The final line-up has been introduced for the 3rd Dynamic Leadership Academy (June 8th-9th in Providence, RI). The interactive leadership and team building seminar is for leaders and coaches with a growth mindset. This year’s line-up includes:
Thorr Bjorn just completed his 8th year as the Athletic Director at the University of Rhode Island after working for 15 years in the athletic department at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts. Bjorn has established a new vision and championship culture at URI while helping fund-raising and development achieve record levels of over $15 million. On the playing fields URI has won more than a dozen Atlantic 10 championships under his guidance.
Jim Engles just finished his 7th year as the head coach at NJIT, leading the Highlanders to their first ever division 1 post-season wins and a berth in the CIT semi-finals. Engles took over the program during their transition to the D1 level amidst a 51 game losing streak and rebuilt the basketball culture, culminating in this years 21 win season including a victory over Michigan. Engles has also been an assistant coach at Wagner, Rider and Columbia.
Tony Dottino is the President of Dottino Consulting Group and the author of two books – “Developing Grass Roots Leaders” and “The BrianSmart Leader.” Recognized for his innovative approach to process improvement, organizational communication and problem solving for teams, his Grass Roots Innovation for Leaders workshops focus on the growth and development of your most important assets – your people. Dottino is also the founder and national chairman of the USA Memory Championships.
Dan Leibovitz is the Associate Commissioner for men’s basketball of the American Conference. Liebovitz began his coaching career at Temple University under Hall of Famer John Chaney, making 5 NCAA Tournament appearances including 2 trips to the Elite 8. He became the 4th youngest Division I coach in the country when he took over the Hartford Program in 2006, and was an assistant coach for player development with the Charlotte Hornets before joining the American Conference.
John Carroll has coached over 60 Division I basketball players at Northfield Mount Hermon, establishing the program widely considered as the best combination of academics and basketball in the country. Carroll has lead NMH to 6 straight 21+ win seasons and had his program ranked in the top 10 in the country each of the last 10 years. This past year Northfield had 26 alums on Division I rosters, including 11 in the Ivy League alone.
Phil O’Brien is the managing partner of the York Consulting Group and a Harvard Business School Alum with over 40 years experience as a teacher, coach, consultant and business executive. With expertise in change management, team building and organizational development, his interactive sessions are informative and thought provoking and provide easy to apply strategic methods. Phil returns for his 3rd year at the Academy.
Bob Walsh just completed his first year as the head coach at the University of Maine after nine successful seasons at Rhode Island College in Providence, RI. RIC won six league championships and went to eight straight NCAA Tournaments under Walsh, turning around a program that hadn’t been to the NCAAs in 28 years. Walsh founded the Leadership Academy in 2013 as a way to share uncommon leadership strategies with young leaders and coaches.
Spaces are still available for this year’s Academy but they are filling up quickly. You can register for the Dynamic Leadership Academy here.

Please contact Bob Walsh at [email protected] or @CoachBobWalsh with any questions.