MEET THE FOUNDER.
Meet your founder, Dr. Carol Wheeler—a leadership expert dedicated to helping you lead with confidence, purpose, and strength by leveraging what makes you uniquely great.
HELPING LEADERS LEAD WITH
CONFIDENCE, PURPOSE, AND STRENGTH.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing the right questions to ask, the right strengths to leverage, and the right people to bring together. I’m Dr. Carol Wheeler, and I help leaders like you build strong, engaged teams by tapping into what already makes you great—your strengths.
WHY LEADERSHIP & WHY STRENGTHS?
I believe that every leader has the potential to inspire, connect, and bring out the best in their people—but most were never taught how. Many leaders step into their roles because they excelled in their field, not because they were given the tools to lead effectively. That’s where I come in.
With a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, decades of experience in leadership development, and deep expertise in Gallup CliftonStrengths, I help leaders understand their unique strengths, maximize their team’s potential, and create a workplace where people love to contribute.
EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
I bring more than 25 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and organizational development across multiple industries, including higher education, business, non-profits, and healthcare.
✔ Higher Education: As a leadership professor for over a decade at Texas A&M and Our Lady of the Lake University, I taught future leaders how to think critically, engage their teams, and build organizations where people thrive.
✔ Corporate & Business Leadership: I’ve worked with executives, business owners, and corporate teams, helping them shift from managing to truly leading—creating cultures of trust, collaboration, and performance.
✔ Family-Owned Business: Growing up in a family business and later partnering with my husband to start and grow a business gave me firsthand experience in the challenges of managing people, aligning teams, and fostering leadership growth.
✔ Non-Profits & Faith-Based Leadership: I’ve guided leaders in mission-driven organizations, helping them build engaged, strengths-focused teams that drive impact.
✔ Healthcare Leadership: I’ve worked with physicians, nurses, and healthcare administrators, helping them navigate leadership challenges in high-stakes environments while strengthening morale and team dynamics.
No matter the industry, one thing remains the same: when leaders understand and apply their strengths, they unlock greater engagement, stronger teams, and more fulfilling work.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME.
My leadership journey started long before I earned my Ph.D. I grew up in a family business, watching firsthand what it takes to lead people well—and what happens when leadership falls short. That experience shaped my passion for helping leaders succeed not just in their work, but in how they connect with their teams, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.
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Beyond my work, I’m a firm believer that leadership isn’t just about what happens in the office—it’s about how we show up in every area of life. Family, faith, and community are central to who I am. I’m a wife, a mother, and a proud Texan. When I’m not coaching leaders or facilitating workshops, you’ll find me spending time with my family, reading novels, hiking, or enjoying a great cup of coffee on my front porch.
I also love connecting with others who share a passion for leadership, strengths-based growth, and making a real impact. If we ever meet in person, don’t be surprised if I ask you, “What’s your top StrengthsFinder theme?”—because I truly believe that understanding our strengths changes the way we lead, work, and live.
I’ve worked with leaders across industries—from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, from universities to mission-driven organizations. Whether you’re leading a small team or a large organization, I can help you become the kind of leader people trust, respect, and want to work with.
What’s the meaning behind the name?
Nopal is a Spanish word for the prickly pear cactus, a common plant here in Texas. The Nopal represents much of what I hope for leaders and their teams who benefit from working with NopaLeadership.
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The cactus is resourceful and resilient. You could say it plans ahead, storing up what it needs, and making the absolute most of every drop.
Nopal thrives in harsh conditions — blooming big, colorful flowers, even as other plants around it are withering. The cactus is adaptable and strong, as well as unique.
Nopal doesn’t look like anything else, and it is beautiful in its own unique presence and strengths.
I chose NopaLeadership as my business name because as a coach I want to walk beside you as you build this same resilient, unique, strengths-based presence as a leader.
I want you to know exactly who you are, and stand proudly in that knowledge. I want you to find your strength from the inside.
This strength will help you build your own version of resourcefulness and resilience — your own leadership style and presence that doesn’t look like or attempt to be anyone else.
WHAT MAKES MY APPROACH DIFFERENT?
Most leadership advice is generic. It focuses on fixing weaknesses rather than amplifying strengths—and that’s a problem. True transformation happens when you stop trying to be everything to everyone and start leading from who you naturally are.
My approach is not just about theory; it’s about real-life application. Through coaching, workshops, and custom leadership strategies, I help you:
✅ Understand your strengths and how they impact your leadership style
✅ Empower your team by recognizing and leveraging their unique talents
✅ Communicate and collaborate more effectively—reducing conflict and boosting morale
✅ Lead with confidence and create an environment where people want to work
LET’S BUILD YOUR STRENGTHS-BASED
LEADERSHIP STRATEGY.
If you’re ready to lead with more confidence, less stress, and greater impact, let’s talk. Book a complimentary consultation, and let’s start your journey toward strengths-based leadership.
WANT TO BOOK CAROL FOR SPEAKING?
Head to: www.drcarolwheeler.com