Meet the authors

Dr. Mike Valentine

Dr. Mike Valentine_1

Dr. Mike Valentine is an experienced executive, consultant, and leadership coach with over 30 years of experience across multiple industries. Dr. Mike Valentine received his PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University. He has held senior roles at top companies, including the New York Times, Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, RJR Nabisco, PepsiCo, and Johnson & Johnson. He is the founder of Valentine Coaching and currently serves as a clinical associate professor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies. Mike works with both for-profit and non-profit organizations, as well as international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), helping them tackle complex challenges and lead change. His coaching focuses on leadership development, team effectiveness, and talent growth. Mike’s current research explores workplace dignity, participatory problem-solving, and how coaching can support leaders through change.

Dr. Mitchell (Mitch) Kusy

Dr. Mitchell (Mitch) Kusy is an organizational psychologist and professor in the PhD Program in Leadership & Change at Antioch University. He holds a doctorate in Organization Development from the University of Minnesota and is also a Fulbright Scholar in organization development. Mitch has led leadership and organization development efforts at major organizations like American Express and Health Partners. He has been recognized as Minnesota’s Organization Development Practitioner of the Year and has worked with top companies, including several Fortune 500 companies. He works with leaders and teams to improve leadership practices, build stronger cultures, and plan strategically. His latest research focused on how to erode toxic work cultures, which inspired his popular book, Why I Don’t Work Here Anymore. Mitch is also the author of six business books that have been translated into six languages and are used around the world.

Dr. Mitchell Kusy_2

Gilles Benoit, PhD

Dr. Gilles Benoit_1
Gilles Benoit, PhD, a leading innovator and senior AI scientist at 3M with over 70 patents, has made breakthroughs in developing optical fibers for life-saving medical procedures, such as non-invasive lung cancer surgery, and designing cutting-edge display technologies used by major global brands including Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft. Holding a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT, he leverages his extensive background in science and leadership to tackle complex global challenges. Dr. Benoit specializes in translating artificial intelligence and machine learning from hype into practical, measurable impact, having worked with teams of data scientists to deliver significant process improvements and real financial results. In his work, he explains why many AI tools fall short and introduces a powerful new approach called Deep Causal Learning (DCL). In The Playbook for Leading Change, he shares practical insights to help leaders build smarter, future-ready cultures that can successfully adapt and thrive through transformation.

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