Sonia was born in Colombia during the violence of the Narco-Guerilla period. Eventually, she moved to Venezuela with her family, seeking refuge from the Colombian violence, where she grew up in poverty. She studied Business Administration and arrived in the USA in November of 1984, unable to speak English and with $50 in her pocket.
Sonia Clayton is the founder, president and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (www.vip-global.com). She is also as an American Entrepreneur and philanthropist and is the recipient of 26 awards and recognitions, to include white house and state acknowledgements. Sonia is also known as “The Oracle of The Hispanic Business Women in America,” as quoted by US congressmen and senators, from both side of the aisle, while being recognized for establishing an IT practice in the traditionally white-male, dominated technology world of ERP Systems within the Oil and Gas Industry.
Sonia’s leadership profile includes 22 years of experience in Organizational Change and Information Systems management, ERP / SAP Systems Integration, Training and e-Learning platforms. She has visited and conducted business in over 50 countries, speaks 4 different languages and she is the Chairman of 3 non-profit organizations. Sonia is also a HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL Strategic Negotiator.
MOST RECENT AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
- Woman of Distinction Award – Austin, TX, 2015
- Hispanic Woman of the Year – Houston, TX, 2015
- Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Award – Houston, TX, 2014
- G7 Award for Excellence in International Operations – First Hispanic Awarded -Houston, TX, 2014
- Enterprising Woman USA Award – Sarasota, FL, 2014
- Small Business Today Magazine Cover Honoree Award February, 2014, Houston, TX
Boards: Brigham Young University – Information Systems, Stanford University –Curriculum Board and Boy Scouts of America, Sam Houston Council.
She is married to Kirk Clayton, a Computer Systems Engineer. She is also the mother of Aaron Clayton, a US NAVY Pilot and Leica Maria Clayton, a High School Teacher.
