Cohort 2: Class of 2016
Walter Baehrend, Ph.D.
Senior Manager, Nokia
Naperville, IL
Walter Baehrend manages Global Wireless Deployment Services for Nokia for companies ranging from China Mobile to Verizon Wireless. For over 32 years he has worked in bringing state of the art Bell Labs technology to market in innovative products and services. With Bell Lab’s role inventing the cell phone, Walter played a pioneering role bringing digital technology to cellular wireless networks. Prior to the deployment of digital wireless networks, Walter was Product Manager for the first 32bit desktop computer and for the UNIX operating system (the precursor of the Android OS). Walter’s research has focused on ethical decision-making, appreciative inquiry in healthcare transformation, and merger & acquisition transformation.
Walter earned an M.B.A. with Honors with a concentration in Market Research and Finance; and also earned a B.A. in Economics at the University of Chicago. While at the University of Chicago working for the Bureau of Economic Research he helped revise the process for computation of the Gross National Product.
Wally has three lovely, successful daughters whose careers have taken them from London to Rome to Beijing.
Sherri Black
Senior Manager, Visteon Corporation
Dearborn, MI
Sherri is a Senior Manager with Visteon Corporation and has worked most of her career for Ford in Human Resources and Labor Relations. Sherri developed a first-in-industry career transition plan for employees whose businesses were being sold; implemented Six Sigma in plants; and assisted in planning SAP for Visteon’s 180+ world wide facilities. She has successfully negotiated contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW). Sherri states that OD is the “how” of what she does. She believes that her strong intuition, spiritual approach to business, and ability to bring people together and solve problems is what has made her successful.
Sherri is a graduate of Fielding University’s Coaching Certification Program and has one master’s degree in Organization Development from Bowling Green State University and another master’s degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Michigan State University.
Paul M. Booth, Jr.
CEO, Momentum Restaurants/McDonald’s
Cincinnati, OH
Paul M. Booth, Jr. is the CEO of Momentum Restaurants Inc./McDonald’s. Overseeing daily operations of a portfolio of McDonald’s restaurants, Paul is charged with the development and execution of local store marketing plans, community relations, training and development, execution of corporate systems, and new product launches.
He is the Lead Pastor and Founder of Legacy Pointe Church a growing cutting edge ministry in Cincinnati, Ohio that seeks to reach the entire family with relevant engaging ministries and outreach. In addition, Paul fulfills his civic mission through the numerous boards he serves on some of which include the Queen City Foundation, Cincinnati State Hospitality and Management Advisory Board.
Paul has a master’s of divinity from Emory University with a concentration in leadership and ethics. He is also a graduate of DePauw University and the Harvard Leadership Institute.
Wayne Brown
Systems Integrator Sr. Technical Specialist. DM, National Cybersecurity Protection System Vencore, Inc.
Chantilly, VA
Wayne Brown is a Vencore Contractor supporting DHS Cybersecurity, a company that delivers high-impact analytical and technical expertise to solve complex customer problems. Wayne also provides leadership development and coaching. Wayne retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and flew fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. He served in Homeland Security and Homeland Defense planning and operations leadership positions at Coast Guard Headquarters, The Joint Staff, DHS Science & Technology Directorate, and DHS Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air & Marine.
Wayne is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, earned an M.P.A. from the University of West Florida and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He was a Fellow of the MIT Seminar XXI program and a Federal Executive Fellow at the RAND Corporation.
Steve Carter
President, The Carter Group, Inc.
Chicago, IL
Steve is the President and CEO of The Carter Group, Inc., a relocation consulting and management firm that provides risk and change management solutions in the context of complex real estate projects within the corporate, healthcare, public and higher education sectors. Steve has a diverse background that includes medical research, culminating in being published in the Journal of Digestive Diseases. He also spent nine years as a full time Christian minister during which time he attended Syracuse University Graduate School of Business and served on faculty at two ministry leadership training campuses.
Steve is a graduate of St. Olaf College and attended post-graduate programs at the University of Minnesota and Syracuse University.
Donna Darr, Ph.D.
Visiting Professor, Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University
Chicago, IL
Donna Darr’s research focuses on adaptive leadership by diverse stakeholders in Chicago’s extreme context; the significance of a collective, contextual, emergent, and multilevel view of leadership; and the call for effective adaptive leadership across mainline protestant denominations. Since 2001, Donna is a Visiting Professor at Keller Graduate School of DeVry University in Chicago. Prior to teaching, Donna worked at Hewitt Associates (now Aon Hewitt), a human resources and benefits outsourcing firm in Lincolnshire, IL and as a business plan consultant for Joraco, Inc. in Deerfield, IL. Donna earned her MBA at Keller Graduate School of Management.
Claude Grimes
Director, Human Resources Siemens
Chicago, IL
Claude Grimes is a Director of Human Resources for Siemens within their Building Technologies Division. Building Technologies is one of many operating companies that comprise Siemens.
