ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
The mission of S.I.M.S. LLC is to provide services and resources that enhance the knowledge and skills of clients who seek to learn and apply strategic leadership concepts in the workplace and other social settings. S.I.M.S. LLC also seeks to help organizations engender a workplace and/or classroom culture and climate that ensures employees work and students learn in an environment that values their dimensions of diversity.
We take pride in working closely with our prospective and repeat clients to understand their needs. This enables us to design initiatives that are tailored specifically for their organization or group. Our solutions are research-based and engaging to ensure our clients have the most up-to-date knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences.
CYNTHIA SIMS
President
Dr. Cynthia Sims is President of S.I.M.S. LLC (Sims Intercultural Management Solutions) and Adjunct Faculty at Northeastern Illinois University with a joint appointment in the Departments of Literacy, Leadership, & Development and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is a workforce development expert, with over 30 years of teaching and training experience. Dr. Sims has developed and facilitated numerous national and international workshops and presentations regarding employee and leadership development, workplace diversity, organizational development, gender equality, and employee empowerment. She works closely with organizations to offer executive and management coaching; design diversity initiatives; revamp HR policies; and improve leadership skills to ensure an inclusive, equitable work environment exists for their staff and clients.
Dr. Sims is an author of numerous publications, including books, book chapters, and articles, mostly on diversity and workforce development topics. She has traveled to Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean to conduct presentations and workshops and to study global diversity issues.
In July 2021, Dr. Sims retired as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at College of DuPage. Prior to this role, from 2005 to 2019, Dr. Sims was Professor of Organizational Training and Development, focusing on Workforce Development and Diversity at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she also served as Associate Dean and Department Chair. From 1995 to 2018, Dr. Sims was Visiting Faculty for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (formerly School for New Learning) at DePaul University.
Dr. Sims received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisville, a Master of Science in Public Service Management from DePaul University, a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago, and a Doctor of Education from Northern Illinois University.
ASHLEY AHART, B.S., M.S.
Business Development Associate
Ashley is responsible for securing new clients and assisting current clients with the selection of appropriate initiatives that best fit their employees' and organizational needs. She has several years of HR experience, including serving as a Human Resource Generalist for Supply Logistics & Procurement Services and an HR Contractor for Norfolk Southern Corporation. She has experience assisting managers with the onboarding of new employees, communicating with employees to ensure understanding of policies and procedures, and organizing training sessions and relevant follow-up initiatives.
Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-Med from Jackson State University and a Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Louisiana State University.
