ROOTS OF LEADERSHIP

the hidden stories that shape leaders of change

Compiled by Erica L. Kaufman, Psy.D.

Released in September 2026

Editor: Kristin Anderson

Cover design: Cigdem Guven

Portrait illustrations: Patricia Velasco

Typesetting: Hannah Huber

ISBN paperback: 978-9-0834-7978-1

ISBN hardcover: 978-9-0834-7979-8

Before you lead change, understand what changed you

Behind our every decision, every vision, every moment of courage or doubt, lies a hidden story—an early wound, a formative lesson, a person who changed everything, a challenge that rewired how we see the world.

The hidden stories behind leadership

In this anthology, leaders across industries and backgrounds share the deeply personal experiences that shaped not just what they do, but who they are when they lead—experiences that pull back the curtain on leadership itself.

These aren’t polished success stories or step-by-step frameworks. They’re raw, human accounts of the moments that formed these leaders’ values and instincts and taught them how to navigate uncertainty. These stories also reveal the invisible roots of leadership that textbooks don’t mention: childhood patterns that still surface in boardrooms, unseen privileges that open doors closed to others, losses that shatter and rebuild, and quiet voices that give permission to lead differently.

This anthology is curated by executive coach Erica L. Kaufman, Psy.D., who has spent years working with leaders to uncover and understand their stories. The selected stories reflect a deep truth: The leaders who create lasting impact are those who know where their leadership really comes from. Through her coaching work, Erica has witnessed how excavating these formative experiences unlocks not just self-awareness, but the authentic presence that builds trust, inspires followership, and drives meaningful change.

Because the most powerful leaders aren’t just skilled—they’re conscious of what made them.

ERICA L. KAUFMAN, is a Doctor of Psychology and the founder of Evolved Leader Kinetics, LLC, a leadership development and change company. She founded her company, a certified Woman-Owned Small Business, in 2022 to build stronger leaders and healthier organizations for the future. Erica is also the mother of four children. She and her blended family divide their time between Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Stay tuned!

Released September 2026

Roots of Leadership

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Emily DiBonaventura is an emerging author and a senior in high school, dedicated to honest and thoughtful storytelling. A scholarship recipient recognized for exceptional community involvement, she was nominated for Student Voice, a national educatio

Emily DiBonaventura is an emerging author and a senior in high school, dedicated to honest and thoughtful storytelling. A scholarship recipient recognized for exceptional community involvement, she was nominated for Student Voice, a national educational equity nonprofit. Emily is also passionate about poetry, and her poems center on personal growth, perseverance, and authenticity.

Regan Patrick retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018. He is the Vice President of National Security and R&D at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the co-founder of Max Q Consultants. He lives in Clifton, Virginia with his wi

Regan Patrick retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018. He is the Vice President of National Security and R&D at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the co-founder of Max Q Consultants. He lives in Clifton, Virginia with his wife, Carolyn and enjoys triathlons, painting, and hiking.

Lynn DiBonaventura is Founder and Principal of TGA Consulting, specializing in AI business transformation, growth strategy, and delivery excellence. With 20+ years delivering large-scale transformation and change initiatives, she translates complex c

Lynn DiBonaventura is Founder and Principal of TGA Consulting, specializing in AI business transformation, growth strategy, and delivery excellence. With 20+ years delivering large-scale transformation and change initiatives, she translates complex client challenges into measurable outcomes. She holds credentials from MIT Professional Education and is Prosci certified.

Lisa Rosenthal is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvin, Inc., a national and homeland security firm she scaled to over $100M in revenue across CONUS and OCONUS. A lifelong learner with an MBA from American University, she’s an entrepreneur, angel investo

Lisa Rosenthal is the CEO and co-founder of Mayvin, Inc., a national and homeland security firm she scaled to over $100M in revenue across CONUS and OCONUS. A lifelong learner with an MBA from American University, she’s an entrepreneur, angel investor (LeVel Up Ventures), nonprofit leader (Pangea Foundation), and serial collector of oddly useful skills.

Len Pritchett has spent his career leading change: in corporations, in a business of his own, and in himself. He now runs Pritchett Advisory Group, helping privately held businesses navigate growth and transformation. He lives in Raleigh, North Carol

Len Pritchett has spent his career leading change: in corporations, in a business of his own, and in himself. He now runs Pritchett Advisory Group, helping privately held businesses navigate growth and transformation. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife Colleen and their two daughters.