Claude is a lifelong learner, an avid reader and internet blogger on topics of interest to the Human Resource community. He serves on several boards that reflect his charitable interests for helping young adults and families in crisis. Claude holds a master’s degree from National-Louis University in Organizational Development and Human Resources, is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, and a Senior Human Resource Professional (SPHR) from the Society of Human Resource.
Kathy Hannan, Ph.D.
Global Lead Partner, KPMG, LLP (Retired)
Southampton, NY
Kathy Hannan recently retired from service as a senior and global lead partner at KPMG LLP. While at KPMG, Kathy held numerous leadership roles within the firm, including, Vice Chair of HR, National Managing Partner diversity and corporate responsibility, and area managing partner for the tax practice. Currently she serves as the Chairman of the Board for Girls Scouts of the USA, and is a board member at Blue Trails Software Holdings, and the Smithsonian NMAI Board. She joined the Higher Learning Commission as a public member of the IAC, and is an advisor to Women Executive 50.
Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Political Science from Loras College and is a graduate of the Institute of Comparative Political & Economic Systems at Georgetown University as well as of the Chicago Management Institute (CMI) at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
E. John Heiser, Ph.D.
President & COO, Magnetrol International, Incorporated
Aurora, IL
John Heiser is President & Chief Operating Officer of Magnetrol International, Incorporated . Magnetrol is a global leader in level and flow process control instrumentation and provides advanced measurement and control solutions across a wide product and technology portfolio. John began his career as an attorney in private practice before transitioning into business where he has held numerous leadership positions in legal, government affairs, sales, and marketing.
John has an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a J.D. from Tulane University, and a BA from the University of Iowa.
Tina Huesing, Ph.D.
Chief Consultant, Wyrmwood Consulting
Auckland, New Zealand
Tina Huesing is the Chief Consultant at Wyrmwood Consulting , a networked consulting company that specializes in effective change by using a six sigma and total quality approach that leads to business excellence. A business is what its people make it. A people-focus ensures that everyone in the organization is involved in the change. Before Tina joined Wyrmwood Consulting she was the Senior Director Six Sigma for Motorola EMEA.
Tina is a certified master black belt. She holds an M.B.A. from Thunderbird, Global School of Management, and an M.A. in Linguistics from Free University Berlin.
Michael Kuppinger, Ph.D.
Executive Transformational Leader, Steiner Electric
Chicago, IL
Mike Kuppinger is the Executive Transformational Leader of Steiner Electric. Previously, Mike was the EVP/GM of Engineering Services at ESD , a consulting engineering firm. Mike joined ESD after working for IBM COS Data Center Specialist consulting division. As GM, Mike was responsible for leadership of client services including MCF, technology, commercial, international, institutional, healthcare, and commissioning. He is founder and previous president of Lake Michigan Chapter/7×24 Exchange and has held many community leadership roles.
Mike is a graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and is a licensed P.E. in Illinois, New York, and North Carolina.
Olinda Lemus
VP – Regional Operations Manager, BMO Harris Bank of Montreal
West Chicago, IL
As Vice President and Regional Risk Manager at BMO Olinda currently supports and leads over 100 branch locations in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Her responsibilities include achieving operational excellence, minimizing risk exposure and where possible generating revenue through collaboration with senior regional leaders and multiple line of business partners. She was recently recognized by BMO as a Top Performer for outstanding performance in 2012.
Olinda is on the board of DuPage’s Metropolitan Family Services organization and volunteers at Habitat for Humanities of DuPage County. Olinda holds an M.B.A. from Webster University and a master’s in adult education from National Louis University.
Michele (Shelly) Major, Ph.D.
Chief Nursing Officer, University of Illinois Hospital and Health System (UI Health)
Chicago, IL
Michele “Shelly” Major is the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health System (UI Health). Shelly is former Vice President and CNO of Methodist Hospitals, a 2-hospital system in Northwest Indiana where she was instrumental in achieving American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Status Designation (highest recognition for nursing excellence) and the only hospital in Northwest Indiana to achieve this recognition.
Shelly earned a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) from Northwestern University, a Masters of Science Degree from Northwestern University, a MBA from Lewis University, and a PhD from Benedictine University’s Center for Values-Driven Leadership. Her primary areas of focus include Emotional Intelligence (EI) and it’s impact on achieving organizational outcomes, organizational change, and leadership development.
Chantel Ishola, Ph.D.
Manager, American Osteopathic Association
Aurora, IL
Chantel Moore is a manager at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), a medical association for osteopathic physicians and medical students that certifies D.O.s and accredits osteopathic medical schools. Her passion is patient safety and quality of care.
Chantel has a bachelor’s degree in International Business and a master’s of management, with a concentration in nonprofit administration, from North Park University.
