COMING OCTOBER 2025

Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies

Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies Book Cover

This book is a MUST-READ for Senior & Emerging Leaders in HR and Non-HR Roles, Changemakers, Coaches, Consultants, Educators, Counselors, and Anyone Seeking Life and Leadership Lessons Learned from Losing a Special Somebody

What can loss teach us about leadership? In Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies, dozens of contributing authors explore this question by reflecting on the lives and legacies of those they’ve lost.

Guided by lead author Ian Ziskin, this unique project is more than a book about grief—it’s a roadmap for resilience, growth, and leadership. Drawing on survey responses from 150 leaders, as well as research into the neuroscience of grieving, Ziskin and the essay contributors unpack how loss transforms us, not only as individuals but also as leaders. Together, their voices share heartfelt stories of how the lives—and deaths—of “special somebodies” shaped their personal and professional journeys.

Lives Lost and Leadership Found isn’t just for those navigating personal loss—it’s for anyone striving to be a more compassionate, purpose-driven leader. It’s for leaders, mentors and coaches seeking to inspire others, professionals looking to deepen their emotional intelligence, and anyone who loves stories that blend personal narratives with research-backed insights.

By exploring diverse perspectives—whether it’s the neuroscience of grief or the wisdom shared by famous leaders—the book offers readers a unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and actionable insights. It’s not a book about grief. It’s a book about growth and leading through love, loss, and the lessons life teaches us when we dare to reflect deeply.

Who Should Read This Book

The universal appeal of Lives Lost and Leadership Found lies in its ability to resonate with anyone who has experienced loss.

Its primary audience includes:

  • Senior and emerging HR leaders
  • Senior and emerging operating and functional leaders outside of HR
  • Change leaders, Organizational Development and Organizational Effectiveness professionals
  • Coaches, consultants, and educators associated with the above audiences.

Special Somebodies

  • Individuals grieving the loss of a loved one, seeking inspiration in their journey toward healing and personal leadership
  • Counselors and professionals helping others process grief while discovering life-changing lessons within it
  • Educators who train grief counselors and related professionals, equipping them with new perspectives on leadership through loss
  • Readers drawn to compelling, heartfelt narratives that blend personal stories with research-backed insights.

Key Themes and Takeaways

The book is organized around pivotal chapters and essays that provide an engaging blend of personal reflection and professional insight:

  • The Presence of Absence – Ziskin shares how personal family losses shaped his leadership approach, a sentiment echoed by other contributors.
  • Survey Insights – Responses from 150 leaders and other professionals capture universal lessons on relationships, advocacy, and daring to dream.
  • Neuroscience, Loss, and Leadership – Discover how grief rewires the brain and reshapes our capacity to lead.
  • Courage & Resilience – Contributor essays cover the theme of overcoming adversity with strength and determination.
  • Compassion & Relationships – Contributor essays focus on the power of empathy and human connection.
  • Curiosity & Purpose – Contributor essays explore finding humor, passion, and meaning in life.

  • Lessons from Public Figures: How loss influenced the paths to success and leadership for famous people.
  • The Smoothie Effect: A fresh metaphor for navigating chaos and change.
  • The Value of Your Story: A step-by-step framework for readers to craft essays honoring their special somebodies, preserving a lifetime of wisdom and lessons learned.
Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies

Praise for this Book

“The gifts of this book lie not only in its beautiful tributes to special people no longer with us but also in its reminder to take stock of those in our lives who are still teaching, still sharing, and still shaping who we are. I am reminded that tomorrow is never promised for anyone, and to take full advantage of these great gifts of our heroes with a greater sense of urgency.”—Kevin Cox, President, LKC Advisory and former CHRO, General Electric and American Express

“Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies is a poignant reminder that we learn leadership not from a book or a class but from a lifetime of relationships with family, mentors, and colleagues. It is a wonderful reminder that we should continue to engage fully with people we are close to and understand the very positive impact they have on our lives.”—Chris Kastner, President and CEO, HII

