Dr. Helen Fisher is a pioneer in examining the neurochemistry of personality. She is an internationally renowned expert in biological anthropology, brain chemistry, neuroscience, and personality styles. A professor at Rutgers University and Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute, she’s also the most referenced scholar in the field of love and relationships in the world today.
Her most recent book, Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type (Jan. 2009, Henry Holt), examines Dr. Fisher’s biological theories of personality. It stems from her work as Chief Scientific Advisor for Match.com, through which Dr. Fisher’s original inventory has been taken by over 16 million people in 40 countries. Her findings have been validated using brain scanning (fMRI) as well as more traditional methods in published academic articles.
For more than four decades, Dr. Fisher has lectured global audiences on the evolution of human sexuality; romantic love; marriage; as well as gender differences in the brain, the biology of personality; and the future of men and women in business and family life. She has keynoted for the World Economic Forum (Davos); TED; G-20; The Economist, and many other conferences in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Designated a TED All Star in 2014, several of Dr. Fisher’s TED talks exceed 10 million views.
For more than 20 years, Dave Labno has been a consultant, speaker, and trainer in the personality-tool space. In addition to consulting for federal and state governments, his clients have included many large multinational companies and small businesses.
Working across public and private sectors, Dave developed extensive knowledge of personality assessment tools, innovation methods, and organizational development processes. He has personally delivered and facilitated training sessions around the globe and advised over 100,000 people in the practical use of personality assessments. As NeuroColor’s CEO, he’s dedicated to using the latest brain science to enhance people’s natural strengths, improve organizational effectiveness, and create high-performing teams.
Dave earned his MS in Creativity, Innovation, and Change Leadership from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at the State University of New York in Buffalo. He received his BA in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Dave is an amateur archaeologist and historian who has completed 11 marathons and holds two state masters swimming records. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four children.
Guiding NeuroColor’s content, operations, and client services takes grace and stamina, and Liisa is a subject-matter expert in both. Her communication skills and detail orientation enable her to collaborate across the organization and deliver programs that meet clients’ strategic objectives.
Prior to NeuroColor, Liisa served as a Vice President of Advanced Markets for Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in Minneapolis. She also practiced estate planning law with a Minneapolis law firm and worked as a Senior Financial Planning Analyst for Ameriprise. Among her many talents, she was known for translating the legalese of financial products into understandable concepts for the sales force and clients. These days, she’s a non-practicing lawyer who can dice onions with nary a teardrop while whipping up a homemade gluten-free pizza—all while balancing global strategy for NeuroColor and a dizzying schedule of swim meets for her kids.
Liisa received her BA from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and earned her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. Along with her husband and kids, she’s climbed the stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the ladders to the tower of St. Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny City, Ireland. She can’t resist a hyper-realistic art exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art or the beet dish on any restaurant menu.
Liisa and her husband reside in Minneapolis with their four children and an endless menagerie of fish, snails, and birds.
Senior level advisor providing advice to the CEO, Board, and executive leaders, in assessing and developing capabilities that drive growth and a strong organization, including strategy, growth initiatives, culture, executive leadership, social responsibility/DEI and board governance. Advise and assist with managing legal matters, that may include creating new entities, managing intellectual property, revising contracts, examining copyright materials or patents and improving compliance with laws and regulations.
Dr. Catherine Hambley is a psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience in helping others achieve effective and lasting change; build new skills; and overcome obstacles to success. For NeuroColor, she serves as a strategic and innovative business partner, providing solutions for nonprofits as well as Fortune 100 companies in healthcare, transportation, tech, and other industries.
She’s also the founder of Brain-Based Strategies, a consulting company with a mission to help organizations maximize the potential of their people. Her approach leverages brain science and translates it into practical strategies for creating a culture where everyone can do their best thinking.
Dr. Hambley earned her PhD. from the University of Pittsburgh, and presently, lives in Monterey, California. There, she serves an adjunct professor at Middlebury Institute of International Studies. In previous academic roles, she’s taught at California State University, Monterey Bay, as well as the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.
From Johannesburg to Toronto, Elton Hassall has spent more than 15 years in the consulting and training space. Through his work as an entrepreneur and consultant, he’s advised Fortune 500 companies on consumer-centric strategy, training, and ideation.
He holds a BA in Marketing and Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, and certifications from the Creative Problem Solving Institute for facilitating and the RIVA Institute for moderating.
When he’s not playing in one of New York City’s competitive soccer leagues or training for his next triathlon, Elton can be found volunteering time and talent to organizations like Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, a haven in Rwanda where HIV and genocide-survivor orphans are able to rebuild their lives. Elton grew up in South Africa, but now lives in New York City with his wife and son.
Whether he’s in Spain, New Zealand, or leading a remote seminar in between, Russ Schoen facilitates programs that draw on his expertise in innovation, as well as effectiveness and leadership. In addition to training executives and managers in deliberate creativity, innovation, and leadership, he comes with certified expertise in Polarity Management and Emotional Intelligence.
Known for galvanizing workshops with his energy and comedic timing, his step-by-step approach enables participants to apply innovation concepts immediately and make on-the-spot change. His versatile approach to training is also reflected in his education: Certification from the prestigious Second City Conservatory and an MS in Creativity, Innovation, and Change Leadership from State University of New York.
When he’s not training or consulting, Russ practices aikido and teaches graduate courses at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College. Russ is also the co-founder of the Creative Youth Leadership Program, which is dedicated to enhancing leadership, communication and problem-solving skills among teens. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and two children.
Christine focuses on organizational transformation and Change Management as well as leadership development at all levels. She is a ICF certified coach and specialist in use of psychometrics. Christine has an MBA in Administration and Economics from the University of Augsburg (Cum Laude) and was instrumental in the introduction of Lululemon to Europe.
