Steve Yacovelli

About Steve Yacovelli

STRATEGIC ARCHITECT & AI LEADERSHIP THOUGHT LEADER 🟠 KEYNOTE SPEAKER 🟡 AWARD-WINNING & BEST-SELLING AUTHOR 🟢 CATALYST FOR INCLUSIVE CHANGE Dr. Steve Yacovelli (a.k.a. “The Gay Leadership Dude®”) is a Strategic Architect focused on the \"Human Path\" to business excellence. With a doctorate in Instructional Technology & Distance Education, decades of leadership & change management consulting, and specialized training in Agentic AI Strategy from Harvard, Steve helps organizations bridge the gap between technical innovation and human belonging. Steve’s 30+ year career is built on a foundation of Fortune 500 rigor. He has worked internally for folks like Disney, IBM, and Tupperware Brands and several universities. Since 2008, his consulting firm, TopDog Learning Group, has helped both Fortune 500s and non-profits transform their Leaders from \"Passive Passengers\" into inclusive Strategic Architects through world-class workshops, keynotes, and coaching. Steve is a highly decorated author and speaker. He wrote the 2x award-winning book, “Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” (2019), and his 2024 release, “Your Queer Career®: Workplace Advice from ‘The Gay Leadership Dude®’” became an Amazon #1 Best-Seller. His not-so-hidden agenda is to make the world a bit more human and kind for us all. o•••••@topdoglearning.biz http://topdog.click/schedule30 TOPDOG LEARNING GROUP\'S 4 AREAS OF SUCCESS. We grow leadership talent thru 4 distinct yet insanely complimentary pillars: ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP. foundational skills that ensure your team and workplace are successful (with a focus on using Agentic AI for leadership success) HUMAN-CENTERED LEADERSHIP. fostering a sense of welcoming & belonging for all stakeholders at every level of the organization, regardless of how they identify ‍ LGBTQ+ LEADERSHIP. developing LGBTQ+( & All) Leaders in safe, authentic, and affirming environments RESILIENT LEADERSHIP. strategies for Leaders to navigate change and move from surviving to thriving We address each of these 4 areas with a variety of solutions: Facilitated learning (online & in-person) Implementable off-the-shelf training solutions 1:1 & Group Coaching Keynotes & \"Lunch and Learns\"(online & in-person) Custom workplace solutions Let\'s meet for a virtual and discuss how TopDog and \"The Gay Leadership Dude®\" can help!

Experience

1. Managing Director & Principal Learning Strategist

   Topdog Learning Group, Llc

   Feb 2008 — Present · Orlando, FL, US

   Executive Lead & Principal of a learning and development consulting firm based in Orlando, FL, specializing in leadership development and training, change management and resilience, training impact measurement, diversity and inclusion / inclusive workplaces consulting, executive coaching, and corporate learning strategy (especially leveraging AI to help workplaces be more successful).

Education

• Millersville University of Pennsylvania

  B.S.

• Harvard Business School Executive Education

  Certificate Program

• Harvard Online

  Certificate Program

• The Ohio State University

  M.A.

• Nova Southeastern University

  Ed.D.

Skills

• Leadership Development
• Executive Coaching
• Change Management
• Team Building
• Corporate Communications
• Instructional Design
• E-Learning
• Distance Learning
• Organizational Development
• Talent Management
• Mentoring
• Adult Education
• Performance Management
• Coaching
• Curriculum Design
• Succession Planning
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Staff Development
• Performance Improvement
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Management Consulting
• Strategic Planning
• Process Improvement
• Teaching
• Employee Engagement
• Organizational Change
• Blended Learning
• Program Management
• Team Leadership
• Knowledge Management
• Non-Profits
• Team Management
• Learning Management
• Problem Solving
• Organizational Design
• Online Training
• Educational Technology
• Instructional Technology
• E-Learning Development