Deborah Gries Zawislan, Ph.D., president and founder of Connexions LLC, believes in cura personalis, care of the entire person, and in empowering leaders at all levels to become their best selves. She earned a Doctorate in Urban Education in Learning and Development from Cleveland State University, a Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies from John Carroll University, and holds certifications as an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC), National Board- Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) facilitator, and Certified Spiritual Director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll.
Her extensive experience, in both private and public sectors, includes providing leadership and organizational development for Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (now Squire Patton Boggs), Ernst & Young, Cleveland Municipal School District, and other organizations seeking to create an environment in which people feel heard, respected and valued. In the Monte Ahuja Business School’s Leadership Excellence Program at Cleveland State, she provides executive coaching and teaches courses in Mindful Leadership, Emotionally Intelligent Leaders, and Emotionally Intelligent Teams. Deborah, her husband Joe, and their son Jon are advocates for Lake Erie and enjoy kayaking, boating and fishing on the Great Lakes. Her hobbies include hiking in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, gardening, and beekeeping.