About Us
Our vision is simple: to create vibrant leaders who enjoy balanced lives marked by personal health… and sustained contribution.
The Institute for Leadership Fitness (formerly David Chinsky & Associates) was founded in 2002 by Dr. David Chinsky following a successful 25-year career as an accomplished and effective leader.
The Institute is the culmination of Dr. Chinsky’s inquiry into a common yet profound business dilemma: “How can leaders produce consistent, excellent results – and not experience burn out?”
While excellence derives from three factors – Clarity, Confidence, and Effectiveness – Dr. Chinsky observed they do not guarantee stability and can be likened to a 3-legged stool. Sustained contribution requires a fourth stabilizing factor: Vitality – fostered by positive habits and rejuvenation that ensure peak performance.
The result is the Fit Leader’s Program™ launched in 2008. The Program integrates all four factors necessary for leaders to achieve their highest level of professional effectiveness and leadership fitness. The Program is customized for delivery in major organizations, and also made available to individual aspiring leaders through open enrollment Programs in major cities around the world.
Dr. Chinsky spearheaded the launch of the Fit Leader’s Program and set the Institute’s goal for the next decade: to train 10,000 Fit Leaders by 2020.
The Institute is dedicated to offering fresh and innovative approaches to learning in the workplace. We are committed to continually improving and renewing our knowledge base and our service capabilities to help sustain leaders today and in the future.
Meet the Founder: Dr. David Chinsky
Drawing on more than 25 years of success in leadership and management, Dr. David Chinsky has been in high demand to mentor, train, and coach over 1,000 leaders, managers and owners of companies. As popularity of his Fit Leader’s Program continues to widen, the Institute for Leadership Fitness is poised to attain its goal to train 10,000 Fit Leaders by 2020.
David Chinsky is an executive coach and leadership advisor who has delivered professional coaching and leadership development workshops to over 200 companies and organizations. He brings his unique insights into leadership, change management and teamwork to a diversified group of individuals and teams.
Dr. Chinsky is the Founder of the Institute for Leadership Fitness, author of The Fit Leader’s Companion, and creator of the Fit Leader’s Program™ – a 12-24 month leadership development experience that prepares high potential leaders for careers marked by personal health and sustained contribution.
The foundation for his work arose from the insights he gained during his own executive experience that cuts across all aspects of organizational life: from product development to customer service; from operations to human resources. For over a quarter century he played a role in the inner workings at companies that include Trinity Health, Ford Motor Company, Nestle and Thomson Reuters.
Working side by side with senior leaders, Dr. Chinsky moves them toward their highest level of professional effectiveness and leadership fitness. More importantly, they learn how to make their contributions sustainable, and then spread those traits to those they influence.
David enjoys living in both Michigan and Arizona along with his wife, who is an artist, and their two children.
Training
- University of Michigan – BA in Political Science
- University of Michigan – DrPH in Health Policy
- Keller Graduate School of Management – MBA in Accounting & Marketing
- University of Illinois – MS in Public Health Sciences
- University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School – Certificate in Strategic Planning
- University of Michigan – Human Resource Executive Program
Certifications
- Certified Leadership Fitness Coach™ – Institute for Leadership Fitness
- Certified Professional Co-Active Coach – Coaches Training Institute
- Professional Certified Coach – International Coach Federation
- Certified ChangeWorks Professional – Tension Management Institute
- Certified Physician Development Coach – Physician Coaching Institute
Affiliations & Memberships
- International Leadership Association
- International Coach Federation
- International Consortium of Coaching in Organizations
- National Speakers Association
- American College of Healthcare Executives
Meet Our Team: Certified Leadership Fitness Coaches
Susan Combs brings more than 18 years of experience developing high-impact programs in the business and non-profit arenas. Susan spent several years at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce where she transformed the Leadership Michigan program working with over 100 leaders.
Based in Lansing, Michigan, Susan has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and an MBA from Western Michigan University. Susan received her coach training from the Coaches Training Institute and holds the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation.
Kelley Dillon brings more than 20 years of experience providing organizational development and performance improvement solutions to Fortune 100 organizations. She has spent the last 12 years driving culture change and leader development in the healthcare industry.
Based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Kelley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development. Early in her career, Kelley was an Instructional Designer and taught Interpersonal and Persuasive Communications.
Julie Norris brings more than 20 years of experience bringing clients’ interpersonal communication and leadership skills up to the level of their technical abilities. She has worked with industries as diverse as automotive, health care, financial services and legal.
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Julie holds a JD degree, and holds the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coach Federation.
Steen Lykke Rasmussen brings more than 18 years of experience working as a process consultant with 80 different public and private organizations. Steen has eight years of experience as a middle manager in several multinational companies, and has been a CEO and/or Founder of small-and medium-sized companies.
Based in Denmark, Steen holds an M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration degree from Copenhagen Business School. Steen also lectures at business Universities, and has trained more than 1000 managers in both Eastern and Western Europe. His specialty is in releasing the large economic and human potential hidden in organizations.
Jens Sundbye brings more than 30 years of experience in a number of industries including insurance, IT sourcing, manufacturing, biotech/pharma and life sciences. His core competencies are in the areas of leadership and management, strategy and business development, and organizational development.
Based in Denmark, Jens holds a degree in Accounting and Informatics from Aarhus Business School and an Executive MBA from Henley Business School in the UK. Jens works globally across Europe, China, India and North and South America, where he is supported by a well-established network of partnerships.
Danny Valenzuela brings more than 40 years of management and leadership experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors. He teaches individuals and groups how to maximize their performance and transform their leadership skills and corporate cultures.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Danny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Arizona State University. He is a Certified Public Manager, received his coach training at the Adler School of Coaching and holds the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coach Federation.
This inventive approach to leadership is replete with sensible and straightforward principles. He has created a compelling and powerful teaching instrument for the individual who strives for Sustainable Leadership. Having known David for 10 years, he is exemplary of the role Vitality plays for an effective leader."
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