The High-Potential Leader's Fast Track to Self-Mastery The path to effective leadership is no longer a slow climb—it's a sprint. Today's rising managers, supervisors, and high-potential employees, and existing leaders must understand themselves, raise their emotional intelligence, and increase their discernment faster than ever to succeed in an AI-accelerated environment. EPIC 2.0 in the Age of AI program transforms generic training into precision talent development. Key Program Deliverables This program is specifically designed to provide your organization with an immediate return on investment by focusing time and energy on high-leverage skills: Mastery of Self-Awareness Scientifically validated assessments (DISC, 12 Driving Forces, AI Traveler, and others) ensure customized materials, fast-tracking self-awareness for intentional leadership. Time Mastery 2.0 with AI Adopt the Time Mastery 2.0 framework for your exact role to optimize schedules, focus on high-value outcomes, and leverage AI for task delegation and efficiency. Trust as the Engine of Change Learn practical techniques for building and maintaining trust across three levels of Conversational Intelligence, reducing internal and organizational drama. Strategic Communication and Problem Solving Gain immediate practical communication and application skills using the updated VIPEi Framework (Vision, Ideation, Planning, Execution, Iteration) to restore team adaptability and accelerate insights and use it for your, specific, problem or project. Learning How to Learn in the Age of AI Develop a co-thinking mindset, using AI not just for speed, but for clarity and strategic partnership, mastering high-impact prompts. Utilize tools and frameworks to understand and communicate with others more effectively and collaborate with better outcomes. Self-Mastery Leadership Challenge chosen by each participant that ensures application of the EPIC 2.0 learning experiences. Participation during sessions in 3-4 person Thinking Pods to practice what they are learning and ways to apply it immediately. EPIC 2.0 Why This Program, Why Now The path to effective leadership is no longer a slow climb—it's a sprint. Today's rising managers, supervisors, and high-potential employees, and existing leaders must understand themselves, raise their emotional intelligence, and increase their discernment faster than ever to succeed in an AI-accelerated environment. EPIC 2.0 Age of AI program transforms generic training into precision talent development. Leaders are currently wrestling with the twin burdens of low-value interactions and "work-slop" (ineffective work product resulting from poor AI integration and unclear self-management skills) and "drama" (resulting from a lack of self-awareness and self-regulation). Cortex, which is now training hundreds of leaders in both human-centered skills and AI essentials, designed EPIC 2.0 to solve this gap. EPIC 2.0 is a dynamic 2-day experience that transforms leaders from overwhelmed responders to more agile Co-Creators who seamlessly integrate human judgment with AI-enabled insights. Contact Us! Read More What you can't get anywhere else 1. High-Performance Acceleration: Experience a two-day transformation that fast-tracks self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and strategic execution—skills leaders usually take years to master. 2. Human + AI Integration: EPIC 2.0 bridges leadership science and AI capability, showing leaders exactly how to reduce “work-slop,” eliminate drama, and lead with clarity in an AI-driven world. 3. Exclusive Leadership Frameworks: Access the Time Mastery 2.0 system, the VIPEi Strategic Problem-Solving Model, and the AI Traveler Assessment—frameworks used by hundreds of high-performing leaders to optimize their teams and decision-making. Frequently Asked Questions What is the primary purpose of the EPIC 2.0 program? EPIC 2.0 is a dynamic 2-day experience designed to transform leaders from overwhelmed responders into more agile Co-Creators who seamlessly integrate human judgment with AI-enabled insights. The program aims to transform generic training into precision talent development. Who is the target audience for the EPIC 2.0 program? The program is designed for rising managers, supervisors, high-potential employees, and existing leaders. What specific challenges does EPIC 2.0 address? The program is designed to solve the gap resulting from leaders dealing with the "twin burdens" of low-value interactions and "work-slop" (ineffective work product due to unclear self-management skills and poor AI integration). It also addresses "drama" that results from a lack of self-awareness and self-regulation. What are the key deliverables of the program? The program focuses time and energy on high-leverage skills to provide an immediate return on investment (ROI). Key deliverables include: Mastery of Self-Awareness using scientifically validated assessments. Time Mastery 2.0 with AI to optimize schedules, focus on high-value outcomes, and leverage AI for task delegation and efficiency. Gaining skills in Strategic Communication and Problem Solving. Learning How to Learn in the Age of AI, including developing a co-thinking mindset and mastering high-impact prompts for strategic partnership. What frameworks and assessments are utilized in the program? Scientifically validated assessments are used to ensure customized materials, including DISC, 12 Driving Forces, and AI Traveler. The program also teaches the Time Mastery 2.0 framework. How is the learning applied and practiced? Application is ensured through a Self-Mastery Leadership Challenge chosen by each participant. Participants also engage in 3-4 person Thinking Pods during sessions to practice what they are learning and identify ways to apply it immediately. What is the format and duration of EPIC 2.0? The program is a dynamic 2-day experience delivered through in-person, live instruction. What is the cohort size? The cohort size is limited to 14-18 spaces to ensure maximum personalization and high-touch facilitation. When does the program start? Each cohort will collectively pick the best date for Day 1 and Day 2 based on availability to ensure high-level participation. The upcoming Cohort kicks off in January of 2026. What are the associated investment costs? As a Special Partnership Offering, the investment varies by membership status: SRCC Member Rate: $1,100 per participant. SRCC Member Rate (2+ participants from the same organization): $950 per participant. Non-Member Rate: $1,250 per participant. Who are the partners offering this program? This Special Partnership Offering is provided by the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, Cortex Leadership Consulting, and Metis. Contact Us! First Name* Last Name* Email* Company* Position* I am interested in the following (select one or more). Additional Information Reserving an EPIC 2.0 seat for myself Sending one of my employees to EPIC 2.0 Sending two of my employees to EPIC 2.0 Sending three or more of my employees to EPIC 2.0 Submit

