Rashonda Harris
Turning Invisible Work into Institutional Strength through Leadership and Compliance
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Rashonda Harris is an executive advisor, speaker, and founder of Purple Sheep Consulting, with more than 25 years of experience in research administration, compliance, and institutional leadership.
She has served in senior and interim leadership roles across higher education and healthcare research environments, guiding organizations through audit readiness, operational redesign, workforce development, and complex change initiatives.
Rashonda’s work centers on strengthening systems that are often overlooked—departmental research administration, post-award operations, and leadership pipelines—while helping institutions reduce risk and build sustainable practices.
Known for her clear, practical, and human-centered approach, she speaks on leadership, compliance, mentorship, and the unseen dynamics that shape professional advancement. Rashonda brings both strategic rigor and lived experience to every room she enters.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Leading Through the Pivot: Repositioning Yourself Without Losing Your Voice
Career pivots are often framed as bold, external moves, but the most difficult shifts happen internally—when Black women are forced to redefine their value, communicate their relevance, and navigate uncertainty in a workforce that no longer feels stable or welcoming.
In this session, Rashonda Harris creates space for honest, practical conversation about what it means to pivot with intention, clarity, and self-advocacy. Drawing on more than 25 years of leadership and advisory experience, she explores how professionals can reposition their skills, strengthen their marketability, and communicate their value effectively in today’s evolving job landscape.
Participants will gain insight into navigating career disruption, addressing confidence erosion, and making strategic decisions about what comes next—whether that path leads to advancement, transition, or entrepreneurship. This session is not about starting over. It is about reclaiming voice, restoring dignity, and moving forward with purpose and possibility.
Say What Needs to Be Said: Communicating with Clarity in Complex Environments
Effective communication is not about saying more—it is about saying what matters, when it matters, and in a way that builds trust rather than confusion. In complex organizations, unclear communication can stall progress, strain relationships, and undermine leadership.
This session focuses on strengthening communication where stakes are high and clarity is essential. Rashonda Harris shares strategies for navigating difficult conversations, aligning messages across teams, and communicating decisions with transparency and purpose. Participants will gain tools to speak with confidence, reduce misalignment, and lead conversations that move work forward.
Beyond Advice: Rethinking Mentorship as a Leadership Responsibility
Mentorship is often treated as informal support rather than a strategic leadership responsibility. As a result, guidance may be offered without access, and encouragement without advocacy.
In this session, Rashonda Harris challenges traditional views of mentorship and reframes it as an intentional leadership practice. She explores how mentors, managers, and leaders can move beyond advice to provide meaningful support that opens doors, builds confidence, and sustains professional growth. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how mentorship, when done well, strengthens both individuals and institutions.
Leading When You’re Not in the Spotlight: Influence Without the Title
Not all leadership happens from the front of the room. Many professionals lead from positions without formal authority, recognition, or visibility—yet their influence is critical to organizational success.
This session examines how leadership shows up in the margins and how individuals can exercise influence without waiting for permission or title changes. Rashonda Harris draws on lived experience and leadership practice to explore visibility, credibility, and the quiet forms of leadership that shape outcomes. Participants will leave with strategies for leading with intention, even when recognition is limited.
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