Outstanding instruction is a hallmark of LDI programs. Our instructors are experienced individuals who have worked with clients from hundreds of diverse organizations. They are experts in helping leaders fulfill their potential. Participants consistently rate LDI programs 4.8 or higher on a 5-point scale in both value and enjoyment. and often cite LDI programs as the best, the most powerful and the most meaningful development programs they have attended.

Margaret Cooley, M.A.

Margaret is the Director of Open-Enrollment Programs at the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and has been one of our lead instructors since 1986. With an extensive background in career development and psychotherapy, Margaret is experienced in counseling, college teaching and consulting. She has designed and conducted numerous executive seminars with special interests in conflict management, teambuilding, interpersonal styles and decision making. Margaret received her degrees from Rhodes College and the University of Chicago and is a licensed clinician in the State of Florida.

Tim Flanagan, M.A.

Tim earned his M.A. at Ohio State University and worked in higher education for eight years before entering the Human Resource Development field in 1985. Tim is the Director of Custom Programs at LDI. Tim's experience includes leading the senior leadership development programs at the Harris Corporation, managing consulting services for Development Dimensions International and building the training program at AAA, Tampa. Just prior to joining LDI, Tim worked for Paradigm Learning where he was responsible for the customization and delivery, design and development of new programs. Tim is a frequent presenter at professional conferences and has consulted with scores of leading national and international firms.  Tim is the co-author of the new leadership book, Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader.

Jennifer Hall, Ph.D.

Jennifer Hall is the Director of Coaching and Feedback for LDI. She manages LDI’s staff of adjunct feedback coaches, and also serves as a trainer, facilitator and executive coach for LDI clients. A clinical psychologist, Jennifer came to Eckerd College in 1994 as a professor of psychology and spent a year as Feedback Manager and Chief Assessor at the Colorado Springs campus of the Center for Creative Leadership. Jennifer received her B.S. from Trinity College and her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.

Craig Runde, J.D.

Craig is Director of New Program Development at the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and oversees the Conflict Dynamics Profile® (CDP), an assessment instrument that focuses on workplace conflict. He has been with LDI since 2000 and conducts certification workshops in the CDP and provides individual feedback in LDI’s leadership programs. Craig holds a B.A. from Harvard University, a J.D. from Duke University, and an M.L.L. from the University of Denver.  Craig is the co-author of the new leadership book, Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader.

Peter Hammerschmidt, Ph.D.

Peter is a Professor of Economics and has been a member of the Eckerd College faculty since 1977. He has served as a Senior Trainer and Research Associate to LDI since 1984. He makes frequent public presentations on economics, leadership, decision-making and creative problem solving styles. His research interests and publications include Male/Female Management Diversity, Leadership traits, and Creative Problem Solving styles and team effectiveness. In 1984, he was the recipient of the Robert A. Staub Distinguished Professor of the Year Award. For five years Peter hosted the Economics segment of the Tampa Bay Today (NBC) television show. He is a graduate of Colorado State University.

Sal Capobianco, Ph.D.

Sal is the Director of Assessment and a Professor of Psychology at Eckerd College. His responsibilities with LDI include coordinating assessment, feedback activities and instruction in the Leadership Development Program and custom programs. He recently co-authored theConflict Dynamics Profile®, a 360° assessment instrument that measures conflict behaviors. Sal received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University.

Joseph D. Carella, Psy.D.

Joe is a licensed clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience in the practice of psychotherapy. He has extensive experience as a psychotherapist, executive coach, instructor, and group facilitator, and is currently an independent practitioner in St. Petersburg. Joe was the Director of Eckerd College's Counseling & Health Services as well as an adjunct member of the psychology faculty from 1995 to 2005. Joe earned his B.A. from Fairfield University, his Psy.D. from Nova University and completed his post doctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester.

Julia Welch, Ph.D.

Julia is an instructor and executive coach at Eckerd College's Leadership Development Institute (LDI). Before joining LDI, she taught management at Suffolk University and the University of Houston.  She has presented at numerous conferences and conducted research in such areas as employee motivation, compensation, challenges faced by fast-growth companies, multicultural diversity and work-life balance.  Julia holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in Economics from Eckerd College.