“Having read many books on leadership, this book has made a unique impact unlike all those before it. By sharing their most intimate leadership stories, these authors have successfully given us relatable leadership lessons crafted in accessible and interesting personal stories. Like me, you may find yourself passing on some of these valuable lessons to others.” —Daniel Marsili, President, The National Academy of Human Resources, former CHRO, Colgate-Palmolive Company

“In a poignant testament to loved ones lost, Ian Ziskin and his contributing authors have captured how losing a special somebody molds our character and elevates our leadership. This anthology of personal insights has better informed my emotional journey of dealing with loss, inspiring me with valuable leadership lessons gleaned from the experiences of others who have lost special somebodies.” —Alan May, Retired CHRO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

“Lives Lost and Leadership Found offers a truly unique perspective on valuable lessons about life and leadership. Not only do these powerful learnings come from lost loved ones and the people who experienced the loss, but their stories represent highly practical insights from many people who might not traditionally be thought of as leaders.”—Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, Chairman Emeritus, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Past and Current Board Director, Amgen, Apple, Chevron, and Uber

“Many books provide ideas, tools, and actions to improve leadership. This remarkable book also touches the heart by sharing how very personal experiences with loss shape identity and leadership. It leads to reflection as much as instruction. It helped me, thanks.” —Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor, Ross School of Business (retired), Partner, The RBL Group

About the Lead Author

Ian Ziskin

Ian Ziskin, President of EXec EXcel Group LLC, has more than 43 years of experience as a business leader, board advisor and member, coach, consultant, CHRO, entrepreneur, teacher, speaker, and author. His client base and corporate work span more than 25 industries and includes Fortune 1000, entrepreneurial, publicly traded, and privately held businesses.

Ian is widely recognized as a trusted advisor to CEOs, C-Level executives, operating and HR leaders, and board members. He is Co-Founder of the Consortium for Change (C4C), a community network of coaches and consultants, and was also Co-Founder of the CHREATE Project, designed to address the future of work and HR. Ian has been an Adjunct Professor at the Binghamton University School of Management MBA program, where he taught leadership and HR.

Ian Ziskin’s global business leadership experience includes 28 years in Chief Human Resources Officer and/or other senior leadership roles with three Fortune 100 corporations: Northrop Grumman, Qwest Communications, and TRW. He has also served on numerous Boards of Directors and Advisory Boards for organizations including National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR), SeekOut, SucceedSmart, Randstad Risesmart, Humantelligence, Allegis Partners, Axion Health, Executive Networks, SHRM Foundation, USC Center for Effective Organizations, USC Marshall School of Business, HR Policy Association, Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies (CAHRS) at Cornell University, Personnel Round Table, and Human Resources People & Strategy.

He has held appointments as an Executive in Residence at the Binghamton University School of Management, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and USC Center for Effective Organizations. His current pro bono work includes teaching and coaching CHROs at the National Academy of Human Resources and leading the HR HeRoes Academy for early-career HR leaders, among other projects.

Ian has written or co-edited five books, Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies (2025), The Secret Sauce for Leading Transformational Change (2022), Black Holes and White Spaces: Reimagining the Future of Work and HR with the CHREATE Project (2018), THREE: The Human Resources Emerging Executive (2015), and WillBe: 13 Reasons WillBe’s are Luckier than WannaBe’s (2011), and he is a contributing author to The End of Jobs by Jeff Wald (2020), The Rise of HR: Wisdom From 73 Thought Leaders edited by Dave Ulrich, et. al. (2015), and The Chief HR Officer: Defining the New Role of Human Resource Leaders, edited by Pat Wright, et.al. (2011). He has written dozens of articles, blogs, and book chapters on the future of work, HR, and leadership, as well as on coaching and HR’s role with boards of directors, among other topics. He is also a frequent podcast guest.

Ian has a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations degree from Cornell University, where he held a research and teaching assistantship based on scholastic achievement, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Binghamton University, where he graduated magna cum laude. In 1988, Human Resource Executive magazine named Ian one of 12 “Up and Comers in HR.” In 2007, he was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources, considered to be the highest honor in the HR profession. Most recently, Ian has been recognized as a Top 100 HR thought leader by peopleHum and Engagedly.

