Sharon Ridings

Sharon Ridings is currently EPA’s Chief Learning Officer, located in the Office of Human Resources, Washington, DC. Sharon has been with the Federal Service for over fifteen years leading EPA in its multi-media approach for professional employee and leadership development programs. Prior to joining the EPA, Sharon was the Regional Training Manager for Harrah’s Entertainment in Memphis TN, focusing on organizational and individual leadership development at all levels of the organization. She spent the first 21 years of her professional career in the banking industry learning the ins and outs of financial management and quality customer service. Among the many programs that are offered in the EPA Leadership Development Institute (LDI), the Agency continues to be recognized by the Office of Personnel Management as having one of the best supervisory training programs in the Federal Government. The Washington DC Training Officers Consortium awarded EPA’s Successful Leader’s Program with a distinguished award for design and delivery of the program. This program, designed under Sharon’s guidance, extends the learning process to allow for measureable change in behavior and increase in critical skill sets. Sharon believes that corporate educators need to step back from the “typical” delivery methods and provide a varied approach where all employees can engage in activities that best meet their learning styles, as well as their ability to access events from remote locations. With this philosophy as their base the EPA LDI continues to look for alternative approaches for increasing capacity and closing gaps in skills and competencies throughout the Agency. New programs continue to be designed and delivered that allow all employees to take part in development activities and help them reach their personal and professional potential. Sharon’s focus and passion for personal and professional development is displayed in the work she does with current and future Agency leaders. Working with colleagues across the Agency, Sharon has the platform to share valuable tools and techniques to help develop and improve individual leadership abilities. She strives to provide Agency employees with safe learning environments in which to explore and experiment with various competency based leadership activities. All of this work moves EPA to a desired outcome of performing at a higher level, personal and professional excellence and meeting the goals of the Agency, protecting human health and the environment. Sharon holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Husson University and one in Liberal Arts from the University of Maine. Her philosophy is to keep an open mind to change and opportunities that will allow us to discover and embrace exciting possibilities for today and tomorrow!