Her Story
About Sharon
Dr. Sharon Crosby-Peoples is an accomplished information technology leader, systems administrator, and business professional with more than two decades of experience spanning military service, federal contracting, and IT operations management. She began her career in the U.S. Army, serving for over nine years as a Sergeant in early warning defense operations. During her military tenure, she tracked aircraft and missile activity in South Korea and Afghanistan, becoming part of the first cohort of women permitted to serve in this specialized field in 2006. Her pioneering role and dedication to service laid the foundation for a career defined by leadership, technical excellence, and resilience.
Following her military service, Dr. Crosby-Peoples transitioned into the civilian technology sector, where she built expertise in systems administration, IT integration, and operational management. She supported medical software systems for Department of Defense clinics and hospitals, including facilities at Parris Island and Beaufort Naval Hospital, while working under federal contracts with organizations such as Leidos. Demonstrating exceptional determination, she independently earned her CompTIA Security+ certification and expanded her credentials with Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belts, project management training, and advanced business education. Her unique blend of technical proficiency and organizational leadership has enabled her to deliver innovative IT solutions in complex and mission-critical environments.
Today, Dr. Crosby-Peoples serves as an Information Technology Operations Manager and entrepreneur, focusing on technology-driven initiatives that support military veterans and their communities. She is actively developing digital platforms, websites, and resources designed to address veteran mental health and improve access to support services. A lifelong learner, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Management and a Master of Business Administration from American Military University before completing her Doctor of Business Administration at Grand Canyon University in 2025. Guided by a commitment to continuous improvement, service, and innovation, Dr. Crosby-Peoples continues to leverage technology as a tool for positive social impact and meaningful change.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sharon
01What do you attribute your success to?
It's all God. It really is. It is all God, because there is nothing special about me. I'm no better than anyone else. It's just that I had opportunities, I was given grace, I was given mercy, and I was able to use those resources, those opportunities that I had available to me, and it allowed me to get to where I am right now. How do you go from making boxes to air defense? I worked manufacturing jobs, I've driven a forklift, I've worked on assembly lines, and then I ended up tracking missiles. It has got to be God.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My idea is kind of untraditional. I would say to try your best and walk straight. Go through whatever door that's in front of you, because if it's for you, it is for you. And if it's for you, a way will be made for you to do it. I didn't have a plan, I was just gonna walk straight, and whatever happens, it was supposed to happen.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say don't be afraid. Even if it sounds ridiculous, don't be afraid. I'm from the South, and there's a lot of manufacturing jobs. I've driven a forklift, I've worked on assembly lines, I've done those jobs. You're no better than anybody else, it's just that you were given the opportunity. As ridiculous as it sounds, how do you go from making boxes to air defense? It may sound ridiculous, especially in the place that you're in at that present time. It may sound like an impossible goal, but it is attainable, and you just can't be afraid to go for it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I can't sit still. I can't. My mind is always racing. As soon as I complete one task, I'm like, what's next? What do we got going on? I need to take the time to appreciate, and I do appreciate, but I need to relax more and just enjoy where I am in life. But also, I feel like, why get comfortable when there's so much more you can do, so much more people you can help? I want to see how far can I go.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe that you should have ambition. I know some people say it's okay to settle or relax, but I feel as if it's in you, if you have the opportunity to improve, then you should. If you have the opportunity to excel, then you should. Especially if it's not at a sacrifice to anything that's important to you, like your family. But if by all means you could improve on yourself each day, it will improve your life and the life of your family, because as your life improves, the lives of the people you care about improve as well. So it's really about how much work do you want to put in, and how much drive you have to succeed.
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