Sheila R. Brown
Transformational Speaker in Chicago, IL
Sheila R. Brown is a transformational speaker, thought leader, and Founder of The Self-Trust Lab, a platform dedicated to helping individuals replace self-doubt with earned confidence and self-trust.
With a career spanning more than three decades in television, media, and workforce development, Sheila built her reputation as a leader who opens doors and develops talent. She previously served as Executive Director of the CineCares Foundation at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, where she created the Mirkopoulos Inclusion Program, a groundbreaking workforce initiative that placed young adults from underserved communities into paid training positions on network television productions. The program was piloted with the labor unions and networks including NBC Universal, FOX, HBO, Netflix, and STARZ. The program achieved a 90% success rate and helped inspire legislation strengthening Illinois’ Film Tax Credit through the creation of the Film Workforce Development Fund.
Sheila’s career in broadcasting began during one of the most iconic eras in sports history, working alongside the Chicago Bulls during their six championship seasons. At age 26, she became the youngest person ever appointed to the Broadcast Advisory Board for the NBA. She later founded Freedom Entertainment, Inc., leading projects in broadcast television, event production, and media for organizations including the NBA, NHL, MLB, TNT, ESPN, Lifetime Television, The Oprah Winfrey Show, People Magazine, Procter & Gamble/Gillette, and the M.K. and J.B. Pritzker Family Foundation.
Today, Sheila is widely recognized as a transformational speaker who connects with vastly different audiences and impacts every one of them—from corporate leaders and emerging professionals to creative artists and athletes. Through her work with The Self-Trust Lab, she teaches audiences how to recognize their competence, overcome imposter syndrome, and unlock the leadership power that comes from trusting themselves.
Her keynotes focus on Self-Trust, Women’s Empowerment, Future-Forward Leadership, and Culture-Driven Leadership.