Cortex Culture Kits Cortex Culture Kits Cortex Culture Kits Cortex Culture Kits Everything a leader needs to conduct tailored, relevant, meaningful, and impactful, 1-hour team experiences that build trust and cohesion. How Culture Kits Work How Culture Kits Work How Culture Kits Work How Culture Kits Work All Culture Kits are designed as a six-part series spanning over 12-months. Already been through a series before through a Cortex Workshop? You have the option to mix & match! By mix & matching, you have the opportunity to design a Culture Kit experience for you and your team that addresses your teams needs specifically. Once choosing or mix & matching your Culture Kit follow these steps: 1 Schedule 6 team meetings with your team spanning over 12-months 2 Notify your Cortex Coach on what your Culture Kit includes and that you have scheduled all sessions with your team 3 Two weeks prior to your scheduled meeting, you'll receive an email with the landing page of each month's materials relating to your Culture Kit What We Offer Cortex Culture Kits Grow Your Team! Stressed for Success Stressed for Success is a guided Culture Kit designed to help individuals understand and manage stress and anxiety. It explores the neurological roots of stress, different types of anxiety, and introduces practical tools to "quiet the bully in your brain." Participants engage in short, spaced-out learning modules paired with simple, repeatable exercises aimed at rewiring stress responses. By consistently practicing the techniques, users can expect to reduce anxiety triggers, improve sleep, gain emotional control, and experience a greater sense of calm and clarity. This Culture Kit is available as a six-part series spanning over 12 months. The DISC Culture Kit series guides teams through a dynamic journey of self-awareness, communication mastery, and collaboration using the DISC behavioral model. Over six one-hour sessions, participants learn to identify their own DISC style, understand and adapt to others, and use this awareness to improve teamwork, manage conflict, and give effective feedback. Each session builds on the last through interactive activities, guided discussions, and practical application tools. By the end of the series, team members will be equipped to leverage their behavioral strengths, flex for better connection, and lead with greater emotional intelligence. *Already been through a couple of these? You can mix and match between all culture kits to best fit your teams needs!* Appreciation The 6-part Appreciation Culture Kit is designed to help teams build a stronger, more connected workplace by practicing meaningful, personalized appreciation. Through the lens of the 5 Languages of Appreciation, participants learn how to recognize and express gratitude in ways that truly resonate with their teammates. Each one-hour session blends science-backed insights with practical tools and guided discussions that deepen trust, increase engagement, and reduce turnover. By the end of the series, teams walk away with a shared understanding of how to make appreciation a natural, everyday part of their culture. Conflict Resolution The 6-part Conflict Resolution Culture Kit helps teams develop the skills to navigate tension with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Each session guides participants through a progression—from recognizing personal conflict styles and emotional triggers, to mastering active listening, respectful expression, and behavioral adaptation using DISC. Teams will learn how to transform difficult conversations into growth opportunities and strengthen trust through accountability and repair. This practical, interactive series creates a psychologically safe environment where healthy conflict leads to stronger collaboration and better results. Want More? Check back periodically to see updates to the Culture Kits we offer! Have questions? Feel free to email info@cortexleadership.com

Are You Ready to Lose Your Leaders? November 19, 2017 Lynda McNutt Foster 86% of companies surveyed by Deloitte University Press say the need is urgent to develop new leaders. Only 13% of organizations say they do an excellent job developing leaders at all levels. The Global Leadership Forecast reported that 85% of executives are not confident in their leadership pipelines. Perhaps organizations have been asking the question: How many people in our organization will we train to be leaders this year? When a better question might be, how many leaders do we need to train this year? The number of leadership positions that need to be filled as the baby boomers and silver generation retire in the next 10 years, can not be filled by Gen Xers . There’s not enough of them to fill those vacant positions. It’s estimated that 24 million new jobs will be created by 2020 as a result of baby boomers retiring. The Director for Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce, Anthony P. Carnevale says, “The cognitive skills that will be most in demand for the jobs available in 2020 are leadership, communication, analytics and administration,” Also important research from Gallup discovered that 50% of the workers who had left organizations did so because of their manager . We’re going to need to train a ton of new leaders and the ones we have may not have the skills necessary to retain them. It is clear that succession planning through leadership and employee development, at every level of organizations, is an imperative. To be prepared, we need to consider that the previous models for training and development are not adequate for the tsunami that is ahead of us. The old model for training and development was an event. Each year, a select group of leaders from an organization were sent away in hope that they would come back to their teams and inspire and coach their team member’s to be more engaged and productive in order to reach the corporate goals that the leader wanted to meet. The training was expensive, which was why only a small number from the organization could go, and the programs took the leader away to a fantasy island where the lessons were set in a perfect scenario that was supposed to result in their team easily embracing the new lessons the leader had learned. If the leadership teams went as a group, their team members often felt like their boss, and his/her peers had learned a new and special “language” that was hard to understand and was never fully explained or understood by them. There was a separateness that was created that led to a “them vs us” mentality and resentment sometimes was felt towards the leaders. Even worse was the idea that the leaders being trained separately from their teams somehow had the skill of facilitation in order to “cascade” what they learned to each team member. This was supposed to happen in a seamless way with no continuing, or meaningful, support from the programs that trained the leaders. If support was given, it was usually done in an impersonal way through digital files or for those with a sizeable enough budget, one-on-one coaching. The old system of leadership training was not designed for today’s rapidly changing workplace that requires practical instruction for immediate challenges that face leaders and their teams daily. Leaders must demonstrate agility and so should the sources that help train them. For organizations to be competitive in attracting today’s workforce, they need to adopt a methodology of continuous development for their leaders with the teams they serve. Today, succession planning can be “baked into” the training. In the new model training is not one event, but instead, it is a series of group experiences that continual development and support leaders. By conducting the training this way, there is no loss of investment if a leader or one person on the team leaves, because the development is cascading to all members of the team. By doing this, you are developing your leaders of tomorrow while supporting the ones you have today. Through short, scheduled group sessions, teams, and their leaders learn to listen for understanding, have the difficult or sweaty conversations (as we call them) most people avoid that leads to their ability to work through and past the toughest challenges. The only way to make leadership development and skill building of your highest potentials affordable is to make it an imperative. It must be something that the current leadership in the organization believes to be one of its highest priorities. Saying it is “urgent and important” yet placing it in the “important but not urgent” quadrant will not create solutions that net results for your culture that reflect positively through your brand. When something is urgent and important it gets done. Creative solutions are found to solve it. The best minds in the company come together to collaborate on ideas and how to implement them. The solutions that are created are committed to and executed from the very top – they are not pushed up. When something is urgent and important it gets done and everyone sees the effect on the organization if it doesn’t. Where do you start if you know you need to train your leaders? 