Dani Kokochak

Meet Dani

Dani Kokochak is a Learning Designer on the Academy team. She designs learning experiences and leadership development programs that leverage insights from communication, people-centered design, social and organizational psychology, systems thinking approaches, and creative storytelling.

What did you do before joining McChrystal Group?

Prior to joining McChrystal Group, I worked as a Learning & Development Specialist and Lead Instructional Designer at an innovative, member-owned property & casualty insurance organization. In this role, I designed, developed, and facilitated eLearning and hybrid live learning programs for various disciplines including manager training and leadership development, onboarding, diversity, equity, and inclusion, communication, and decision-making. Before moving into the learning and leadership development space, I spent 5 years as a communications + digital media specialist crafting meaningful stories to help nonprofit and healthcare organizations connect with and impact the community.

Why did you join McChrystal Group?

I joined McChrystal Group for the opportunity to partner with a cohort of brilliant, experienced professionals who are dedicated to empowering leaders and helping teams create transformational change in their workplaces. I was drawn to the McChrystal Group's Team of Teams approach that integrates the art and science of leadership, effective organizational processes, and leveraging technology to enable more adaptable, interconnected organizational systems.

What sport or hobby do you have outside of work?

Gardening has become a meaningful hobby for me - I love the opportunity and challenge of both growing food and helping restore the natural habitat of my backyard with plants that are native to the area.

Why are you passionate about leaders & teams?

We spend a significant time at our jobs, with our teams and our leaders. As a result, our workplaces, the relationships we build there, and the decisions leaders make can have an impact on every facet of our lives - personally and professionally, for better or for worse. I am passionate about leaders and teams because I know that applying the right mindsets, tools, and capabilities - plus a heap of compassion, intellectual humility, and intentional action - makes a difference in people's lives inside the walls of the organization and far beyond them. When teams work well, not only do businesses succeed in a complex world, individuals are empowered to flourish and make meaningful contributions. That's where change takes hold and the magic happens.