Alexandra Michel

E-Mail: alexandj@gse.upenn.edu

International Press Coverage

Services
High-Impact Projects That Create Competitive Advantage

I specialize in high-impact management projects that are central to a firm’s performance, such as

Coaching and leadership development for CEOs, Presidents, and high-potential business unit leaders
- Private, tailored Ivy-League education
- Targeted presentation of cutting-edge research in management of financial institutions, including strategy, organization design, innovation, culture, and leadership
- Joint application of this knowledge to high-impact projects
Board effectiveness assessment and development
Analyzing and optimizing corporate cultures and organizational structures
Institutionalizing innovation; client-centric innovation
Talent strategy, including design of career trajectories and management development

I provide solutions that create a sustainable competitive advantage for my clients…

To achieve competitive advantage, a firm cannot simply rely on “best practices.” It needs to do something 1) different and better than the competition that 2) works within the firm’s culture and resources

…because I offer a unique combination of academic, analytic, and practical experience, including

Strong analytic abilities to accurately assess a client’s unique situation (No “recipes”)
Familiarity with the latest academic thinking on high performance that affords first mover advantage to client
Deep knowledge base in management to predict the effects of each intervention
Practical experience with transforming the leaders and core businesses of prominent organizations

Executive Testimonials

“You helped us capture opportunities for innovation that we had not even seen before.”

“You thinking pointed us in a completely new direction and helped us leapfrog over our competition.”

“Five star – excellent content and very engaging.”

“Brilliant! Fantastic! Wish we could have more time with her! Her book … was outstanding. She did a great job … presenting provocative ideas.”

“Alexandra was awesome. I loved her content, her teaching style, her confidence, and expertise. The concepts around Individual and Organization Bank are fascinating and really challenged my thoughts around organizational learning.”

“Fantastic! … Alexandra is fabulous in front of a group, enthusiastic, brilliant and funny. Perfect combination. What more can you ask for. Really learned so much from this session about something I never thought about. Will go and read the rest of the book.”

“Alexandra was the best instructor yet. Her style was highly interactive, yet she maintained strict control of our progress toward the research ideas. … Very expertly guided learning! Thanks for the many critical insights and paradigm-busting ideas. I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight with the intellectual stimulation.”

“Intimidating presence, brilliant.”

“She was wonderful – I learned a lot and her energy and passion was contagious. She had some deep knowledge on the topic…”

Scholarship Praise

	Penn Graduate School of Education - Teaching in Chief Learning Officer and MedEd Programs - Supervising Executive Dissertations Wharton Ph.D. Scientific Advisory Board Member Scientific Journal Editorial Board Member (Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science) Former Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs in New York Published in Top Academic Outlets
	International Press Coverage
	Services High-Impact Projects That Create Competitive Advantage I specialize in high-impact management projects that are central to a firm’s performance, such as Coaching and leadership development for CEOs, Presidents, and high-potential business unit leaders Private, tailored Ivy-League education Targeted presentation of cutting-edge research in management of financial institutions, including strategy, organization design, innovation, culture, and leadership Joint application of this knowledge to high-impact projects Board effectiveness assessment and development Analyzing and optimizing corporate cultures and organizational structures Institutionalizing innovation; client-centric innovation Talent strategy, including design of career trajectories and management development I provide solutions that create a sustainable competitive advantage for my clients… To achieve competitive advantage, a firm cannot simply rely on “best practices.” It needs to do something 1) different and better than the competition that 2) works within the firm’s culture and resources …because I offer a unique combination of academic, analytic, and practical experience, including Strong analytic abilities to accurately assess a client’s unique situation (No “recipes”) Familiarity with the latest academic thinking on high performance that affords first mover advantage to client Deep knowledge base in management to predict the effects of each intervention Practical experience with transforming the leaders and core businesses of prominent organizations
	Executive Testimonials *“You helped us capture opportunities for innovation that we had not even seen before.”* *“You thinking pointed us in a completely new direction and helped us leapfrog over our competition.”* “Five star – excellent content and very engaging.” “Brilliant! Fantastic! Wish we could have more time with her! Her book … was outstanding. She did a great job … presenting provocative ideas.” “Alexandra was awesome. I loved her content, her teaching style, her confidence, and expertise. The concepts around Individual and Organization Bank are fascinating and really challenged my thoughts around organizational learning.” “Fantastic! … Alexandra is fabulous in front of a group, enthusiastic, brilliant and funny. Perfect combination. What more can you ask for. Really learned so much from this session about something I never thought about. Will go and read the rest of the book.” “Alexandra was the best instructor yet. Her style was highly interactive, yet she maintained strict control of our progress toward the research ideas. … Very expertly guided learning! Thanks for the many critical insights and paradigm-busting ideas. I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight with the intellectual stimulation.” *“Intimidating presence, brilliant.”* “She was wonderful – I learned a lot and her energy and passion was contagious. She had some deep knowledge on the topic…”
	Scholarship Praise *This book is a “must read” for everyone living in the current economic crisis.* Scholars, employers, employees, and students alike will find this material accessible, thought provoking, and certainly informative. Society’s current need to understand the economic crisis will be well served in reading and discussing this book. - Journal of Language and Social Psychology Investment bankers and investment banks have long shrouded what they do in a veil of mystery that has made serious study of the people and institutions difficult if not impossible. This is unfortunate given their deep importance to our culture and economy. Bullish on Uncertainty makes a significant contribution to our understanding of what drives the success of the best of these organizations.” - Jonathan Knee, Senior Managing Director of Evercore Partners *Bullish on Uncertainty is a stunning illustration of the intricate interplay between culture and human development.* It sets a new standard that should be a beacon for the development of both theory and practice in years to come. - Michael Cole, University of San Diego *This brilliant study provides some quite counterintuitive insights into how we function in today’s cutting-edge organizations and how these organizations change us.* The range and depth of scholarship generate a new level of understanding of the psychological and organizational forces at work in today’s economy. - James Wertsch ,Washington University in St. Louis *…a powerful combination of theoretical reasoning and careful observation. …* - Kenneth Gergen, Swarthmore *Bullish on Uncertainty is among the best portrayals of the link between psychology and organizational culture that I have ever read.* - Doug Guthrie, New York University