Client Story: Executive Coaching
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Throughout its partnership with Quidel, Ziksana has been instrumental in supporting the company’s growth and development, both before and after its merger with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. Since 2019, we have provided a range of services to Quidel, including Leadership Development programs, Executive Coaching, Team Development Programs, and Consulting on culture and strategy.
Senior Leaders engaged in a tailored, comprehensive 12-month program comprising individual leadership performance coaching and group workshops. The focus of this program was accelerating leaders’ Executive readiness and empowering them to live out company values. Results from this program indicated improvements in overall leadership effectiveness, decision-making, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
Ziksana also facilitated programs for various teams within Quidel. For instance, a program designed for a Manufacturing Team aimed to support an exponential increase in production demand. Through individual coaching, group sessions, and workshops, the program fostered psychological safety among team members, leading to improvements in accepting constructive feedback, conflict resolution, and learning from mistakes.
Similarly, Ziksana conducted programs for one of Quidel’s Operations Teams that were focused on enhancing collaboration and leadership skills. By utilizing psychological safety diagnostics and strengths assessments, Ziksana tailored workshops to address specific improvement areas, resulting in increased willingness to discuss mistakes openly, improved conflict resolution, and strengthened team connections.
In 2023, Ziksana implemented a gamified change management process for QuidelOrtho’s Global Operations Team to facilitate the adoption of a new meeting process. Inspired by the Women’s World Cup, the program incorporated competition brackets, scoring systems, and incentives to encourage participation and behavior change. Participant feedback indicated the program’s effectiveness in promoting new meeting behaviors and increasing organizational productivity.
As the company evolves into QuidelOrtho, Ziksana continues to play a role in driving organizational excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that QuidelOrtho remains a leader in providing critical diagnostic solutions on a global scale.
Prior to acquiring Ortho Clinical Diagnostics in 2023, Quidel Corporation was (and remains) a prominent player in the diagnostics healthcare industry, offering innovative solutions for detecting and managing infectious diseases, cardiac health issues, and metabolic conditions. Founded in 1979, Quidel evolved from a modest startup to a significant global force in healthcare, headquartered in San Diego, California. The company expanded its reach beyond its primary headquarters, establishing multiple offices and manufacturing facilities across the United States and internationally. With thousands of employees worldwide, Quidel’s operations spanned various aspects of the diagnostic process, from research and development to manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
One of Quidel’s distinguishing features was its unwavering commitment to innovation. The company invested heavily in research and development, constantly striving to bring high-quality diagnostic tools to market that were both accurate and accessible. This dedication to innovation was particularly evident in Quidel’s rapid response to emerging health crises, such as its critical role in providing rapid testing solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, Quidel underwent a significant transformation through its merger with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, resulting in the formation of QuidelOrtho. This strategic move combined Quidel’s expertise in diagnostics with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics’ global footprint, positioning the newly formed entity as a leader in providing critical diagnostic solutions on a large scale.
Since 2014, Ziksana has been privileged to collaborate with Qualcomm, spearheading the creation of an Emerging Leader program tailored to develop exceptional talent within the organization. At the core of this initiative was the cultivation of robust internal networks and the establishment of compelling personal brands. Leveraging the DiSC assessment for communication, Ziksana orchestrated six training programs over two years, consistently earning an outstanding average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Moreover, Ziksana’s innovative Career Labs, delving into pivotal topics such as personal motivation, feedback, and strengths-based leadership, provided emerging leaders with essential skills for growth and development.
In 2017, delivered a keynote presentation at a company-wide event to help attendees connect in playful and productive ways that expanded their professional and personal networks within the organization.
Qualcomm Incorporated, a multinational corporation headquartered in San Diego, California, stands as a titan in the telecommunications and semiconductor industry. Since its inception in 1985, Qualcomm has been at the forefront of innovation, primarily known for its development of semiconductors, software, and services related to wireless technology. The company’s contributions have been pivotal in the evolution of mobile communications, from the development of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology in the early 1990s to the latest advancements in 5G networks and beyond. Qualcomm’s influence spans across the globe, impacting how the world connects, computes, and communicates.
Qualcomm operates on a global scale, employing tens of thousands of individuals across various countries. Its size is not just reflected in its workforce but also in its financial performance, with annual revenues reaching into the tens of billions of dollars. This financial success is a testament to its pivotal role in the wireless communications market and its ability to innovate and adapt to the rapidly changing technology landscape.
