Who We AreMission | Values| Professional Affiliations | The Team | How We Deliver The Team
The Leadership Outfitters team has extensive experience in training and organizational development. They have presented over 500 programs in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on the components of a successful team; vision, mission and goals, leadership, team performance, communication and motivation. Jill McCrory, Ringleader Jill McCrory, Ringleader, brings a background of interactive training, teambuilding, and leadership training to the Leadership Outfitters team. Her background includes 15 years with the National Association of Home Builders. She has worked with national association leaders and state and local chapters in the areas of leadership development, volunteer management, strategic thinking, personal vision and purpose, and creativity/innovation. At Leadership Outfitters she is known for her creative approach to teambuilding and a philosophy of "leadership at all levels". She has a passion for facilitating creative group techniques including experiential team initiatives, World Café, and various "unconference" formats. A frequent presenter at ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership events including the annual meeting and the Great Ideas conference, she currently serves on the Professional Development Council and the special events team of ASAE's Greater Washington Network. A native Washingtonian, she is presently earning a Masters degree in Theology from the John Leland Seminary in Virginia. Jill is a co-founder of Leadership Outfitters, Inc. Steve Swafford, Balance Warrior Steve Swafford, Balance Warrior, has worked for more than 20 years for and with organizations in areas of leadership development, communication, membership and executive management. He brings a practical knowledge of strategy and leadership with past associations such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), and American Subcontractors Association (ASA) where he most recently served as the executive director. He is active in California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE) leadership and is serving his second term as Vice Chair of the CalSAE Board of Directors. Steve is also on the Southern California Council and Membership Committee for CalSAE. In 2006, Steve was recognized as CalSAE's Associate Member of the Year. A native of Kansas, Steve has a B.S. in journalism from Kansas State University and a M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He is currently a doctoral student in Pepperdine University's School of Education and Psychology focusing on Organization Change. Steve is a co-founder of Leadership Outfitters, Inc. Molly Laychak Whalen, creativity connector
Molly Laychak Whalen, Creativity Connector, has over 17 years of association experience, specializing in chapter and membership development, volunteer management, strategic planning, marketing, leadership training, and non-profit management. She has worked for a variety of scientific and medical associations and non-profit organizations; and has designed and presented hundreds of dynamic and interactive workshops. Molly has written three chapter resource handbooks for associations and produced numerous leadership programs for association leaders. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). An active volunteer, she has served as a volunteer and board member for several organizations; including the Make A Wish Foundation, the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia, Into Safe Arms, Bridges Public Charter School Board, the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service Board of Visitors, and the Chi Omega Women's Fraternity, where she is the current Facilitation Chair of their national Leadership Institute. Molly is a mom of two, and lives with her children and husband in Washington, DC. James VM Rizzo, infj
James VM Rizzo, CAE, INFJ, has nearly 20 years of experience working with and for volunteer-based organizations. He specializes in facilitation and training in the areas of leadership, membership development and principled negotiations. He is an experienced facilitator of organizational strategic planning, focus group moderator and certified as a Myers Briggs Typology Indicator® instructor for the Leadership Outfitters team. Most recently, Jim was the Vice President of Membership and Chapter Relations for the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). Prior to NAIOP, Jim worked with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) and the Washington Workshops Foundation. Jim is also co-owner of an intimate retreat property in Provincetown, MA (www.christophersbythebay.com) that is ideal for staff and volunteer events. As a volunteer, Jim has been active in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and earned his CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation in 2002. Daniel Martinage, CAE, CEG, Association Coach®
Daniel A. Martinage, CAE, CEG, Association Coach®, brings more than 30 years' association experience to the Leadership Outfitters team. A professionally trained coach and facilitator, Dan supports association executives in making informed and strategic decisions in their personal and professional lives. His professional experience includes serving as Executive Director of the International Coach Federation, the Home Automation and Networking Association, the National Multifamily Housing Industry Council, and Associate Director of the Institute of Management Consultants. In addition to the Leadership Outfitters team, Dan serves as Principal of AssociationCoach.com an executive coaching and consulting firm. His insights on executive and life coaching have been featured in dozens of news media. Dan holds a Master of Arts in Science and Technology from The George Washington University. He has held the Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives since 1987 and he received his coach training from CoachU and the Coaches Training Institute. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the International Coach Federation's Metro DC Chapter. Dr. Kent Rhodes, coach
Dr. Kent Rhodes serves as a core faculty member with Pepperdine University’s Doctoral Programs in Organizational Change and Organizational Leadership where he teaches courses in organizational culture and ethics. He is the Ombudsman for Graduate School of Education and Psychology and maintains a strong executive coaching practice based in Los Angeles. Rhodes founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of OnCourse Network, Inc., an Internet Distance Education Company. He successfully negotiated the sale of the company to a Silicon Valley publicly traded corporation and subsequently served as a principal with that company in San Jose, California. In 2001, he successfully completing its acquisition and integration strategies and joined the Pepperdine faculty as Visiting Professor. He holds membership in the Academy of Management, The United States Ombudsman Association, The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics, and the Institute for Global Ethics. Raised in Texas, Kent makes his home in the Mt. Washington community of Los Angeles. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations including Shanti OC, an AIDS services organization. He is an associate with the Family Business Consulting Group and holds membership in the Family Firm Institute and the Academy of Management. Dr. Bridget Cooper, Mission Coach
Dr. Bridget Cooper, Mission Coach, is an experienced and dynamic educator and facilitator as well as a life coach and professional organizer (www.piecesinplace.com). She has presented on time management, strategic life planning, decision making and problem solving, organizing, and conflict resolution to volunteer organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Bridget's organizing talents have been showcased on Fox5 News (DC), Forever Young (local cable program), and in Washington Homes Journal. In addition to her consulting practice, she was recently an assistant professor in higher education administration at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She also served as an assistant to two University presidents, one vice president and was a human resource manager, recruiter, and placement coach. Dr. Cooper is a proud member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and is the Marketing Director of the Connecticut Chapter. She is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and consults with businesses and organizations on training and executive challenges. Raised in New England, Bridget earned her B.S. from the University of Massachusetts and M.A. through the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Connecticut. Alyson Austin, Inspiration Agent
Alyson Austin, Inspiration Agent, brings front-line association management leadership and business consulting expertise as she worked for some of the largest and most influential associations in the country. Before joining the Leadership Outfitters team, Alyson was Vice President of Member Services for the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA/SC) overseeing non-dues revenue, membership development, education, and trade show operations. She has also held senior management positions for Club Managers Association of America (CMAA); National Association of Home Builders (NAHB); and the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. Alyson possess a strong passion for working with Chapters and Councils to strengthen the parent organization while meeting the needs of the members and the industry they serve. She is an active volunteer for the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE) where she is serving her second term as Membership Chair. In 2008, she was recognized by CalSAE with the prestigious Geri Hayes MacDonald Staff Achievement Award as well as being a content leader for various CalSAE education events. Alyson has a BA from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and is a visiting instructor at the University of California, Irvine. Helping to create passionate leaders and high performance teams |