About
Through an unconventional blend of coaching and consulting, I help professionals be agile leaders, craft high-impact strategies, and build thriving workplace cultures.
Growing up in a family business, I learned early the importance of leading from a human-centric perspective (or as my first-gen Italian-American father would say, “You’re nothin’ without your people.”).
For 30 years, I have explored various leadership and management techniques, developed my style of best practices, pulling from multiple industries, and established a positive reputation for building strong and successful teams.Â
Like any true educator, I now share this knowledge with you by combining my practical experiences with my academic expertise (PhD in Higher Education Administration from Virginia Tech, with specializations in Non-Profit Organizational Management and Educational Research).
I began consulting in 2016, and my focus is primarily on small and mid-sized higher education and non-profits organizations, supporting CEOs, Vice Presidents, departmental Directors and Managers, and student organizations. I understand limited resources and constraints, and can offer personalized and practical services. Â
More About Me
Top 5 Strengths
Activator | Arranger | Maximizer | Command | Significance
INCLUSIVE & EQUITY MINDED
I am committed to continually learning and taking action to create equitable and inclusive workplaces. I seek to use my inherent privileges to support and empower voices that are silenced or missing.
WORLD TRAVELER
Travel inspires, challenges, and humbles me, providing deep perspective. My latest journey (2022-2023) was a 7-month, full-time world trip in which my family and I slow travelled through 15 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
foodie
Whether I'm in the kitchen cooking (often with my daughter), breaking bread with others in their homes, or enjoying the cuisines of a restaurant, I love to explore all of the incredible tastes the world has to offer.

Select Publications

The Role of College Unions in Developing Students' Sense of Community: A Narrative Inquiry of Physical and Organizational Environments
Dissertation of the Year, 2019, ACUI

Understanding Collegiate Esports:
A Practitioner’s Guide to Developing Community and Competition
Community, Career, & Competition: The University of Washington and the Future of Esports Program Building

Student Affairs for All Seasons and Reasons: Leading by Example
The Student Union
Testimonials
What People Are Saying

Working with a talented consultant like Justin has truly made the plans for our organization come to life!
Cara Rubis, Director of University Center and Dining at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Justin is a great listener and a fantastic processor, who is able to dissect issues and make incredibly strong recommendations.
Jeremy Schenk, Ed.D, Associate Vice President for Operations and Services, Division of Student Affairs at Northwestern University

Justin has the ability to give multiple perspectives and solutions to the goals you want to accomplish. I wouldn't be where I was in my career without him and his guidance.
James Contratto, Executive Director for Student Involvement at College of Charleston

Susan Pile, Senior Director, University Unions and Auxiliary Services at University of Michigan