Meet Cierra Conerly-Sims | Event Strategist & Leadership Development Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cierra Conerly-Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cierra, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Every morning, I start my day by thanking God for everything. I show gratitude for what I have. I spend time on my self-care by walking in the morning while listening to something motivational, meditating, and completing a yoga routine. I review my intentions for the day and write down ways to improve. Finally, I read every day. I am intentional about the books I invest my time and resources in; all are geared toward my mindset and contribute to my way of thinking. I am consistent with my routine because it is the blueprint to success. I have learned the mind needs to be fed positivity daily to combat negative thoughts and emotions that could diminish what I am doing, so to avoid the negativity, I consistently feed my mind positivity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My career as a Training and Leadership Consultant has led me through various areas within the financial technology and broader business sectors. With over nearly 15 years at Fiserv, I had the privilege of sharing my knowledge with both internal and external stakeholders, focusing on systems, processes, and banking procedures. As a dedicated training professional, I used my extroverted personality to lead my sessions to ensure my clients remained engaged, but also truly grasped the material and left my sessions with the confidence to execute tasks proficiently.

In my role as a leadership professional, my discussions are centered around my core principles of empowerment, mindset, opportunities, values, and experiences. Over the past decade, I’ve studied leadership styles and the traits of exceptional leaders, and it’s these competencies that I bring to my clients. I wholeheartedly embrace areas of opportunity, because I want to challenge myself. I strive to apply pressure that promotes growth and consistently emphasize that our greatest competition lies within ourselves. This is precisely why clients seek my counsel for their leaders and staff, as I am fully committed to those who are willing to tell me their aspirations and put in the hard work to achieve them.

Reaching this point in my journey wasn’t without its share of trials. I encountered numerous adversities along the way, but my persistence and resilience fueled my progress. I am a visionary, firmly believing that when God grants me a vision, it’s a glimpse of my purpose. About 12 years ago, I wanted to become a supervisor, so I prepared for the interview every day. I walked into the interview room with confidence, but I did not get the position. When I asked for feedback, I was told that I wasn’t ready. Despite my outstanding performance as an associate and a high-performing team lead, I was still told, I was not ready. Rather than settling, I started on a journey of self-improvement. I mastered the systems and procedures and dedicated myself to understanding human development and effective communication. I even took public speaking classes to enhance my confidence because I would repeat myself when I spoke. One year later, I was offered a role as a training specialist. Here is the kicker, I still gained supervisor skills because new hires reported to their trainer, but I also gained knowledge of strategic planning, instructional design, and curriculum development. I would have not gotten those skills if I continued the path, I thought was supposed to be for me. A few years later, a training manager opportunity became available, and I applied. I didn’t get the position; my feedback just so happened to be the same as before, “I wasn’t ready.” Determined to progress, I secured a position as a training consultant in a different department. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of moving forward relentlessly, viewing each opportunity as a learning experience, and continuously setting and striving for new goals.

I also own an event and wedding planning company. I want the world to recognize that my brand is me. SIS, which stands for Sisters Inspiring Society, explains my mission. As a proud Arizona native, I am deeply connected to my community. I am committed to spreading empowerment. Whether I’m planning an event or delivering a leadership presentation to a company, my approach is rooted in empowerment. With SIS, you can expect strategic planning, flawless execution, and unforgettable experiences, all driven by my unwavering dedication to inspiring positive change in society.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a festival and event person, so I would ensure we had tickets to the margarita or taco festival, foodie festivals, and some music festivals. I would take them to different restaurants with amazing cocktails, such as Etta, The Vig, Eleven, and some fun brunch spots. Some of my favorite brunch places are Sugar Jam, Brunch and Sip, and Hash Kitchen. If Brunchish were going on that week, I would make sure we had a VIP section to enjoy the vibe. I would make sure we had time to check out Westgate and catch a Cardinals game. If we are traveling to Tucson, we would check out BKs Tacos and The Moonstone for brunch. Before we left Tucson, Mt. Lemmon would be a must. If we are going north, Sedona would be at the top of the list. If we are going south, Tombstone and a little further to Benson for apple picking! On Sunday, we would worship at Dominion World Ministries, then head to my mom’s for Sunday dinner. However, that would have to be planned because my mom only cooks with a 2-week notice LOL.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and Foremost, GOD is responsible for all my success. God gives me vision, motivation, strength, wisdom, perseverance, characteristics, and EVERYTHING in between! Secondly, I attribute my success to my wife; Dez is my support partner and is always there to ride out any endeavor I bring to her. My business partner, Tiffany Owensby-Farrell, has always enjoyed being in the background, but she is a HUGE part of my motivation, and SIS would not be successful without her. My mom is always in my corner and is there to talk me through situations, scenarios, and gems I may not have thought about (I love her for that)! My BF Kyndel and Bestie Tamara are so encouraging. I would lose my mind without them. Organizations that helped build my credentials: Fiserv Corporation (paid for 99.99% of my certifications), Beyond the Hurt, Association of Talent Development, PMI Phoenix, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Event Management Association, NAACP, NPHC of Southern Arizona, and Dominion World Ministries. My mentors all have moments in time where they have fed into my spirit and contributed to my growth and success: Carla Robinson (Rest Peacefully), Henri Dawes, Jackie Buckley, Dr. Will Moreland, Simon Sinek, C. Renee, Patty Walls, Tanya O’Quinn, Deva Mumphrey, Dr. Tadzia Dennis, Olympia Tinsley, Bishop TD Jakes, Dr. Minina Johnson, Rev. Shemekia Gooden, and My Pastor Larry Gooden. I am forever grateful.

Website: www.sisevents-svcs.com

Instagram: @siseventsandservices

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/cierra-conerly-sims-msl-590956260

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siseventsandservices/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sisspeaks

Image Credits
Anneke Marie, Talan Photos, Solaris Photography