Denise Fandel, Mba is a President at Breakthrough Growth, LLC. She possess expertise in leadership, program management, program development, strategy, team building and 33 more skills. Colleagues describe her as "I met Denise in 2013. I'll never forget that she welcomed me as a part of her team without question or hesitation. She is accepting of people, encourages you when you need a boost, is honest in her feedback and is a genuinely amazing person. I was so fortunate to serve on the Institute for Credentialing Excellence Board with Denise in 2014 and now again on another ICE committee (2019-2020). She is the person who taught me that you serve when and where you are asked to serve. You do not make demands and put parameters around your service. You give of your time, your expertise and yourself openly and without hesitation. I've seen her do it, I've asked her to do it, and I have taken that lesson to heart and teach it to everyone I meet. I had the absolute honor and pleasure to introduce Denise as the recipient of the ICE Leadership Award in 2016. I am sharing the introduction below as it is as relevant today as it was in 2016 and as it will be far into our future The 2016 ICE Credentialing Leadership Award recipient is Denise Fandel. As we all know, you are only a leader if others see you and respect you as the leader. If you have never worked on a committee with or worked for Denise, all we have to do is to look at her track record to see that Denise is a leader who is again and again being asked to answer that call. She served on the Board of the BOC, and when her term ended, she was asked to lead the organization as Executive Director, which she has done since 1991. She served as the NCCA Chair for three years in a row – from 2007-2010, and then served as our ICE Board Chair from 2012-2013. Both elected positions. These are just a few of the many examples of the recognition Denise receives for her ability, and I think I can also say, for her passion to lead. Denise is a quiet but strong leader. She listens. She welcomes the thoughts and opinions of others. She guides without force and praises with sincerity. Her exemplary professional practice, integrity, and dedication to credentialing is most worthy of this recognition. Denise has made an impact on the Credentialing Industry and on this world. I would never pass up the chance to work with or for Denise. I recommend her for leadership roles and volunteer opportunities without reservation. If she is asked, she will serve. If she is asked to serve as a leader, she will amaze." and "I have known Denise Fandel since 1991, when she was a member of the Board of Certification (BOC) for athletic trainers and chair person of one of the BOC’s examination committees. Though her tenure as a member of the BOC ended a few years later, she took on responsibility as the BOC’s Executive Director immediately as her terms ended. I have maintained a close working relationship with her ever since. That the BOC hired Denise to be the chief staff person when she completed her terms as board member indicates the level of talent that she brought to those responsibilities, as well as the potential that members of the BOC saw in her for service of a different kind. Denise’s steady leadership as Executive Director has allowed the BOC to advance among professions, grow in revenue and every other meaningful indicator of success, and navigate a complex environment with skill. Under her leadership the BOC has revised its examination program so that it is administered by computer and adheres to all pertinent psychometric requirements. These accomplishments are achieved within the context of the BOC’s clear mission to protect the public. No one could achieve what Denise has for the BOC without a deep understanding of certification. She has demonstrated mastery in this area through her six years of service as a Commissioner on the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which accredits certification programs like that of the BOC. In fact, her fellow Commissioners elected her Chair for three years, a position of leadership that has no equal in the certification industry. She handled these responsibilities with aplomb, addressing the often challenging political and competitive forces with calm intelligence and grace. She is a consensus builder. It is my great pleasure to endorse Denise Fandel for any position that she is qualified for. Please contact me at 919/657-6915 or jhenderson@castleworldwide.com if I can offer additional support for her candidacy. Sincerely, James P. Henderson, Ph.D. Executive Vice President Castle Worldwide, Inc."