San Diego Leadership Initiative consulting and certification success stories

The SDLI’s consulting services are trusted in complex situations, requiring careful and objective assessment of the realities of a situation and the necessary recovery actions.

In April of 2002, the San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross was under public scrutiny because of their handling of the Alpine Fire relief efforts and other issues regarding their CEO and governance. The Red Cross contacted Dr. Ken Blanchard, founder of the SDLI, and Robert Hertel, Executive Director of the SDLI and they took an active role in establishing a blue ribbon committee (BRC) to help the Red Cross regain credibility and trust in the community.

After several months of assessment, the committee made specific recommendations to the board. The national Red Cross recognized the merit of these recommendations and began the process of replacing the CEO and the board of the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross in their entirety.

Dr. Heath Rada, Interim CEO, publicly thanked the committee on behalf of the American Red Cross National committee for the work set in motion through the SDLI and for all of their contribution to getting the Red Cross back on track.

Today, the SDLI’s Blue Ribbon Committee still works with new interim director Carter Taylor and the Red Cross Advisory Committee headed up by former San Diego Police Chief and CEO of United Way, Jerry Sanders.

The SDLI’s consulting services are trusted in complex situations such as this.

Here is what participants in SDLI’s
Servant Leadership Certification Programs say
about the course:

“The Servant Leadership Certification course has reinforced my core belief and understanding that love, courage, caring for others and giving are the values that life should be based upon…Through Servant Leadership our attitude towards others can change the world by the way we enter it each day.”
Nora Jaeschke, President, N.N. Jaeschke, Inc.

“The most wonderful part about being in the program is meeting outstanding folks who are dedicated to serving others. It's so nice to hear positive news of people doing really great things in the world!” Anonymous

“In a fast moving business, sustaining the balance between productivity, business infrastructure and culture is a constant challenge of dynamic equilibrium! What I am learning about Servant Leadership is really helping me further understand the culture component of that and the influence it can have on the whole business system.” Anonymous