Women in Workforce

The month of March, also known as Women’s History Month, celebrates the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. According to womenshistory.gov it originated as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” In honor of Women’s History Month, the Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) is celebrating “Women in Workforce,” highlighting leading women in the Centralina WDB region and their contributions to the workforce.

Meet Sherika Rich

What is your title and how does your role help/contribute to the workforce?

Centralina Workforce Development Board – Workforce Services Leader

I like to think of my role as “clearing a path” to prosperity for Centralina WDB career seekers. As the lead programmatic staff for the Centralina WDB, I create and maintain the policies and procedures that inform the services delivered in the Centralina NCWorks Career Centers. Outside of the technical aspects, my intention is to prepare our staff to provide comprehensive workforce services that are accessible to all.

What is the most challenging thing about your role?

One of the most challenging things about my role is being immersed in so much of the administrative piece of workforce development that I don’t always get the opportunity to interact directly with the people we serve.

While I know the administrative piece of what I do serves a greater purpose, connecting with the community members and seeing the direct effects of what we do at the Centralina NCWorks Career Centers just does something for the heart.

What motivates you?

In this work, I’m motivated by the core purpose of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), specifically for job seekers.

Leading efforts that directly connect to individuals establishing and maintaining careers that lead to prosperity for themselves and their families align with my inherent desire to help people help themselves.

What quote do you live by?

“Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.”

Essentially, this is what we do for job seekers via the Centralina NCWorks Career Centers. We are supporting people in the journey to prosper for a lifetime.

What advice would you give to women in the workforce?

In certain circumstances our inner voice may tell us to shrink ourselves to fit into certain spaces or to be more digestible to others. While self-awareness is important but don’t let it turn into self-sabotage.

“If you’re in the room, if you’re at the table, you belong there so embrace it!”

Meet Kim Carpenter

What is your title and how does your role help/contribute to the workforce?

As Project Director for NCWorks Centralina, it is my role to ensure the growth of the NCWorks Career Centers by ensuring that the team has the tools and knowledge to serve our customers, that our partners know our services and our willingness to jointly serve. I feel my greatest contribution is to ensure that we, as a team, are always moving forward with the sole purpose of building a workforce today to meet the needs of employers tomorrow!

What is the most challenging thing about your role?

The most challenging part of my role is navigating the development of new services in an environment that has multiple players with different visions of what excellence looks like for their organizations.

What motivates you?

I am motivated by a challenge. I love to address issues, look for ways to resolve them and then I am recharged when issues are successfully removed.

Who is your SHEro?

I have several— my Grandmother who taught me how to be a good person, my first Supervisor who taught me how to be a good employee, and Deb Giordano who always exhibits what a professional workforce development leader looks like.

What quote do you live by?

Treat others the way I want to be treated.

What advice would you give to women in the workforce?

To never stop learning, to not take things personally and to always be yourself. 

Meet Veronica “Ronne” Grantham

What is your title and how does your role help/contribute to the workforce?

Regional Operations Director, NC Commerce -Division of Workforce Solutions – Southwest Prosperity Zone

As a Regional Operations Director, I partner with workforce and economic development organizations, educational institutions, and businesses to address workforce needs in a 10-county area.

What is the most challenging thing about your role?

The workforce needs of businesses are as diverse as the communities we serve. It is extremely rewarding to work collaboratively to find tangible solutions for those needs.

What motivates you?

At work, I’m motivated by collaboration and teamwork. When we work together towards a common goal, we can accomplish so much. I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to work for the businesses and citizens of North Carolina.

Who is your SHEro?

I have two – my mom and my stepmother. When I was 13, my mother died after a lengthy battle with cancer; she taught me about faith, strength, and perseverance during difficult times. My stepmother joined our family later in my teens. She demonstrated grace and an unconditional devotion to her family. Both of these ladies helped shape me into the person I am today.

What quote do you live by?

I have many quotes that I use in different circumstances and seasons of life, so it’s difficult to choose just one. For my work life, I like this quote by Ken Blanchard that pertains to leadership: “Servant leadership is all about creating clear goals, then rolling up your sleeves and doing whatever it takes to help your people win.” —Ken Blanchard

What advice would you give to women in the workforce?

Find a mentor, be a mentor. We can learn from each other. There is someone in your life that can benefit from your knowledge and experiences. I’ve been blessed in my career to have many great mentors; now, I’m able to help prepare others for their future and watch them grow.