Tales With Taylor

Date 10-06-2026

Episode 92:

Sharise Erby

Just Do You: Pivoting, Grieving and Growing with Dr. Sharise Erby

On this episode of Tales with Taylor, host Taylor Wellman sits down with Dr. Sharise L. Erby, a nonprofit executive, author, speaker and transformational leader whose mission is to help people realize that their current circumstances are not their final destination but the starting point of their next chapter.

As Managing Director of Per Scholas Phoenix, Dr. Erby leads the expansion of technology workforce development across Arizona. She explains how Per Scholas prepares people for successful careers in tech by teaching both hard and soft skills, connecting learners with industry professionals and offering mock interviews so they know exactly what tech companies are looking for.

Taylor and Dr. Erby also explore why having options can unlock generational wealth, how to stay agile through the different seasons of life and why it is okay to pivot when you need to. Dr. Erby speaks openly about grief, encouraging listeners to give themselves time, embrace a new normal and let go of any deadline for feeling better. She closes with a powerful reminder to say yes to important opportunities, believe in yourself and never stop growing.

Dr. Erby is the founder of the Phenomenal Woman Empowerment Network, Chair of the Phoenix Women's Commission and author of Just Do You: The Re:Boot. Her honors include being named a Phoenix Titan 100 Honoree twice, a Women We Admire Top 30 Women Leader in Arizona, a City of Phoenix Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" Awardee and a Global Icon of Influence Top 20 honoree.

Listen to this Episode

Your next chapter starts here. Watch the full episode with Dr. Sharise L. Erby to learn how to pivot with confidence, launch a career in tech and say yes to the opportunities that will change your life.

What You’ll Learn in Episode 92

Per Scholas Phoenix

They set you up to have a successful career in tech
They teach you the hard and soft skills you need and get you connected with people in the industry to help you get hired
They do mock interviews with people in the industry so they know exactly what tech companies are looking to hire

Having Options

Having options unlocks generational wealth
Stay agile and ready for different seasons of your life. There’s always going to be changes that you need to navigate
It’s ok to pivot when you need to

Grieving

You need to give yourself time to grieve
Don’t force yourself to go back to how things were, embrace the new normal and find new meaning in your life
You don’t need to feel better by a certain date, give yourself permission to grieve as long as you need to

Say Yes

Don’t be afraid to say yes to important opportunities, believe in yourself and you can do it!
Never stop growing, evolving and becoming something new

Our Guest: Sharise Erby

Dr. Sharise L. Erby is an award-winning Non-Profit Executive, author, speaker, and transformational leader dedicated to helping people and communities unlock their fullest potential. As Managing Director of Per Scholas Phoenix, she leads the expansion of technology workforce development across Arizona, creating pathways to high-growth careers and economic mobility.