Qualcomm’s work spans several key areas in the tech industry, with a particular focus on the development of chipsets for smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices. The company is a leader in the 3G, 4G, and 5G wireless technologies, providing the foundational technology that powers millions of devices worldwide. Beyond mobile devices, Qualcomm is also a major player in the Internet of Things (IoT), automotive industry, and computing sectors, offering solutions that range from Snapdragon processors for mobile and computing devices to technologies for connected cars and smart cities.
Innovation is at the core of Qualcomm’s operations. The company invests heavily in research and development, pushing the boundaries of wireless technology to enable new services and experiences. Qualcomm’s advancements in 5G technology are a prime example, offering unprecedented speed and connectivity that have the potential to revolutionize industries from telecommunications to healthcare, education, and entertainment.
In 2023, amidst a period of significant growth and transformation following its merger with two other companies, Ziksana established a partnership with e4Health to enhance Executive Alignment and bolster Team Development efforts. To foster Executive Alignment within the newly formed leadership team, Ziksana delivered a multi-day retreat aimed at collaboratively creating a new vision and values for the organization. Moreover, the retreat served as a platform for leaders to delve into their individual strengths and appreciate the strengths of their peers, enhancing collaboration towards shared objectives.
Ziksana extended its support to e4Health by providing comprehensive team development services, including an in-depth analysis of one of the company’s core teams to pinpoint areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Subsequently, Ziksana has facilitated leadership coaching sessions and conducted a workshop focused on developing a strengths-based team by aligning roles with individual strengths. We will continue delivering team development workshops from our PERFORM series throughout 2024.
e4Health is an IT company based in Chicago, Illinois, that focuses on providing innovative technology solutions and services primarily to the healthcare industry. They specialize in developing and implementing software solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve patient outcomes for healthcare organizations. In 2023, e4health was ranked as the #1 HIM advisory and consultant firm for client satisfaction and user experience by Black Book™ and was recertified as a 2023-2024 Great Place To Work™
One of the key areas of expertise for e4Health is in the development of healthcare IT platforms and systems designed to manage electronic health records (EHRs), patient scheduling, billing, and other administrative tasks. Their software solutions often incorporate advanced features, such as data analytics and work plans, to help healthcare providers deliver high-quality care more effectively.
In addition to software development, e4Health may also offer consulting services to assist healthcare organizations in optimizing their IT infrastructure, implementing new technologies, and complying with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
Overall, e4Health plays a crucial role in advancing the digital transformation of healthcare by providing cutting-edge IT solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges of the industry. Their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction makes them a valuable partner for healthcare organizations striving to improve patient care and operational efficiency through technology.
Ziksana has been providing Leadership Development services to Dell since 2020. In both 2020 and 2022, Ziksana provided a 2-day virtual training on High Performing Teams for Senior Leaders at Dell. This training taught leaders how to capitalize on their strengths, build strengths-based teams, and create an environment of high trust and psychological safety. Over 90% of leaders reported that the session helped them achieve their objectives, and that the content would help them be more effective in their roles.
In 2021, Ziksana designed and delivered a virtual training program on Leading Change as part of a Transformational Leadership course for emerging leaders. We covered content in Appreciative Listening, asking questions, strengths-based leadership, motivation, and influencing others to provide emerging leaders with the knowledge and skills to excel at leading change initiatives. Ziksana’s ongoing partnership with Dell underscores our commitment to cultivating impactful leadership through playful learning.
Dell Inc., a global technology powerhouse, traces its origins to 1984 when Michael Dell, a visionary entrepreneur, founded the company in a dorm room at the University of Texas. From these modest beginnings, Dell has grown into a renowned leader in providing innovative technology solutions to individuals, businesses, and institutions worldwide.
At the heart of Dell’s mission is a steadfast commitment to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential through technology. By leveraging its expertise in hardware, software, and services, Dell strives to democratize access to cutting-edge technology, enabling customers to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and fuel growth in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Pioneering the direct-to-consumer model, Dell revolutionized the way technology is bought and sold, offering customizable, affordable computing solutions directly to consumers. This customer-centric approach not only empowered individuals to personalize their computing experience but also fostered strong, lasting relationships with a diverse global clientele.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, Dell continuously pushes the boundaries of technology, introducing groundbreaking products and solutions that redefine industries and transform the way people work, play, and connect. From its iconic line of desktop and laptop computers to its comprehensive range of enterprise solutions, Dell remains at the forefront of technological advancement, anticipating market trends, and meeting evolving customer demands with agility and precision.
