We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Desirie Sykes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dr. Desirie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

One defining moment in my professional career wasn’t a single event, but rather a series of challenges I faced while managing administrative staff and balancing the growth of my businesses, NESS Cares and NESS Behavior Consulting. Early on, I struggled with delegation, learning to trust my team while also wanting to stay intimately involved in every aspect of the business. I had to confront the reality that imagining people would execute perfectly without clear guidance or presence often led to losing some of my strongest team members.
This period was a turning point because it forced me to reflect deeply on leadership, boundaries, and structure. I realized that running multiple organizations and wearing many hats requires intentional systems, clear communication, and a balance between presence and delegation. It also taught me the value of resilience, self-awareness, and prioritizing what truly matters.
From that experience, I learned that leadership isn’t about being everywhere at once, it’s about creating an environment where your team can thrive, providing guidance without micromanaging, and building processes that allow your vision to succeed even when you’re not physically handling every detail. That lesson has profoundly shaped how I lead my teams today and how I mentor others in mental health, special education, and nonprofit work.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Dr. Desirie Sykes, founder and CEO of NESS Cares and NESS Behavior Consulting, a mother, public speaker, and author. I come from an immigrant family that believed education was the key to success and personal freedom, and my own experiences navigating mental health and special education systems, both for my child and myself, shaped my path.
I provide practical, real-world solutions and resources that families, educators, and caregivers can actually use, no cookie-cutter forms or paper strategies. My focus is on addressing real struggles, traumas, and challenges, and helping people find solutions that make a genuine difference in daily life.

I’m proud of building a community that empowers families and professionals to take control of their learning, mental health, and development, and my goal is to create tools and support that are meaningful, actionable, and grounded in real experience.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, succeeding in this field requires investing in yourself and your community. Being active in networking groups, connecting with peers, and building relationships in your local and professional community is essential. It’s also about creating your personal brand, being real about the values and causes you stand for, and showing up consistently in a way that reflects them.
I’ve learned that your personal and professional life often intersect, and when the boundaries aren’t clear, it can get messy, but leaning into authenticity and managing both thoughtfully can make you a stronger, more effective leader. Success isn’t just about what you know; it’s about who you are, how you show up, and the connections you nurture

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Nothing beats hard work, there’s truly no substitute for doing the work. I’ve always been extremely hands-on with everything, trying my absolute best to be present and engaged in every aspect.

Building a reputation also takes a certain kind of delusional persistence, being willing to risk short-term losses, sit quietly while your ideas or “seeds” grow, and stay steadfast even when everything seems like it’s falling apart. There are seasons of doubt, but being the sole believer in your vision and staying committed through the ups and downs is what really builds trust, respect, and a strong reputation in your market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.desiriesykes.com
• Instagram: @desirie_sykes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesirieSykes?mibextid=ww XIfr&rdid=t99NjYlQjDipuXnc&share_url=https%3A%2F %2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17GbE4xweh% 2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-desiriesykes
• Youtube: @nesstv18

Image Credits

Photographer – Emma Burcusel