“Under Dr. Jay Roundy’s leadership, I discovered the powerful difference between managing and leading. His values-based, intentional approach reshaped how I understood leadership and expanded my capacity to influence others.

Decades later, the core principles I learned from Jay remain embedded in his Business Leadership Excellence program—timeless, practical, and deeply transformational.”

I have known Dr. Jay Roundy for over 35 years and had the privilege of working with him for nearly half of that time. Our professional relationship began when he applied for a leadership role—one that would place him as my direct supervisor. From the very beginning, Dr. Roundy approached the opportunity not simply as a job, but as a chance to align his values and leadership methodology with an organization that might be ready for meaningful growth. He sought to understand our culture, our people, and our potential before ever accepting the role—a reflection of the intentional, values-driven leadership he embodies.

At the time, I considered myself a strong manager. What I came to realize, under Dr. Roundy’s influence, is the profound difference between managing and leading. Through his example and the leadership training he introduced, I—along with many of his new direct reports—came to understand that true leadership is not only learnable, but also essential to organizational success. His insights, guidance, and practical frameworks reshaped the way I led and significantly expanded my capacity to influence others.

Dr. Roundy’s leadership development programs have continued to evolve over the years, culminating in what is now the Business Leadership Excellence program. Even as it reflects the latest thinking in leadership performance, it remains deeply rooted in the same principles that shaped my growth decades ago—principles that are timeless, transformational, and proven to elevate individuals and organizations alike.

“Dr. Jay Roundy’s leadership transformed both the strategic direction and cultural foundation of our organization.

As a member of the executive team, I experienced his powerful blend of practical leadership and personal mentorship. An influence that continues to shape my growth as a leader today.

His legacy at Copa Health endures through the leadership development framework he pioneered across all levels of the organization.”

I had the distinct privilege of serving under the leadership of Dr. Jay Roundy during his tenure as CEO of what is now known as Copa Health. In that role, Dr. Roundy not only set a clear and forward-looking strategic direction for the organization but also deeply shaped its cultural foundation. Through a highly inclusive process, he facilitated the development of a mission and core values that resonated across the organization—from front-line staff to the governing board—and left a lasting imprint on the company’s identity.

As a member of the executive leadership team, I experienced firsthand Dr. Roundy’s unique blend of practical leadership and developmental coaching. His ability to challenge and support simultaneously helped me grow as a leader in ways that were both immediate and ongoing. His mentorship didn’t end with his formal role; years later, I continue to seek his insight, and his guidance remains instrumental as I navigate complex leadership decisions and refine my leadership presence.

Following his tenure as CEO, Dr. Roundy remained deeply engaged with the organization, delivering impactful leadership training across all levels. Drawing from his extensive executive experience and his transformative leadership development framework, his work consistently elevated the capabilities and cohesion of leaders across the organization. His influence continues to shape the culture, capabilities, and performance of Copa Health to this day.

“Jay saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. His leadership unleashed my natural genius—and set the trajectory for my entire career.”

As an early-career professional, I had the extraordinary privilege of working directly with Dr. Jay Roundy for over a decade, as his direct report, colleague, and business associate. During this time, I didn’t just learn about leadership. I experienced it firsthand. Jay’s leadership became the living classroom for my personal and professional growth. To this day, the depth of learning I gained in leadership and organizational development remains unmatched.

Jay embodies the essence of Servant Leadership in every interaction, even in the most challenging moments. In what Jan Carlzon calls “Moments of Truth,” Jay consistently showed up as the leader I believed in, grounded, authentic, and unwavering in purpose.

What sets Jay apart is his remarkable ability to create an environment of psychological safety and curiosity, conditions that unleashed my natural genius. He saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. He built my confidence, inspired a shared vision, and encouraged my heart, as Kouzes and Posner describe. He celebrated my strengths and minimized work that didn’t align with my talents, allowing me to lead, contribute, and grow in extraordinary ways.

Together, we co-led large-scale organizational change efforts in a major behavioral health organization. One of the most compelling outcomes of our work was a statistically significant increase in observed leadership behaviors across more than 200 surveyed participants, a testament to the power of Jay’s approach.

Jay’s mentorship set the trajectory for my career in Leadership and Organization Development. I went on to lead training programs for national healthcare systems and federal agencies, and even in semi-retirement, I continue to facilitate leadership development internationally. The foundation of that success, without question, was laid through my partnership with Dr. Roundy.

If you are an individual, team, or organization seeking to elevate performance by unleashing the genius within, I offer my highest and most heartfelt recommendation: Engage Dr. Jay Roundy. He is a masterful guide and a transformational leader. I am forever grateful for his wisdom, partnership, and belief in me.

“Jay ignited a shift in our culture—from compliance to commitment. His strategic leadership approach transformed how we connect, perform, and grow as a team.”

I am Dr. Shar Najafi-Piper, CEO of Copa Health, and it is with great enthusiasm that I share the transformative impact of working with Dr. Jay Roundy. His strategic leadership approach has elevated our organization in ways that are both measurable and meaningful.

Jay brought a depth of insight and precision to our strategic planning process that enabled us not only to clarify our vision but to activate it. Through his guidance, we strengthened connection across our teams, increased alignment around shared goals, and improved execution at every level of the organization.

His work catalyzed a shift in our culture—from compliance to commitment. Managers and staff began to operate as high-performing, purpose-driven teams. Jay's coaching introduced practical tools, frameworks, and systems that allowed us to track progress, remain agile in the face of challenges, and stay focused on key performance indicators.

What truly distinguishes Jay is his relational approach. He doesn’t just implement strategy; he ignites human potential within it. His ability to foster psychological safety, trust, and authentic engagement created the foundation for sustainable growth at Copa Health.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Jay Roundy to any organization committed to building a high-performance culture rooted in purpose, people, and performance. His presence has left a lasting mark on our organization, and I remain deeply grateful for his partnership and extraordinary contribution.

