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Dr. Barry Johnson Ph. D and Cliff Kayser MSOD, MSHR, PCC

We are thrilled to announce our keynote speakers for this year’s event: Dr. Barry Johnson and Cliff Kayser.

Dr. Barry Johnson is the creator of the Polarity Map® and a pioneer in Polarity Thinking®, a framework that helps leaders and organizations navigate complex, interdependent challenges.  Since developing the first Polarity Map(R) in 1975, he has collaborated globally in leveraging the polarity of "either/or-thinking" AND "both/and-thinking." This has resulted in enhanced decision-making and organizational effectiveness.

As Chairman of Polarity Partnerships, Dr. Johnson has introduced the Polarity Approach to Continuity and Transformation (PACT™), a methodology that includes tools like the Polarity Assessment™ to help organizations leverage polarities essential to their success.

He is the author of several influential books, including Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems and the two-volume series And: Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarity, Paradox or Dilemma Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in organization development and has extensive training from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. His work is widely applied across sectors such as business, government, education, and healthcare.

Cliff Kayser is a seasoned leadership coach, organizational consultant, and thought leader based in Washington, D.C., with deep expertise in values-based leadership and polarity thinking. He serves as Chief Learning Officer at Polarity Partnerships and is the founder of both the Polarities of Democracy Institute and Xperience, LLC—organizations dedicated to helping leaders and institutions navigate complex challenges through the power of both/and thinking.

Cliff’s approach integrates Eastern wisdom traditions with contemporary leadership science, blending philosophical insight with practical tools for performance measurement and organizational change. From his “happy place”—a 40-acre mountain retreat in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia—he hosts and facilitates purpose-driven dialogues and renewal-focused retreats.

In 2024, Cliff was named an Ambassador for the Inner Development Goals (Aconcagua Cohort),a global, open-source initiative supporting the cultivation of inner capacities essential to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—and advancing human flourishing on a healthy planet.

Cliff is an adjunct faculty at George Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being’s “Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being” program and American University’s “KEY Executive Leadership” program.

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Together, Barry and Cliff bring a wealth of insight, experience, and passion to the keynote stage. We are honored to have them with us and look forward to the transformative conversations their presence will inspire.