Emily Axelrod

Bio

Emily Axelrod believes in stretching organizations so they can unleash their creativity and knowledge. She believes that honesty, relationships, communication and engagement are key factors in change. Emily is co-founder of and principal in the Axelrod Group, Inc., created with her husband, Dick.

For more than thirty years, Emily has used strategic visioning, work redesign, team development, and good old common sense to build sustainable, fun, and dignified enterprises. Her clients include: Barrington 220 School District, Boeing, British Airways, Calgary Health Authority, CAPE, First Union Bank, HSB, Intel, the Parliament of World Religions, and ThyssenKrupp AG, to name a few.

Emily uses her southern spirit and wit as a highly sought-after speaker and coach. She has presented to a variety of organizations, including the Organization Development Network, American Management Association, The Human Resources Planning Society, and The London Strategic Planning Society. She is also a guest lecturer at Benedictine University and the University of Chicago's Leadership Arts Program.

Emily co-authored You Don't Have to Do It Alone, which the New York Times called, "The best of the current crop of books on this subject." She is a contributing author to The Change Handbook, The Flawless Consulting Field Book, Future Search in School District Change, and numerous articles.

Emily holds an MA in education from the University of North Carolina and a Masters in Social Work from Loyola University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Dick. They have two children and two grandchildren.