Catherine Stakenas

Catherine Stakenas serves as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in courses related to Organizational Leadership, Behavioral Economics, and Business Psychology. With over 26 years of experience as a consultant and performance management coach, she has held significant roles in corporate settings, including managing $91 million in sales and operations at Quest Diagnostics and developing leadership training programs for ASCP.

• M.A. in Integrated Professional Studies (Change Management), DePaul University (1996)
• Bachelor of Art, Governor State University (1988)
• Diploma, American Academy of Medical Technology (1970)

Her research interests focus on organizational dynamics, including leadership behavior, team cohesion, and workplace stress management. She has delivered presentations across North America, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi on topics like Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, Discovering Your Diversity Strengths, and Stress Management. Catherine is certified in 29 psychological assessment tools, including MBTI, DiSC, and Situational Leadership frameworks.

As an educator, she emphasizes applied research and self-directed learning, requiring students to connect course concepts to real-world professional experiences. She has taught both online and on-campus formats since 2004.