"The most effective leaders create environments where authenticity and evolution coexist. In these spaces, trust becomes the foundation for innovation, collaboration becomes the vehicle for execution, and purpose becomes the catalyst for sustainable results."
Meet Shaun Mader
Raised in Wisconsin and gifted with a Jesuit education, Shaun was set on a trajectory of service and mastery that would define his life's work. This foundation instilled in him a belief that true leadership emerges from embracing both conventional wisdom and the challenging, unconventional aspects of one's journey.
Drawn to the creative pulse of New York City, Shaun left the Midwest to pursue film production, quickly rising through the ranks during the industry's pivotal transition from analog to digital. His natural ability to map new processes and navigate technological disruption established him as a valuable bridge between tradition and innovation.
For 15 transformative years, Shaun lived between worlds—spending months in New York's fast-paced media industry producing commercials, music videos, and documentaries, then retreating to the ashrams of northern India where he lived like a monk, studying meditation and yogic traditions. This extraordinary duality created a unique laboratory for understanding human potential.
As a photographer, Shaun moved effortlessly between capturing high-profile celebrities in New York and documenting life in some of the world's harshest conditions. These polarities allowed him to plumb the depths of the human condition, discovering new frameworks for resilience and authenticity that would later inform his leadership philosophy.
The journey of personal development and self-mastery eventually led Shaun to lead transformational leadership programs for over 1,000 people in New York City, training coaches and leaders in approaches that blend strategic thinking with deep human connection. This work catalyzed his professional evolution into executive coaching and team development, where he now supports leaders in creating cultures of trust where innovation and value creation naturally flourish.
Testimonials
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"Shaun's unique ability to make trust tangible—something we could actually measure and systematically improve—transformed how our leadership team approaches performance challenges. His frameworks continue to influence our decision-making long after his session."
— Chief Operating Officer, Global Technology Firm
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"What sets Shaun apart is how he seamlessly integrates cutting-edge leadership concepts with practical application. Our managers didn't just leave inspired—they left with tools they could implement immediately."
— VP of Talent Development, Healthcare System
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"Shaun brings possibility to every interaction, creatively expressing new directions in thinking and strategic potential. I find him insightful as well as reflective. His affable style brings ease, fun and creativity to our conversations. He brings innovation to his approaches, working with leaders to generate new results in a wide range of business outcomes, including revenue streams. I recommend you get to know Shaun."
- Director, Consulting Company
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LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
As President of Trusted Leadership, Shaun implements systems that foster cultures of trust and belonging where innovation thrives and directly impacts the bottom line. His approach breaks through limiting patterns by facilitating powerful communication that elevates team performance.
A leader and coach with the Humanistic Leadership Academy, Shaun combines analytical strategy with deep human understanding to create sustainable transformation for executives, teams, and organizations seeking to align purpose with performance.
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MASTERY IN LIFE
As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, Shaun embodies the balance of strategic thinking with moment-to-moment adaptability. These lessons take on both physical and metaphorical significance, as effective leadership requires handling challenges with less force and more wisdom—knowing when to advance, when to yield, and how to transform resistance into opportunity.
His deep connection to nature has developed his ecological intelligence—the capacity to attune to natural rhythms, recognize patterns in complex systems, and understand how seemingly separate elements influence each other. These insights translate directly to organizational ecosystems, where similar principles govern sustainable growth and adaptation.
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LEADERSHIP & TRANSFORMATION
After leading transformational programs that impacted over 1,000 professionals in NYC, Shaun focused his expertise on developing leaders who could create environments where people thrive authentically. As an executive coach, he guides C-suite leaders through personal and organizational evolution, particularly during periods of significant change or growth.
His approach integrates strategic clarity with emotional intelligence, helping executives amplify their impact while maintaining personal sustainability. As a speaker and writer, Shaun shares insights on leadership, creativity, and human potential that challenge conventional paradigms. He has created numerous talks, workshops, and comprehensive curriculums for diverse audiences, translating complex concepts into accessible, transformative experiences.
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HEALING & GROWTH
After overcoming 20 years of chronic pain through integrated mind-body approaches, he gained firsthand experience in how transforming limiting patterns creates new possibilities. His 25+ years of yoga and meditation practice have developed his capacity for presence and clarity under pressure.
Sean has been fortunate to continue his studies around the world with leading practitioners and able to integrate these teachings in the classroom and with private clients
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MEDIA & CREATIVE DIRECTION
Shaun's fifteen years in media spanned the industry's most significant technological revolution. As a film producer and photographer, he collaborated with leading directors and talent while developing methodologies to bridge analog craftsmanship with digital possibilities.
His work as a celebrity photographer taught him the delicate art of creating trust quickly with high-profile individuals—a skill that translates directly to his executive coaching practice. Meanwhile, his documentary work in challenging environments, particularly in India's red light districts, developed his capacity to connect authentically across cultural and socioeconomic boundaries.
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GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Shaun's worldview has been profoundly shaped by his immersive experiences across cultures:
As a Board Member of New Light, he has contributed to creating sustainable solutions for women and children in Kolkata's red light district. His documentary work has highlighted human resilience in challenging environments, while his contributions to the Foundation for Gender Equality advance initiatives that create more equitable systems globally.
These experiences inform his understanding of leadership as fundamentally connected to creating conditions where diverse perspectives can contribute to shared solutions.