With a legacy of innovation spanning four decades, Dell stands poised to shape the future of technology and inspire the next generation of digital pioneers.
Ziksana played a significant role in supporting LeaseLabs’ growth through Leadership Development, Team Development, and Consulting prior to its 2018 acquisition. In 2016, Zikasna collaborated with LeaseLabs to help the newly formed Executive Team align on a new vision and values for the company. After conducting a Discovery process, Ziksana designed and delivered a 3-day retreat for all 7 members of the Executive Team. The retreat included workshops and facilitated sessions that focused on strengths-based teaming, aligning vision & values, and implementing a new strategy to improve work culture. Based on the significant progress made during the retreat, the team decided to continue working with Ziksana to implement the plans they made.
Over the course of the next year, we tracked and improved the Executive Team’s alignment by 60%. We provided 18 months of Executive Coaching to all 7 members of the Executive Team, which was focused on sustaining alignment and motivating the entire workforce within a new culture. In addition, Ziksana supported key leaders in developing a new Performance Management review process that made the new cultural values measurable. We also conducted Manager Skills Training in delivering feedback and using the new performance review process to execute and demonstrate the company values in action.
By providing strategic guidance, personalized coaching, and targeted training, Ziksana helped LeaseLabs cultivate an aligned Executive team, foster a new culture, and position the company for long-term growth and profitability in the competitive real estate marketing industry. With Ziksana’s support, the organization sold for 6x Revenue in 2018.
Before its acquisition by RealPage, Inc. in 2018, LeaseLabs was an independently operating, innovative force in the digital marketing sphere, particularly focused on the real estate and property management sectors. LeaseLabs carved out a distinctive niche for itself by developing a suite of integrated marketing solutions, designed to effectively drive leads and increase occupancy rates.
Operating out of San Diego, California, LeaseLabs thrived in an environment that fostered creativity, technological advancement, and entrepreneurial spirit. The company offered a comprehensive range of services, including website design and development, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media management, and branding services. These offerings were designed to address the unique challenges and objectives of the real estate market, ensuring that properties could maximize their digital footprint and effectively reach their target audiences. LeaseLabs served a diverse clientele across the United States, ranging from small independent property management companies to large-scale real estate investment trusts.
The company was among the early adopters of geo-targeting and other advanced digital marketing techniques within the real estate sector. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and data-driven strategies, LeaseLabs was able to deliver tailored marketing solutions that resulted in measurable outcomes for their clients, such as increased website traffic, higher engagement rates, and improved lead generation.
The acquisition by RealPage, Inc. in 2018 marked a significant milestone in LeaseLabs’ journey, opening up new avenues for growth and expansion. However, the legacy of LeaseLabs prior to this acquisition remains a testament to its entrepreneurial spirit, its pioneering role in digital marketing for the real estate sector, and its unwavering commitment to innovation and client success. As an independent entity, LeaseLabs not only contributed significantly to the evolution of real estate marketing but also established a solid foundation for future advancements under the RealPage umbrella.
Ziksana has been a trusted provider of Leadership and Team Development services to both Borrego Solar and Anza Renewables since 2017. At Borrego Solar, Ziksana delivered a highly successful 2-day workshop series on Creative Problem Solving and Appreciative Listening for the Executive Team in 2017. This success led to Ziksana providing three months of Executive Coaching to Borrego’s President, as well as serving as a keynote speaker at their annual company-wide summit in 2019 and 2020.
For Anza Renewables, Ziksana designed and facilitated offsite retreats in both 2022 and 2023. In 2022, we conducted a 1-day offsite retreat for the senior leadership team. This offsite was focused on enhancing teamwork through a strengths-based approach and included a challenge course experience at a local ropes course. In 2023, Ziksana facilitated another 1-day offsite retreat for Anza’s expanding team during their yearly summit, fostering trust and deeper relationships among team members through experiential activities and guided discussions.