Carolyn Patrick retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 2017 and is now the President of Max Q Consultants and an executive coach. She lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, Regan. She enjoys writing, kayaking, fitness traini

Carolyn Patrick retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 2017 and is now the President of Max Q Consultants and an executive coach. She lives in Huntington Beach, California with her husband, Regan. She enjoys writing, kayaking, fitness training, teaching yoga and horseback riding.

Al Buford, a serial entrepreneur, is co-owner of Patriot Group International, LLC., which has repeatedly been selected by Virginia Business Magazine as the best place to work in Virginia. Al was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame, and he hold

Al Buford, a serial entrepreneur, is co-owner of Patriot Group International, LLC., which has repeatedly been selected by Virginia Business Magazine as the best place to work in Virginia. Al was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame, and he holds a Master of Science degree in Organization Development.

Leslie Hafter is a transformational talent acquisition leader known for driving organizational growth through empathy, collaboration, and strategic execution. With hands-on leadership roles across emerging growth and Fortune 50 companies, she excels

Leslie Hafter is a transformational talent acquisition leader known for driving organizational growth through empathy, collaboration, and strategic execution. With hands-on leadership roles across emerging growth and Fortune 50 companies, she excels in recruiting operations and process optimization, delivering scalable solutions that strengthen organizational performance and drive meaningful business impact.

Danna M. Yates is the President and owner of Dynamic Medical Works, LLC, a correctional healthcare consulting company. She is a mother of five. She splits her time with her blended family between Knoxville, TN and Mount Pleasant, SC. In her free time

Danna M. Yates is the President and owner of Dynamic Medical Works, LLC, a correctional healthcare consulting company. She is a mother of five. She splits her time with her blended family between Knoxville, TN and Mount Pleasant, SC. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family and two French bulldogs.

Matt Weingast is a U.S. Army veteran, corporate attorney, and aerospace and defense industry executive and general counsel whose leadership perspective was shaped in combat and tested in corporate boardrooms and entrepreneurship. He founded and lead

Matt Weingast is a U.S. Army veteran, corporate attorney, and aerospace and defense industry executive and general counsel whose leadership perspective was shaped in combat and tested in corporate boardrooms and entrepreneurship. He founded and leads GarryOwen Ventures, supports veteran causes, and writes about leadership while pursuing songwriting through GarryOwen Lyrics.

Nancy Adams leads from instincts formed early and strengthened through experience. In her twenty-five-year career across technology, e-commerce, and healthcare, Nancy’s work has centered on helping people rise. A Global Chief People Officer and indus

Nancy Adams leads from instincts formed early and strengthened through experience. In her twenty-five-year career across technology, e-commerce, and healthcare, Nancy’s work has centered on helping people rise. A Global Chief People Officer and industry leader, she is grounded by her faith, family, two dogs, and the moving waters of Lake Wallenpaupack.

L. Scott Cook is a business builder and problem solver who deploys a “provoke and engage” style of thought with his clients and colleagues. He has led large international organizational transformations and the integration of over 100 businesses acros

L. Scott Cook is a business builder and problem solver who deploys a “provoke and engage” style of thought with his clients and colleagues. He has led large international organizational transformations and the integration of over 100 businesses across multiple industries as a CHRO, chief of staff, consultant, and operator. In addition to being the managing director of a business advisory firm serving low to middle market private equity firms, Scott is the executive director of Kenya’s Kids, a 501c3 that runs children’s homes, a trade school, and a leadership training ministry in Kenya. He and Melanie, his wife of thirty-eight years, have four adult children and five grandchildren, and split their time between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Harpswell, Maine. Go Birds!

Ana Peterson was born in Honduras and moved to the U.S. to study physics and chemical engineering. She was a design engineer, received her MBA, and evolved through leadership roles in the power and industrial markets. Her hobbies are writing, traveli

Ana Peterson was born in Honduras and moved to the U.S. to study physics and chemical engineering. She was a design engineer, received her MBA, and evolved through leadership roles in the power and industrial markets. Her hobbies are writing, traveling, and chasing butterflies. She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and three children.