Sharpel Welch is the Executive Director of Providence House, a seasoned nonprofit leader, Army veteran, and community advocate dedicated to empowering individuals and transforming neighborhoods. With a professional career rooted in service and leadership, she brings a wealth of experience in strategic community engagement, education, and organizational development.

Before her current role, Welch served as Director of the Renewal Team at Community Renewal and as a Youth Community Coordinator in the Allendale and Highland neighborhoods of Shreveport, Louisiana. She also contributed to adult education as an Adjunct Instructor for the HiSET (GED) program at the Southern University at Shreveport Metro Center, fostering academic achievement among underserved populations.

A bridge-builder by nature, Welch has cultivated partnerships and trust across diverse communities, laying the groundwork for long-term neighborhood revitalization. She is a committed mentor and role model, especially to young women, and has had a measurable impact on youth development and educational outcomes.

In recognition of her leadership, Welch was named a 2019 Civil Society Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and has been featured in national media outlets including CBS Sunday Morning, FoxNews.com, Philanthropy Magazine, City Journal, the Shreveport Times, and the Dr. Drew radio program.

She is an active member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Leadership Network and holds an ASBA, BSBA, and MBA in Human Resources Management from Colorado Technical University. She has also completed doctoral coursework in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University.

Ordained as a minister in both Texas and Louisiana, Welch leads with faith and compassion, exemplifying the love of Christ through her professional and community efforts. Guided by a deep belief in the potential of every individual, she lives by the words often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

Welch’s leadership is marked by resilience, authenticity, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or the heart of underserved neighborhoods, she leads with vision and heart—empowering others to rise, rebuild, and realize their fullest potential. Her work is more than a career; it is a calling to transform lives, shift narratives, and leave a legacy of hope, dignity, and lasting change.

~ Where Leadership Meets Compassion — Transforming Lives at Providence House ~