Balancing Your Energy to Thrive is designed to help today’s leaders manage the demands of life + work. In this session leaders will identify the activities that energize and/or drain them as well as develop strategies for finding time daily to focus on energy renewal.  Understanding how to be the best leaders for our programs starts with understanding what fuels us, what depletes us, and how to check in with yourself to make that assessment regularly.  ALP members can expect to learn tools to better understand their own energy balance, and will be able to bring these lessons to their cohorts.

About the Presenter: 

Shalia Ford is the Director of Leadership Programs at FOCUS St. Louis. In this role she designs and facilitates experiential civic leadership development programs for women and high school students. Graduates of these program are transformed both personally and professionally as they gained a deeper understanding of themselves and the St. Louis region, built diverse networks and expanded their capacity to make positive impact. Shalia’s career in the nonprofit sector spans more than 20 years with expertise in nonprofit leadership and administration, strategic visioning, program design from idea to implementation and youth development. She previously held leadership roles with the YWCA Metro St. Louis and NAACP National Office.   

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies as well as a Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University. She is a graduate of FOCUS St. Louis’ Women in Leadership – Class 52. A life-long learner, Shalia has earned several certifications and  enthusiastically seeks opportunities to grow and develop as a leader.   

With the heart of a servant leader, she volunteers her time, talent and treasure with the following organizations focused on empowering women: Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, RUNG for Women and Rooted Sisters. 

Shalia resides in St. Louis County, MO with her husband and their school-aged son.