“Life offers us such an interesting journey…”
When Sherron Rogers, Union Board 2000, started college, she didn’t believe she was a leader. At the time, she didn’t realize that her experiences on Union Board were preparing her for leadership early in her career—now, she’s been in leadership roles at large organizations for over 20 years leading areas like information technology, finance, supply chain, real estate, hospital operations, business development, and many more.
“I wouldn’t have guessed any of this path when I entered IU in 1997,” Sherron said. “However, IU prepared me to strategically navigate complex environments, and my professors taught me to inquire deeply and in a human-centered way—it was great preparation for life and my career.”
On Union Board, Sherron was Vice President of Membership. Her priorities centered around expanding Union Board’s reach into new communities on campus. She not only had an opportunity to do outreach and engage students, but also partner with her peers on Union Board about their programming ideas.
“Our board was very interested in broadening the types of events brought to campus and making a memorable impact,” Sherron said.
And make a memorable impact they did. A few events stood out to Sherron, including bringing the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters to campus and attending comedy shows with jokes she still remembers to this day, but one appearance in particular is something she’ll never forget.
“Our Union Board bringing General Colin Powell to campus a few days before the 2000 election is something I’ll always remember,” she said. “I had read his book and was impressed by his journey and hoped to one day be able to work alongside inspired leaders like him. I thought it was pretty special that we could bring such a commanding and intentional leader to Bloomington, and, at what turned out to be a unique time in his career, shortly before he became the first African-American person to serve as Secretary of State.”
After graduating from IU with a degree in psychology and pursuing a master’s degree in information science, Sherron kickstarted her career.
“As I was interviewing for jobs, acknowledging that I’d held a leadership role in an organization responsible for managing hundreds of thousands of dollars that served as the primary event-planning organization for campus, and that I’d managed formal board meetings gave me additional skills to reference,” she said. “Everything we did in Union Board was significant preparation as I began my career.”
During her time on Union Board, the organization gave Sherron early practice in working with diverse groups of talented, driven, and competitive leaders that translated into opportunities to lead others, balance commitments under competing deadlines, and set strategies in order to reach goals.
Throughout her career, Sherron has worked in healthcare leadership positions at Indiana University Health and Eskenazi Health and a brief period in global manufacturing.
With recent career highlights like being named a First Lady in African American History by the Woodson African American History Museum in Florida, Sherron has a lot to be proud of—but the one thing she’s most grateful for is her family. Her oldest daughter is a freshman in college studying biomedical engineering, her son is a focused high school student and athlete, and her husband is a general surgeon in Indianapolis.
“Whether it’s traveling, movies, or sparking up random debates, we really enjoy our family time together,” she said.
Today, Sherron is currently the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Florida’s #1-ranked children’s hospital located in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she strategically leads the financial areas of the hospital.
“I love working with organizations to build strong cultures in a way that delivers transformational results for patients and the communities we serve,” she said.
For Sherron, IU offered a natural, well-rounded experience that prepared her to navigate life. Throughout her Union Board journey, IU always seemed to have a spirit in the air that encouraged getting involved and contributing to the campus and culture.
“I was a very active student on campus, and I felt so fortunate to have discovered Union Board as an option for both student leadership and personal development,” she said. “As you’re setting your priorities for the year, be relevant to what students are seeking right now, but also don’t hesitate to push the boundaries a bit and consider the gaps that UB can fill on campus.”
Sherron has one important piece of advice for current and future Union Board members: Enjoy the journey.
“Union Board is such a great opportunity to develop relationships outside of your core network and group of friends—take advantage of that,” she said. “The people on UB, both students and advisors, are already dynamic, smart, collaborative, driven leaders now; they’re going to continue to excel as they pursue their journeys. There’s no telling how your paths may continue to cross as you navigate life.”
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