What happens when you combine 15+ years of finance leadership, cutting-edge well-being research, and a passion for unlocking human potential? You get Kristina Shea, a leader who's traded spreadsheets for breakthrough science and is now revolutionizing how we think about leader and leadership development, coaching, and human flourishing.
From her roots as Deputy Director of a major government agency, to working for many years in international non-profits, to the research labs of three prestigious universities, Kristina has always been driven by one question: How do we help people become the best versions of themselves?
Her journey took a pivotal turn during her Masters at Pepperdine University, where she discovered Appreciative Inquiry, an approach that flips traditional problem-solving on its head by focusing on what's already working brilliantly. This wasn't just an academic exercise — it was a complete mindset shift that led her to earn certifications from Gallup, become an ICF-certified coach, and dive headfirst into the University of Pennsylvania's renowned MAPP program.
Now, as a PhD candidate at the University of Bologna, where she studies leader and leadership development in the Italian and European context, Kristina is bridging the gap between rigorous academic research and real-world impact. Her work focuses on developing leadership interventions and research that enhance collective well-being — because she knows firsthand that sustainable success requires leaders who can thrive personally while creating environments where their teams flourish too.
With academic publications, book chapters, and proven well-being interventions under her belt, Kristina is now focused on delivering these evidence-based solutions at scale.
