Meet Dr, Shinika McKiever

We recently connected with Dr, Shinika McKiever and have shared our conversation below.

Dr, Shinika, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I didn’t set out to find my purpose. It became clear through the work I was already doing. From volunteering to serving on boards, I was always drawn to helping people and building community. Over time I realized that service wasn’t something extra in my life. It was the center of it.

Working in philanthropy made that even clearer. I saw how connecting people and organizations with the right resources could change the direction of their work and their future. It was never just about money. It was about opening doors, creating possibilities, and helping leaders breathe a little easier because they had what they needed to move forward. That experience taught me that my purpose wasn’t only about giving back. It was about helping people build systems and strategies that last.

My own story shaped that purpose. I know what it feels like to be overlooked or dismissed, to sit in spaces where my leadership wasn’t fully recognized. For a long time I thought the answer was to prove myself and keep going. What I learned is that those experiences weren’t just challenges. They gave me perspective. They taught me how to see people fully, how to create space where others feel valued, and how to use my story as a tool for impact.

For me, purpose is about being the person I once needed. It is about helping people pause, get clear about what matters, and take steps that reflect who they are. That shows up in every part of my work. Whether I am coaching a leader, supporting a nonprofit, or walking alongside an entrepreneur, the goal is the same: to help them lead with intention and build something that lasts.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Dr. Shinika McKiever, and I lead The McKiever Group Creative Company. My work is about helping people and organizations move with clarity. I built this company because I wanted to create the kind of support I didn’t always see in the rooms I sat in, support that honors lived experience, culture, and vision as the starting point for strategy and leadership.

We work with nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are committed to purpose but need a clear path forward. What makes our work different is that it doesn’t live in theory. We don’t hand over plans that collect dust. We co-create strategies and coaching that people can actually use, and that feel true to who they are. When a client tells me, “This feels like us,” that’s when I know the work is doing what it should.

What excites me most is seeing people shift. Watching a nonprofit move from survival to stability. Watching a founder step fully into their vision. Watching a leader stop performing leadership and start practicing it. Those moments show me why this work matters.

We’re also growing. This year we’re launching new digital tools and trainings to expand our reach, including nonprofit fundraising webinars, an end-of-year appeal training, and a group coaching program. We’re creating guides, templates, and online courses so leaders can access the same clarity and strategy no matter where they are.

At the heart of The McKiever Group is a simple belief: clarity changes everything. When people are grounded in who they are and what they value, they can lead with purpose and build work that lasts. That’s what we do, and that’s what we’re building every day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I look at my journey, three qualities have guided me more than anything else: creativity, curiosity, and openness. They’ve shaped how I lead, how I grow, and how I show up for others.

Creativity is what has allowed me to bring all of my passions and experiences together into meaningful work. It has helped me see connections between philanthropy, leadership, business, and community that others might miss. It’s also what grounds me outside of work. Sewing, baking, and creating with my hands remind me that joy and imagination matter just as much as strategy and planning. Creativity is both an outlet and a tool.

Curiosity has been my way of moving through the world. I’ve always wanted to understand how things work and how to make complex ideas practical. That ability has shaped my work with leaders and organizations because I can break things down into steps that feel possible. Curiosity also keeps me growing. It pushes me to learn from new perspectives and stay open to ideas that challenge me.

Openness has been the thread that holds it all together. My path hasn’t been linear. There were detours I didn’t expect, opportunities I didn’t plan for, and redirections I didn’t always want at the time. But being open allowed me to see possibility in those moments and trust that each turn was part of the bigger picture. Openness has been the difference between getting stuck in disappointment and moving forward into purpose.

For anyone starting out, I would say this: protect your creativity and give yourself space to create outside of your work. Let your curiosity push you to keep learning and asking questions. And stay open, because some of the most important parts of your journey will come from places you didn’t plan but were willing to step into.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

Our ideal clients are people and organizations who are doing meaningful work and want to move forward with more clarity. They may be nonprofits, community groups, or faith-led organizations that are deeply rooted in service but need stronger systems and direction. They may be executive leaders and senior staff who carry a lot of responsibility and want space to reset and lead with confidence. Sometimes they are corporate teams navigating growth or change, entrepreneurs who want to run their business with more focus and balance, or professionals in transition who are figuring out how to turn their experience into a new path. We also work with organizations that support entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them design trainings and resources that are practical and relevant.

What all of our clients have in common is a willingness to pause and do the work of reflection. They are ready to ask hard questions, explore new possibilities, and make choices that bring their work back in line with their values. They care about people as much as outcomes, and they want strategies that are practical, not performative. They value honesty, clarity, and structure, and they are looking for support that sees the whole person, not just the position they hold. The best fit for us is someone who understands that real change takes intention and is committed to building in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Toni Shaw
Shaw Photography

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