Tova Sanders

Dr. Tova Sanders is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, College of Education and Human Development, Western Michigan University where she teaches in the MA and PhD Programs in Organizational Change Leadership.  Tova is recognized as an innovative thought leader with 18+ years of experience instructing undergraduate and graduate courses and leading high-performance teams to create, implement, and scale robust academic curriculum focused on leadership, organizational and adult learning, and organizational change. Recognized for outstanding coaching, mentoring, and facilitation in on-line, hybrid, and face-to-face environments with adult learners from diverse industries including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, not-for-profit, governmental service, and education, Tova has demonstrated success serving as the doctoral advisor for 52 doctoral students representing 9 countries toward the successful completion of their dissertation research and feels fortunate to have this global impact and opportunity to learn from, and with, her students.

Tova’s research interests align with her practitioner experience in leadership, talent development, and the future of work.  She is keenly aware that transformation is occurring across all sectors, requiring shifts not only in organizations, but also how we develop and deploy talent.  Viewing this from a systems perspective, she recognizes the need to integrate workforce development, talent development, education, and technology in order to meet the needs of organizations and promote economic and inclusive prosperity. Works in progress involves the role of business leaders within cross-sector social partnerships, the impact of AI on corporate talent development, the experience of women leaders in consulting and entrepreneurship, and leadership in the context of the future of work.