I had the pleasure of serving as Avril’s Vice Chair of the Arlington Economic Development Commission. To witness Avril command the attention of the room when she speaks is something to behold. She is inspiring, poised, adroit and wise. As a facilitator she listens attentively and encourages others to engage respectfully and collaboratively. 

Our Board of Directors enlisted Avril to facilitate a discussion at our annual retreat. She prepared extensively, gathering insights about our organization’s structure, strategic priorities, and culture. Avril excels at engaging participants and fostering meaningful dialogue. She led a productive session, helping us identify actionable next steps to advance our work. We enthusiastically recommend her services.

I had the great pleasure of working with Avril in her capacity as the chair of our board. She came into that role at a time when we were facing a number of challenges and issues that needed to be prioritized and handled with tact and efficiency. She was masterful at determining the best way forward on each item we addressed and kept the process moving forward in a purposeful and productive way. And the best part: the progress we made was done in an inclusive way that made everyone feel a part of the process so I can rest assured that the change made will be long-lasting.

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Avril for 10 years and am proud to call her a friend as well as an outstanding professional. I met Avril when she came on the Arlington Community Foundation Board in 2014 when Avril joined the foundation board. When I became chair in 2017-2019 Avril became Vice Chair. This was a difficult time for the foundation as we were faced with the resignation of the Executive Director who left some significant staffing issues and a poor organization of critical office functions. Avril and I partnered up to meet with every staff member, cataloging serious concerns and needs along the way. This was a two-year process requiring significant legal considerations, hiring an interim executive director and a new executive director. I can’t remember a day going by when we were not on the phone or meeting to plot the many steps that needed to occur. I’m proud to say that when Avril became chair, she significantly moved the foundation to new levels of service and influence, with deepening partnerships with business, government and other nonprofits. There is never a stone unturned on Avril’s watch.

When I think of a brilliant, focused, and well-respected leader, only one person comes to mind. I’ve worked with Avril Ussery Sisk on numerous projects over the years and she consistently encourages groups to think innovatively to accomplish challenging tasks. She combines her extensive experience with the ability to connect with diverse audiences. As a result of her leadership, I’ve seen groups rethink long held beliefs resulting in transformative changes for the organization and the communities they serve. I highly recommend AUS Success Strategies!

Ms. Sisk's multifaceted career reflects her commitment to excellence, integrity, and positive change across government, nonprofit, and business sectors. I highly recommend Avril Ussery Sisk for her profound expertise, leadership, and passion for fostering economic growth and community betterment.

As the Information Security Manager at Carroll Community College, I reached out to Avril for her expertise in helping me navigate the fast-paced evolution of AI technology and evolving issues. On one hand, there’s a desire to harness AI for the benefit of future generations, and on the other, a need to carefully address growing concerns about privacy and intellectual property. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, Avril provided invaluable insights, especially regarding new legislation in Maryland and how it aligns with existing laws in other states and internationally. Through her guidance, I also realized the necessity of hiring tech-savvy legal talent with specific expertise in AI, like Avril herself, who can navigate the legal complexities surrounding emerging technologies. Some of her recommendations were to connect with other community colleges, such as those in California and Colorado, which have faced these challenges earlier, and leveraging the resources available through Educause, I now feel more equipped to ask the better questions in what is a complex and conflicting landscape. Higher education is keen to integrate modern technologies to prepare students for the workforce, yet we must also remain cautious to avoid missteps. Avril helped me outline the necessary steps to collaborate with key internal teams and involve legal counsel to ensure data handling compliance. I highly recommend consulting Avril. Her wealth of experience, particularly as an attorney with a great understanding of AI issues. Avril will either confirm you’re on the right path or guide you away from potential pitfalls in this rapidly evolving field of technology.

When I was building my NextUp Solutions Board, Avril Sisk was the first person I sought out. I assumed we would benefit from her wisdom and perspective, all of which she generously shared. Where she surpassed expectations was how much positive impact she imparted to our leadership team and the entire organization. She immediately advanced our mission of bringing tech workforce opportunities to the masses through her insights and impressive network. Her extensive relationships with government at the federal and local levels brought us many opportunities and advanced our standing as a transformative technology company. As we introduced AI to our practice and clients, Avril provided valuable perspective that accelerated our success in that fast-growing arena. Most significantly, her positive spirit and collaborative nature inspired our team and enhanced our stature. – Steve Cooper, CEO, NextUp Solutions LLC It was a great pleasure working with Avril on the Economic Development Commission in Arlington. Avril served as the Chair and I was greatly impressed by her leadership. She set a vision for what the Commission was to accomplish and mobilized the group and the county staff toward that goal of building the commercial base in the county. She recruited excellent members and mentored new Commissioners. I was proud to serve as her Vice Chair and learned so much from her during our tenure together.

Avril Sisk is a treasured and valued leader, and her presence consistently elevates any discussion, meeting, or training which she attends or leads. Avril is a wonderful combination of strength and humility, offering well researched insight, honest and caring feedback, and sound advice based on recent trends and a life well lived.

When I was building my NextUp Solutions Board, Avril Sisk was the first person I sought out.  I assumed we would benefit from her wisdom and perspective, all of which she generously shared.  Where she surpassed expectations was how much positive impact she imparted to our leadership team and the entire organization.  She immediately advanced our mission of bringing tech workforce opportunities to the masses through her insights and impressive network.  Her extensive relationships with government at the federal and local levels brought us many opportunities and advanced our standing as a transformative technology company.  As we introduced AI to our practice and clients, Avril provided valuable perspective that accelerated our success in that fast-growing arena.  Most significantly, her positive spirit and collaborative nature inspired our team and enhanced our stature.