“Dr. Jay Roundy didn’t just lead, he made leaders out of all of us.

He helped transform a disjointed group into a high-performing team by aligning people with their strengths and coaching us toward shared purpose. Jay’s ability to turn vision into real, sustainable performance is nothing short of remarkable.”

I first met Dr. Jay Roundy when he was serving as COO of an organization where I was CEO. From the beginning, I was impressed by his natural leadership presence, but what stood out over time was his exceptional gift for developing leadership in others. Jay has an uncommon ability to recognize potential across all levels of an organization and help individuals grow into their highest leadership capacity, regardless of title or role.

One of our greatest challenges as an executive team was how to organize ourselves into a truly effective and productive force. Jay had a rare knack for transforming vision into reality. He helped individuals uncover their strengths, align them with meaningful roles, and then supported them—individually and collectively—to succeed. His process wasn’t a one-time intervention; it was a consistent and thoughtful journey of coaching, reflection, accountability, and growth.

Jay created an environment where people came to better understand themselves and their relationships with one another. He held us accountable while remaining collaborative and compassionate, always focused on bringing out the best in us. What started as a fragmented group, each pulling in different directions, became, under Jay’s leadership, a unified, high-performing team, where everyone contributed individually and pulled together as one.

I’ve witnessed Jay apply this same process with multiple organizations, including a large community-based behavioral health center navigating a complex post-merger integration. Two very different cultures became one vibrant, high-functioning organization because of Jay’s work with individuals, leadership teams, and the organization as a whole.

In today’s business world, culture and people are often overlooked in favor of speed, efficiency, or structure. Jay never forgets that people are the ultimate differentiator. His method is grounded, personalized, and powerful. He meets you where you are, even if that’s an average starting point, and walks alongside you to build genuine leadership from the inside out. He does this not just for individuals, but for teams and entire organizations. His energy, insight, and unwavering focus make his work both transformational and deeply compelling.

“Dr. Jay Roundy’s leadership framework training and coaching reshaped my career. I gained practical leadership tools and, more importantly, a passion for continuous learning and development.
His guidance helped me become the leader my organization needed—one who drives performance and fosters a culture of purpose and accountability.
I directly attribute my career growth and leadership success to Dr. Jay Roundy's exceptional leadership framework training and personal coaching. His programs not only equipped me with practical tools to become a more effective leader, but they also ignited a lasting passion for continuous learning and development.
The personalized coaching sessions were especially transformative. They gave me the confidence and clarity to put theory into practice, translating key leadership concepts into real-world actions. As a result, I saw measurable improvements in operational efficiency and a significant boost in team morale.
Thanks to Dr. Roundy’s guidance, I was able to grow into the leader my organization needed, capable of driving performance and fostering a culture of purpose, accountability, and progress.”

“Your leadership trainings provided the concepts and tools for becoming an effective manager and leader. I have been able to enhance the motivation and effectiveness of individuals and positively impact the morale and cultural climate of operating units. The articulation of mission, vision, and values, the modeling of respect and integrity along with clear and honest communication were hallmarks of your teachings.”

“In the emerging economy where the intangible is becoming tangible, Dr. Jay Roundy is the facilitative agent for our business. Jay is no stranger to our staff and a key asset in illustrating the impact of change in the new economy. I would recommend any organization making Jay an instrumental part of their sales, marketing, organizational improvement, and performance engineering improvement strategy.”

“Dr. Jay Roundy’s approach to working with a client begins with a desire to understand the client’s challenges and work with the organization in the development of a strategy and plan. Jay works with an organization without pre-judgment, respecting and collaborating with the individuals they are assisting. A key competency is the depth of understanding organization theory and practice, coupled with effective delivery.”

“Dr. Jay Roundy provided recommendations that resulted in the formulation of an improvement strategy that promoted a more organized operating structure. He was able to create an environment of confidence among our membership so that the findings and recommendations could be effectively implemented.”

“The ‘Advanced Leadership’ training you provided to our gaming organization was exceptional! The influence on our work culture has been powerful. Directors, Managers, and Supervisors are becoming leaders. By enabling managers to interface more effectively with their employees, more employees are remaining at our organization. Your sessions have been a strong variable contributing to this positive change.”

“…the leadership and organizational development approach which you promote is on target in terms of the best way to motivate people and get them to “own” the business and pull together towards common goals. The training you provided and the efforts we made to implement that approach have definitely stretched and shaped my thinking in a positive way. I will carry those values with me … they will make me a better performer as a result.”

“Our exercises with regard to personal coaching have been extremely helpful to me in focus, purpose, and effectiveness. I have been able to extend similar exploration and educational experiences on behalf of several others in my organization.”

“Your presentation on the role of a board member was appropriate and evoked discussion that educated our newest board members and energized others.  The information was current and enlightening to all of us as leaders. We appreciate your contribution to making our board retreat successful.”

“Dr. Jay Roundy designed and facilitated our Small Business Summit meetings for Fortune 500 participants and the outcomes are consistently excellent.”

“The Alignment by Selection program is helping me hire the right people for specific positions as well as people who truly understand my vision and business objectives. It is a comprehensive, carefully crafted system that will allow us to find the right people – our most important asset.”

“Time was limited and we knew we had a difficult task ahead of us: As Senior Leaders, we needed to re-evaluate our mission, vision, and values, and distill recent employee survey information into a manageable number of high-level action plans. With Jay’s facilitation and guidance, we accomplished all this in one very productive day, and with excellent results.”

“Investing in strengthening my leadership skills is the best investment I have ever made. I am more confident in managing my organization. Dr. Jay Roundy gave me tangible processes and tools to move the company forward.”