for all children and families.

I would love to connect with you. Take a look at my most frequent types of projects:

Keynote Speaking & Workshops
➤ Engage audiences with compelling insights and strategies on topics such as family resilience, trauma-informed care, policy advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration.

➤ Tailored to the needs of diverse stakeholders, from parents and educators to healthcare professionals and policymakers. Some of my most impactful presentations focus on empowering families to be effective advocates, nurturing resilience in the face of adversity, and driving systemic change through collaborative problem-solving.

Training & Capacity Building
➤ Deliver workshops and training programs designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of professionals working with children and families.

➤ Topics include Advocating for Your Child’s Mental Health Needs, Building Resilience in the Face of Trauma, Strategies for Effective Cross-Sector Collaboration, and Transforming Organizational Culture to Support Family Well-Being. These immersive learning experiences combine research-based insights with practical strategies, equipping participants to make a lasting difference in their work.

Organizational Consulting
➤ Partner with organizations to assess needs, develop innovative solutions, and drive systemic improvements in mental health service delivery, school-based interventions, and community-based supports by leveraging my program design, evaluation, and change management expertise to create a lasting impact.

➤ Whether you want to enhance your curriculum, address equity issues, strengthen social-emotional learning initiatives, or improve outcomes for hard-to-reach populations, I can help you navigate challenges and achieve your goals. Past clients include schools, community organizations, healthcare systems, government agencies, and corporations committed to supporting child and family well-being.

More About Sheila:
Sheila has particular strengths in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, instrument development, data analysis, and translating findings into practical recommendations. She excels at stakeholder engagement, organizational development, project management, and nurturing multidisciplinary collaborations. Her combined research, practice, and policy skills make her well-positioned to advance impactful scholarship and drive systemic improvements.

As an effective presenter, Sheila has worked one-on-one, in small groups, and as a presenter at large conferences to teach others how to be better parents, teachers, and employers. Her background includes a variety of settings, including public schools, private schools, hospitals, community groups, religious organizations, nonprofits, national organizations, and government. Sheila is passionate about empowering others to have the skills to be more effective in their work and actively addressing equity issues.

Sheila is, first and foremost, a mentor and an advocate. She is the founder of Pennies of Time and Education All and a leader in the movement to get families more involved in community service.

Sheila holds a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin, an Ed.M. in Teaching and Learning from Harvard, and an M.S. in Human Development and Family Science from Auburn University, where she is currently a doctoral candidate researching ways to revolutionize the child mental health system to better support families. With over 25 years of experience across research, practice, and policy, Sheila has a proven track record of driving systemic change to support child and family well-being. Known for her ability to bridge divides, build consensus, and inspire action, Sheila’s expertise spans family resilience, trauma-informed care, cross-sector collaboration, and policy advocacy. Passionate about empowering families and nurturing resilience, Sheila is frequently sought out as a speaker, consultant, and thought leader in the field.

Awards & Recognition

• Margaret K. Keiley Endowed Graduate Research Award, Auburn University (2023)
• Bridging the Dream Scholarship, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (2023)
• Scholar Award, Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society (2023)
• Auburn University Graduate Student Travel Award (2022)
• Inducted into Kappa Omicron Nu, the Human Sciences Honor Society (2021)
• Exemplary Mentor and Influencer Award, McKinney Independent School District (2018)
• International Points of Light Award for creating meaningful change in communities (2015)
• Distinguished Merit Award, U.S. Department of Education (2009)

Recent Workshops & Conference Presentations

Leadership Skills & Project Management Expertise

• Sustainable Supply Chain Management: “How to Rise Up and Not Get Stuck: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”
• Management Fellows: “Go Slow, Go Fast: What It Really Means to Meet Team Member Needs”
• Management Consulting II – “Being an Effective Leader When Things Go Sideways”
• Organizational Change – “Health Care & Government Orgs: Doomed or Redeemable?”
• Supply Chain Management – “Project Management: The Good, the Bad, and the Reality”
• Management Consulting I – “How to Rise Up and Not Get Stuck, Including Navigating Sticky   Situations

Family Science Focus

• “Engaging with Families Around Kindness“
• “Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Understanding Stress and Resilience in Family Systems“
• “Engaging with Parents: Well-Matched Facilitation”
• “Family, School, and Media Influences”

Graduate School and Career Development

• “Graduate School 101: Myths and Truths”
• “Synthesis in Research Writing”
• “Crackin’ the Code: Top 3 Strategies to Land Cool Jobs in Policy”