Founder, President and CEO, Ideas for Action, LLC

Jean S. Frankel

    • Jean S. Frankel is founder and principal of Ideas for Action, LLC. She is an internationally known and respected management consultant, educator, facilitator and executive coach, and is a trusted thought partner to senior academic and administrative leaders in colleges and universities, as well as CEOs and executive directors of professional and philanthropic nonprofit organizations. Frankel’s current or recent clients include senior leaders at the University of Michigan, Washington State University, Michigan State University, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. As an experienced consultant, Frankel also helps organizations find solutions to critical issues and challenges. She is a proven strategist, with group process and analytical skills enhancing her ability to develop collaborative solutions with clients in the areas of strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational structure, process and culture change. In addition to her work in higher education, Frankel is also regarded as a major contributor to the unique body of knowledge of association management and leadership in membership organizations. She is co-author of three best-selling books –The Will to Govern Well, considered a classic on association governance, Building a Knowledge-Based Culture, focusing on the special dynamics of membership organizations, and her new work on leadership From Insight to Action: Six New Ways to Think, Lead and Achieve, all published by Association Management Press. Prior to founding Ideas for Action, LLC in 1995, Frankel led large scale planning and organizational change efforts for major corporations such as American Express and AT&T. She has also had functional responsibility in strategic planning, marketing and sales, information technology, customer service, engineering, manufacturing and human resources. Frankel holds a B.A. from Muhlenberg College, did graduate work in Journalism and Mass Communications at New York University, and is a graduate of Columbia University’s Executive and Organizational Coaching Certification Program, a strategic partnership between the Columbia Business School and the Teacher’s College Executive Education Department. Certified at the highest level as an Executive and Organizational Coach from Columbia University. She is also certified in the following leadership assessments tools: NBI (Neethling Brain Instrument), Hogan Development Series (HDS, HPI, MVPI), MHS Emotional Intelligence Inventory (EQ-I 2.0) and Culture in the Workplace Assessment.(CWQ)

“Very good at getting to the heart of matters and drawing out concerns and solutions from group participants. Jean Frankel’s clarity and excellent way of articulating issues and needs is just astonishing and much appreciated.”

Program Director, Trade Association

“Consistently provided great results for our organization in the areas of governance and strategic planning.  Jean Frankel’s in-depth knowledge and guidance have made it possible for our organization to discuss and agree on a strategic direction. Her personable style makes her a joy to work with.”

Executive Director, Professional Membership Organization

“Thanks again for your insights and leadership of our board discussions. You did an excellent job of raising the bar for our Board, in raising awareness of issues they need to be thinking about as leaders, and in building a strong consensus for moving forward.”

College President

“It was sheer pleasure working with you at our recent retreat. Having been involved in leadership in the association since 1992, I can honestly say that this session was the most refreshing and energizing that I have ever experienced You are also to be commended for all the obvious prep work you did to understand our industry so well! We are poised on the brink of moving to the next tier, and you are the catalyst that will get us there.”

Board President, Trade Association