People & Expertise
Leaders who have navigated complexity-now helping others do the same.
We believe real leadership learning comes from people who have actually led through pressure, uncertainty, and complexity. Our facilitators draw on years of lived experience-then translate that experience into disciplined teaching, clear frameworks, and the grounded presence that enables others to grow.
Our network includes senior leaders from across sectors:
- Policymakers and Legislators who've built coalitions in the public eye
- Military officers who've led with discipline and integrity in high-pressure environments
- Academics and educators who've launched programs and shaped institutional culture
- Tech innovators and business strategists with startup and global consulting experience
Senior Leadership Faculty
Dr. Kirsti Samuels
CEO and Founder KS Insight
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University.
25+ years working with global leaders, from CEOs to heads of state.
Mitzi Johnson
Senior Leadership Faculty and Coach
Former Speaker of the House, Vermont Legislature.
25+ years experience in leadership and coaching.
Dr. Cristina Stasia
Senior Leadership Faculty and Coach
Adjunct Professor, Peter Lougheed Leadership College at the University of Alberta.
Recognized as an Edmonton "Top 40 Under 40" for advancing experiential learning and community engagement.
Dr. Rodric Smith
Senior Leadership Faculty and Coach
Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (24-year service) in nuclear missile operations.
President elect of the Board for the A.K. Rice Institute.
Dr. Heidi Stalla
Senior Leadership Faculty
Lecturer and Associate Director of Academic Affairs at Yale College.
Founding Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Writing Program and leader in global educational innovation.
Nadir Ahmad
Senior Leadership Faculty and Coach
Founder & CEO of Dowling Street; has advised Google, LinkedIn, SoulCycle, and IMAX Theatres.
Dr. Candice Crawford-Zakian
Senior Leadership Faculty and Coach
Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Consultant at INSEAD Business School and former consultant at IDEO and Innosight.
Dr. Shuba Gopal
Senior People Analytics Advisor
Doctorate in computational genomics; published research in Harvard Business Review and Strategic HR Review.
Distinguished Faculty Advisor
Dr Ronald Heifetz
King Hussein Bin Talal Senior Lecturer in Public Leadership, HKS
- Co-founder of Adaptive Leadership; Founder, Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.
- Author of seminal works including Leadership Without Easy Answers and The Practice of Adaptive Leadership.
Strategy & Operations
The engine driving our strategic engagements, client success, and firm administration.
Nina Blackwelder
Chief of Staff
Member of multiple nonprofit boards & chairperson of the Coweta County Republican Party.
Silvana Zapata-Ramirez
Strategic Content Manager
Co-founder of a social enterprise supporting citizen journalists; Masters degree from Columbia University.
Paola Rodriguez
Executive Coordinator
Chief of Staff at the Gaming Strategist marketing agency and consultant in communications.
Saffron Samuels
Visual Design Advisor
Expertise in human-centered design, exhibition design, and visual design.