Mary Rosswurm
Executive Director, Little Star Center, Inc.
Zionsville, IN
Mary is the Executive Director of Little Star Center, a not-for-profit organization that serves children, teens and young adults with autism throughout the state of Indiana. Mary began her career in speech therapy before joining Little Star in 2004, as the center’s director. Under Mary’s leadership, Little Star won the prestigious Excellence in Direct Care Award in 2011, given by the Autism Society of Indiana. Mary has participated in work that has been published on the topics of fad treatments in autism (2008), forced choice preference assessments (2010) and direct care staff supervision (2016).
Mary earned an M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University and a B.S. from Purdue University.
Jean Russo-Gould, Ph.D.
VP – Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati, OH
Jean Manning is a V.P. of Marketing and Communication at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College , serving approximately 10,500 students in S.W. Ohio on 4 regional campuses. Her responsibilities include marketing, advertising, public relations, corporate communications, government affairs and community outreach. Jean has also co-produced several independent feature films and is the winner of a regional Emmy Award for best TV commercial, as well as numerous awards for marketing and communication from National Council for Marketing and Public Relations and Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Prior to her career in Higher Education, Jean was a business owner and consultant.
Jean has an M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, and a graduate certificate in Arts Administration from American University.
Clarke Sabandal
Regional Vice President, MEDNAX
Dallas, TX
Clarke is a Regional Vice President for MEDNAX, health solutions partner. Largest provider of maternal-fetal, newborn, pediatric subspecialty and anesthesia physician services. MEDNAX is evolving and expanding beyond its core services, it will explore innovative ways to respond to the changing health care market place and effectively manage, deliver and advance patient care. Pediatrix Medical Group is the nation’s leading provider of maternal-fetal, newborn and pediatric subspecialty care and related services, including neonatology, pediatric surgery, and Pediatric cardiology.
Matt Schatteman, Ph.D.
Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement, Kaman Distribution Group
Bolingbrook, IL
Matt’s current position is the Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement at Kaman Distribution Group. Previously, Matt was the General Sales Manager of Catching Fluidpower , a Kaman Company that distributes an industrial component for the Chicagoland region. Catching supplies engineered solutions to manufacturers in the hydraulic and automation markets. Matt worked in a family distribution business in this field for many years before moving on to positions with corporate leaders Parker Hannifin and Kaman Distribution.
Matt is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Master’s in Engineering Management program and received an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Kasey Short, Ph.D.
Director – Menu Innovation Team, McDonald’s USA, LLC
Oak Brook, IL
Kasey Short is the Director of Global Menu Strategy at McDonald’s Corporation where she leads the development of growth plans that drive menu innovation across all global segments. Kasey also serves as Co-Chair of the African American Diversity Network at McDonald’s Corporation.
Prior to Global Strategy, Kasey served as McDonald’s U.S. Director of Menu Management where she was responsible for identifying new menu strategies for the national pipeline. Her U.S. menu success includes the development of Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, fruit in every Happy Meal and several McCafé line extensions. Prior to Menu, Kasey was the Marketing Manager responsible for the U.S. marketing strategy that launched the automated DVD system, Redbox, with the McDonald’s Ventures Group.
Kasey is an adjunct faculty member at Benedictine University’s National Moser Center for Adult Learning and earned her M.B.A. from Benedictine University.
Rémi Vespa, Ph.D.
Executive Vice-President, Customer Engagement, BlueTrail Software Holding
San Francisco, CA
Rémi Vespa is a serial entrepreneur. His current venture, Blue Trail Software, is a business eco-system specialized in sophisticated software application development; Blue Trail Software currently has operations in the USA, Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico, and is now expanding in Western Europe.
A company co-founder, Remi serves as Executive Vice-President, Customer engagement.
Rémi co-authored two books on software development, and earned a PhD in values-driven leadership from Benedictine University.
Carla Worthey, Ph.D.
AVP Strategic Analytics, HCA, Inc.
Nashville, TN
Carla has 20 years of experience in sales consulting, leadership and leadership development dedicated to the aviation, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. She currently serves as Associate Vice President of HR Strategic Analytics for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), which owns and operates over 168 hospitals throughout the US and UK. Her primary focus in this role is building infrastructure and capabilities for HR business leaders to make data-centric strategic decisions regarding Talent Management Strategies through analytics and consulting.
She formerly served as Director of Executive Development where she lead leadership development initiatives for executive level leaders and managed the execution of the Executive Development Programs for HCA’s hospital operations. Under her team’s leadership, the program received recognition as one of Leadership Excellence 2012-2013 Top 500 Leadership Programs.
Before joining HCA, she served as the Senior Manager of Leadership Development at Teva Pharmaceuticals, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical/biotech companies. Carla also has international business experience as an appointee to the Executive Leadership Council with rotations to Canada and Holland and former sales consulting in the Aerospace industry in South America and Western Europe.