Michael J. Merchant is a Senior Vice President for The Arbinger Institute (arbinger.com). Since 1993, Mike has consulted and facilitated internationally with senior leaders of corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies on the topics of leadership development and influence, change management, conflict resolution, strategic alignment and execution, and improving personal and organizational performance. Mike is the Board Chair for Anasazi Foundation (anasazi.org), a non-profit and nationally accredited behavioral healthcare provider for youth, young adults and their families. He has chaired numerous councils and committees on best practices for the treatment of the adolescents in the care of behavioral healthcare providers. Mike is an expert in strategic communications, and in 2004 developed the communication component at the heart of the Emmy-nominated “Take Time to Talk” substance-abuse awareness and prevention campaign currently used by the Partnership for Drug Free America. He is the founder of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council, the a past president of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (natsap.org), and the recipient of the 2017 NATSAP Leadership Award. Mike coaches NGO leaders worldwide on measuring, improving, and reporting social impact and facilitates for the Forever Young Foundation Nonprofit Institute (foreveryoung.org). Mike is a past president of the Arizona Management Society.Mike is a graduate of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management where he was named the 2016 Outstanding Professional. He and his wife Gaylene are the parents of seven red headed and musical children three of which form the Country Music trio Firefly (iheartfirefly.com).