Dr. Mary Kay Chess serves as the chair of the DBA programs at Sofia University. Sofia University has a 50-year history of leading the integration and application of transpersonal psychology. The international and domestic DBA programs uniquely integrate key features of transpersonal psychology coupled with emergent business theories.  As an experienced leader in urban and rural complex organizational systems, Dr. Chess has continually invited practical innovation through systems thinking and leadership. She comes to this academic leadership after extensive experience as an executive and entrepreneur in healthcare systems and multi-state networks collaborating with very diverse internal administrative and clinical stakeholders, external partners, and community members. The engaged faculty working with Dr. Chess in the DBA programs demonstrate this same commitment to supporting leaders of the future through the examination and integration of business and transpersonal psychology theories, applied research, and reasoned pragmatism. These academic programs are set on the foundation of considering this tenant of declaring what is working and building on these strengths.
In addition to this administrative role, Dr. Chess thrives in serving as a professor of leadership, systems thinking, and complexity. For over 15 years, she has been engaged in leading programs and supporting, mentoring, and establishing co-learning with MBA, Ph.D., and DBA students from many disciplines. She has served as chair and committee member of over 20 dissertations on topics ranging from building sustainable change in organizations, mindfulness in clinical settings, work as a calling, and nutritional aspects of well-being. She is a sought-after national speaker for leaders recreating Public Health and safe communities within the United States. Dr. Chess is also a certified federal reviewer of HRSA grants.
As chair, professor, and life-long learner, she encourages creative and critical thinking, responsive partially right solutions to thorny challenges, and laughter on this journey of constant changes where we together, learn and create the emergent future.
Professor:Â Systems Thinking, Complexity, & Leadership
