Rhonda Carson Leach
Rhonda Carson Leach is a seasoned leadership development and entrepreneurship education professional with more than 30 years of experience in management consulting, facilitation, and executive coaching. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she currently serves as Senior Program Director at the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), where she leads key initiatives supporting business owners and entrepreneurs across diverse stages of growth. Her work spans executive education, organizational strategy, and capacity-building programs designed to strengthen both established enterprises and emerging ventures.
In her role at the IEE, Rhonda oversees multiple flagship programs, including the Entrepreneurial Fellows Center, which serves high-revenue CEOs, founders, and family business leaders, and the Urban & Community Entrepreneurship Program, which focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in underserved and moderate-income communities. She has facilitated over 200 workshops on topics such as leadership, change management, conflict resolution, goal setting, and interpersonal effectiveness. In addition to her institutional leadership, she is the founder of Savvy Consulting Group, where she provides coaching and consulting services to entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to improve business performance, leadership capacity, and strategic clarity.
Throughout her career, Rhonda has been recognized for her ability to translate complex business concepts into practical, actionable guidance for entrepreneurs. Her background includes decades of experience in business consulting, program development, and organizational leadership across academic and community-based institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University. Known for her emphasis on accountability, resilience, and continuous learning, she remains focused on helping individuals and organizations build sustainable success through strong leadership, sound financial practices, and intentional growth strategies.
• Entrepreneurship Teacher Training
• National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship Certificate
• Drucker Strategic Planning Coach
• Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship
• University of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs - MPPM
• Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year
• Women of Influence, Pittsburgh Business Times (2025)
• Women of Distinction, Girl Scouts (2020)
• Woman of Excellence
• Woman of Excellence
• Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year
• International Coaching Federation
• African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania
• American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
• Leadership Pittsburgh, Class XXXII
• National Association of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
• The Links, Incorporated
• Women for Economic and Leadership Development
• YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my resilience, my commitment to continuous growth, and my ability to connect meaningfully with people at all levels. I place strong value on lifelong learning and consistently seek opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. I also prioritize building strong, authentic relationships and maintaining a results-driven mindset, while remaining adaptable in fast-paced and evolving environments.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my sister, who has been my most influential mentor and greatest source of inspiration. Her guidance and support have played a meaningful role in shaping both my personal and professional journey, helping me stay grounded, focused, and intentional in my growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering my industry to believe in their abilities, stay resilient, and remain committed to their goals. It is important to actively seek opportunities for growth, embrace challenges as learning experiences, and continuously develop your skills. I also recommend building strong, supportive professional networks that can provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunities throughout your career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include entrepreneurs having strong passion for their craft but lacking a solid understanding of business fundamentals such as planning, operations, and strategy, as well as the ongoing difficulty of financial management and access to sustainable funding. Many also underestimate the financial pressure of starting and maintaining a business, especially when expenses outpace income in the early stages. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to strengthen business education, mentorship, and financial literacy so entrepreneurs can build more stable and successful ventures.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, growth, accountability, and empowerment. I am committed to helping others reach their full potential and believe in fostering environments built on trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Outside of my professional responsibilities, I am passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and creating meaningful opportunities that support the personal and professional growth of others.
Locations
Savvy Consulting Group
Monroeville, PA 15146