Transformative Coaching Based on Research and Experience
Leadership isn’t just instinct—it’s a skill that can be developed through proven models, metrics, and methodologies tailored for senior executives. At Leaders By Design, our coaching is grounded in rigorous research and decades of real-world experience. Co-founders Peter J. Dean and Molly D. Shepard bring a unique blend of insight and expertise, delivering high-impact coaching that’s both strategic and deeply personalized.
Peter J. Dean, MS, Ph.D. and
Molly D. Shepard, MS, MSM
Molly D. Shepard and Peter J. Dean help C‑suite executives and Boards navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading today’s complex global workplaces. Drawing on decades of experience coaching and advising senior leaders, they apply affirmative leadership principles to inspire employees, strengthen Board and team relationships, and drive positive results.
Molly D. Shepard, MS, MSM
Molly D. Shepard, Partner at Leaders By Design, is a dynamic leader with over 30 years of empowering executives and transforming organizations. With a wealth of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and career strategy, Molly has dedicated her career to guiding leaders to unlock their full potential and achieve meaningful impact. A sought-after keynote speaker and moderator, she inspires audiences with her forward-thinking insights and commitment to creating lasting change. Passionately advocating for senior women in business, Molly has made it her mission to break down barriers, amplify voices, and create pathways for women to rise, thrive, and lead with confidence and purpose at the highest levels.
Peter J. Dean, MS, Ph.D.
Peter J. Dean, Partner at Leaders By Design, is a visionary in leadership development with over 30 years of shaping the potential of executives and organizations worldwide. As a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, Peter brings a rare blend of academic excellence and real-world impact. He has held influential roles at The Wharton School, Fordham University, and the University of Iowa, where his thought leadership has inspired the next generation of leaders. With a Ph.D. in Learning Psychology and Human Resource Management, Peter’s lifelong mission is to elevate leadership through insight, purpose, and transformation. His work has earned him multiple teaching awards and a reputation for empowering leaders to drive meaningful change.
News from Leaders By Design
Why Co-Leadership Between Men and Women Outperforms Solo Leadership
July 10, 2026 | Peter J. Dean, Ph.D.
Most senior leaders have a theory about what makes a great executive team: complementary skills, shared values, healthy debate. The usual answers. What’s actually missing is co-leadership — the deliberate integration of the different cognitive styles men and women bring to leadership. Not a mandate. Not a talking point. A performance strategy. The organizations that build it consistently outperform the ones that don’t.
What the Neuroscience of Leadership Actually Shows
June 22, 2026 | Peter J. Dean, Ph.D.
Most leadership conversations about men and women get the question wrong. They start with stereotypes and end with policies. The neuroscience starts somewhere different — with data on how men and women actually perform, where the real gaps are, and what’s driving them. Eleven years of research with more than 1,500 executives tells a clear story. The organizations that act on it consistently outperform those that don’t.
Strategic Communication Strategies in Male-Dominated Organizations
June 9, 2026 | Molly D. Shepard, MS, MSM
At the highest levels of leadership, communication isn’t just about being heard — it’s about who shapes strategy, who gets credit, and who gets the next seat at the table. Here’s what I’ve learned working with senior executive women who are done leaving that to chance.