Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight
Location: New Braunfels, Texas, United States
Stephen Philip Sunstrom, MBA, chief executive officer of the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in business operations.
Mr. Sunstrom’s career builds off 20 years of military service, beginning when he joined the United States Air Force in 1996. Throughout his military career, he was promoted from airman basic to senior airman, staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant. Mr. Sunstrom took on a number of important roles during his time in the Air Force, including computer programmer, ceremonial guardsman, instructor, military training leader, course supervisor and human resource manager. He served in the joint armed forces cordon for President Ronald Reagan’s state funeral in 2004 and the presidential inauguration of George W. Bush in 2005.
Shifting away from the military, Mr. Sunstrom quickly showcased how his skills transferred to the business world. In 2016, he took on the position of field organization and talent development manager at Whataburger, excelling there for nearly five years. Later, Mr. Sunstrom contributed as a human capital strategist, curriculum developer and organizational consultant at the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight. He proved essential to that company and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2024. At the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight, Mr. Sunstrom provides training, consulting and research to various organizations, with an eye towards improving their leadership and transforming their culture. Concurrently with this work, he has offered his insight as an executive coach, curriculum developer, project manager, talent development professional and president at his own company, Sunstrom Enterprises LLC.
Prior to embarking upon his professional journey, Mr. Sunstrom sought a strong education, beginning with an Associate of Applied Science in computer science from the Community College of the Air Force in 2004. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in management from National Louis University in 2008 and a Master of Business Administration in industrial and organizational psychology from American InterContinental University in 2008. Subsequently, Mr. Sunstrom earned a second Associate of Applied Science in instruction technology and military science at the Community College of the Air Force in 2004. Committed to lifelong learning, he returned to that institution in 2015 for a third Associate of Applied Science in human resources management.
Mr. Sunstrom has bolstered his credentials further through numerous certifications. He has completed level I, II and III training as a Community College of the Air Force instructor, as well as training to be a professional manager, a senior professional in human resources, a talent optimization consultant, a Tulane University Leadership Institute coach, and an executive coach. Mr. Sunstrom has been certified by the National Association of Underwater Instructors and as a Scuba Schools International instructor. He has also pursued courses in various psychological and professional analysis programs, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DISC (dominance, inducement, submission and compliance) assessment, and Six Sigma.
A prolific writer, Mr. Sunstrom has shared numerous articles on underwater diving through Duggan Diving Enterprises. In 2024, he published his first full-length book, “Leadership in Two Steps: Creating Success Through Impactful Relationships.” In this book, Mr. Sunstrom offers a guide to implementing positive leadership, beginning with the core elements necessary for success. His accomplishments include being named Educator of the Quarter by the Robert D. Gaylor Noncommissioned Officer Academy in 2009 and Educator of the Year by the same organization in 2010.
Beyond his career, Mr. Sunstrom is a dedicated husband and father to three children. He finds joy in scuba diving and practicing Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu. Since 2018, Mr. Sunstrom has also taught Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu as a master instructor at Patriot Martial Arts. Planning for the future, he aims to write another book continuing his exploration of leadership. Alongside that ambition, Mr. Sunstrom looks forward to further influencing the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Foresight as he settles into his role as chief executive officer. He hopes to set up the organization for long-term success and impact in the field.
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