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Multi-day residential programmes at the University of Oxford and Harvard Business School. Built for chiefs of staff who need to lead with influence, precision and impact.

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Empowering the world's chiefs of staff

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CSA Mentorship pairs a small group of CSA members with a senior chief of staff mentor to tackle challenges faced in the role.

EDUCATION 

Mentorship 

This track centres on understanding influence & authority, building resilience, professional development, and disagreeing without being disagreeable.

Individual Focus

In this stream, you’ll hone your ability to deliver bad news, balance competing priorities, build coalitions, and be a strong teammate.

Team Focus

Tailor your learning by choosing a Mentor that best matches your current professional goals.

Learning Outcomes

Through mentorship, we dive into better decision making, developing and maintaining culture, managing complexity, and crisis management.

Organisational Focus

On this path, you’ll explore reputation management, environment scanning, strategic decision making, and how to serve as a trusted advisor.

Principal Focus

Learn from the world’s most accomplished chiefs of staff, advisors, and industry leaders guiding the next generation of executive excellence.

Meet our Featured Mentors 

Joseph Sciortino currently serves as the Chief of Staff for FEMA Region 2, which encompasses
the States of New Jersey and New York, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of the
United States Virgin Islands and the Native American Tribal Nations in the Region.
Mr. Sciortino’s job is to advance FEMA’s mission of helping people before, during and after
disasters, by leading the Region’s executive team through strategic planning, business
operations, organizational health, performance, finance, workforce/personnel development
and management.  Previously, Joe served as the Branch Chief of the Management & Analysis Branch in the Region
2 Recovery Division managing the Data Analytics, Reporting, Business Management, Human
Capital, Workforce Management, Operations portfolio. In addition, served as Deputy Chief of
Staff for the Hurricane Maria Disaster in Puerto Rico in 2017-2019, with finishing up a Detail
assignment in Headquarters assisting the Chief Human Capital Office on a FEMA Organizational
Health Assessment and setting up a Project Management Plan for Diversity, Inclusion, &
Employee Engagement Efforts.

Darren Goodsir is the Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney. He has been in this role since 2022, having been in senior communications and strategy-related roles in higher education and schools since 2017. Prior to the education sector, Darren spent more than 30 years in journalism, communications and public affairs, having led Australia's oldest and most prestigious newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, through transformative digital change, including technological reforms and wholesale organisational restructuring. Darren was the Herald’s editor in chief (2013-2017) for four years, the culmination of nearly 20 years with Fairfax media. Before this, he worked on The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, the Daily Telegraph in Sydney, and as a policy advisor for a Police Commissioner and a press secretary for a government minister. Darren is an experienced strategic and policy practitioner, a proficient public speaker and has regularly chaired commercial and promotional functions. He holds a law degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, and is a twice-published author. His true crime novel, Line of Fire, published in 1991, formed the basis for the acclaimed ABC mini-series, Blue Murder.



Priya Gopal, a seasoned Chief of Staff, orchestrates operational excellence and organizational effectiveness at the intersection of healthcare and technology. As the Director of Core Operations and Organizational Effectiveness at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), she uses her diverse skills and background to drive collaboration, communication, and problem-solving ensuring seamless day-to-day functioning for a 1,500-strong health technology workforce.

Priya is passionate about the potential for technology to drive innovative solutions in healthcare and believes Chiefs of Staff have a strong opportunity to drive effective team dynamics and culture that sustains an organization’s long-term health.

Prior to joining MSK, Priya served in leadership roles at global communication agencies, driving successful communication campaigns for clients in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. She is a certified Chief of Staff, as well as a certified International Coaching Federation coach. Priya independently consults with and coaches clients in areas of communication, strategy, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. 

Priya lives in New York, travels around the globe, is a wine enthusiast, and enjoys the local culture and dining scene.



Dr. Charlotte M. Farmer joined Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. as Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer after a decade at The MITRE Corporation, where she directed operations for 8,000 employees. She also worked directly with major federal government clients to foster technological innovation through laboratories and processes that helped speed ideas to market. During times of significant national stresses such as the pandemic and terrorism, she reached out rapidly to principals in high-tech and related industries, academia, and government, forming agile coalitions that built resources to help counteract the threats.



