My research and teaching interests include servant leadership, global leadership, negotiation and conflict management, human resilience and flourishing, and organizational behavior.

I earned my Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University, a doctoral program known globally for its focus on servant leadership, and a Master’s degree in counseling. The focus of my doctoral work was the phenomenon of human resilience in leadership explored through the lived experience of Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl. Other credentials include a certificate in leadership and negotiation from Harvard Business School’s Program on Negotiation, state licenses as a mental health therapist, and certifications in areas such as strengths-based leadership (Gallup), intercultural competence, and online course design and teaching.

I have taught at the graduate (doctoral, masters) and undergraduate level for over 16 years and founded accredited academic degree programs in two states. I have also developed a number of courses and academic certificates in areas such as servant leadership, organizational leadership, high performance teamwork, organizational and applied ethics, leading change, leadership skills for supervisors, data-driven decision making, psychological assessment, and leadership and neuroscience. 

In my capacity as a professor, as well as an independent consultant, I have delivered keynote addresses, seminars, and workshops to a wide range of audiences including state colleges, boards of trustees, local and state governments, global conferences, non-profit agencies, chambers of commerce, student groups, faith-based organizations, and community groups. My writing includes two books on servant-leadership and variety of book chapters and peer-reviewed articles in academic journals in areas such as leadership and neuroscience, Agile process development, and principles, strategies, and methods for teaching and learning.

Prior to my career in academia, I worked as a licensed mental health therapist for over 10 years, primarily in state institutions, but also private agencies. My experience has helped me focus on strengthening and improving the human side of organizational life as I’m a firm believer that, ultimately, it’s the people that make the place.