Member Spotlight.

Q: What is your current position? 

CEO, The Innovation Group, Inc. & Adjunct Professor, University of St. Thomas

Q: What is your educational background?

BSM – Cardinal Stritch University; MBA – University of St. Thomas; Ph.D. in Leadership & Change – Antioch University

Q: How long have you been in the OD field?

Internal change agent for 20 years in executive roles in industry; 11 years as a management consultant

Q: How long have you been member of MNDOND?

Ten years

Q: Why did you join?

I started my own firm the day after taking early retirement from my executive role at SUPERVALU. Mitch Kusy, my Ph.D. dissertation committee chair, and former chair of MNODN spoke highly of the organization, and I thought it would be a great group to join. I also presented my doctoral work to the group in 2012.

Q: What benefits do you gain from membership?

Staying current and being able to share with other practitioners and academics in the field keeps me informed and pumped up about the work.

Q: What special skills do you possess that make you an effective OD professional?

I have been blessed with a somewhat unique combination of decades of executive management experience, my formal education journey, and over 20 years as a graduate business school teacher. I’ve been surrounded by dedicated, smart, and effective colleagues!

Q: What advice do you have for people entering the field?

My advice is to learn in any way you can: from other skilled practitioners, formal academic learning, networking, and associations. Get clear on your values; develop your thinking and methods; earn your credentials, and dive into your practice!