Sherri Blix is a Senior Consultant and Executive Coach for Highland Performance Solutions. With over
20 years’ business experience, she develops leaders who want to make meaningful change where it
counts: within themselves, with their teams, and in their organizations. In all of her coaching
relationships, Sherri’s optimistic style brings out the client’s strengths and uses them in helping to
address areas for growth and development. As a result of her combined expertise in leadership and
adult learning theory, Sherri’s clients benefit from setting stretch goals, creating robust development
plans, learning on the job, testing new behaviors/skills, and cultivating greater self-awareness.
As a credentialed and certified coach, Sherri’s client list spans a wide range of industries including private equity, manufacturing, healthcare, consulting, pharmaceutical, communications, and technology. Some of her clients include leaders at: Astellas, AbbVie, Adobe, Arup, Allstate, Zurich, Medline, EY, S&P Global, ITW, and Gap Inc.
In previous roles at Deloitte, American Heart Association, CCH/Wolters Kluwer, Beam/Suntory, and Stepan Company, Sherri contributed to developing high-performing talent at all levels. She created and directed global initiatives including: a 3600 feedback and coaching program for senior leaders, a year-long program for high-potential emerging talent, and an enterprise-wide visioning summit.
Early in her career, Sherri was a professional actress and cable TV talk show host. Her years of on camera/stage performance experience make her well-equipped to work with leaders in improving and refining their executive presence, communication and presentation skills.
Outside of work, Sherri enjoys Chicago’s amazing theatre scene (from off-stage), gets overly competitive when playing platform tennis, and delights in experiencing different cultures through international travel. She is a life-long learner who is fascinated with spirituality and the mind-body connection. She lives in Evanston with her husband, teenage daughter, and goldendoodle.
EDUCATION
- MS in Human Resources, with a concentration in OD, Loyola University of Chicago Quinlan School of Business
- BS in Communication, Northwestern University
CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) – Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
- Bates Executive Presence Index (ExPI)
- The Leadership Circle Profile 360
- Hogan Assessments
- Korn Ferry 360 (KF360)
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) Benchmarks’ 360 surveys
- Workplace Big Five Profile
- Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI 360)
- Previously certified to facilitate: Crucial Conversations, The Leadership Challenge, Franklin
- Covey’s Presentation Advantage, Franklin Covey’s Writing Advantage, Blanchard’s Situational
- Leadership, InsideOut Coaching, and Breakthrough Performance
AFFILIATIONS
- International Coaching Federation (ICF)
- ICF-Chicago
- Institute of Coaching (IOC)
RECENT COACHING AND CONSULTING EXAMPLES
- Supported leaders in private equity to coach and delegate to their associates using situational leadership; expanded the breadth and depth of their network with external stakeholders.
- Coached Director-level leaders in how to hone their Executive Presence.
- Conducted transition coaching for a senior-level finance VP who was promoted.
- Worked one-on-one with highly technical and analytical professionals to develop, design, and deliver impactful presentations.
- Partnered with leaders on overcoming imposter syndrome and developing greater self – confidence.