Ziksana’s enduring partnership with Anza Renewables and Borrego Solar is a testament to our commitment to building long-term relationships with our clients. By delivering personalized services, we consistently adapt to our clients’ evolving needs as they grow, expand, and undergo change.
Anza’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. They are an innovative procurement platform and services company that enables solar and energy storage Independent Power Producers (IPPs), developers, utilities and EPCs to earn more project profit.
Their software quickly analyzes and ranks module or energy storage equipment options by financial value according to specific project inputs. In addition to a robust analytics engine, Anza’s expert technical and procurement team guides customers through their procurement selection to minimize risk and maximize value by providing access to excellent pricing, pre-negotiated terms and executed master supply contracts. The dual-sided platform enables vendors to actively participate, gaining access to real-time market data, a growing sales channel, and the ability to customize their offerings easily.
Anza was born from Borrego Solar, one of the industry’s oldest and most reliable solar and storage companies headquartered in San Diego, California. Anza evolved out of a highly refined proprietary optimization process that was first used internally by Borrego engineering and procurement teams to optimize and increase the profits of their own projects. As the industry changed, Borrego saw a need to bring this expertise and analytical engine to a broader group of large-scale equipment buyers to take their procurement results to the next level. The result is Anza, the industry’s first intelligent procurement platform.
As an Executive Coach for 20 years, Stefanie helps her clients turn their vision and mission into inspired action, from gold medal winning Olympic athletes, to philanthropy driven CEOs, to cutting edge professionals, physicians, and entrepreneurs. She is a HeartMath Certified Trainer, who gives her clients techniques to optimize their performance by changing their physiology in under two minutes. She is a catalyst who leads teams and organizations in transformation and heart-driven leadership.
Stefanie’s first book, Yes First, Taking Action in Uncertain Times, was a #1 best seller on Amazon.
Stefanie facilitates intelligent emotional management for golfers and entrepreneurs. She co-founded Conscious and Carefree, a learning forum dedicated to joy and inspired productivity. She facilitates masterminds, interviews thought leaders, and contributes articles to the media on insights and techniques for better living.
Stefanie is a Facilitator, and Coach at Ziksana. Stefanie is also our Biz Development and Networking warrior, attending conferences and pursuing business opportunities.
Stefanie guest appears on news forums, tv shows, podcasts, and hosted her own show on Awake TV. Stefanie nurtures a beautiful family, golfs with her husband, hikes, loves adventure, and identifies human potential as her life’s work.
Jim had a long and rich career with The Walt Disney Company that spanned 35 years. He joined The Walt Disney Company in 1986 as a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. He spent a majority of his career in development and communication roles across multiple Disney businesses, including Disney Store, Disney Consumer Products and Disney Institute. In these roles, Jim facilitated numerous skill-building and team-building programs. He has led classes ranging from coaching, customer-service, presentation techniques and behavioral styles that provide a blend of instruction, exercise, and role-play while linking the debrief back to company-specific objectives.
Jim has also been a host for an array of events. Since 1989, he has hosted hundreds of internal and external events for Disney and other companies/non-profits with audiences ranging from 15 to 2,000. The events have included award presentations, fund-raising galas, red-carpet interviews, and televised home shopping appearances.
Jim is a Faciliatator with Ziksana Consulting, providing Leadership Development training to public and private sector clients in areas of communication, coaching, trust, motivation and innovation. His humorous and relatable teaching style makes him a participant favorite and often-requested facilitator.
Jim enjoys performing in improv shows and going on adventures with his niece. Since moving back to Michigan in 2021, he has started working part-time at a bakery and absolutely loves it.
Kelby is a Global Business Leadership and Coaching specialist who brings positivity, curiosity, and intellectual rigor to all of his projects. His diverse professional background, from working at a pre-revenue startup to a multi-billion-dollar financial institution, informs his unique approach to workplace innovation and efficacy.
Kelby is also a Co-Founder of Innovation Journey, a company that organizes business trips to Israel to explore its unique innovation ecosystem. He serves as Director of Leadership Programs, designing and facilitating unforgettable learning experiences to help professionals lead innovation in their careers and organizations.
As Founder and CEO of Kinetic Development, Kelby partners with local and global organizations to increase their leadership effectiveness so they can enhance business results. He draws on his multidisciplinary experience to find a targeted approach that works for each client, combining assessments, individual and team coaching, and large group facilitation.