1. Determine if your commitment to developing your future leaders and to your succession plan will be in the urgent and important category in 2018. It’s fine if it isn’t, just please don’t say it is when it is not. Your mangers will notice the misalignment and more harm than good will come from it. To identify whether it truly is in the “urgent and important” category take a look at the budget you have set for it and the time you have made to create a vision, brainstorm ideas, develop a plan, and execute it. If you haven’t set money and time aside for these things, it’s either not in the urgent and important category now or you are throwing spaghetti at the wall and expecting it to stick. 2. Discover the answer to these questions: How many leaders do we need to have trained in 2018 and why to ensure we are ready for our changing workforce in 2019, 2020 and beyond? What are the leadership competencies they need to be trained in? How will we determine which competencies individual leaders are weak in? What are the best ways to be sure any training those leaders receive will be practiced? What are some of the modern methods of training that we can use that will have an immediate effect on the productivity of the leaders and their teams? How will we make performance development a continuous practice for our leaders and the teams they serve? How dated are the models we are using to train our contemporary workforce? What will success look like from the training that we are going to do? What type of support will be necessary, after the training, to ensure that it sticks? How will we measure the success of the training? Can the training stick without our (meaning the top tier leadership group) participation in it? Would it be most effective to train the leaders with their teams or have them trained separately? Does the brand image of the products or services we offer support the type of culture we are building within our leadership teams? Would you recommend to your best friend, if they are qualified, that they come to work for your company or organization? Make the time to consider these questions and have the sweaty conversations necessary to answer them this week, rather than next. Before the end of this year, instead of next. In 2018 instead of 2019. Your biggest competitors are doing this type of hard work that will lead to changing their corporate culture’s brand in order to reach prosperous outcomes. Cortex is working with organizations, right now, to ensure their profitable outcomes for 2018. We’d like to work with you.

Cortex Leadership Consulting Lynda McNutt Foster info@cortexleadership.com Contact Us! Customized Keynote Experiences Lynda McNutt Foster and Cortex Leadership Consulting has provided customized Keynote experiences for some of the following companies and organizations: Emerging Technology Conference Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council VAFCC Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics All Hands PenAir Credit Union Testimonials Andrew Schoka, CEO & Co-Founder, Hardshell "A fantastic ending keynote by Lynda Foster, CPEQA made a for a great event and chance to catch up with friends across Virginia's startup community." "This isn't just a static theoretical speech. It's an experience which transforms the thinking of Leaders, providing demonstrations you can use immediately to help transform your organization." - Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO & Founder Contact Us! First name* Last name* Email* Company/Organization* Position* Phone Number Select all that apply: I am interested in getting Lynda as a keynote speaker for 2026 I am interested in getting Lynda as a keynote speaker for 2027 I am interested in getting Lynda as a keynote speaker for 2028 I am interested in learning more about Cortex and how they serve my team Other Submit

Menu of Services 2025 Menu of Services for Cortex Leadership Consulting This Menu of Services outlines our comprehensive suite of services, designed to accelerate leadership effectiveness, enhance organizational performance, and support talent acquisition. Each service package is tailored to meet the unique needs of leaders, teams, and organizations, ensuring measurable results and sustainable growth. Meet Our Coaches Table of Contents: Executive, One-on-One Coaching Packages Executive Level Coaching 360 Degree Survey Manager/Supervisor Coaching Small Group Coaching Leadership Team Assessment/Training/Facilitation Packages Team Team Alignment Survey Culture Kits for Trust Building & Team Cohesion Half-Day Targeted Training Sessions Full-Day Targeted Training Sessions Cortex Signature Leadership Programs EPIC Leadership Leading a Winning Team Succeeding Through Others De-escalation/Conflict Resolution Package Talent Acquisition/Executive Search Package Talent Acquisition/Executive Search Comprehensive Package Benchmarking Package: stand-alone Onboarding Package: stand-alone HR Consulting Strategy Sessions for Leaders Add ons Assessments Debriefs Follow-Up Coaching Monti, Cortex “Coach in Your Pocket” 1. Executive One-on-One Coaching Packages & 360 Assessment Survey Annual Executive Coaching Transformative leadership development tailored to individual goals. Features: Conducted by Cortex Certified Executive Leadership Coach, lead researcher, with more than 20 years of experience getting results for leaders and their teams Annual assessments: DISC, MOT, EQ Leadership Competency assessments to be completed by client and discussed with their supervisor Tailored Leadership Development Plan based on assessment results and goals Tailored Coaching Guide for their supervisor to ensure alignment and engaging monthly one-on-ones that support the client in achieving peak performance Customized learning modules that match the client’s development plan with the competency they are focused on for that Phase of their development plan Personalized deep conversation podcasts that match their development phase learning module with the strengths and unique challenges that the client faces in their role and with the behavioral styles and motivators to ensure targeted, relevant, and immediate application of the learning Full access to their private Cortex Portal for all suggested learning, all assessments completed and information relevant to their coaching and development Monti, "Coach in Your Pocket" support deployed through interactive questions 3x a week via text for length of coaching package along with accompanying journals and insights 5 Laser, On the Spot, Coaching Sessions provided within 48 hours of their request 3 Check-ins with their direct supervisor or leader that requests these sessions 10 one-on-one coaching sessions 360 Degree Assessment Survey Advanced, anonymous feedback integrating assessments and Monti insights to deliver targeted recommendations for continuous leadership improvement. Features: Personalized Feedback Design: Collaboration to develop tailored questions/statements for 5-7 rater types Collaboration to determine selection of 12-18 raters that will participate in the survey Deployment to identified raters Comprehensive Data Collection: Ratings and detailed comments from raters Self-assessment by the leader Integration with DISC, Driving Forces, EQ, and/or other assessments and Monti journal insights Advanced Analysis and Synthesis Final Report of Findings: Anonymity ensured through cutting-edge technology In-depth analysis of feedback, synthesizing ratings, comments, and assessments Identification of targeted improvement areas and recommendations for action Strategic Debriefs: Individual debrief with the leader to review results and action plan Tailored, personalized, deep dive conversation podcast to further explain and discuss the findings and provide support and implementation