I've led in the non-profit sector for over 25 years, constantly refining my skills. Before starting our coaching, I expressed concerns about being on the client side. Hal not only understood but tailored his coaching to exceed my needs. Hal, a coach's coach, prompts insightful reflection with pointed questions. This experience not only enhances my CEO effectiveness but positively influences how I lead my team. Effective teams stem from effective leaders guided by top-notch executive coaches. Both professionals and lay leaders I collaborate with have greatly benefited from my coaching journey with Hal.

Blessed to learn and be coached by Dr. Lewis for several years, my coaching with Hal has significantly boosted my career and provided a trusted source of wisdom, professionalism, and wit. Hal's extensive knowledge and clinical experience in governance, fundraising, and development guided both me and my organization through challenges. The trust established led me to invite him to coach our Board Chair and Board of Directors, all of whom appreciated and accepted his insights with gratitude.

Over the past 5 years, I've collaborated with Hal on various aspects of my professional journey as a CEO and senior executive. From coaching through a 360 evaluation to navigating the challenges of the pandemic, his support has been instrumental in developing my leadership skills. Additionally, Hal's involvement in a Governance program with our Board of Directors and addressing issues revealed in an employee survey underscored his exceptional professionalism, knowledge, and warmth. I wholeheartedly recommend Hal as a professional coach in leadership, board governance, and management.

I've faced some of my most challenging professional experiences working with Hal—navigating the impact of COVID, managing leadership transitions, and handling organizational crises. Hal brings a unique blend of academic insight, executive experience, and genuine care. He listens empathically and provides "tough love" when necessary, delivering the truth you need to hear. His coaching motivates and energizes, contributing to my growth as a leader and positively influencing my board and organization. Beyond coaching, I've engaged Hal as an organizational consultant, benefitting from his instant credibility, strategic insights, and clear communication in projects such as a 360 executive evaluation and a research initiative with recommendations for staff enhancement.

As a seasoned executive, I've been privileged to work with Hal as my coach for two years. Hal's extensive executive leadership knowledge shines in one-on-one sessions, team retreats, and workshops with our board of directors, earning acclaim. Throughout coaching, Hal guided my reflection on leadership, identifying key growth areas. His critical questions focus on core issues, leading to laser-pointed strategies for superior outcomes. In a safe yet challenging environment, Hal facilitates courageous conversations, providing opportunities for self-improvement. His balanced approach illuminates clearer paths to solving complex issues, making each session a valuable source of tactics for my organization.

Over several years, Hal has played critical roles as my coach, mentor, and facilitator. His expertise extends to designing and leading training sessions for lay leaders and professional staff on roles, responsibilities, and organizational values. With decades of relevant experience and a warm demeanor, Hal instills universal trust and confidence, guiding us to swift and effective resolution of personnel challenges. His contribution has been crucial to my success, and I consistently recommend him to nonprofit colleagues. I'm deeply grateful for his counsel, wisdom, and support.

As a first-time CEO and Hal's client for two years, I value his insightful business acumen and compassion. Hal enhances my awareness, focusing on short-term needs and long-term goals while helping me see the bigger picture. His wisdom propels me from analysis to action. With a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector, Hal engages effectively with lay leaders and senior staff, providing constructive feedback while maintaining confidences. I highly recommend executive coaching for any CEO or senior staff seeking success and leadership growth, with Hal as an invaluable partner.

One of the most remarkable things about Hal Lewis is that he understood, more than anyone else, that a successful turnaround required far more than financially difficult decisions to cut expenses. Hal knew that we needed to look inward and re-evaluate our reason for being. Notwithstanding the considerable professional and financial risks associated with being captain of a ship that was floundering, Hal took on the assignment and, thank goodness, had the skills and fortitude required to lead the transformation. The turnaround does not happen without Hal’s leadership. I think of Jim Collins who said that “a great leader must maintain unwavering faith that he or she can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and, at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts about the current reality, whatever they may be.” That’s Hal.

Hal Lewis is a talented change agent and an enormous asset to the world of communal service. He is a thoughtful listener, adept planner, and erudite strategist as evidenced by his work turning the Spertus Institute around. I have found Hal’s action-oriented leadership to be transformative.

Hal Lewis understands nonprofit leadership better than anyone I know. He assumed the Presidency of a once faltering enterprise and transformed it into one of the nation’s preeminent educational and leadership training institutes. His skillsets range from crisis management where he was able to repair strained or broken relationships by instilling confidence in a donor base that had lost trust in the organization, to visioning, in which he created a new institutional vision and purpose after carefully listening to key constituents and stakeholders. Hal was able to attract younger trustees while also rebuilding a team of talented professionals. He demonstrated an outstanding grasp of complex financial matters, was able to negotiate successfully with lenders and created major streams of additional revenue.

There is no measuring the impact of Hal Lewis' expertise.  His ability to blend theoretical concepts with practical solutions created an immediate bridge between my learning and work, all the while pushing me to imagine future applications. I have witnessed the frequency with which others return to his teachings and suggestions, and can attest to the forward thinking he instills in those with whom he works.  He is the embodiment of positive leadership and through every meeting continues to guide me towards better leadership and management practices.

As a coach and mentor, Hal combines both wisdom and warmth. He is patient and understanding, yet can be laser focused and unrelenting. He has a great deal to share with business and philanthropic communities alike. One of his most compelling traits is his aptitude for taking a theoretical understanding of subject matter and applying it to the real world. This ability, delivered with his incisive wit, has been invaluable.

Hal Lewis’ notable career has been driven by leadership, research and practice. He is all about the future and the promise it holds. He knows that “you cannot solve 21st century problems with 20th century organizations or leadership models.” He is a skilled leader. During his tenure as President and CEO of Spertus Institute, Hal accomplished a great deal in the areas of mission, programming, and financial health. Indeed, he oversaw a financial turnaround and major rebranding that moved Spertus from the brink of bankruptcy to financial viability with an enhanced reputation locally and nationally.

Wisdom is great. But if it isn’t matched by a sense of practicality, its value is limited. Hal Lewis is able to combine insight and action. His knowledge of leadership stems from years of academic study that is enhanced by his own experience running a world-class institution. He is an outstanding communicator and agile listener. If you are looking for someone to inspire transformational leadership, Hal Lewis is an ideal choice.

Hal Lewis represents great leadership. A leading scholar on the subject, Hal has himself led the transformation of several institutions, most notably Spertus College in Chicago. Combining his broad base of knowledge with a plan of action, Hal accomplished what many thought to be impossible. Given his experience and intellectual capacity, he brings a special mix of talent to addressing challenging organizational issues.

In my role consulting to Fortune 500 companies and large not-for-profit health systems, I have had a chance to work closely with many senior leaders. I generally find that the effective ones fall into the category of “visionary” or “strategist.” Hal Lewis is a rare leader who is effective in both roles. I’ve watched him lead his senior team in setting a vision that inspired staff, donors and students alike, all while bringing his board along the journey. I’ve watched him lead an operational restructuring that has rescued Spertus from the brink of insolvency.  As an advisor, he brings rare empathy to senior leaders and an ability to help them raise their game in setting a vision, a strategy, or in executing against a plan.