Jackie Stavros

Jackie Stavros, an esteemed leadership expert and educator, has dedicated her illustrious career to fostering positive change and innovation across various sectors. With over three decades of experience in leadership, strategy, and organizational development, she has become a pivotal figure in the application of Appreciative Inquiry—a transformative approach that elevates productivity, engagement, and performance. A native of Michigan, Jackie imparts her knowledge as a professor at Lawrence Technological University's College of Business and IT, where she shapes future leaders through her robust academic and practical expertise. Her early career, beginning as a sales representative at Cutco Cutlery, sowed the seeds of her enduring commitment to positivity and possibility, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors. Among her significant contributions to the discourse on organizational change is "Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement," a work that has garnered critical acclaim for its insightful exploration of effective communication and engagement strategies. She has also co-authored "Learning to SOAR: Creating Strategy That Inspires Innovation and Engagement," which introduces a compelling framework for strategic planning centered on strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results. These seminal works underscore her role as a leading voice in the field, with her methodologies and insights widely featured in reputable publications like Forbes and DBusiness Magazine. Jackie's writing style is characterized by its clarity and applicability, seamlessly blending theoretical insights with pragmatic advice. Her work is distinguished by a relentless focus on strengths-based approaches, which have revolutionized traditional paradigms of leadership and strategic thinking. Through her innovative frameworks and teachings, she has significantly contributed to the enhancement of organizational capacity and the cultivation of thriving, collaborative communities worldwide. Her influence extends beyond academia, as she continues to inspire and mentor practitioners globally, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of positive organizational development.