of the findings Follow-up debrief with the leader and their supervisor for alignment This service ensures a data-driven, personalized approach to leadership development, facilitating continuous improvement and actionable growth strategies. Manager/Supervisor One-on-One Coaching Transformative leadership development tailored to individual manager/supervisor goals. Features: Conducted by Cortex Certified Leadership Coach with more than 6-10 years of experience getting results for managers/supervisors organizations Assessments: DISC, MOT, EQ, and Leadership Competencies, Specific Competencies ie- Time Mastery, Conflict Tolerance, Mindset Focus, Trust Building, etc. Tailored, personalized Management Development Plan based on assessment results and desired competencies necessary to reach peak performance Tailored, personalized deep dive conversation podcast produced just for them to explain and further discuss the key components of the development plan to ensure retention and motivate to action Tailored, personalized Coaching Guide for their supervisor to ensure alignment and optimal one-on-one monthly conversations that works in alignment with their clients goals to further support their peak performance goals Monti, "Coach in Your Pocket" support deployed through interactive questions 3x a week via text for length of coaching package along with accompanying journals and insights 6 one-on-one coaching sessions 2 Laser, On the Spot, Coaching Sessions provided within 48 hours of their request 2 Check-ins with supervisor or leader that requests it Small Group Coaching Focused development for cohorts of 3-6 leaders Virtual. In-person – add travel expenses Features: Three-month program Monthly group coaching sessions (90 minutes each) DISC and Leadership Competency Assessments for each participant as applicable to focused topic of development Group and Individual Leadership Development Plans Coaching Guide for those they report to in order to support the lessons they are applying at work Access to Monti – Cortex’s proprietary "Coach in Your Pocket" for the duration of the program, 3x a week along with a Monti journal of all their entries and any applicable insights gained from those 2. Leadership Team Alignment Survey/Assessment, Training, & Facilitation Packages Team Alignment Surveys This powerful, turn-key survey ensures that every voice on the team is heard and understood and feels a part of the growth and development of a peak performing team. Features: 4-15 member teams 100% of all team members is desirable to ensure accurate results and achievable based on Cortex’s experience with this type of team targeted method Measures key areas for team alignment and cohesion in the areas of Culture, Clarity, Structure and Execution Tailored results that utilize the survey, DISC/DF for all team members and goals of the team. Insights on level of trust of the leader, alignment of leader’s perspective in each area vs their team Specific celebrations where team is doing well and tailored suggestions for areas for improvement with prescriptive, actionable next steps for the leader and team to take One-on-One debrief with the leader Tailored deep dive conversation podcast to explain high-level results to the leader and their team or Creation of PP of select, high-level, results of survey and next steps presented to team in 30-minute virtual session Team Culture Kits Everything a leader needs to conduct tailored, relevant, meaningful, and impactful, 1-hour team experiences that build trust and cohesion for their team. Features: Team Alignment Survey is conducted Tailored Leader’s Guide that suggests content for their team’s monthly meetings One hour training and available virtual labs to improve the leaders skills in facilitating transformation conversations with their teams Cortex Culture Kits provide the leader and their team with everything they need to have a one-hour team experience that ensures the team connects, builds empathy to create a continuing culture of cooperation and collaboration Each kit includes: Announcement email content for upcoming team session, article regarding topic chosen, deep dive conversation podcast or short video with author of topic to further explain topic and preview the upcoming session, an opening team connection exercise like conversation cards or thumb balls or other provide tools that ensure trust is being built, facilitator instructions for leading the conversation, all materials needed for the session, follow up email or survey to know how each team member is utilizing what they learned in the session. Access to their own Cortex Portal which contains their team’s alignment survey results and any other assessments the team has complete along with their Cortex Culture Kit library that include: 12 different modules to choose from each session. Half-Day Targeted Training Sessions Each Cortex training is customized for each team utilizing the team’s DISC/DF or other assessments along with the Team Alignment Survey if either are available. Features: 3 - 4 hours of Training conducted by Cortex Certified Trainer/Facilitator Customized content tailored to organizational needs conducted in a flipped classroom method to optimize engagement, retention, and application of what participants are learning Pre-session planning meeting Materials provided for pre-work and homework Access to Cortex Learning Platform for Digital Training Modules applicable to targeted training Follow up assessment/surveys to ensure application of what participants learned and practiced Full-Day Targeted Training Session Comprehensive and immersive leadership development. Features: 5-7 hours of Training conducted by Cortex Certified Trainer/Facilitator Customized content tailored to organizational needs conducted in a flipped classroom method to optimize engagement, retention, and application of what participants are learning Pre-session planning meeting Materials provided for pre-work and homework Access to Cortex Learning Platform for Digital Training Modules applicable to targeted training Follow up assessment/surveys to ensure application of what participants learned and practice Signature Leadership Programs Structured programs for high-potential leaders. EPIC Leadership Training: $1,250-$1,500 per participant depending on size of cohort (see details in EPIC section of our website ) Leading a Winning Team: $3,000 per participant per participant depending on size of cohort (see details in the Leading a Winning Team section of our website ) Succeeding Through Others Targeted, customizable skill-building series for supervisors and managers to enhance essential leadership capabilities. Comprehensive Training Modules: Programs include Managing Multiple Priorities, Interviewing, Onboarding, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Coaching for Peak Performance, and more. Flipped Classroom Style: Pre-learning modules via the Cortex Leadership Learning Platform. 3-4 hour live or virtual/live sessions focused on practice and comprehension. Application and Follow-Up: Post-training surveys to ensure skills are applied effectively. Practical exercises for real-world implementation. Equip your supervisors and managers with the skills they need to lead confidently, enhance team performance, and drive organizational success. 