The Power of Reinvention: Sheila Cutchlow on Leadership, Creativity & Connection

In this episode of Expressions of Leadership, host Michele Kawamoto Perry welcomes Sheila Cutchlow (‪@OhhOhhSheila‬), a producer, classically trained chef, business development executive, actor, and storyteller whose remarkable career has spanned entertainment, media, culinary arts, live event production, and entrepreneurship. Sheila shares how growing up in Iowa and stepping into student leadership at the University of Iowa shaped her, how a transformative trip to Howard University changed her perspective, and how her early career at BET taught her the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and bringing people together. She also opens up about balancing a corporate career with acting, the resilience she developed through years of auditions, and the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership. A cooking competition led Sheila into another unexpected chapter, opening doors to Food Network, national brands, and eventually Le Cordon Bleu. Today, she combines business development and live event production with her passion for food, storytelling, and healthy living. Sheila talks about trusting your instincts, embracing reinvention, moving forward before you're fully ready, and the power of storytelling and food to create meaningful connections. Learn More About Sheila Cutchlow Learn more about Sheila Cutchlow at ohhohhsheila.com and follow her on Instagram and YouTube @ohhohhsheila, and Facebook @Sheila.Cutchlow. Don't miss an episode! Be sure to click on the Follow and Subscribe buttons. Follow Expressions of Leadership on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch the show on CKMS 102.7 FM Radio Waterloo, Canada. Discover more about host Michele Kawamoto Perry and The Forward Project’s expertise in culture transformation and leadership development at www.theforwardproject.co. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Expressions of Leadership: Sheila Cutchlow 00:15 Growing Up Restless in Iowa 02:54 Trusting Yourself & Taking Risks 06:02 Finding Her Leadership Voice 09:46 The Howard University Turning Point 12:26 Breaking Into BET 16:16 Building a Career While Pursuing Acting 20:15 Learning to Keep Showing Up 21:42 Motherhood, Dreams & Determination 24:53 Leadership Lessons From The Wire 30:25 The Cooking Competition That Changed Everything 35:09 What Culinary School Taught Her About Leadership 39:44 From Business Development to Big Events 43:03 Food, Storytelling & Connection 47:16 The Future She Wants to Create 49:48 Wisdom, Whimsy & Crab Cakes #Leadership #MayaPersaud #SanamHasan #EsperoAtelier #FabricDocumentary #DocumentaryFilm #HumanDignity #Refugees #LeadershipDevelopment #MicheleKawamotoPerry #Storytelling #TheForwardProject #ReimaginingLeadership #ExpressionsofLeadership