In 2017, Alecia Bell, a then school principal, recognized the need for a new approach to professional development that addressed the emotional, systemic, and instructional challenges faced by her leadership team. She rented a house in a remote location and designed a three-day training program that was the catalyst for the work in transforming her historically underperforming campus. This groundbreaking experience sparked her passion for liberated leadership development and led to her transition into a district-trained executive leadership coach role. Alecia began supporting campus leaders through coaching cycles, professional development, and leadership retreats; helping them transform their teams and campuses.

 

As demand grew, Alecia converted her home into a retreat space for leaders and expanded her offerings to include small leadership training focus groups. By 2021, she was hosting leadership trainings in various venues throughout the Houston area, the state, and later the nation. Her initial focus was on addressing the gaps in K-12 educational leadership that contributed to high turnover rates in historically underperforming campuses, particularly in communities of color. Alecia discovered that a lack of clear leadership coaching and support perpetuated a cycle of underperformance in these communities and resulted in unstable systems.

 

To improve academic performance, leaders required support to activate three key levers in leadership: establishing an organizational vision, effectively communicating it to stakeholders, and supporting teams in executing work aligned with that vision. Her organization evolved to support leaders from a multitude of industries, recognizing that leadership in any context requires systematic and compassionate guidance.

 

In 2024, Charis House Leadership Retreats transformed into Charis House Leadership Solutions, reflecting an expanded suite of coaching and consulting programs designed to harness the unique powers of leadership and team development. The mission is to empower the growth and productivity of organizations by addressing the most common and impactful challenges faced by leaders. Alecia believes that visionary leadership is the cornerstone of transformative change and is committed to delivering on practices that lead to liberated and sustainable leadership.

 

Charis, the Greek word for "Grace," specifically refers to God's Grace. At Charis House, Alecia embodies this grace by caring for those called to lead our communities, schools, and businesses. Her work is about establishing and fortifying organizational health through strong leadership, equipping leaders with liberated minds to lead with confidence and compassion.