Unveiling Sharan Hildebrand: VP of Hitachi Group Companies and Founder & CEO of Fearless Sisters, LLC

Get ready to meet WECAN’s Vice President of Business Development: Sharan Hildebrand! In this article, Sharan is sharing her hard-earned lessons from her career. Through her involvement with WECAN (Women Executives Channel Advisory Network), Sharan has helped drive efforts to provide more women with access to the training and skills they need to succeed in senior leadership roles. This article serves as yet another avenue for director-level women to gain personalized insights and guidance on achieving and thriving in senior leadership roles.

As Vice President at Hitachi Group Companies, she oversees partnership, Go-To-Market (GTM), and co-sell programs between Hitachi sister companies and select Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Her career, while deeply intertwined with IT, has shown an incredible talent for business development and management roles, mentorship, and building unique professional relationships.

Charting Her Path: Career Trajectory and Milestones

Sharan’s illustrious journey commenced with a profound love for technology, kindled during her high school years. Despite childhood aspirations of venturing into law or piloting, her heart resonated with the dynamic landscape of tech, where she envisioned crafting software that could change the world. However, her tryst with programming revealed a different reality, steering her towards roles aligning with her service-oriented mindset.

Amidst career transitions and corporate evolutions, Sharan’s unwavering passion for technology persisted, leading her to embrace roles centered on sales and consulting. Each career juncture served as an inflection point, fostering resilience and opening doors to unforeseen opportunities. “My best opportunities and inflection points came through my network. Life’s circumstances (layoffs and getting fired…thank God), happen – but it was having a great support system and trusted network that challenged me and supported thinking outside the box and go for roles I thought I wasn’t qualified for. Build and nurture your network now because you never know what life is going to bring your way.”

Beyond the Boardroom: Exploring Sharan’s Passions

While Sharan’s professional endeavors paint a picture of dedication and success, her personal pursuits unveil a multifaceted persona. A lover of water and kayaking, she finds solace and strength amidst the rhythmic ebb and flow of waves. Moreover, Sharan’s affinity for tattoos reflects her spirit of self-expression and individuality, echoing her belief in embracing one’s true self. “I love tattoos! #1 rule: you have to know what you want and where you want it before going to get one. I’m not totally tatted up…yet.”

A Day in Sharan’s Life: Balancing Work and Passion

Sharan’s daily routine is a testament to her commitment to mental clarity and personal fulfillment. “Calming my mind at the beginning of the day is pure joy. After a workout (usually), I dive in and dedicate myself to the ‘day’s work.’ Right now I am prioritizing my evenings to the development and promotion of my networking platform, Fearless Sisters, and spending time with my partner and family.”

Insights and Inspirations: Wisdom from Sharan

Sharan’s journey is punctuated by invaluable lessons and insights, offering a guiding light to aspiring women leaders. Embracing authenticity and individuality, she encourages women to unleash their true selves, undeterred by societal expectations or stereotypes. Furthermore, Sharan emphasizes the significance of mentorship, fostering an environment of trust and vulnerability conducive to personal and professional growth.

Navigating Career Landscapes: Pearls of Wisdom

Drawing from her rich tapestry of experiences, Sharan shares pearls of wisdom tailored for women leaders navigating diverse career landscapes. From combating imposter syndrome to nurturing reciprocal relationships, her advice underscores the importance of resilience, authenticity, and strategic networking in achieving professional excellence. “Always be thinking about how you can ‘reach while you climb’ – if you’re already there…coach others how to reach. It’s the only way we are going to end the equity madness.”

During a Women in Technology event in Chicago, Ellen Zelent delivered profound insights on achieving work-life balance. She articulated, “you will never find work/life balance, it’s not possible.” Ellen elaborated further, highlighting the dynamic nature of balance, where some days work commitments may take precedence, while other days family responsibilities may prevail. Indra Nooyi’s interview reinforced this perspective, emphasizing the inevitable trade-offs between career progression and familial obligations. Sharan echoes the sentiment of redefining work-life balance, acknowledging the need for flexibility and adaptation to achieve harmony in both spheres of life. “There is no secret weapon, only to re-define what your definition of work/life balance is.”

Sharan’s Unique Value Proposition

Sharan’s value proposition lies in her profound passion for life and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. She believes that this passion is an invaluable asset she brings to any organization she is part of. According to Sharan, “My passion for life and improving the lives of others. You can never lose – it’s the best bet ever.” This fervor infuses her work with purpose and drives her to make a meaningful impact, both professionally and personally. Sharan’s dedication to empowerment and collaboration serves as a catalyst for positive change within her sphere of influence, making her an indispensable asset to any organization fortunate enough to have her on board.

Shaping Inclusive Cultures: Sharan’s Advocacy

As the executive sponsor of Hitachi Solutions ERG, Konsei Women, Sharan epitomizes her commitment to fostering workplace equity and inclusivity. Through targeted programming and awareness initiatives, she endeavors to dismantle unconscious biases and foster a culture of belonging and acceptance.

Career Transitions: Sharan’s Reflections

Sharan’s journey into the latter half of her career is marked by introspection and a desire for meaningful impact. As she navigates career transitions, she embraces opportunities to effect change and empower women on a larger scale. “I’m living it right now! I am in the last half of my career (Woot for 50’s!) and I’ve done a ton of reflection. I know in my heart that I want to change the world and career path for thousands of women, and I’m blessed enough to be part of some amazing boards that grant me the opportunity to be part of their movements. As I work through the 2nd half of my corporate career, I long to do more of this and make a greater impact. My learnings? I experience the most joy when my actions line up with my personal goals. That’s not a coincidence.”

In Closing: Sharan’s Vision for the Future

Sharan’s vision for the future is rooted in empowerment and collaboration in a world marked by change and complexity. By advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, she envisions a corporate landscape where every voice is heard, every talent is valued, and every woman is empowered to realize her fullest potential.

Sharan Hildebrand’s journey is not merely a career trajectory but a testament to the transformative power of resilience, authenticity, and unwavering commitment. As she continues inspiring and uplifting women in leadership, her legacy serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for generations to come.