3. De-escalation/Conflict Resolution Packages Conflict Resolution Facilitation Resolve workplace disputes with expert guidance and actionable outcomes. Features: Individual assessments for all parties (DISC, Driving Forces, and EQ) Cortex Conflict Tolerance Assessment Three structured resolution sessions with a Cortex Certified Facilitator Materials provided for pre-work and homework along with access to their personal Cortex Portal Post-resolution debrief and action plan for sustained harmony Follow up assessments/surveys to ensure that progress is being made that was committed to during the final resolution session 4. Talent Acquisition/Executive Search Comprehensive Packages Comprehensive Talent Acquisition Services End-to-end recruitment and onboarding for high-level roles. Features: Custom Benchmarking for each role that includes engaging job posting (see full detail under Custom Benchmarking ection) Tailored and Specific Executive Search Extensive candidate screening that includes initial outreach and follow-up for interest, assessments, targeted conversations with who they will report to, coaching conversations with candidate to ensure they are prepared for the interview and verification of assessment results Assessments that may include DISC, Driving Forces, EQ, Leadership Competency Assessments, and Caliper for final 3 candidates Final candidate comparison reports so leader can determine the strengths, abilities to contribute, and how the candidate will work with who they will report to Onboarding support for 3 months, including coaching for the new hire and their manager (see full detail under Onboarding section) Comprehensive final report and placement guarantee (3 months) Benchmarking Custom Benchmarking for Each Essential Role and Executive Search Comprehensive benchmarking of individual roles or Executive Search to effectively attract right candidate Features: Session to interview leader about role they need filled Clearly define roles, responsibilities, accountabilities and measurables Define what qualifications and preferences a candidate would have Define what behavioral characteristics would be most valuable and least valuable in the perfect candidate Create a benchmark profile of what DISC and Motivators scores the ideal candidate might have. Creation of job post based on target hire’s behavioral characteristics, motivations, and culture of organization designed to attract the role’s best fit. Comparison Report of final candidates to benchmark profile, with strengths and gaps that may exist compared to the role. 90-Day Transition Coaching Custom Transition Coaching for Leadership Positions, New Managers or Supervisors or Promotions Comprehensive analysis and support services for team member and their manager Features: Analysis of new hire and manager using DISC/Driving Forces Session with Manager to determine expectations of Team Member and confirm competencies as determined by analysis of their job description Comprehensive, Tailored and Personalized Transition Guide for client Comprehensive, Tailored and Personalized Transition Guide for supervisor Coaching Session with Team Member to debrief their DISC/Driving Forces report and match it to the role and competencies they are expected to execute in their new role Coaching Session with Manager and Team Member to create desired outcomes for the first 90 days Coaching Session with Team Member to ensure that goals are clear and are being met 90-days of special Monti, Coach in Your Pocket, interactive questions designed to provide insights into the new hires sense of belonging on the team, what challenges they may be facing, what support they may need, etc. Coaching Session with Manager to determine what types of communication and behaviors will most engage and motivate the Team Member towards peak performance. Final coaching session with Team Member to ensure clarity of further goals past the 90 days and provide any coaching needed for conversations needed with other team members or their manager Final Onboarding Reports to Manager and Team Member with outline of process that was followed, engagement of new hire, along with any applicable insights that will ensure their continued success. 5. HR Consulting Expert HR Consulting/Strategy Expert guidance for organizational effectiveness and compliance. Services include: Policy design and implementation Culture assessments and action planning Succession planning and role alignment Facilitation of Leadership level and other supporting Strategy Sessions Customized services based on HR needs of organization as outlined in the Cortex HR assessment and conversations with leaders 6. Strategy Sessions for Leaders Custom Strategy Facilitation Empower your leadership team with actionable insights and direction. Features: Pre-session discovery and stakeholder interviews Customized strategy development sessions conducted by a Cortex Certified Facilitation specialist Materials provided for pre-work and session and access to any relevant materials or content on the Cortex Digital Learning Platform Comprehensive session report with actionable recommendations Add-Ons: Assessments/Debriefs: Individual DISC/Driving Forces/Cortex Team Strengths Assessment Package EQ Assessment as part of DISC/DF/Cortex Team Strengths assessment package Cortex Certified Coach Debrief of DISC/DF/Cortex Strengths/EQ assessment Caliper Assessment used for Role Match and Professional Debrief Cortex Targeted Competency Assessments: Added Value for any package Follow-Up Coaching Coaching Executive Level Coaching Follow-Up Session (55 minutes) Coaching, Manager/Supervisor Follow-Up Session (55 minutes) Monti, Cortex’s “Coach in Your Pocket” Monti, "Coach in Your Pocket" Access (Monthly) Why Choose Cortex Leadership Consulting? Proven Track Record of Success For over a decade, we’ve partnered with top executives, HR professionals, and leadership teams to drive measurable, sustainable results. Our clients experience increased productivity, improved team dynamics, and enhanced leadership effectiveness due to our targeted, customized approach. Cutting-Edge Technology Integration We leverage innovative tools like Monti, the “Coach in Your Pocket”, providing 24/7 personalized support and insights. Our advanced platforms ensure feedback, assessments, and development processes are seamless, confidential, and actionable, giving leaders the continuous support they need to excel. Tailored Solutions for Every Need No two organizations are alike. That’s why we customize each program, training session, and coaching engagement to your unique goals and challenges. From leadership development to conflict resolution and talent acquisition, our services adapt as your organization evolves. Data-Driven Insights Our approach integrates DISC, Driving Forces, EQ, and 360-degree feedback with Monti journals and targeted surveys, providing leaders and teams with comprehensive, actionable data. This ensures development efforts are focused, relevant, and effective. Engaging, Practical Learning Experiences We use a flipped classroom methodology and interactive, real-world exercises to maximize engagement, retention, and application. Pre-learning modules, live sessions, and follow-up assessments ensure participants not only learn but also apply new skills in their daily roles. Expert Facilitators and Coaches Our team of certified coaches and facilitators brings decades of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and facilitation. Each engagement is delivered with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to excellence. Partnership Mindset We see ourselves as an extension of your team. Our long-term partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to your success. We offer flexibility in pricing, customization of services, and ongoing support to meet your evolving needs. Comprehensive, End-to-End Services From executive coaching and leadership training to conflict resolution, talent acquisition, and strategy facilitation, Cortex offers a holistic suite of services designed to elevate leadership at every level. Our add-on services and assessments ensure you have all the tools necessary for continuous improvement. Results You Can Trust We are dedicated to delivering tangible outcomes. Our process-driven approach, backed by technology and behavioral science, ensures that leaders and teams experience meaningful growth and measurable performance improvements. Transform your leadership and organizational capabilities with Cortex Leadership Consulting. Let’s create a customized plan to unlock the full potential of your leaders and teams. Contact us today to get started at info@cortexleadership.com .