Contributing Author Bios

More than three dozen contributing authors—including leaders, coaches, educators, students, colleagues, and advisors—brought diverse perspectives and collective experiences to shape the powerful themes explored in Lives Lost and Leadership Found.

Ekhoe Ame-Ogie is a seasoned human resources leader and executive coach with expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, and organizational culture, guiding executives to enhance their leadership skills, navigate complex challenges, and drive meaningful change. As the HR leader for Deloitte West Africa, Ekhoe is dedicated to fostering leadership excellence and believes in the power of strategic coaching and HR to build resilient, high-performing organizations.

Elizabeth Andora is a senior HR executive with experience designing and developing human capital strategies, scaling organizations, and guiding leaders. Rooted in a commitment to authenticity, meaningful connection, and courageous action, her passion is to drive transformative growth by helping leaders unlock their full potential and guide organizations to scale with purpose.

Bill Baker, Chief HR Officer of Wolters Kluwer, is a business leader focused on achieving results through the engagement of talented people. His work centers on cultivating environments where people thrive and are appreciated for their talent, innovation, and delivering for stakeholders. Learn More

Dr. John Boudreau, Professor Emeritus of Management and Organization and a Senior Research Scientist with the Center for Effective Organizations, at the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, is recognized worldwide as one of the leading evidence-based visionaries on the future of work and organization. He is known for his breakthrough research on the bridge between work, superior human capital, leadership, and sustainable competitive advantage. Learn More

Alysia A. Bullock is an independent human resources consultant and accredited executive coach. Leveraging 25-plus years of HR partnership experience with global leaders in pharmaceuticals, biotech, consumer packaged goods, and other industries, she founded Incite-HR, an organization dedicated to accelerating the impact of leaders and teams through 1:1 coaching, leadership development, and HR Advisory partnership. Learn More

Gina Collins, J.D., Healthcare Executive, is a senior healthcare leader with more than 20 years of payer and provider sector experience in strategic planning, negotiations, operational excellence, and compliance. She is known for her leadership in fostering collaborative cultures and building high-performing, results-driven teams. Learn More

Jack Dickson is a recent MBA graduate at Binghamton University School of Management, where he focused on Leadership and Consulting, with a background in Finance and Marketing. Passionate about making a difference, he combines his analytical skills with a strong commitment to helping others.

Shelley D. Dionne is the Dean and Professor of Management at Binghamton University’s School of Management and a Research Fellow in the Bass Center for Leadership Studies where she explores multilevel issues surrounding team leadership and workforce development.

Connor Forte is a recent MBA graduate from Binghamton University School of Management and a new professional. He enjoys traveling, hiking, movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Barbara Frankel, Founder and President of Coaching Initiatives LLC, and Adjunct Faculty Member at Quinnipiac University School of Business, is an executive coach and leadership effectiveness consultant with 20 years of experience enhancing the performance and success of executives, teams and organizations. Prior to leading her own business, Barbara worked in human resources for JPMorgan Chase and American Express. Learn More

Stephen Frenkel, Founder and Lead Consultant, Voyager Executive Consulting LLC, is an executive coach and team performance consultant with more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, organizational optimization, conflict resolution, and change management. His mission is to help leaders and teams perform at their best while enjoying the experience and have a positive impact at work, their homes, and in their communities.

Carol Gausz, PCC, MSOD, MPA, is an executive coach and consultant who founded Blue Heron Associates Inc. in 2001 after 20 years leading strategy and change in several organizations. She enjoys partnering with leaders to help them unleash potential for themselves, their teams, and their organizations.

Lori Heffelfinger, PCC, MSOD, Executive Coach and Founder, President, and CEO of The Heffelfinger Company, is a lifelong learner and guide to leaders and teams.

