Feedback from “WHY Discovery” sessions:
“Spending a couple hours with Sandra was easily one of the most valuable, productive, and rewarding things I’ve done in a LONG time. Through an open and judgment-free discussion about influential events in my life, we were able to draft my “Why” statement, which I’ve already used to help inform major decisions in my life. I couldn’t recommend Sandra highly enough!“ -Dylan Richter
"It's easy over time to focus on your job or your company's mission and lose track of what motivates you as an individual. Working with Sandra helped me get back in touch with my underlying passion, the deeper Why that has driven me across everything I've done. She was able to connect the dots for me across my life experiences in a warm, non-judgmental way that helped me reconnect with why I do what I do." -Anonymous Client
“Even though I thought I knew my “why," working with Sandra uncovered my core purpose, which I can now connect with everything I do.” -Anonymous Client
“I consider myself fortunate to have collaborated with Sandra Laney on a WHY Discovery Session. As a scientist entrepreneur, my recent years have seen explosive growth, leading to diverse opportunities that, at times, diluted my focus. Sandra's remarkable expertise lies in delving into one's life experiences, pinpointing pivotal events that shape our persona, and extracting core beliefs and strengths. Through our collaboration, I found myself newly empowered with a rejuvenated sense of purpose and clear direction for my leadership journey ahead. Sandra's ability to distill meaning from my journey has been transformative, guiding me toward a more focused and intentional path.” - Rifat Hasina, Ph.D.
Testimonials from Peers, Partners, and Collaborators:
“I believe that Sandra almost single-handedly elevated the Chicago science ecosystem while at the Walder Foundation. Engaging a significant number of institutions in the Chicagoland area I am sure sometimes felt like an impossible task. Adding a time scale to this effort made what she accomplished herculean. She did an outstanding job of awakening relationships that in some cases have been siloed/dormant for a long time. She personally did a lot for the Chicago academic landscape and her efforts enabled successful agreements that have helped multiple institutions work together in productive ways. Sandra is very organized, committed, has a broad network, and knows how science is done at a high level. Personally, she is warm, considerate, a pleasure to work with, and gets things done.” - Dr. Andy Bean, Dean of the Graduate College and Interim Vice Provost for Research at Rush University
“She's a strategic thinker, understands the value of collaboration and partnerships, and the need to incorporate equity into the discussion. She quickly became a key stakeholder and thought partner in Chicago's growing Life Sciences ecosystem. -Lisa Dziekan, World Business Chicago
“Dr. Sandra Laney proved herself to be both visionary and unstoppable in her tenure in the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State. The most outstanding example of a project that she took from conception to execution was a partnership with all-women's colleges to provide education within welcoming social spaces for international female students from conservative families and communities. Sandra conceived of the idea, developed the partnerships with dozens of schools and other organizations, and won Secretary Clinton's public support for the program.” -Dr. Eric Bone, U.S. Department of State
“Sandra is a star! I had the privilege of recruiting and working with Sandra during her time at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Sandra was an effective and creative contributor in both the specific areas she was responsible, but perhaps more important, Sandra is a creative entrepreneur identifying new areas and opportunities where the Gates Foundation could have impact and moving the team along in productive directions.” -Steve Buchsbaum, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“Sandra is a thoughtful leader, an engaging colleague, and a passionate advocate for global health. She finds ways to bring teams together -- whether they be within the same organization, or around the world. She helped shape almost every aspect of the Foundation's response to the Ebola crisis, from technology to communications, from partner development to policy choices.” Andy Hickl, Vulcan, Inc.
“Sandra is a compassionate and driven leader who is committed to solving the most complex and urgent global health issues facing us today. Her on the ground experience and knowledge combined with her ability to navigate complex political systems enabled the Paul G Allen Ebola Program to have an outsized impact upon the crises. Sandra is tireless in her pursuits and is one of the best team leaders and partners to be found.” - Carey Teemer, Vulcan Inc.