Meet Dr. Shellie Hipsky, a seasoned CEO, accomplished author, and expert in women’s empowerment with over a decade of leadership experience. As the driving force behind Inspiring Lives International, she guides a groundbreaking motivational company dedicated to inspiring and empowering women worldwide through diverse media platforms and impactful projects.
Whether witnessing Dr. Hipsky speak on a stage, blending stories and music into a performance, facilitating a workshop at the Global Sisterhood World Headquarters, engaging in one-on-one coaching, fulfilling the role of a mother to her teenage children, or volunteering for international women’s causes, observers consistently note her leadership guided by a genuine sense of care. Described as a “heart-centered entrepreneur” in a Forbes Magazine cover feature, Dr. Hipsky’s journey is characterized by resilience, vision, and steadfast commitment. Her story, as highlighted in the article, extends beyond personal achievements, resonating with the lives she has influenced and the communities she has positively impacted.
Dual Ventures
Dr. Hipsky manages two companies with a shared focus on inspiring and empowering women globally. Inspiring Lives International serves as the platform for her signature course, the EmpowerU Master Class, World Class VIP 1:1 Coaching Experiences, over 14 books, keynoting, and various motivational media ventures. On the other hand, The Global Sisterhood operates as a 501(c)(3) organization, providing education, resources, and networking opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
Through fostering connections and mutual support for each other’s missions, The Global Sisterhood offers sustainable avenues for women across the globe to achieve their goals and aspirations. The organization has established a model of sustainable support through numerous Charity Partnerships, ranging from a school for entrepreneurship in Tanzania, Africa, to #PopUpGiving initiatives addressing the immediate needs of women requiring specific connections and resources. Recognizing the impact of pooling networks, funds, and skill sets, The Global Sisterhood aims to make a significant and lasting difference in the lives of women and their communities, both locally and globally.
Empowerment Coaching
In her role as an empowerment coach, Dr. Hipsky collaborates with women business leaders to instill inspiration, empowerment, balance, and abundance in both their personal lives and their companies. Moving beyond the confines of Profit and Loss sheets and the limitations of narrow thinking, the focus extends to exploring the broader aspirations these leaders have for their lifetime. Through collaborative brainstorming, strategies are devised to navigate towards these overarching goals, ultimately steering them toward their unique definitions of personal success.
Creativity, Teaching, and Passion in Leadership
Dr. Hipsky’s effectiveness as a leader stems from her unique blend of creative approaches, extensive teaching expertise, and a sincere passion for supporting women. Drawing on her experience as a tenured university professor for a decade, she has honed her skills in imparting knowledge and fostering a positive learning environment.
One of Dr. Hipsky’s key strengths lies in her ability to navigate through challenging times with resilience and adaptability. She places a high value on relationships, recognizing that building strong connections with colleagues, employees, and stakeholders is essential for achieving sustainable success. Her leadership style is characterized by servant leadership principles, where she prioritizes the well-being and development of those around her.
In Dr. Hipsky’s view, active engagement in business strategy is paramount for a CEO. This involves not only envisioning the big picture but also translating that vision into concrete goals and corresponding actions. She understands the importance of effective delegation, entrusting responsibilities to capable and trusted staff members who can contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Dr. Hipsky emphasizes the significance of fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. She believes that by encouraging open communication and valuing diverse perspectives, a company can unlock its full potential. Her commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued contributes to the overall success and satisfaction of the team.
Global Sisterhood Milestone
Dr. Hipsky actively collaborates with numerous exceptional women leaders across the globe, witnessing firsthand the positive impact they bring to the workforce. While acknowledging the conventional notion of office spaces, she believes in the potential of technology to create virtual offices that cater to collaboration and company culture.
However, Dr. Hipsky also highlights a recent milestone for her non-profit, the Global Sisterhood, with the grand opening of its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. The event brought together women leaders representing Charity Partnerships, Sponsors, Donors, the Executive Board of Directors, and other supporters. Celebrating a decade of collective efforts, the gathering marked a significant moment in the organization’s journey. Dr. Hipsky anticipates that the connections and collaborations fostered in this physical space during workshops and events will prove invaluable as they collectively pursue their mission and goals, spanning from Pittsburgh to Pakistan.
Leadership Wisdom
According to Dr. Hipsky, a successful organization needs good leaders who can build strong teams without constantly watching over them. In her past role as a tenured professor, she advised her Ph.D. students, who were new to leading teams, to delegate tasks based on their team members’ talents and skills.
Dr. Hipsky’s leadership philosophy extends to the importance of establishing clear processes and rules within a company’s work environment. Recognizing the need for structure, she advocates for well-defined procedures that guide the day-to-day operations of the organization. This commitment to clarity helps create a cohesive and efficient workplace, where employees understand their roles and responsibilities.
She places a strong emphasis on fostering a positive workplace culture that embraces diverse perspectives. She understands that a diverse team brings a wealth of ideas and approaches to problem-solving. By cultivating an inclusive environment where individuals from different backgrounds and experiences feel valued, she believes that the organization can better tackle challenges and find innovative solutions.
Dr. Hipsky’s own companies exemplify her commitment to problem-solving. By focusing on providing guidance, support, and resources, her organizations aim to address the specific challenges faced by women worldwide. Whether it’s through mentorship programs, educational initiatives, or community-building efforts, she envisions her companies as vehicles for positive change, actively working to solve problems that women encounter in various aspects of their lives.
