What’s the best way to lead an organization? The answer to that question is one Stephen Philip Sunstrom has built his career on answering. As the chief executive officer of the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight, he has helped companies chart the waters of workplace changes, trends, and disruptions. Sunstrom’s career has been marked by resilience, innovation, and a commitment to growth.
Growth Through Education
Sunstrom has a diverse educational background. His degrees include an Associate of Applied Science in human resources management and computer science and a Bachelor of Science in Management from National Louis University. Additionally, he holds a Master of Business Administration in organizational psychology and development from American InterContinental University.
In addition to his academic achievements, Sunstrom has obtained numerous certifications, including an Extended DiSC certified practitioner, MBTI Steps I and II certified professional, a Talent Optimization Consultant Certificate from The Predictive Index, and a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from HRCI. He is also a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation. He most recently completed a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. He also holds instructor certification levels I, II, and III from the Community College of the Air Force.
Military Veteran Turned Chief Executive Officer
Sunstrom is a retired military veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1996 to 2016. During his tenure, he honed his skills as a human resources manager, training and development specialist, and IT department manager. In these roles, he cultivated discipline, adaptability, and insights that have influenced his leadership style.
Sunstrom traded in military service for civilian life in 2016 when he joined Whataburger as a field organization and talent development manager. While there, he developed an accelerated development program to improve bench strength. His process led to an impressive 85% internal promotion rate. His strategies also optimized talent and elevated team performance. In 2021, he joined the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight as a human capital strategist, curriculum developer, and organizational consultant. It wasn’t long before he ascended to his current position as the chief executive officer.
A Multifaceted Leader
Beyond Sunstrom’s role at the Institute, he serves as president of Sunstrom Enterprises LLC, where he applies his skills as an executive coach, curriculum developer, human resources consultant, and project manager. His diverse professional endeavors include teaching Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu as a master instructor and serving as the program director. He is also a scuba diving instructor. These reflect his lifelong interest in acquiring knowledge, teaching others, and ongoing growth.
Sunstrom carries those same traits over into civic engagements. He is an elder and director of support groups at Refuge Church of San Antonio. He is also a hunting guide for TrueMark Adventures, which focuses on helping youth and veterans. These roles highlight his ability to bridge professional success with meaningful societal contributions.
The Power of Strategic Leadership
There’s power in strategic foresight. This concept refers to the ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities and design solutions before they arise. It’s a principle that’s the cornerstone of Sunstrom’s expertise.
This mindset is evident in the curriculum and initiatives Sunstrom has developed. He combines his skillset in industrial and organizational psychology with leading-edge tools to help organizations unlock the potential of the workforce.
A Different Kind of Achievement
Sunstrom has achieved numerous career highlights. One of the most notable is being recognized as the Educator of the Year by Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy in 2010. Although this is a noteworthy accomplishment, he credits balancing a successful career with family life as his greatest achievement. Additionally, he attributes much of his success to his wife, who has been his steadfast supporter.
In 2024, Sunstrom published “Leadership and Two Steps.” The book breaks down leadership and distills theories and concepts into the two most essential pieces that are imperative for leaders at all levels. He also published an article about a new model for dealing with conflict that he recently developed called the SEATED Model of Conflict. “Leadership…It’s not about theory; it’s all about taking care of people,” he says.
