Serving as VP of Education for IFA, Sandie Curtis is a visionary who serves as a catalyst for sustainable change through empowering leadership. A forward thinker and driver of continuous improvement, she applies extraordinary acumen in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, transforming complex obstacles, and inspiring positive culture to achieve tangible, profitable, and synergetic organizational success.

With expertise in adult learning, curriculum development, organizational change management, Sandie combines a strong professional background in education, entrepreneurship, franchising, non-profit, and government operations.

• Entrepreneurship: Sandie founded Training Matters, Inc., an adult-learning and professional development firm focused on team building, leadership, and talent development for school systems, mid-sized and fortune 500 companies. Expanded Internationally, achieved profitability, and gained national award recognition.
• Franchising (18-year span): Sandie served as Franchisee/President of multi-unit Signs Now Centers in Charlotte, NC, South-East Regional Manager/Director for Signs Now/Allegra Network, Director of Training & Business Support for Signs Now Corporation / Allegra Network Sign Division / Alliance Franchise Brands Sign Division. During her Franchisor tenure, Sandie was part of the core team to develop Alliance Franchise Brand’s Image360 brand concept and launch. Sandie received Franchisor recognition for success through the Extra Mile Award and as a 4-time recipient of the Pursuit of Excellence Award.
• Non-Profit: As a business owner with Training Matters and Signs Now Charlotte, Sandie served 10 years in local, regional, and national board positions and in political advocacy for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). During this time, she was recognized as Rising Star for NAWBO Charlotte, Women in Business Champion of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA), received U.S. Presidential appointments to the U.S. Small Business Leaders Steering Committee, and U.S. Small Business Advisory Committee. Additionally, Sandie was tapped by national leadership to assist with the 2004 “W Stands for Women” town hall meeting with President George W. Bush in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was personally introduced to the President and served as the women and small business advocate for the event.
• Municipal Government: Sandie served 6 years as Chief of the Learning & Development Division for the City of Baltimore, to develop and lead the strategic direction, curriculum and course development, and hybrid-delivered facilitation of Leadership and Professional Development programs for all City Executives, Agency Leadership, and 15,000 employees. She was also tapped by the City’s Executive Leadership to serve as the Organizational Change Management Lead for the Citywide implementation of the Workday Enterprise Management System.
• Federal Government: Immediately preceding her role with IFA, Sandie served the past year with Appteon, Inc. in Reston, Virginia, as the Intermediary Senior SME to help fulfill the $22 Million, U.S. Department of Labor, contract, focused on the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs nationwide in the Information Technology and Cybersecurity industry.

Sandie acquired her BA in Music Education from Limestone University and pursued her Masters of School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. She is a certified John Maxwell speaker, coach, trainer, and professional team member with credentials as a Behavior Analyst, DiSC facilitator, and an International Public Management Association (IPMA), Senior Certified HR Professional.

A North Carolina native, Sandie currently resides in Millersville, Maryland, and enjoys time with family, photography, and expanding her artistic talents.