Sharon Delaney McCloud

Sharon Delaney McCloud is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, keynote and TEDx speaker, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and communications expert with a career spanning more than three decades on local and national stages. Her career began with 20 years in television broadcasting, progressing from field reporter to primetime anchor and earning an Emmy Award. McCloud covered a wide range of stories, including the Persian Gulf War, John Glenn's return to space, the Super Bowl, hurricanes, floods, politics, and entertainment, reporting on events that impacted communities daily. She also moderated gubernatorial and mayoral debates throughout North Carolina and mentored young journalists at the start of their careers.

Before her broadcasting career, McCloud worked for the Department of Defense's USO program, traveling throughout the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe to entertain American troops as part of the all-female group The Florida Girls.

After leaving television news, McCloud co-founded Greenroom Communications, a Raleigh-based video production and marketing firm, with Kim and Penn Holderness. The team collaborated with brands such as Target, Samsung, H&R Block, and Chase Bank, and produced a reality show on UPtv. Greenroom later merged with Walk West, forming a full-service digital marketing agency that appeared on the INC 5000 list multiple times. At Walk West, McCloud served as Partner and Vice President of Professional Development, leading media training, presentation and public speaking coaching, workplace communication, and executive presence workshops for leaders at all levels. She also led learning and development initiatives at Walk West and The Diversity Movement before becoming Director of Corporate Communications at UNC Health.

As a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), TEDx speaker, adjunct professor, and executive coach, McCloud supports leaders and teams in driving business results through strategic communications and professional development programs. She delivered a TEDx talk titled "Giving Vilomahs a Voice," which explores approaches to conversations with bereaved parents. Her advocacy for bereavement leave policy led to a meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss the need for paid bereavement leave. McCloud's keynotes and workshops have been trusted by organizations including Cisco and Amazon, focusing on leadership, workplace communication, and high-stakes presentations.

McCloud's public work is informed by personal adversity. She was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and radiation. She channels her experiences into supporting families and organizations aligned with her guiding principle to "Never, Ever Give Up." As an Olympic Torch Bearer, cancer survivor, and author, McCloud addresses topics such as resilience, leadership, and finding one's voice. She has been featured in publications including Thrive Global, Sheryl Sandberg's Option B digital platform, and Enterprising Women, and is a co-author of the book "Keep Going, Memoirs of Strength, Courage & Perseverance." As a member of the Global Speakers Federation and the National Speakers Association, McCloud connects with audiences across industries, offering actionable insights on communication, leadership, and professional development.