Sherlyne White
Sherlyne White is a skilled Business System Analyst and Project Management Professional (PMP) with over a decade of experience in driving efficiency, process improvement, and data-informed decision-making within New York State agencies. Coming from a low-income background, Sherlyne’s journey has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to growth. After earning her degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University at Albany in 2002, she began her career in life insurance and annuities—a role that introduced her to corporate dynamics and set the foundation for her analytical mindset.
Despite facing challenges early in her career, including balancing graduate education with an unsupportive work schedule, Sherlyne pressed forward, eventually transitioning into state government work. She served in various roles across the NYS Office of Information Technology Services, the Workers' Compensation Board, and the Department of Health, where she led business analysis initiatives, mentored new professionals, and facilitated lean and agile project execution. Her love for problem-solving shines through in how she approaches her work—comparing it to a home improvement project: decluttering inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and building sustainable solutions.
One of her proudest accomplishments is earning her PMP certification after completing a rigorous 60-hour boot camp. Sherlyne is passionate about lifelong learning and believes that continuous growth—both personally and professionally—is essential. As a member of the PMI Hudson Valley Chapter and the New York State Forum, she continues to engage with the broader project management community, sharing her knowledge while remaining a student of her craft.
• University at Albany- B.S.
• New York State Forum
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success firstly to my belief in God and the love and support of my family. I value being organized, being committed, having strong communication skills, being resourceful, and staying resilient. Each of these attributes can help you to reach success in life in different ways.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was not to give up, even when the future feels uncertain. I learned that career paths aren’t always linear, and while some roles didn’t fit, having supportive mentors helped me stay focused and keep moving forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the disconnect between project management and accounting—specifically, the lack of understanding around the level of detail and precision accounting requires. Project managers often push for speed, but in accounting, accuracy takes time. When timelines clash with the need for precision, tension can arise. Additionally, many teams still rely on manual processes due to insufficient software, which slows progress and increases the risk of error. Scope creep. Lack of communication. Lack of clear goals and success criteria. Budgeting issues. Inadequate skills of team members. Inadequate risk management. Lack of accountability.