For more than a decade, Hendrik Backerra has been a management consultant and executive coach with a focus on innovation and creativity; culture transformation; and leadership training. Previously, Hendrik served as an expert in integrated change management for McKinsey’s Organizational Behavior Practice. And at IBM Global Services, he worked as an international management trainer and coach, as well as an engagement manager and project manager.
Hendrik graduated from the Technical University of Berlin with a BS in Industrial Engineering. His thesis focused on innovation and creativity within the scope of quality management. More recently, Hendrik co-authored a series of books on creativity techniques, purpose, and self-motivation.
He continues to further his education in coaching, training, and facilitation through seminars and courses on Transformative Leadership, Spiral Dynamics, Emotional Intelligence, and The Leadership Circle, among others. Hendrick resides in Berlin and is a member of the International Coaching Federation.
Sabine Caliskan is a management consultant, coach and leadership trainer. With a Turkish father and Austrian mother, she experienced the importance of intercultural understanding and diversity of thought from an early age. Mix in some temperament, joy, education in the fields of life and social counseling, human resources and innovation management, and her practical professional experience. The result? Sabine excels at helping organizations and leadership bridge cultural gaps.
Formerly, Sabine served as a Trade Marketing Manager at Alcatel and spent several years in human resources and diversity management for the financial services company Allianz Group. After her corporate career, she began to advise international companies regarding their cross-border businesses. Today, she’s focused on organizational transformation and developing a culture of growth and learning. She strongly believes in the alignment of “people and place” with organizations and executives to transform their corporate and management culture, and equip organizations for a sustainable future.
Sabine earned her BS in Marketing and Sales from the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna. Currently, she serv-es as an adjunct professor on HR topics such as unconscious bias and demographic changes. Sabine currently lives in Vienna with her husband and son.
With a focus on executive coaching and development, Christy Consler is dedicated to developing leaders who are driven by performance, passion, and purpose. She is the CEO of Sustainable Leadership Advisors, which she founded in 2015 with a mission to inspire and unlock the power of world-changing leaders.
Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Sustainability for Jamba Juice. Before that, she was Safeway’s first Vice President of Sustainability, whereby she developed the strategy for sustainability and corporate social responsibility across the enterprise. In a previous role, she served as Safeway’s Vice President of Leadership Development and Planning, where she led a team to develop and drive Safeway’s leadership bench strength and talent initiatives.
Prior to joining Safeway, Consler held positions in brand management and strategy at General Mills and other companies. She was also named one of Progressive Grocer’s “Top 100 Women in Grocery” in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Christy is a founding member of the Sustainable Business Leadership Council for Menus of Change, a joint initiative of the Culinary Institute of America and the Harvard School of Public Health.
She received her MBA from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, and her BS in Applied Economics from Cornell University. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and children.
With 30 years of consulting experience, Douglas Dean is a strategy expert and world-class brand builder. He has advised start-ups as well as public-limited and government-linked companies on strategic initiatives aimed at increasing organizational performance in increasingly volatile and uncertain environments.
Among his most significant roles, he’s served as Chief Marketing Officer for Volkswagen commercial vehicles, Vice President of the Lausanne Hotel School and Adviser to Nestle-Nespresso’s CEO. Currently, Douglas is Principal Consultant at OSR Consulting Sdn. Bhd, where he’s building an international network of consultants, coaches, and trainers who specialize in agile leadership, practical innovation, and eco-system activation. He customizes and delivers programs that enable leaders and organizations to remain competitive and drive sustainable growth amid massive disruption. Ongoing projects of note include the senior leadership program at Johor Corporation and the advanced leadership program at South East Asian Central Banks Research and Training Centre (SEACEN).
Douglas holds an MS in Materials Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA from the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. He lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A leading expert in the field of neuroleadership, Friederike Fabritius applies insights from neuroscience to guide organizations, teams, and individuals toward achieving peak performance, more innovation, and greater well-being. As a leadership specialist, she has extensive experience working with top Fortune 500 executives. She is now a prominent keynote speaker, whose message has captivated and inspired audiences at events hosted by Bayer, Audi, Google, Siemens, ThyssenKrupp, Deloitte, EY, Harvard Business Review, and more.
She earned her MSc in Neuropsychology from the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy; and undergraduate degrees in Psychology from Uppsala University in Sweden and Kiel University in Germany. Friederike’s keynotes focus on scientific findings that help leaders increase their effectiveness, and she has empowered countless clients to reach their full potential and deliver peak performance at make-or-break moments.
After beginning her career at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Friederike became a management consultant with McKinsey & Co. Known as an expert in brain-friendly learning, Friederike used her own methods to learn the six languages that she now speaks fluently. She’s the award-winning author of The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better, Happier (Penguin Random House, 2017), and is currently working on a new book focused on the neuroscience of diversity.
Dr. Hans W. Hagemann is an author, keynote speaker, thought leader, and top executive coach. Drawing on his expertise in leadership, talent management, and innovation, he works with senior management teams. His practical approach—along with his passion for neuroscience—has elevated him to a role as trusted adviser to many leaders across the world.
Dr. Hagemann is an analytical and holistic thinker with decades of experience in individual and organizational psychology. As co-author of The Leading Brain (Penguin Random House, 2017), his work is based on extensive knowledge of neuroscientific research and a comprehensive set of psychological and management skills.
He is also the co-founder and managing partner of the Munich Leadership Group (MLG), which has a presence on three continents. Since 2008, MLG has delivered high-end leadership development programs,change-management initiatives, team development, and executive coaching to international companies.
Dr. Hagemann holds an MSc and a PhD in Organizational Psychology from the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich. He is married with three sons, and lives in Germany.