Charlene Wheeless, Leadership Coach/Author
Charlene Wheeless is a renowned communications expert, author, speaker, principal of Charlene Wheeless, LLC and the senior advisor for equity and justice for APCO Worldwide. Combining her extensive knowledge of leadership, three decades of communications experience and her skills managing adversity she helps others learn to retain authenticity, in life and in business, and find strength in vulnerability. Charlene Wheeless is a renowned communications pro, author, and speaker, and a powerhouse in business and in life. Following a three-year battle with cancer, she launched a strategic advisory firm, Charlene Wheeless, LLC, and joined APCO Worldwide, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy, as the senior advisor for equity and justice. A key voice in the future of the communications profession, Charlene is the chairman of the board of trustees for Page Society, the world’s leading professional association for senior public relations and corporate communications executives. Charlene has lived the experience of being a Black female executive at several leading global companies. The accumulation of her experiences has positioned her as a cornerstone in driving anti-racist practices, inclusivity, diversity, and belonging in corporate environments. Charlene holds a BA in journalism and public relations, an MA in public communication, and an MBA. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and two dogs. She also has two adult daughters.
