Saj-Nicole Joni

Saj-nicole Joni, PhD is an internationally acclaimed business strategist and confidential advisor to CEOs and their top executives. She is often called upon by executives to serve as a thinking partner focused on tough strategic choices that define their impact and legacy. Joni helps leaders think about context, judgment, complexity, and future possibilities. She is highly regarded in the business world as a trusted, unbiased third opinion. "Working with Saj-nicole," says one CEO, "is like having an entire brain trust of deep thinkers to help you work out your toughest issues."

A provocative sparring partner, Joni helps draw out leaders' strategic thinking to view all sides of a problem, test multiple possibilities, and look ahead at the consequences of potential paths of action. She never gives advice; instead, she challenges leaders to think more profoundly about the future in order to be ready to meet it.

Joni draws upon her senior leadership expertise as an executive at CSC Index and Microsoft, where she distinguished herself in global strategy, finance, and organizational leadership. She has served on a number of boards for both public and private companies. She currently serves as a trustee of the New England Conservatory and on the advisory board of the Simmons School of Management.

She authored the critically acclaimed book The Third Opinion: How Successful Leaders Use Outside Insight to Create Superior Results, and recently released The Right Fight: How Great Leaders Use Healthy Conflict to Drive Performance, Innovation, and Value. A frequent speaker with a regular column featured on Forbes.com, Joni has appeared on NPR "Marketplace," and has appeared in publications including The Harvard Business Review, Strategy and Business, and Fast Company.

Joni earned her undergraduate degree and doctorate from the University of California-San Diego and has served on the faculties of MIT, Carnegie-Mellon, and Wellesley College. She is the founder and CEO of Cambridge International Group Ltd., serves as a Senior Fellow at Booz and Co., and has served as a Fellow at Harvard's Center for Public Leadership. Joni is also an accomplished pianist and an avid gardener.