Chief Performance Officer
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Amina James, EdD
Dr. Amina James is a nationally recognized organization development strategist, speaker, author, and performance consultant dedicated to helping individuals and institutions unlock their full potential. As Chief Performance Officer at Sherman Workplace Learning and Performance, Dr. James brings over 15 years of experience in designing tra
Dr. Amina James is a nationally recognized organization development strategist, speaker, author, and performance consultant dedicated to helping individuals and institutions unlock their full potential. As Chief Performance Officer at Sherman Workplace Learning and Performance, Dr. James brings over 15 years of experience in designing transformative learning strategies, advancing inclusive leadership practices, and building resilient, high-performing workplace cultures.
With a career that spans public service, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship, Dr. James blends academic rigor with practical application. She has advised government agencies, colleges, and mission-driven organizations on talent development, change management, and performance improvement. Prior to her work at Sherman, she served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, teaching Organizational Leadership & Learning.
Dr. James is a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach, a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), and holds a bronze-level certification in Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation. Her academic background includes a Doctorate in Human & Organizational Learning from The George Washington University, a Master’s in Health Education from Penn State, and certificates in Diversity & Inclusion and Grief & Transition Counseling. Her research on the professional identity formation of Black women executives explores the intersection of race, gender, and leadership in public institutions.
As an author, Dr. James published Power 31: A Working Guide to Goal Setting and Progressing with Purpose, and contributed to Reaching Senior Leadership: 10 Growth Strategies Every Government Leader Should Know. She is also a sought-after speaker, having presented at global and national forums including the Academy of Human Resource Development, University of Maryland, and the International Conference on HRD Research and Practice.
In addition to her consulting and academic work, Dr. James is a hotelier, franchise agent, and co-founder of Duke Ventures LLC, a socially responsible commercial real estate firm. Her ventures in hospitality—including ownership in Hilton, Wyndham, and Choice-branded hotels—have been featured in major media outlets such as Black Enterprise, Yahoo! Finance, and Fox News.
Dr. James has been recognized by the Washington Wizards as an Outstanding Community Leader in Health & Wellness, named a 40 under 40 honoree by the Leadership Center for Excellence, and previously served as Miss Black District of Columbia USA. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and remains committed to cultivating inclusive, purpose-driven work environments that inspire growth, equity, and performance.