MARY BETH LEISEN, PH.D.
Mary Beth is a consultant providing leadership and organizational development training, executive coaching, and strategic facilitation. With nearly 25 years of professional experience devoted to managing change, developing potential, and utilizing strategy, Mary Beth partners with clients to achieve their specific objectives. She’s worked with small start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Starbucks, Caterpillar, Delta Air Lines, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Wrigley.
Mary Beth collaborates with clients to quickly identify key challenges, articulate the right strategies, and implement effective actions. Her particular strength is in designing and leading interactive, engaging workshops, classes, and programs, and she’s done so in over 20 cities across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. Program topics include developing leadership potential, managing change, going from manager to leader, managing oneself, presenting with presence, and mindfulness strategies for effective workplaces. Mary Beth has a passion for integrating empirically supported mindfulness, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and resilience capabilities in her approach to client challenges and for coaching executives committed to fulfilling their potential.
Mary Beth began her career as a clinical and research psychologist, specializing in stress and resilience. She taught psychology, published peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, managed large-scale grants, consulted in hospitals, and conducted individual and group therapy. In 2000, Mary Beth moved into global brand strategy, at agencies including Leo Burnett, Ogilvy & Mather, and Razorfish. She spent three years leading strategy based in Hong Kong and worked on projects across Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and the U.S. In 2010, she started her consulting practice to develop leaders and transform organizations.
Mary Beth has a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Hawai`i and a B.A. from Northwestern University. She’s a lifelong learner, having done formal training in facilitation, coaching, positive neuroplasticity, yoga, Buddhist studies, mindfulness, meditation, and indigenous healing. Mary Beth integrates a holistic mind-body-energy approach to her work. She believes that a commitment to growth, curiosity, and openness is the key to a fulfilling career and life.
With her strong connection to nature, Mary Beth would rather be on a hiking trail than just about anywhere else. In 2018, she walked the Camino de Santiago, trekking over 540 miles from the French Pyrenees, across Spain, to the Atlantic Ocean. She’s worked and traveled in nearly 50 countries, absorbing as much of the culture, cuisine, and geography as possible. Mary Beth studied improv comedy at The Second City and is committed to approaching all of life with energy, warmth, joy, and that “Yes, and” motto. To start the conversation about how Mary Beth can help your organization, email her here.