Trusted Advisor · Cultural Strategist · Minnesota Powerhouse

Unlock The True Power Of Relationships

Sharon Smith‑Akinsanya advises executives, corporations, and institutions on how to implement her proprietary Relationships & Revenue Method™. In 2026, it’s more vital than ever to build and nurture the RIGHT relationships that lead to hitting your recruitment, retention, brand relevance, and business growth goals.

Work With Sharon Watch Sharon Speak

CEO & Founder, Rae Mackenzie Group
Award-Winning C-Suite Advisor · Author of COLORFULL

The model behind the work

Relationships & Revenue Method

Relationships & Revenue Method™ leverages Sharon’s extensive network of decision makers and influencers in the Twin Cities to help executives and organizations build, track, and nurture high-value relationships that lead to revenue, influence, partnerships, and market growth.

Sharon advising nonprofit and corporate leaders

Business Growth

Understand the communities, talent, and cultural dynamics shaping the market — before you spend a dollar trying to reach them.

Brand Reputation

Sharon helps connect clients to community leaders and nonprofit organizations that are critical in helping you brand up your reputation among customers and employees.

Sharon with talent and corporate partners

Recruitment and Retention

Translate relationships into recruitment, retention, brand strength, market growth, and measurable business outcomes.

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya

Over 25 Years of Impact in the Twin Cities

Not a list of titles — an interconnected platform. Every venture moves the same mission forward: connecting companies to Talent and Communities of Color, and turning that connection into growth.

Award-Winning Advising Agency

Rae Mackenzie Group

RMG has a 25-year track record of helping corporations build deeper relationships with strategic stakeholders in the Twin Cities.

Visit RaeMackenzieGroup.com

A message from Sharon Smith-Akinsanya

The Key To Keeping Minnesota Competitive

A special message from Itasca Project leaders and Celebrating the Sistas alumni

Discover the impact Sharon has created during the last 16 career fairs

Watch the unforgettable 2026 Celebrating the Sistas recap

A Message From Sharon

The Key To Keeping Minnesota Competitive

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya

Recognized for moving Minnesota forward

Press features, national awards, documentary recognition, and a two-decade record of connecting employers to the talent and communities that drive growth.

20+

Years advising the C-suite on talent & growth

10k+

Professionals of color connected to employers

200+

Partner brands, employers & institutions

250,000+

Views generated promoting small businesses in Minnesota

Sharon Smith-Akinsanya with Mayor Jacob Frey, Black History Month 2026

As seen on

From the studio to the national stage

Catch Sharon’s on-air conversations — tap any clip to watch the full interview.

KARE 11

Celebrating the Sistas

What My Clients Have To Say

Sharon doesn’t just open doors to communities of color — she shows you how to build the relationships that keep them open, and turn them into real business results.

Sara Dziuk, CEO and President, Junior Achievement North

The book

The playbook for attracting and retaining the fastest-growing talent market in America.

COLORFULL is Sharon’s framework for leaders who are done guessing — a practical, relationship-first approach to becoming the kind of employer and brand that Talent and Communities of Color choose, trust, and stay with.

Get COLORFULL

Published on LinkedIn