Latest News Oct 31, 2025 Cortex Leadership Consulting CEO Lynda Foster to Deliver Wrap-Up Keynote at the Emerging Technology Conference Cortex Leadership Consulting CEO Lynda Foster to Deliver Wrap-Up Keynote at the Emerging Technology Conference Read More Jul 11, 2025 Cortex Leadership Launches “The AI Leader Brief” to Equip Executives for Rapid AI Disruption Roanoke, VA — July 1, 2025 — As artificial intelligence continues to reshape decision-making, operations, and strategy in every sector, Cortex Leadership Consulting has launched a new tool to help leaders adapt. The AI Leader Brief, a weekly executive digest, is designed to equip organizational decision-makers with timely, actionable insights at the intersection of AI, leadership, and strategy. Read More Jun 20, 2025 Leadership Experts Urge Global Business Shift from VUCA to BANI Framework to Navigate Chaos of the 2020s Roanoke, VA & Cologne, Germany – In a bold and timely call to action, Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, and Holger Heinze, Director & Partner at O'Donovan Consulting AG, have co-authored a powerful new thought leadership piece titled “From VUCA to BANI: Leading in Today’s Chaotic World.” The article challenges today’s business leaders to move beyond the now-outdated VUCA framework and embrace a new, more relevant leadership model: BANI – Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible. Read More Jun 8, 2025 How AI Will Change Your Job—And What You Can Do About It Live Small Group and One-on-One Demo Experiences Show Leaders and Everyday Workers How to Stay Ahead of AI's Disruption Read More Mar 14, 2025 Five Years Later, This Leadership Training Stuck and It's Still Paying Off With clients across the globe, Cortex Leadership Consulting equips leaders with the skills to strengthen their teams, improve communication, and drive company success. Read More Feb 7, 2025 Professionals Graduate EPIC Leadership Program More than two dozen professionals from across Virginia gather to celebrate graduating from the EPIC Leadership Program. Read More Dec 16, 2024 Kimberly Eakin Earns TED Certification to Elevate Client Success with Cortex Kimberly Eakin, a valued Mentor and Coach on the Cortex team, has achieved certification in The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) Read More

We've been growing so you can, too. Sign up for online self-learning courses in our cortex-courses site. Each contains videos from our coaches, activities, and exercises in bite-sized, achievable chunks. Shift Lynda McNutt Foster is a certified practitioner of TED* The Empowerment Dynamic and can make shifts happen with your team, no matter what type of drama your team is experiencing. 360 surveys are assessment tools that provide leaders and employees with feedback about their performance.  The surveys’ subject is rated in areas such as leadership, communication, productivity, and technical skills. Check it out The Cortex Team Strengths full day session is designed to tackle a leadership team's biggest challenge and give them a model they can use in the future. The session includes a Cortex Team Strengths assessment that will help leaders/managers better understand which of the 4 phases of a project cycle they prefer to work within. Grow EPIC is a turn-key, coaching and mentoring program to build emotional intelligence in the area of self-awareness and leadership skills of highly engaged professionals. Explore If you take your leadership training with a side of ridiculous, we've got just what you ordered. Get untied with Lynda McNutt Foster and Brett Sharp in this groundbreaking podcast. Listen Now Conducted with small groups in a highly interactive format, this program is designed for seasoned leaders and those accepting the role and responsibility of leadership. Lead Tools We Use Programs We Run Problems We Solve

What We Provide The types of challenges we have helped leaders tackle include: Leadership Teams Creating leadership teams that communicate effectively with coworkers, clients and customers. Time Management Training leaders to map, measure, and design their time for maximum results. Succession Planning Executing a strong succession plan that evenly distributes the strengths and experience of senior and emerging leadership for continued success. Culture Kits Recognizing and stopping the lack of accountability within teams, departments, and divisions and creating a culture of ownership and proactivity. Employee Retention Creating a culture of coaching within your organization to develop and retain you best and brightest employees. Keynote Speeches Here are just a few organizations Lynda Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting and her team members, have recently given keynote or customized workshops for Agility Training Developing more agile project teams that can innovate, plan, and execute important initiatives. Hiring Identifying and hiring the best talent to fill the right seats on your organizational bus to ensure desired outcomes are achieved. Conflict Mastery Managing and mitigating organizational crises as they arise to reduce their short and long term impact. What We Use 01. Assessments Learn more 02. Virtual Self-Learning 03. Workshops, Training, and Coaching Learn more 04. Leadership Programs Learn more

Assessments and Tools Conversational Intelligence Conversational Intelligence at work is necessary for building trust. Not using it could lead to disengagement. You’ll learn the signs of trust and how to tap into people’s highest level thinking potential. Join Becky Freemal, anchor of WFXR news, with Judith Glaser, author of Conversational Intelligence and Lynda McNutt Foster, CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting. DISC Assessment The research-based, validated TTI Success Insights assessment we use at Cortex Leadership Consulting measures behaviors in five behavioral dimensions using the DISC theory. DISC measures Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance and was first developed by William Moulton Marston. Cortex Team Strengths The Cortex Team Strengths assessment helps to better understand which of the four phases of a project cycle you prefer to work within. Ideally, teamwork proceeds sequentially from initiation to ideation, elaboration, and completion. Cortex 360 Assessment 360 surveys are assessment tools that provide leaders and employees with feedback about their performance. The surveys’ subject is rated in areas such as leadership, communication, productivity, and technical skills. The subject also rates themselves in these areas. DDT / TED TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) is a positive alternative to the Drama Triangle, which was first described by Stephen Karpman, MD. The Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT)™ is comprised of three roles: Victim (the primary role), Persecutor (which the Victim blames for their suffering); and the Rescuer (who steps in to try and take away the Victim’s suffering). People shift in and out of all three roles in this Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT). Stress Quotient This assessment is designed to pinpoint the source of workplace stress for individuals and teams Time Mastery 2.0 You’ll never deal with time the same way again after learning the Cortex Method of time design and AI implementation. Meeting Toolkit this tool can be purchased to be used as “training tools” for leaders to conduct the most effective and efficient meetings possible for their teams. Currency of Trust This powerful communication tool has multiple applications. We work with the 6 elements of trust, which include Sincerity, Involvement, Competence, Standards, Reliability, and Time.

