Dr. Sharma Henderson is a native Californian who was born and raised in the city of Los Angeles. She attended various schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District throughout her elementary and secondary years. She attended the University of Southern California (USC) and received both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies. She continued on at USC to obtain a Master of Science degree in Education Administration. In December of 2009, Dr. Sharma obtained her Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. In addition to these academic achievements, Dr. Sharma holds various certificates, certifications, memberships, and other distinctions. She is a multi-certified Master Life Coach, a graduate of several renown training programs, and constantly seeks to improve her services, competencies, and practice by remaining an active and avid life-long learner.
Dr. Sharma credits her academic success in part to her participation in the federally-funded Upward Bound Program. As she pursued her academic endeavors, she carefully shaped her career around her passion for educational opportunity, community service, and academic achievement programs. She has worked as a Tutor, Advisor, Director, Administrator, and Executive Director for multiple outreach and educational programs. In the Summer of 2001, Dr. Sharma co-founded the Community Outreach and Opportunity Programs (CO-OP). CO-OP is a non-profit human and social services agency dedicated to the improvement of lives of people in need in the Southern California area. For 14 years, CO-OP operated 2 federally-funded Upward Bound programs in addition to a host of complimentary programs, services, and activities. Currently, she serves as the President and CEO of CO-OP and The CO-OP Family of Companies.
In addition to her role at CO-OP, Dr. Sharma has operated a private professional and educational Consulting Firm since the Summer of 1998. Her firm provides local agencies, nonprofits, small businesses, corporations, and individuals with optimal technical assistance and customized support. Dubbed as "Dr. Sharma," she specializes in connecting people to resources that help them "Learn, Work, and Live Better!" TM. Over the past 20+ years, she has personally secured over $35 million in grant funds and other financial contributions for various nonprofit agencies and programs and tens of millions more in in-kind services, products, and other resources for the many nonprofit organizations, service groups, and clubs she is connected to. Annually, Dr. Sharma helps hundreds of clients improve their businesses, enhance their lives, and reach their identified career goals. She provides free intensive support to over 6K women building businesses in the Direct Sales industry. She also supports the development and creation of nonprofits and small businesses, has a thriving writing and editing career, and serves as a federal grant reviewer, program evaluator, grant writer, graphic designer, webmaster, and trainer. In particular, Dr. Sharma is an avid dissertation editor and doctoral scholar coach.
Dr. Sharma serves on various Boards, including the City of Carson's Stroke Center Volunteer Association where she is co-founder and President, and is a Commissioner for the City of Carson on the Community Civic Engagement Board. Dr. Sharma is a volunteer Interim Executive Director for the Carson Coordinating Council in recognition of her capabilities as an industry leader. She is a proud Rotarian, a member of the Carson Accountability and Transparency team, and has founded, supported, and/or led numerous initiatives, groups, projects, and services supporting the great City of Carson. Dr. Sharma is a committed volunteer particularly in areas relating to educational outreach, social stewardship, stroke and endometriosis services (prevention, treatment, advocacy, and awareness). She is highly sought and dynamic public speaker, an internationally recognized and published scholar, a trusted community leader, and a social media influencer.
Dr. Sharma currently resides in Carson, California where she is an active member of her local community. She is an active lay leader with her church and volunteers extensively with faith-based groups. She is a beloved auntie to her nieces and nephews and was a loving and dedicated caregiver for over 10 years. Her personal interests include traveling, trying new and diverse foods, blogging, and reading. Dr. Sharma loves tacos, cupcakes, and all things Winnie the Pooh.
