Sharae joined BRYC in June 2024 as director of college counseling for BRYC’s outside-of-school Senior Fellows. In this role, she oversees senior programming, primarily the college application and financial aid processes, for BRYC’s Downtown and Airline campuses.

Sharae was born and raised in Denham Springs, La. She became the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2014. She went on to earn her master’s in psychology from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she was selected as an Outstanding Master’s Graduate and published work that outlines ethical frameworks and professional competencies for working with LGBTQ+ populations. She most recently earned a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Louisiana State University and is a professionally licensed mental health counselor (LPC). Sharae has experience working in community-based mental health, as well as college counseling and accessibility services. No matter what role Sharae fills in her personal and professional life, she acts as an advocate for marginalized groups and enjoys engaging in discussions about how to improve experiences for LGBTQ+ people in all areas of life. She believes the most impactful changes can happen in the small, meaningful moments created through thoughtful conversations, mutual respect, and a desire to improve. When Sharae isn’t at BRYC, she’s usually traveling, hiking, and biking, or to be entirely honest — binging Netflix on the couch with her spouse.