About Us

Genia’s diverse career spans leadership development, business operations, and creative industries. She has trained Native American leaders, managed a manufacturing plant, edited architectural magazines, and coached CEOs across multiple industries and cultures. Her consulting work ranges from Fortune 500 companies to startups, giving her firsthand experience in all facets of business, including marketing, advertising, administration, and production.

A natural communicator, Genia is highly attuned to how emotions impact performance and productivity. She enjoys working with the written and spoken word, whether crafting compelling content, facilitating discussions, or engaging with sound-driven media. With a keen artistic eye, she also appreciates the visual aspects of branding and business presentation.

Genia thrives in fast-paced, high-energy environments where she can tackle multiple challenges at once. She is known for thinking outside the box, challenging conventional wisdom, and helping leaders find innovative solutions. Her straightforward approach and ability to connect with people make her an effective facilitator of personal and organizational growth.

She has shared her expertise in leadership and professional practices as an instructor of business practices at the University level and has developed programs that have been implemented in both corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Genia lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and partner, Jim. She remains active in civic, church, and school activities while continuing to empower  leaders and organizations to reach new heights

Jim honed his leadership skills at 3M, Xerox, and Prudential, gaining experience from first-line sales management to serving on the executive leadership team of a multi-billion-dollar investment management firm. His diverse background includes leading marketing for internal and external startups, launching a business in Japan, and running his own small business.

As a consultant, Jim specializes in executive team alignment, leadership development, and fostering purpose, clarity, and psychological safety within organizations. Leveraging tools like the Birkman Personal Style Assessment and 360-degree feedback, he creates personalized development plans for executives, coaching them toward bridging performance gaps and increasing efficiency. His broad business background and strong situational awareness allow him to quickly assess developmental needs and implement the right tools and strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness and job satisfaction.

Jim is a hands-on problem solver who thrives on action and results. He enjoys the variety and challenge of working with teams, breaking down complex issues into simple, actionable steps. His straightforward communication style, combined with his ability to build relationships and facilitate productive discussions, makes him a trusted advisor to leaders at all levels. A natural collaborator, Jim values environments where teams win together and where every voice is heard.

Beyond his consulting work, Jim has a passion for the written and spoken word, as well as music and sound-based media. He enjoys being outdoors and tackling hands-on projects, balancing his high-energy work ethic with personal interests that keep him engaged and inspired.

Jim has lived in Los Angeles and the New York City area and now resides in Austin, Texas, with his partner and wife, Genia. He remains active in church, civic, and school activities, continuing to make a meaningful impact on both individuals and organizations.

John Goodwin is a mentor, highly relational, and market-oriented consultant with a wealth of experience spanning corporate leadership, venture investment, and consulting. He has served as a corporate executive in global and early-stage companies, offering a deep understanding of domestic and international business landscapes. John’s broad expertise often involves leveraging his extensive network
across the US, Canada, Western Europe, India, and China.

John honed his skills with global organizations such as Dunlop, Alcan, Ernst & amp; Ernst, and MacMillan Bloedel, where he acted as "chief of
staff" for the COO. Transitioning to early-stage applied technology enterprises—both public and private—John brought innovative solutions and strategic direction to leadership teams navigating growth and change. His education includes the University of British Columbia, UCLA’s Anderson School, and the London School of Economics (LSE).

Dr. Mary Lynn Patton is a licensed psychologist who resides full-time in the scenic town of Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico. With a career that seamlessly blends education, psychology, and creativity, she serves as an active consultant for the USMBA and LLM advising programs in Mexico City. In this capacity, she mentors talented young adults navigating the rigorous application processes for advanced study programs in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

A Certified Birkman Consultant, Mary Lynn draws on her deep understanding of human
behavior to guide individuals toward personal and professional growth. Her background in education and her doctoral dissertation on "Creativity and Regression in the Service
of the Ego" completed at the University of Houston, underscore her lifelong passion for
the intersection of creativity and psychology. Her friendship with Dr. Roger Birkman grew out of their shared interests in education, creativity, and human potential.

Mary Lynn's professional life is enriched by a wide array of personal interests and strengths. She has a natural talent for working with the written word, evidenced by her authorship of children's books, including the “Sounds of Mexico” series, available on Apple Books. She also has an eye for aesthetics and appreciates the visual appeal of products and services, reflecting her artistic inclinations. Her structured and organized approach, combined with her ability to simplify complex ideas, allows her to lead effectively and make meaningful contributions to her field.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Mary Lynn finds joy in the outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, biking, and yoga. She thrives in environments that value collaboration, where everyone can succeed together. Known for her high energy and appreciation for variety, she balances multiple tasks with ease, bringing enthusiasm and decisiveness to everything she undertakes. Her straightforward nature and ability to relate well to others make her a natural leader and a trusted mentor.

Mary Lynn’s connection to sound, whether through music, the spoken word, or other media, highlights another dimension of her creativity and sensitivity. This interest complements her work with children and young adults, as she finds innovative ways to inspire and engage those she mentors. Her affinity for numbers and structured thinking further enhances her ability to analyze, organize, and contribute to projects requiring precision and focus.

Living in the vibrant cultural hub of Tepoztlán with her husband, Mary Lynn embraces the beauty of Mexico while remaining deeply connected to her work as a psychologist, consultant, and author. Her commitment to fostering creativity, growth, and collaboration
leaves a lasting impact on the individuals and communities she serves

John Steck is a seasoned executive with extensive experience as a CEO, having successfully built and operated several PE-backed manufacturing companies.  John believes culture is at the forefront of every high-performing team and strong processes ward off the effects that stress can have on people and results.  Over the years John has lead from the front,  introducing lean manufacturing principles and driving process improvement across key business functions.

John spent a decade with Danaher, overseeing more than 1,000 professionals across 28 countries. His leadership was marked by operational excellence and the implementation of effective strategies that enhanced productivity and performance. John attended the Darden School of Business prior to Danaher, and still feels most at home along the coast of southeast Virginia.

John is deeply passionate about helping others thrive. He believes that in today’s complex business landscape, human capital is an organization's most valuable asset. He focuses on creating purpose-driven, healthy environments where people can grow and contribute meaningfully. His approach is rooted in his engineering background, entrepreneurial education, and extensive leadership experience.

Now partnering with Strategic Positioning, Inc. (SPI), John brings his expertise in building and maintaining Healthy Organizations to SPI’s proven methodologies. Together, they are committed to transforming teams and organizations by fostering environments where people collaborate, innovate, and succeed. John is known for his high energy, hands-on leadership style, and his ability to simplify complex challenges. He enjoys working directly with people, influencing and persuading them toward a shared vision, and creating spaces where everyone’s contribution is valued. His straightforward approach, coupled with a passion for making lives better, defines his unique leadership style.