Paul Jung is a public health physician with over 25 years of experience in health policy, health care reform, international health, health workforce issues, and preventive medicine. Dr. Jung has served as Associate Director of Peace Corps, Chief of Staff of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, professional staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, and in the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. He is a widely published expert on Peace Corps Volunteer health and the specialty of Preventive Medicine. As an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Jung has deployed over a dozen times, receiving a Meritorious Service Medal.



Jhumar Johnson serves as Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University. Her remit is two-fold: acting as trusted confidante, adviser and problem-solver to the Vice-Chancellor, focussing on communications, external relationships and special projects; and ensuring alumni, donors and partners are at the heart of the Open University enterprise. She was responsible for delivering the University’s first fundraising campaign, raising £60M, and running a year-long birthday party to celebrate The Open University’s 50th anniversary in 2019 across the four UK nations and internationally. She has a background in major donations consulting and practice in the not-for-profit sector and in advising individuals and families on shaping their philanthropy.



Living and Leading a Life of Humility, Service, and Gratitude: It is a hallmark of Luis’ professional and personal leadership life, across the fields of higher education and public service. Luis began and completed his first calling at the University of South Florida advancing through increasingly responsible roles in several departments: Student Housing and Residence Life, Student Union, Academics, and University Advancement (Development and Alumni Affairs), to Executive Director, The Joint Military Leadership Center.



Rodney Leon is creative and a strategically minded results and people focused leader. During his career he has held a number of roles of increasing seniority in the area of Information Technology, and has gained a wealth of experience in a wide range of disciplines such as software development, design and architecture, risk management, governance, business partnering, service, project management, and process improvement.



Gina is Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman and CEO at Erie Street Growth Partners where she oversees strategic, administrative, financial, and operational activities for Erie Street’s Chairman and CEO. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff at BRJ Ventures–a Chicago-area single family office–and OS Fund, the family office’s life sciences-focused VC arm. Within these organizations she served as a strategic partner to the CEO and oversaw both firms’ administrative, communications, project management, and human resources functions. For more than 15 years Gina has worked closely with senior leadership in growth stage organizations, and she brings her passion for supporting developing companies and leaders to Erie Street.

I am an experienced Chief of Staff and Senior Executive, who has spent most of my working career leading teams and supporting Government and Business organisations internationally. My career started as a Diplomat in the British Foreign Office, serving in Embassies around the world, including as a Chief of Staff. I then moved on from government service, joining Airbus Group, where as well as Chief of Staff roles, I also undertook Managing Director and Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs roles. Again, in an international context and helped me developed further my understanding of international business and the crucial interface government policy can play in supporting this and vice versa. I am a firm believer in the role of Chief of Staff as a profession, rather than just a development opportunity and have seen the first-hand benefits of the role appropriately challenging group think and acting as a trusted advisor.

Christopher Rassi is currently the Chief of Staff to and Director of the Office of the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). He previously has worked in multiple roles with the IFRC, including most recently as Head of Country Cluster Delegation, based in Bangkok, Thailand and Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific. In this capacity, Christopher worked with National Societies in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as with IFRC leadership throughout Southeast Asia.

Kerry is the Chief of Staff to the Group CEO at the NRMA. With a proven track record of delivering impactful strategic business outcomes and driving operational efficiencies across organisations, Kerry is a respected critical thinker and trusted advisor to the C-suite. She excels in highly demanding, fast-paced environments, consistently identifying opportunities for innovation, streamlining processes, and ensuring the alignment of both key initiatives with the company’s long-term vision and across the executive leadership team.
With an MBA from the University of Technology and extensive experience in senior executive roles, Kerry has successfully led complex projects and initiatives within both domestic and globally listed companies, navigating the unique challenges posed by diverse markets and organisational structures. Her ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, combined with her strategic insight and deep understanding of business operations, has earned her a reputation for making a significant and lasting impact on the organisations she works with. Kerry’s leadership ensures the smooth and effective execution of the company’s key priorities, ultimately contributing to its sustained success and growth.