As an Executive Leadership Coach, Kelby helps ambitious professionals refine their mindset and skillset so they can unleash their full potential. He helps clients “get out of their own way” by illuminating blind spots and challenging limiting beliefs. Through crystal-clear development goals and strategies, they accelerate leadership skills to improve performance and business outcomes.
Kelby is a first-generation U.S. American born to Jewish-Argentinian immigrants. He was born and raised in Southern California, has worked and studied in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and traveled to over 20 countries across 5 continents. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from San Diego State University and a Master of Science in Global Business Leadership from the University of San Diego. He also holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation.
Kelby is a lifelong musician, having played guitar and rapped in award winning jazz, orchestra, and rock bands. He is currently on a 6-month road trip across the US in an RV.
Chris has influenced senior leaders to achieve greater impact in rapid growth organizations for over 15 years. He has experience leading a variety of change initiatives including leadership development, culture change, and end-to-end business process improvement. For 10 years, Chris managed continuous improvement efforts at World Vision International. He led projects to enhance collaboration, develop leadership bench strength, and streamline resource and information flow across 90 countries. In partnership with McKinsey, Accenture and Booz Allen Hamilton, Chris’s leadership and evaluation expertise helped two industry pioneering projects make critical adjustments to achieve greater return on investment. As a result, World Vision began operating more effectively at a global scale, during a time of rapid organizational growth.
Chris received his M.A. from Claremont Graduate University in Organizational Behavior Psychology and Program Evaluation. He also holds certificates in Project Management, Lean /Six Sigma (Green Belt), and Structured Behavioral Interviewing. Chris also founded Watz Productivity, a Consulting Company that uses data-driven solutions and coaching to support Executive Teams undergoing rapid growth.
Chris is a Facilitator, Consultant, and Executive Coach with Ziksana Consulting.
Chris has worked and travelled in 44 countries, and loves rock climbing and photography while visiting new places. He is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers that help them do the things they love most in and out of work.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Kane received his B.A in Graphic Design from San Diego State University. He began his career with San Diego State University and then started his own design studio. He has worked with many local clients which include, Goal Success, Pho Ca Dao, Zeroline Golf, Solarflexion and Therapies For Success. He has a passion for solving complex business problems through design thinking, and consistently strives for the betterment of his work.
Kane is Ziksana’s graphic designer and web developer. He designs participant workbooks, presentations, and supports website development.
One of Kane’s favorite activities is playing badminton. He also enjoys trying out new food, exploring places around San Diego and finding new trails to hike. Kane loves to travel internationally, and wants to explore more of Canada!
Courtney is a graduate of The Edward R. Murrow School of Communication and began her career in Broadcast News as a producer at Washington State University. From there, she moved to Los Angeles, California where for over 10 years, she produced, wrote, and developed television programs for The Weather Channel, SyFy Network, Fox Sports, Sony Pictures Television, ABC Disney, NBC and CBS. In addition, she oversaw all aspects of production and prepared daily production plans for operations and filming. She relied heavily on her communications and client relations background as a liaison between cast, crew, agents, managers, publicists, the studio and the network.
Courtney also worked for The Found Animals Foundation; a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the use of euthanasia in the United States. She was brought on as the program manager responsible for developing, managing and launching their National Microchip Program and free Microchip Registry, partnering with shelters, clinics, rescue groups and veterinarians. Her other responsibilities included developing and producing the foundation’s corporate videos that were shown at trade shows and conferences. In addition to that, she spearheaded the Found Animals Foundation Awards where she was responsible for all event logistics, promotions, and marketing.
Courtney is the “producer of play” and likes to wear many hats. Some of her daily activities include designing innovative and impactful experiences for clients, helping lead internal culture initiatives, and producing company events & videos.
Courtney feels lucky to be a part of the San Diego Improv community where she gets to perform regularly. Courtney also enjoys exploring lesser-known festivals (avocado/margarita festival, anyone?), discovering new vacation spots with her family, trying out new dinner recipes, and writing Hallmark Holiday movie scripts just for the fun of it.
