Retired Deputy Chief Shelia Finney, BCJ, J.D. — Founder & Director

Empowering youth. Preventing violence.

Shelia Finney is a retired Deputy Chief with 29 years of public-safety leadership. She leads Change Mindsetz to teach emotion regulation, conflict resolution, and violence-prevention skills for youth, schools, and communities.

29 years — Birmingham Police Department J.D., Birmingham School of Law

School programs

Age-appropriate sessions that teach safe decisions and healthy relationships.

Workshops

Hands-on training with practical exercises for youth, staff, and families.

Community outreach

Events and programs that build trust, safety, and support across communities.

Our Mission

Led by Shelia Finney, Change Mindsetz helps youth recognize that violence is preventable, teaches constructive ways to express anger and other strong emotions, builds self-control skills, promotes healthy and respectful relationships, discourages bullying, and supports safer communities for women and children.

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Who we serve

Workshops are tailored by age group and community needs.

  • Toddlers: safety basics, stranger awareness, early bullying prevention
  • Middle school: bullying prevention, peer pressure, navigating adolescence
  • High school: dating violence awareness, harassment prevention, trafficking awareness, drug awareness, social media, leadership
  • Adults: safety planning and requested community topics

Popular topics

  • Human trafficking awareness
  • Bullying prevention
  • Making the right choice
  • Drug awareness
  • Youth leadership conferences
  • Youth and grief

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Speaking & Workshops

Shelia delivers evidence-informed, practical sessions for schools and organizations, focusing on prevention, de-escalation, and real-life skills youth can use immediately.

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Want Shelia to present at your school or event?

Request Info

Or email directly: shelia@chgmindsetz.org · (205) 441-3680