Salima Hemani, PCC, SHRM-SCP, Founder and CEO of SZH Consulting, is an organizational development expert and executive coach known for designing transformative solutions that elevate organizational health and effectiveness in complex, competitive landscapes. With a background in senior leadership roles at top global firms, she has a track record of successfully guiding Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits towards sustainable change and growth.

MaryAnne McCormick Hyland, Ph.D., currently serves as the Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business at Adelphi University in New York and has been a faculty member teaching Human Resource Management in the business school since 1999. MaryAnne is a graduate of Rutgers University and Loyola University Maryland. Learn More

Jonathan “Jake” Jacobs, a Founding Partner at Rose Snyder & Jacobs, has more than 40 years of experience in business and financial consulting, specializing in compliance and services for entrepreneurial ventures, publicly owned companies, and high-net-worth families. He is the leader of the firm’s Merger and Acquisition Practice.

Susan Kelliher, retired CHRO of The Chemours Company, is a senior human resources executive with extensive experience guiding large-scale transformation in global companies, including industrial manufacturing, defense, retail, and technology. Susan’s career is defined by a passion for developing the best and brightest people from diverse backgrounds and creating great places to work.

Simon King, Chief People Officer, is a senior human resources executive who has worked in key biopharma companies, dedicating his career to creating cultures and organizations where colleagues can bring their best selves to discover and develop medicines that change the standard of care. Married to Fiona, with two children—Molly and her partner Jaime, and Sam and his wife Liza—Simon volunteers for Ronald McDonald House, runs, white water kayaks, skis, and spends time with family and friends when he’s not working.

Anna-Sophia Kristjansson, MSc Neuroscience, Founder and CEO of Lexicon Lens, began her career in marketing before transitioning to talent management, where she developed a passion for aligning business and people strategies to drive measurable results. Married to Orn and the proud mother to their son, John-Thor, Anna-Sophia rides horses and engages in equine-assisted leadership learning, tends to her robust four-season vegetable garden, practices ballet, cooks, and enjoys time with her family. Learn More

Mitch Lippman, Founder of The Mitch Lippman Group, Inc., is a coach, facilitator, and leadership trainer who provides ongoing executive coaching, team coaching, and leadership development coaching to clients in many industries around the globe, helping them tap into their background, story, strengths, and experience to uncover their unique leadership styles. He’s particularly sought-after to coach women and LGBTQ leaders in tech, and is based in Los Angeles.

Katie Lopez, Chief Human Resources Officer, has more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership roles in fortune 500 global companies such as Nestle, Northrop Grumman, and most recently as CHRO for Bonduelle Fresh Americas. Katie is a proud mother of two daughters, Addison and Amelia, and wife of 21 years to Alberto; and in her spare time, she volunteers in leadership roles on independent school boards.

Lacey Leone McLaughlin, President of LLM Consulting Group, is an executive coach and talent management professional with demonstrated experience in designing and delivering cutting-edge consulting services to Global/Fortune 100, midsized, and entrepreneurial-led start-up companies. She has more than 20 years of experience helping leaders deliver business results by focusing on clearly identified personal and organizational goals. Learn More

Orly Maravankin, Ph.D., PCC, President and Founder of Edge Consulting, is an award-winning executive coach to seasoned executives and senior teams, as well as a renowned thought leader in the areas of brand strategy and innovation. Drawing on her blend of expertise in human behavior and business, she equips leaders at premier companies—from Fortune 100 firms to startups—with powerful, personalized tools to thrive and unleash their greatness. Learn More

Sally Breyley Parker is the founder of TimeZero Enterprises, a strategy, design, and development consultancy that helps organizations achieve their potential. Her passion is social process innovations that release the authentic power of the human spirit and result in inventive strategies, innovative designs, and transformed businesses grounded in a deep sense of purpose. Learn More

Cheryl Perkins, CEO and Founder of Innovationedge LLC, is a thought leader with more than 35 years of experience in innovation. She is also a renowned business strategy expert, prominent keynote speaker, published author, and creative catalyst in brand-building initiatives. Learn More

Pallavi Ridout is an executive coach, dynamic facilitator, and motivational speaker who likes to compete in Toastmasters speaking championships and travel the world. She has coached a variety of C-Level, senior, and emerging leaders on topics such as leadership acumen, executive presence and emotional intelligence, and is an active proponent of empowering women, running a “Leading a Life of No Regrets” life-purpose transformation practice for female professionals.