With three years of experience in the field of event and project management, Chris excels in filling a critical gap in the field of Leadership Development. He was hired by the Center for Creative Leadership in 2012 as a Program Coordinator, delivering programs throughout the United States and in Latin America for non-profit and Fortune 500 clients. In this role, Chris was responsible for all program logistics, serving as the primary point of contact for the delivery team and participants. He was later promoted to a Sr. Program Coordinator role, overseeing the San Diego campus’ Open Enrollment product line. Chris also spent 3 years as an Assistant Store Director for Sprouts Farmers Market, managing around 100 employees from entry level to first time managers.
Since joining the team in 2018, Chris has been providing operational, communications, and business process support to Ziksana Consulting. He is the master of Project Management and enables Ziksana to deliver exceptional services to multiple clients.
Chris enjoys living locally in his hometown of San Diego, CA. He takes pride in his city and enjoys attending and supporting local sporting events. On his time off, Chris enjoys spending quality time with his wife, daughter, and two lovable dogs. His passion for barbecuing is unparalleled.
Laura is a New-York native with a degree in Criminal Justice & Psychology from the University of Albany. She moved to San Diego in 2014 and began working as a residential counselor for youth in the foster-care system. During this time, Laura became deeply interested in how to create a therapeutic group environment where people could heal and grow.
In 2018, Laura began working in the field of Learning and Development as a group facilitator at The University of California, San Diego. Using a high-ropes course as an experiential learning tool, Laura has facilitated over 50 leadership and team development programs for children, young adults, and professionals. Additionally, Laura has been guiding and facilitating transformational outdoor adventures since 2018. Using lessons from the outdoors, she facilitates impactful experiences that help people grow both personally and professionally.
Laura is a Designer, Facilitator, and Coach at Ziksana. She also runs Ziksana’s social media accounts.
Laura enjoys taking on challenging sports and activities that push her physical and mental limits. She can be found skateboarding down Mission Boardwalk, catching waves at Ocean Beach, and sport-climbing throughout the Western United States.
Akshay started his career as a Business Development & Project Leader at DuPont’s BioMedical, where he led product development teams to launch medical device implants for surgeries. During his career at DuPont, he led two product development teams and developed collaborative partnerships to take the medical devices to market. His passion for leading others jump started his innovative approach to leadership development.
In 2008, Akshay combined his love for improvisational theatre and leadership by founding Ziksana Consulting. He began delivering playful workshops to biomedical companies, and quickly expanded to other industries based on Ziksana’s initial succees. Akshay has a M.A. in Leadership Studies and Group Dynamics, and is a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach. He has facilitated programs in leadership development, innovation, and team dynamics for adults and children in the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, India, and South Africa.
Akshay served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego for over 5 years, as well as a Consultant for the Centre for Organization Effectiveness.
Akshay is the founder of Ziksana Consulting, and serves as a Workshop Facilitor, Executive Coach, Experience Designer, and Keynote Speaker.
Akshay enjoys spending time with his young family and is known for his play versatility (he can play almost any sport and give you a run for your money). Apart from dancing in the car, playing a clown at his kids’ schools, and playing with strangers on his Nintendo Switch, Akshay loves photography, surfing, playing tennis, and diving with his wife, Brooke. He would like to spend more time developing his ukelele and magic skills.
Akshay started his career as a Business Development & Project Leader at DuPont’s BioMedical, where he led product development teams to launch medical device implants for surgeries. During his career at DuPont, he led two product development teams and developed collaborative partnerships to take the medical devices to market. His passion for leading others jump started his innovative approach to leadership development.
In 2008, Akshay combined his love for improvisational theatre and leadership by founding Ziksana Consulting. He began delivering playful workshops to biomedical companies, and quickly expanded to other industries based on Ziksana’s initial succees. Akshay has a M.A. in Leadership Studies and Group Dynamics, and is a Certified Stakeholder Centered Coach. He has facilitated programs in leadership development, innovation, and team dynamics for adults and children in the U.S., Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, India, and South Africa.
Akshay served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego for over 5 years, as well as a Consultant for the Centre for Organization Effectiveness.
Akshay is the founder of Ziksana Consulting, and serves as a Workshop Facilitor, Executive Coach, Experience Designer, and Keynote Speaker.
Akshay enjoys spending time with his young family and is known for his play versatility (he can play almost any sport and give you a run for your money). Apart from dancing in the car, playing a clown at his kids’ schools, and playing with strangers on his Nintendo Switch, Akshay loves photography, surfing, playing tennis, and diving with his wife, Brooke. He would like to spend more time developing his ukelele and magic skills.