Alis Anagnostakis, PhD

Alis Anagnostakis, PhD is the Founder of the Vertical Development Institute, a role she has held since July 2022.1 She is an accomplished professional with a focus on adult development, transformative learning, and leadership development.

Professional Background

Dr. Anagnostakis has extensive experience in leadership development, coaching, and organizational change:

• Founder of Vertical Development Institute: Her current role involves accelerating research and practical implementation of vertical development to foster collective growth and transformative learning in organizations.1

• Previous Positions:

  • Principal Facilitator at Tomorrow Architects (2021-2022)
  • Senior Associate at Performance Frontiers (2020-2021)
  • Founder & Principal Facilitator at Mind Learners (2011-2020)
  • People & Change Senior Advisor at KPMG (2010-2011)
  • Senior Trainer & Consultant at Miller Heiman Group (2007-2010)

Research and Expertise

Dr. Anagnostakis specializes in:

• Researching adult development and transformative learning in leadership contexts
• Exploring how mature leaders develop and how vertical development can be fostered through coaching and other learning experiences
• Translating research insights into practical applications for leaders, teams, and organizations

Certifications and Roles

She holds several professional certifications:

• Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation
• Global Leadership Profile Certified Coach, Scorer & Action Inquiry Advanced Practitioner
• Expert Consultant in LSI, GSI & OCI tools from Human Synergistics

Additionally, Dr. Anagnostakis trains and mentors developmental coaches in ICF-accredited programs.1

Philosophy and Approach

Dr. Anagnostakis is committed to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application. She describes her approach as "stubbornly (and imperfectly) walking the fine line between asking ever bolder research questions and then testing the answers in the real world".1