Sondra Imperati
Sondra Imperati is a seasoned leadership coach, business strategist, and founder of Persistent Courage, a consulting and coaching practice dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and individuals navigate the complexities of evolution with clarity, confidence, and actionable results. With over 25 years of experience guiding executives, transforming organizations, and coaching individuals through career pivots and personal reinvention, Sondra combines strategic insight with lived experience to help clients take bold, practical steps forward. Her proprietary 5C Framework for Courageous Leadership™—Curiosity, Curation, Coaching, Communication, and Community—provides a structured approach to leadership and personal growth, delivering measurable outcomes often from the very first engagement. Throughout her corporate career, Sondra held senior leadership roles, including Vice President and Corporate Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she led enterprise-wide brand strategy, marketing, and employee engagement initiatives across multiple organizations. She has successfully grown businesses, restructured nonprofits, launched new programs, and guided teams through strategic and cultural transformations. Beyond business results, Sondra has been recognized for her impact as a mentor, advisor, and thought leader, helping women reclaim their voice, confidence, and direction at pivotal moments in their careers. Sondra’s approach to leadership and coaching is grounded in honesty, empathy, and courage, reflecting her own journey of leaving corporate life to align her career with her values. A published essayist and contributor to Liz Gilbert’s anthology Eat, Pray, Love Made Me Do It, she also develops coaching programs and workbooks that blend strategy with heart. Outside of her professional work, she is committed to community and mentorship, serving on boards, guiding young women, and supporting initiatives that foster personal and organizational growth. Sondra lives by the belief that transformation requires both strategy and soul—and she inspires her clients to embrace both in their pursuit of meaningful results.
• The Essentials of Non-Profit Fundraising
• St. John Fisher University - B.A.
• Marketer of the Year
• Best B2B Campaign "Live Fearless"
• Our Lady of Mercy High School
• Spiritus Christi Prison Ministry Outreach
• Starfish Sister Project
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never losing curiosity, taking genuine interest in others and their challenges while having the courage to speak truth to power in a kind yet diplomatic way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay true to who you are and always lead with integrity.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to say no or take a different road than your parents or family may want you to take. You need to grow, learn and explore making decisions for yourself. Even if things don't work out the way you plan, you'll learn something and make different choices in the future.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Everyone is so concerned about technology and AI. I love AI. I use it all the time. That said, human connectedness and interaction with colleagues, customers, suppliers and other businesses are vitally important. AI is only as a good as the person asking the questions or obtaining the data and driving insights. People need and work with people.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Openness, honesty and kindness are very important to me in both my work and personal life. So is being authentic and congruent. I show up the same way with my family as I do in my work.
Locations
Persistent Courage
Penfield, NY 14526