Sheila Ireland is no stranger to workforce development. She has dedicated much of her career to improving job pipelines and making sure access to jobs is equitable. Ireland leads the Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center, an organization with a mission of not only training individuals for jobs, but creating new jobs for North Philadelphia residents. In the past two years, she has ramped up program growth, more than tripling offerings from four to 14. Today, it offers job training programs in the culinary arts and hospitality, digital media and audio engineering, financial services, health care and skilled trades. Under Ireland, annual program applicants have soared from 895 in 2023 to over 5,100 this year. Ireland has also tripled OIC’s budget. She was previously deputy security of workforce development for Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, where she launched the Skill UP PA initiative. She was also the founding executive director of the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative.
Education: A.A.S., Community College of Philadelphia; B.B.A., Temple University; M.S., La Salle University
Originally from: Chicago
A word that best describes me: Curious
An influential female business icon I admire: Oprah Winfrey
My proudest career accomplishment so far: Taking the helm of OIC Philadelphia and leading a workforce organization that is focused on the intersection of workforce development, social equity and economic empowerment.
My secret to success: I’m a collaborative leader who doesn’t take “no” for an answer.
The most influential person on my career: My father. He wanted and encouraged me to be independent, not a typical stance for a man of his generation. He also modeled the value of hard work. His mantra was, “You pay the cost to be the boss.”
How I’m using my influence to impact change: I sit on several boards and committees at the local and national level. In every space I try to demonstrate how honoring your commitments, leaning into the cause, and giving value makes this a better world for all of us.
A lesson I’ve learned from other generations: From the generations before me – history is a lesson you better learn unless you want to repeat it. From the younger generations – let go of narrow perspectives, there is always a new and better way to do things.
For fun I like to: Create beautiful spaces – I garden, decorate and build furniture.
Something I do to set my day up for success: Expressing gratitude. I try to stay fully aware of the blessings I have received.
Women of Influence 2024: How 36 businesswomen are shaping Greater Philadelphia
