Philly Featured: Sharon Manker

I came across Sharon Manker on LinkedIn and immediately knew she’d be perfect for Philly Featured. Her content about resilience, leadership, and protecting your peace while building something meaningful stood out in a sea of generic business advice.

Building Leaders Who Thrive

Sharon Manker, M.Ed., is the Founder and CEO of The Manker Group, a keynote speaking and consulting organization headquartered right here in Philadelphia. She’s also a member of The Forum of Executive Women, an invite-only organization of over 600 women who hold senior positions across corporations, nonprofits, and public sector entities in our region.

What drives Sharon is helping leaders protect their peace, build sustainable impact, and thrive through pressure—especially in environments that weren’t designed with them in mind. She’s currently navigating a global MBA program for entrepreneurs, proving that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of mental well-being.

Why Philadelphia

When I asked Sharon about doing business in Philadelphia, her answer resonated with me. She describes Philly as a city that respects builders—people who show up, do the work, and stay rooted in community. There’s an unmatched blend of grit, authenticity, and collaboration here that rewards substance over flash and values long-term impact over quick wins.

That perspective is central to Sharon’s own approach. Her advice for anyone starting out in leadership or consulting is straightforward: learn early that resilience is a strategy, not a personality trait. Protect your mental health as fiercely as your revenue goals. Build credibility before visibility, document your value, and don’t let external attacks or shifting narratives dilute your purpose or your peace.

What’s Next

Sharon is scaling both of her businesses while completing her global MBA program, expanding her thought leadership platform, and launching initiatives that center psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and sustainable growth. She also has a podcast in the works—The Resilience Reset—featuring real strategies to help professionals navigate challenges and thrive.

Her focus is global reach with grounded impact: building systems that last, not just moments that trend.

Earlier in her career, Sharon’s brand was about proving she belonged. Today, it’s about standing firmly in who she is. Motherhood, leadership challenges, and navigating public scrutiny sharpened her clarity. Her brand now prioritizes truth, boundaries, resilience, and leading unapologetically without sacrificing well-being.

About Philly Featured

Philly Featured is a series highlighting Philadelphia business leaders—the people shaping our local business community and building something meaningful in this city. It’s my way of connecting with and showcasing the talent we have right here.

Interested in professional headshots for yourself or your team? Let’s talk.