Sheila is the CEO, President and General Counsel of Focus Forward Consulting where she coaches her clients to make power moves that create forward momentum in their careers, compensation, and courage. As a certified coach, Sheila works with lawyers who want to be an unstoppable force in their careers. Prior to launching Focus Forward Consulting, Sheila was Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at MetLife and also spent many years in private practice.

As a staunch advocate for propelling women forward into leadership positions Sheila volunteered her time as a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), serves on the advisory board of Transforming Women's Leadership in Law, and co-chairs the CARE's Women's Network of New York, which eradicates poverty by empowering women and girls.

Sheila has received numerous accolades including the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award from Corporate Counsel’s Women, Influence, Power in Law Award program, the Highest Leaf Award in 2010 from the Women’s Venture Fund and in 2017 was named a Leading Women Lawyer in NYC by Crain's New York Business.

Sheila is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Sheila earned her Associate Certified Coach and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach from the International Coaching Federation and the Co-Active Leadership Institute, respectively.

What coaching services do you provide?

I provide individual and group coaching and training to both inside and outside counsel, from career issues to executive coaching.

What services do you provide in addition to coaching?

I provide coaching, training, speaking, LinkedIn and resume reviews, and interview prep.

What is your coaching philosophy?

My coaching philosophy centers on empowering clients to leverage their strengths, challenge limiting beliefs, and create actionable strategies for growth. I take a holistic approach, combining professional development with personal well-being to promote self-awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

I see coaching as a partnership based on trust, active listening, and respect, providing a safe space for clients to explore their goals, overcome obstacles, and build confidence. I encourage clients to define success on their own terms, aligned with their values, aspirations, and unique talents. My goal is to help clients achieve meaningful progress in their careers and lives while growing as resilient, authentic, and empowered leaders.

What interests or excites you about coaching women lawyers?

What excites me most about coaching women lawyers is the opportunity to empower them to overcome unique challenges, build their confidence, and unlock their full potential. It's incredibly rewarding to help them navigate the complexities of their careers, whether it's breaking through barriers to leadership, developing a strong professional brand, or building a book of business.

I love seeing women lawyers achieve their goals, embrace their strengths, and grow into influential leaders who shape the future of the legal profession. Coaching allows me to be a part of their journey, provide support and guidance, and celebrate their successes as they reach new heights in their careers.

Tell us about your training and certifications as a coach.

I received my training from the Co-Active Training Institute, which has trained coaches for over 30 years in over 16 countries and 13 languages, with a global faculty that provides candidates and learners with a practical toolkit that gives them the skills and confidence to facilitate, sustain, and measure the transformation. I obtained my CPCC certification from that organization and ACC certification from the International Coaching Federation.