Executive Coaching Executive Coaching can be one of the most powerfully effective tools for reaching your desired outcomes. These power packed sessions can quickly transform any size challenge. There is only one goal of an executive coach during a session, to help move you forward in the direction you want to go towards the goal and desired outcome you want to achieve. Using proven, researched, and best practices methods that help an executive see a situation from a different perspective and provide the right questions, at the right time, to help unlock their highest-level thinking, Our executive coaching packages include: 1 1-hour Coaching Sessions 1-hour monthly coaching sessions 1:1 with your executive coach either in person at our offices in Roanoke, VA or via Zoom video calls. 2 Monti - The Pocket Coach Monti “coach in your pocket” interactive texting monitored by your coach to support the behavior modifications you wanted to make between sessions. 3 Educational Videos Access to over 200 short length educational videos that further support any executive behavior changes you want to make during your coaching program. 4 Articles and Exercises Access to over 500 articles that provide guidance and exercises to improve your understanding or execution of principles and practices for yourself and your team members. Tools We Use Programs We Run Problems We Solve

Our Clients - Their Words "I've always, always hated conflict. Until I found DISC and found Lynda's training. " Tools We Use Programs We Run Problems We Solve

Cortex Leadership Consulting is a consulting firm based out of Virginia working with businesses and individuals worldwide. Our Team. About Us. Cortex Leadership Consulting partners with leaders and their teams to solve their toughest people problems. Our interactive and customized approach is based on proven methods and practices to guide leaders to more effectively and efficiently reach their business objectives and desired outcomes. Our team of expert coaches is dedicated to providing high-quality executive coaching services that are tailored to meet your unique needs. We believe that every client deserves individual attention and personalized coaching that is designed to help them achieve their goals. Lynda McNutt Foster CEO & Founder Named a Business Icon by Valley Business Front magazine, Lynda McNutt Foster, is a recognized leader in executive coaching and organizational transformation, specializing in guiding leaders and their teams through successful digital transformations. As the CEO of Cortex Leadership Consulting, Lynda combines years of research, training, and over 10,000 coaching sessions that provide leaders with practical strategies and tools for achieving impactful results. Lynda's strategic expertise and that of her expert team, extends beyond coaching, as she actively facilitates leaders in their digital transformation journeys through proven change management, talent acquisition, and training techniques. Her approach has been instrumental in transforming outcomes for numerous clients, ensuring that their organizations are equipped to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. In addition to her role at Cortex, Lynda has contributed to Forbes and served as an expert commentator on WFXR's Coffee with a Coach series for more than four years. She has written over 400 articles, blending her own insights with the latest research in building culture, conversational and relationship intelligence, time mastery, team alignment, peak performance, engagement, and conflict resolution. Lynda is a certified coach in Emotional and Conversational Intelligence® and a Certified Trainer for The 3 Vital Questions®. She is an expert in integrating the sciences of DISC, Motivators (Driving Forces), and Cortex Team Strength assessments, providing predictive people analytics essential for organizational growth and role alignment. As the co-founder of goMonti, a technology company dedicated to personalized coaching and team engagement, she continues to push the boundaries of leadership development. Her work is further highlighted by her co-authorship of the whitepaper A Leader’s Guide to More Fresh, High Quality Ideas from Their Teams, published by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. She is also the author of 4 Keys to More Effective Leadership and Time Mastery: 7 Simple Steps to Richer Outcomes, and the creator of the EPIC program for high performers, Leading a Winning Team, and Coaching for Peak Performance. Lynda’s clients have included: Metis, PenAir Credit Union, Carilion Clinic, City of Roanoke, County of Roanoke, The Glebe, ValleyStar Credit Union, Real Chemistry, Snow Peak, Orvis, Warm Hearth Village, Harmony Senior Services, Home Instead Senior Care, Kissito/Pace Health Care (now Innovage), Delta Dental VA/Corvesta, Excel Truck Group (VA, NC, SC), CMG Leasing, Federal-Mogul, Roanoke College, Roanoke Rescue Mission, MB Contractors, Better Building Works, Quick Fix Real Estate, HH Hunt, and many others. Lynda's international clients have included: The Haskell Company, Yokohama. Originally from Miami, FL, Lynda now calls Roanoke, VA home, where she balances her professional life with being a mother to an empowered daughter and wife to an incredibly supportive husband. She enjoys weekend gardening, day hiking, and bird watching. Lynda’s unique blend of strategic acumen and practical experience makes her an invaluable resource for leaders looking to drive successful digital transformations. Her insights into change management, talent acquisition, and leadership coaching have consistently delivered measurable results, making her a must-listen speaker at conferences. Allen Foster Vice President & Co-Founder Allen Foster is Vice President and co-founder of Cortex Leadership Consulting, a leading firm dedicated to executive coaching, talent acquisition, and organizational training. Allen’s extensive experience includes customized 1-on-1 coaching, strategic consulting, talent acquisition specializing in benchmark and search, and the facilitation of over 1,000 leadership training/facilitation sessions. As Cortex’s lead trainer and facilitator, Allen is a Certified Trainer in DISC (CPBA), Driving Forces (CPDFA), and The Empowerment Dynamic, 3 Vital Questions. His expertise further extends into customized workshops focused on DISC, Team Alignment, Conflict Resolution, Team Values Creation, Team Building, Time Mastery, and Problem-Solving strategies. Before co-founding Cortex, Allen launched his professional career in retail management, quickly distinguishing himself by leading successful multimillion-dollar store openings and renovations, eventually becoming one of the youngest store managers at a major national big-box retailer. Driven by a passion for marketing, Allen later joined his wife, Lynda, in her advertising agency. Over 15 years, he guided numerous businesses on their marketing and advertising strategies, eventually leading the agency to significant growth. He continues to support select long-standing clients in their advertising efforts today. Allen holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Virginia Tech. He is married to Cortex CEO and co-founder, Lynda McNutt Foster, and is the proud father of Melody Kappler. A passionate Virginia Tech football and wrestling fan, Allen is also an avid reader with particular interests in history and science. In his leisure time, Allen enjoys hiking and can regularly be found exploring the Roanoke Greenway or Mill Mountain trails with Lynda. Allen’s wealth of hands-on experience, combined with his deep knowledge of behavioral assessments and training methodologies, makes him a trusted