Eva Sage-Gavin is a recognized Fortune 500 business leader, board director, and most recently Senior Managing Director for Accenture’s Global Talent & Organization practice. Sage-Gavin’s career is built on a strong foundation of Chief HR Officer and executive roles at global consumer and technology companies, including PepsiCo, The Walt Disney Company, Gap Inc., Sun Microsystems, and Xerox Corp., as well as international public affairs and nonprofit leadership.

Sade Salazar, MBA Student, Binghamton University School of Management, is the founder of Éxito Hispano, a transformative organization committed to empowering the next generation of Hispanic leaders as they navigate the complexities of being first-generation students. A distinguished Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, Sade has earned more than 25 awards for academic excellence and exemplary student leadership throughout her studies, including being selected as a 2024 NAHR Master Student as well as the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Bernard M. and Ruth R. Bass Scholarship at Binghamton University.

Sonya Sepahban is a proven global business leader, public company board director, and currently the CEO of OurOffice Inc., an innovative tech company in the HR space. A sought-after thought leader who frequently contributes to panels, podcasts, and industry research studies, she began her career as a NASA engineer, aspiring to become an astronaut, and went on to hold senior executive roles in the aerospace and defense industries, and in her most recent leadership role is focused on transforming organizations and advancing workplace equity through data-driven solutions. Learn More

Adrienne Shoch is the Founder of 5 to 1 Consulting, a leadership development firm in Asheville, North Carolina, with more than 25 years of global experience in consulting, training, and coaching across diverse industries and disciplines. Her holistic approach to development blends neuroscience, mindfulness, and communication skills with positive leadership to enhance decision-making, build trust, and deepen human connection.

Jamie Snyder Smith, SAHM, is a stay-at-home mom who works professionally in program manager and consulting roles. She has held leadership positions, managed team production operations, and performed seismic exploration for an oil field, receiving a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Tulane University.

Scott Span, MSOD, CSM, ACC, is a leadership coach, transformation specialist, and CEO at Tolero Solutions. Through his coaching work, he supports clients to identify and overcome what is holding them back, change behaviors, accelerate performance, and achieve their goals; while through his consulting work, Scott helps clients to survive and thrive through change and transition, creating people-focused cultures and a great employee experience. Learn More

Michele Stowe is an executive coach, speaker, and the founder of SkyRocket Coaching. With her lived experience in the C-Suite of a large non-profit organization and 20 years of HR leadership, Michele now works with purpose-driven leaders to help them realize their full potential and leave a lasting impact in their communities.

Shannon Wallis, President, Cascade Leadership, is a distinguished facilitator, executive coach, author, and keynote speaker who has worked on six continents and whose work has reached more than 20,000 leaders worldwide. Prior to founding Cascade Leadership, Shannon was the global director of high-potential leadership development at Microsoft and the chief architect of an award-winning global leadership program.

Samantha Wasserman, MA, President of Growth Curve Consulting and Coaching, is a certified executive and team coach, leadership and succession advisor, and organizational growth and culture transformation consultant. She has specialized in the growth and transformation of companies for more than 25 years through coaching their executives and building capabilities in their teams. Learn More

Jill Wrobel is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Brunswick Corporation, a global leader in recreational marine, having previously held HR executive roles of increasing responsibility at Walgreens Boots Alliance and PwC. She has a dual degree in mathematics and finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband Jeff and two children, where she enjoys cooking, yoga, podcasting, and traveling. Learn More

Jackson Yaeger holds an MBA from Binghamton University School of Management, where he concentrated his studies on Leadership and Organizational Science. He draws inspiration from a diverse range of leaders who align with his passions, including Captain America, Mark Messier, Jon Snow, and his own parents. Learn More