Shelley Willingham stands out as a seasoned entrepreneur, founder, and accomplished C-suite executive renowned for her multifaceted business expertise and often likened to a “Swiss Army knife” in the business world. Boasting substantial experience across both start-ups and established corporations, she has forged an impressive track record marked by driving revenue growth, devising innovative business strategies, and fostering inclusive corporate cultures. Shelley’s undeniable transformative impact on a national scale attests to her exceptional leadership and influential presence across industries. 

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a master’s degree from Northeastern University, Shelley’s journey began at Pitney Bowes, where she kicked off her corporate sales and marketing. In 2000, she took a leap into entrepreneurship, founding Creative Strategies Unlimited, Inc., a marketing and sales consulting firm based in Raleigh, NC.

Shelley’s influence extends far beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She was the inaugural Managing Director in Charlotte, NC for eWomenNetwork, connecting women-owned businesses globally. Her expertise further shines through developing a seminar for Duke University’s Nonprofit Management Certificate Program titled “Purpose-Driven Marketing for the Nonprofit.”

In 2003, Shelley founded the National Organization for Diversity in Sales and Marketing (NODSM), pioneering efforts to help corporate America tap into diverse markets with sensitivity and respect. Her client roster reads like a who’s who of major corporations, including Merrill Lynch, Young & Rubicam,  GE Healthcare, Allstate, American Family Insurance, and Turner Broadcasting. Her success in the multicultural space even led to a partnership with FORTUNE Magazine on a special diversity section in 2006.

Despite facing challenges in 2007, with the market downturn and the closure of her business in 2011, Shelley emerged stronger and more determined than ever. Today, she pays it forward by coaching entrepreneurs and guiding corporate America in leveraging DEI for business success. In 2017, she founded Douglas Alexandra, a strategic revenue optimization firm, and she is currently the Chief Revenue Officer of The Diversity Movement. You can also find her contributing her insights on CNBC and MSNBC. 

Shelley’s influence extends to academia, where she’s been a featured presenter at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her engaging presentations have resonated with flagship organizations like Credit Karma, Allstate, Merrill Lynch, GE Healthcare, Met Life, the American Marketing Association, and various business groups and global leadership summits.

Actively involved in her community, Shelley serves on the Board of Visitors for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Advisory Board member for the Alexander YMCA, and the DEI Advisory board for the American Marketing Association. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Raleigh-Wake Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, she remains dedicated to making a lasting impact. Shelley Willingham is not just a leader; she’s an inspiration, navigating triumphs and setbacks to leave an indelible mark on the business world and beyond.