resource for organizations looking to enhance leadership capabilities, optimize team performance, and drive sustainable growth. Contact: allen@cortexleadership.com Jeanne (Jackson) Newby Principal Consultant Jeanne is a dynamic HR leader with over 20 years of business and HR operations with fortune 500 companies. Jeanne provides insight into how to structure and maximize the effectiveness of the HR function to develop talent and align to the company vision and goals. Jeanne is passionate about coaching top talent, helping managers foster a highly engaged, motivated workforce, and developing employees to achieve their full potential. Jeanne is highly proficient in using tools and technology to assess leaders and their teams, providing feedback and coaching to increase communication and teamwork that drive desired business outcomes. Jeanne is facilitator of the EPIC Leadership Program. This contemporary, fast-paced, interactive experience provides a launching pad for leadership learning for the highest engaged team members in an organization looking to lead in the future. Provided in small group coaching experiences, Jeanne facilitates a virtual experience that can propel ambitious professional careers forward. Contact: jeanne@cortexleadership.com Kim Levings Coach & Master Facilitator Kim Levings is an experienced leadership development professional with over 35 years of expertise in people and leadership development. With career experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors in the USA and South Africa, Kim provides training facilitation, leadership development, and coaching services. She has held executive leadership roles in Human Resources, Manpower Development, Training, and Operations and has partnered with leadership teams and consulting firms to help scale development teams and programs. As a Master Trainer and certified partner in Everything DiSC® and 5 Behaviors® of Effective Teams, Kim equips individuals to bring their best selves to life, building healthier teams and cultures. Offering services globally and remotely, Kim spends part of each year in South Africa, continuing her work with leaders and teams around the world. Originally from South Africa, Kim has always been passionate about helping individuals and teams reach their full potential. Through her years of leadership in Human Resources and Operations, she saw firsthand the challenges leaders face. These experiences inspired her to focus on leadership development, training, and coaching to create lasting impact. With a candid, transparent approach, Kim aims to connect with people in meaningful ways, building trust quickly. Whether working with organizations like River Ranch Foods, Nex-gen Pharma, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, or facilitating programs like Thinking into Results and Serving Leadership, her goal remains the same: to support leaders and teams in creating healthier, more effective workplaces. As a “nomad,” Kim splits her time between the USA and South Africa, providing leadership development services to clients across the globe. Contact: kimlevings@cortexleadership.com Darryl Agee Principal, Cortex PMO Division Darryl Agee is a certified Project Management and Agile Certified Practitioner, currently serving as a Solutions Architect for Perficient, a global AI-first digital consultancy that helps leading brands transform how they connect with customers and drive business growth. In this role, he partners with product, technology, and business stakeholders to deliver strategic digital solutions at enterprise scale. With over 25 years of experience, Darryl has led software development, system modernization, and digital transformation initiatives across industries including retail, healthcare, supply chain, and high-tech. His recent work includes serving as a senior consultant embedded within the digital product organization of a Fortune-ranked retail client, helping to modernize operations, enable agile delivery, and elevate enterprise digital capabilities. Previously, Darryl served as PMO Practice Lead for More Better Technology (MBT), a Roanoke-based technology startup where he established a Strategic Realization Office and led enterprise clients through Agile and DevOps transformations. In addition to his consulting work, Darryl is an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching experience in project management. He is a professor at Virginia Tech and teaches PMP® and PMI-ACP® prep courses at Virginia Western Community College and other institutions. He is a frequent speaker and active board member for the Southwest Virginia PMI Chapter. Darryl holds an MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery, an MS in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix, and a BA in English from the Virginia Military Institute. He earned his PMP® in 2006 and PMI-ACP® in 2017. In recent years, Darryl has embraced the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, integrating AI literacy and innovation themes into his client work and course instruction. His curiosity and adaptability continue to drive his passion for continuous learning and professional growth. Contact: darryl@cortexleadership.com Kimberly Kolb Eakin Professional Mentor/Coach Kimberly Kolb Eakin is a seasoned leadership consultant and founding leader at Cortex Leadership Consulting, where she has over 12 years of experience guiding organizations in leadership development, strategic growth, and organizational effectiveness. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, Kimberly has an extensive background as an instructor in the military, training soldiers, cadets, and peers in marksmanship, tactical operations, and leadership skills. Her military career instilled a commitment to resilience and precision, which she now channels into helping global clients cultivate strong, cohesive teams and foster collaborative cultures. Beyond her work with Cortex, Kimberly was instrumental in the creation and direction of The Gauntlet, Virginia’s largest business program and competition, showcasing her commitment to supporting small businesses and innovation. Known for her strategic insight, creativity, and ability to inspire growth, Kimberly’s experience spans from empowering emerging entrepreneurs to coaching established leaders on a global scale. Through a blend of DISC assessments, mindfulness techniques, and tailored consulting practices, she equips her clients with the tools to navigate complex challenges while building trust and driving impact within their organizations. Contact: kimberly@cortexleadership.com Jenna Miilu Client & Operations Coordinator Jenna is a strategic thinker who brings a unique blend of operational excellence, team dynamics, and customer satisfaction to every project. With a deep commitment to lifelong learning, her passions span emotional intelligence, AI, and musicology—each enriching her ability to approach challenges with creativity and insight. Jenna thrives on fostering trust and collaboration, valuing direct communication and empathy as the foundation for solving complex problems. She is driven by opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals and continuously grow through shared experiences and innovative projects. Jenna supports the CEO and coaches/consultants through personalized service to the clients we serve. She is extraordinary at driving projects to deadlines with excellent results like our EPIC Leadership Program, Leading a Winning Team, and workshops. Jenna has worked alongside our CEO to develop innovative solutions that help support our coaching clients to get what they want, faster. Contact: jenna@cortexleadership.com