Her Story
About Sierra
Sierra Abler is the Founder of Innovative Leadership, LLC, an organization dedicated to professional development and mentorship for educators. With five years of experience in the education field, she launched her company in 2025 after recognizing a growing need for meaningful support for teachers. Her primary area of expertise is designing and delivering professional development programs that strengthen teacher confidence, improve classroom management, and help educators reconnect with their purpose and passion for teaching.
Her career began in the classroom, where she spent two and a half years as a teacher before transitioning out of direct instruction. During that time, she saw firsthand the demands placed on educators and the risk of burnout when adequate support systems are not in place. This experience became the foundation for her mission to reimagine professional development in a way that is practical, confidence-building, and aligned with the real challenges teachers face every day. She is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Applied Leadership, with graduation expected in December, further strengthening her leadership approach and impact in the field.
Beyond her professional work, Sierra is first and foremost a mother to three young boys, ages five, three, and one, and her daily schedule is centered around her family. She balances motherhood and entrepreneurship by working during nap times, on the road, and in between family responsibilities, while dedicating focused time in her office to program development, outreach, and virtual collaboration. She also supports her husband in their family farming operations and maintains a strong passion for health and wellness as she pursues certification as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. Through every role she holds, she remains focused on growth, balance, and creating meaningful impact in both education and personal development.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sierra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I don't think there's just one thing I attribute my success to. My husband has been a huge part of it, believing in me and thinking that I can go after and do all the crazy things that I think about. My faith has gotten me very far in understanding that I can be a mom and also be successful at the same time, which I think is something that society is slowly shifting to, but there's always room for improvement. And I think my family, once again, believes in me. I have a village that believes in me, and I would never, ever, ever take it for granted. My faith, my family, my friends - those are the top 3 priorities. Going each day, being grateful that I get to wake up and I get to be busy. Not all people are able to have a busy life and have the opportunities and possibilities, so just being grateful and thankful for all of that is kind of my backbone of what I do every day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to pursue the ideas that feel “crazy” in the moment, because those thoughts often point toward something meaningful and worth exploring. What may seem uncertain or overly ambitious at first can often lead to the most significant growth and opportunity if you are willing to follow it. A major part of my journey has been shaped by professors who believed in me and encouraged me to continue advancing my education. Several urged me to pursue my master’s degree when I wasn’t sure I was ready, and I chose to take that step. Later, when I shared that I felt a doctorate might come sooner than expected, one of my professors reached out to me about a new Doctor of Education program in Applied Leadership and encouraged me to apply if I could manage it alongside my responsibilities. Their belief in me helped me recognize possibilities I might have otherwise overlooked and reinforced the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and support your growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this field to stay committed even when the work becomes difficult. The most meaningful growth often happens during challenging moments, and those experiences are where you build resilience, confidence, and clarity in your purpose. Rather than stepping back when obstacles arise, lean into them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and strengthen your skills. Progress in this industry is built through persistence, consistency, and the willingness to keep going even when the path is not easy.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think a lot of it, in education specifically, there's a lot of talk. There's always talk about education about how we need to be doing more and financially helping out, but there's a lot of talk about what we need to do, but there's not a lot of action towards it. And so I think finding the people and the organizations that are taking the positive action instead of just speaking about it has been a challenge. Along with that, research for me has been very difficult to come by because none of it is really what I'm looking for. It's such a new field of professional development that helps our teachers instead of long-term helping our students, so I think having that shift as well is a challenge, but once again, I think it'll happen, it's just not happening fast.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith, my family, my friends those are the top 3 priorities. Going each day, being grateful that I get to wake up and I get to be busy. Not all people are able to have a busy life and have the opportunities and possibilities, so just being grateful and thankful for all of that is kind of my backbone of what I do every day.
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