Our training team members are all either working leaders in government and the private sector or skilled contractors who work with and coach leaders in these realms.
Each training session is delivered by one or more team members, with other members of the team actively listening and available to provide additional perspectives and expertise during each session.
Additionally, if you really connect with a member of our team, you can also sign up for one-on-one coaching sessions with any of our trainers.
Dr. Rob Anderson
Dr. Rob Anderson has spent twenty-nine years in public education, serving as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and Superintendent. Throughout his career, he has focused on ensuring every student has access to the opportunities they need to succeed.
As Superintendent of the Boulder Valley School District, Rob led the All Together for All Students strategic plan, which centered on reducing achievement and opportunity gaps. Under his leadership, the district earned top state and national recognition, including being named the #2 Best School District in Colorado by Niche and appearing twice at the top of the Forbes Best Employer in Colorado list. Rob was also honored as a 2021 Superintendent to Watch and the 2022 Colorado School Public Relations Association Communicator of the Year.
Heather Bergman
Heather Bergman has more than 15 years of experience helping groups work through complex public policy issues. She specializes in collaborative processes involving water quality and quantity, watershed protection, land use planning, and public lands management.
Heather regularly brings together federal and state agencies, local governments, Tribes, ranchers, farmers, advocacy groups, and community members to find shared solutions, even in high-conflict situations. She also designs and leads retreats, workshops, and public outreach meetings for organizations that need structured support to reach their goals. Known for using humor to ease tense moments, Heather helps participants connect, communicate openly, and work toward consensus.
Dr. Heidi Brinkman
Dr. Heidi S. Brinkman is the president of Brinkman Consulting, Inc., where she focuses on leadership development, team effectiveness, and organizational improvement. She brings more than 25 years of experience as a management consultant and executive coach.
Heidi’s coaching centers on practical, behavioral tools that strengthen communication, management, and engagement. As a trainer and speaker, she uses experiential, hands-on learning to help leaders develop new skills and apply them immediately. Her expertise includes interpersonal and organizational communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, leadership, and teambuilding.
Heidi earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Denver and spent 15 years as a Clinical Professor and Academic Director of Leadership Programs at the Daniels College of Business. She is certified in EQ-i 2.0, EQ360, HRG, and Emergenetics.
Adam Mendonca
With more than 22 years of government leadership experience, Adam Mendonca is recognized for strategic thinking, effective policy development, and building collaborative, high-performing teams. He rose through the ranks of a 30,000-employee organization, earning increasing responsibility on the strength of his commitment and results. He brings firsthand experience navigating large, complex systems from the bottom up, since he has been there and done that.
Driven by a forward-thinking mindset, Adam focuses on creating a vision that adapts to change while maintaining a steady commitment to growth, innovation, and governance. His leadership style is defined by resilience and adaptability and ensuring alignment with core values while navigating an evolving landscape.
Dr. Michael K. Schwartz
Dr. Michael K. Schwartz is a nationally recognized scientific leader with over two decades of experience developing high-performing research programs, interdisciplinary teams, and collaborative initiatives in conservation biology. He leads Wildlife Ecology and Silviculture Programs, advancing research in wildlife ecology, molecular genetics, habitat management, and conservation biology.
Mike is the Founder and Director of the National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation and Co-Founder of the Biodiversity Research and Policy Center, which bring together scientists, policymakers, ethicists, social scientists, and Indigenous partners. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and has received national recognition including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Mike has served more than 20 years as a full professor (adjunct) at the University of Montana and is committed to mentoring future conservation leaders.
Working Leaders