As an Organizational Psychologist and President of Scannell & Wight, an international consulting firm, Dana specializes in Executive Coaching, Leadership and Team Development, Human Capital Strategic Planning, Human Factors, and Negotiation Strategy. Building on years of experience as a seasoned executive and leader, along with expertise in Organizational Psychology and Organizational Development, he holds a deep conviction about the importance of people as the key to success in any organization. With a passion to help people find, develop, and maximize their strengths and abilities, Dana excels in helping others grow and unleash their full potential. Capitalizing on over 25 years of consulting and coaching experience with clients in a wide variety of industries, he has a proven ability to come alongside executives and to convey complex ideas in clear, understandable ways.
Dana W. Scannell, Ph.D. serves as a coach, counselor and strategic advisor to CEO’s, Presidents and Senior Executives as they develop their leadership and functional capabilities, strengthen the engagement of their people, and align their teamwork and organizational effectiveness. He is passionate about the human side of enterprise and the development of human potential.
Dana’s appreciative inquiry framework and storytelling approach provokes thinking by asking insightful questions and providing intuitive insights, creating an environment where transformational change can be achieved. Using an integrated methodology, he focuses on the strengths, talents, needs, and opportunities for growth at both the individual and team level. His experience and education have given him a keen insight in seeing the potential of people, and along with a disarming style, in gaining their confidence and trust. Described by clients as intuitive, affirming, insightful, encouraging, and trustworthy, he blends a profound understanding of human behavior with a depth of knowledge about organizations and the human dynamics involved in making them successful.
Dana gained his experience in various senior management positions with The Oliver Wight Companies, an international consulting and education firm. He directed the Human Resources, Operations, and Customer Service teams, went on to become the executive responsible for developing and managing their publishing operations and corporate marketing efforts, and is Chairman Emeritus of The Oliver Wight Companies, Inc. Dana’s education includes a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Psychology and the Development of Human Potential from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in Business Administration majoring in Communications from Babson College. He also holds an Advanced Counseling Certificate from The Allender Center at the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.
Dana is a Birkman Master Certified Professional, Senior Facilitator and Master Trainer, and facilitates Birkman Certification and Advanced Professional Development programs. For over 25 years he has been successfully using The Birkman Method® in a variety of organizational settings as well as his coaching and counseling practice. He is a Certified Coach, Certified Talent Consultant, and utilizes a variety of tools to help people understand their style, validate their thinking, and improve their interactions with others.
In addition to his consulting practice, he teaches and coaches at UCLA Anderson School of Management and works with clients in his private counseling practice. Along with his dedication to clients, Dana fulfills his passion to serve others as Chair Elect of the Board of Trustees at the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and as Chairman of the Board of Children’s Hunger Fund and The HUBOC.