Jeremy currently serves as the Chief of Staff to the Founder & Executive Chairman of CH Group, a conglomerate with businesses across the Energy, Real Estate, Agribusiness, and Technology sectors of Ghana. With a wealth of experience advising Founders & CEOs, Jeremy offers invaluable guidance across a spectrum of company matters, including strategy, operations, talent, and organizational culture, drawing from his diverse background in humanitarianism, security, media, business, and leadership. Jeremy’s previous roles, which have taken him to several countries across Africa, Europe, and the Americas, have gifted him with a truly global perspective which informs his comprehensive understanding of diverse cultures, economies, and organizational dynamics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Management with First-Class Honors from Kharkiv University of Economics and a Master’s Degree in Intelligence & Security with Distinction from the University of Leicester, UK.

Erin Bricker is the Chief of Staff for External Relations and Communications at University of California, which serves over 280,000 students statewide. In this role, Erin works alongside the Senior Vice President to guide strategy, development, and execution of the 70-person division’s communications and government relations work to elevate, support, and advance the university. Prior to her current role, Erin held positions as Executive Advisor to the UC Board of Regents, Public Information Officer and Chief of Staff at Santa Rosa Junior College, COO of a construction materials company, and manager of an international freediving company. She is a competitive freediver, held six US national records, coached numerous athletes to national and world records, and trained over 1,000 students in the sport. Erin is currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational change and leadership at the University of Southern California and in her free time, Erin enjoys fitness, traveling, diving, competing in adventure races, and camping.

Maike is a distinguished leader with an impressive international background in the technology sector. As Chief of Staff, she has consistently showcased the ability to drive transformation, optimize operations, and promote D&I, all while building high-performing teams. With a unique blend of international experience, broad operations knowledge, transformational leadership, OKR methodology expertise and a commitment to building high-performing teams, Maike is driving an organisation’s success and its mission to create a diverse and inclusive workspace. She exemplifies the qualities of a truly international, forward-thinking, dedicated leader, driving both innovation and social responsibility within an organisation. As a certified Chief of Staff  from Oxford and Harvard Business Schools, Maike is also a mentor to numerous mentees worldwide, providing guidance and support to the next generation of leaders and is a dedicated volenteer with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Ifeoma Onwughalu (“Ife”) has lived and worked in Austria, China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the United States. She currently works as Chief of Staff to the Global Chief Client and Revenue Officer of Thoughtworks. Thoughtworks is a leading global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design, and software engineering to enable enterprises and technology disruptors across the globe to thrive as modern digital businesses. Ifeoma has 20 years of professional project and program management experiences ranging from sustainable water systems engineering and capability development in rural communities, end-to-end computer hardware manufacturing supply chain operations, complex software/IT and services delivery, to team and executive coaching and facilitation. She is also an inventor and certified professional coach.

A transformational executive with 20 years of experience, motivated to deliver innovation and excellence; extracting results at times of operational crisis in complex, pressurised and highly regulated areas. A driven and courageous leader with proven strategic vision, tested in the hardest and most pressurised environments including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Security cleared, with extensive experience both pan-Defence and also within public sector capability development and delivery.

Deborah is currently Principal Chief of Staff to the VP Project Centre of Excellence and global PCoE Leadership team, focusing on leadership effectiveness, and fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders across global project teams and Technical. Deborah is based in Perth and has been at BHP for over 10 years, with past roles in Project’s Commercial and Procurement.
Deborah holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Financial Management and was a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with RICS before changing course and becoming a Member of the Chief of Staff Association in 2022. In October last year, Deborah completed the Chief of Staff Executive Leadership course at Harvard Business School which focused on leading with relational power, collaborative leadership, and ambidextrous innovation.

# “Chiefs of staff serve as sounding boards and strategic thought partners to their principals, yet they often lack their own support network. The CSA’s mentorship programme connects members with the expert guidance of senior chiefs of staff and feedback of a trusted peer group to accelerate professional growth”
# 
- Ret Col. Mike Jernigan, Director of Mentorship
