Kris Downing

About Kris Downing

My personal mission is to help leaders achieve personal and professional success. I love nothing more than to hear the people I work with say that I make a positive difference in the way they lead and run their business. I’ve led corporate strategy, innovation and product development, business planning, partnerships, and marketing at the Center for Creative Leadership, a global provider of leadership development research and training. I have extensive experience in analyzing markets, devising strategies, and implementing business plans as a realistic, results-oriented leader. I’m proud of the large partnerships I’ve brokered, establishing multi-year deals that resulted in cost savings and increased revenues for both parties. My strength is being able to recognize and nurture talent, putting people in the right place where they flourish, both at work and at home. My motto is \"Challenge and Cherish\". A strong facilitator, I challenge CEOs, business owners and key executives by asking hard questions about tough issues. At the same time, I’m compassionate, and I know the importance of creating a safe and confidential environment where leaders are heard, respected, and cherished. From a leadership perspective, I believe that understanding one’s self and how actions impact others are fundamental to success.My goal is to help leaders make better decisions that have a positive impact on their lives, businesses and communities. Author Jim Collins said, “Bad decisions made with good intentions, are still bad decisions.” Leaders can avoid this by getting unbiased perspectives from a community of coaches, experts, and peers that I bring together when working with a client.Away from work, playing tennis in Triad-area USTA leagues provides an outlet for my competitive spirit. I’m also a beginning forest farmer, growing a variety of medicinal plants like ginseng and elderberry in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.If my profile speaks to you, contact me at k•••@masterysquared.com. I’d love to learn more about you, your business, and the challenges and opportunities you face.

Experience

1. Vice President, Commercialization and Innovation

   Center For Creative Leadership

   Aug 2016 — Present

Education

• Wake Forest University School of Business

  MBA, business

  1991 — 1993

• Indiana State University

  Bachelor's degree, Marketing

  1982 — 1986

Skills

• Workshop Facilitation
• Business Development
• Strategy
• Talent Management
• Strategic Partnerships
• Start-Ups
• Program Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Marketing Strategy
• Marketing
• Coaching
• Executive Management
• Career Development
• Strategic Planning
• Culture Change
• Training
• Product Marketing
• Management Development
• Teaching
• Entrepreneurship
• Management
• Team Building
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Organizational Development
• Human Resources
• Change Management
• Executive Coaching
• Leadership Development
• Leadership
• Management Consulting
• Sales