Gaylene Xanthopoulos is a seasoned leadership strategist and trusted advisor with more than 36 years of experience guiding boards, executives, and senior leaders in science‑ and technology‑driven organizations. A Wharton‑trained economist, Gaylene brings deep business insight, curiosity, and creativity to her work—helping leaders bridge today’s realities with their company’s future vision. As Founder and CEO of The Leadership Edge, she has built an award‑winning firm that has developed more than 8,000 board members and leaders across 1,000+ innovative organizations. Her work spans executive coaching, board effectiveness, organizational development, and the design of forward‑thinking learning strategies that accelerate performance and growth.
Most recently, Gaylene led the acquisition of 2Connect, uniting leadership and organizational development with world‑class communication and presentation expertise to create a uniquely comprehensive partnership for high‑growth, highly technical companies. A published author, sought‑after speaker, and recipient of numerous business and leadership awards—including multiple honors from the San Diego Business Journal—Gaylene is known not only for her strategic clarity and insight, but also for her energy, humor, and ability to make complex challenges both engaging and actionable.
Diane West
Diane West is a strategist, innovator, and problem‑solver who thrives on turning complex business challenges into practical, forward‑thinking solutions. As Chief Innovation Officer, she focuses on understanding what clients need today—and anticipating what they’ll need next—bringing together strong business acumen with deep expertise in facilitation, coaching, and curriculum design to create offerings that deliver real impact.
Formerly President and Founder of 2Connect, Diane brings more than 25 years of experience leading a globally recognized consulting and training firm. She is the architect behind 2Connect’s flagship programs, including Present to Influence, Communicate with Purpose, and Meetings that Matter. While known for building scalable solutions, Diane still loves rolling up her sleeves to coach and train—where her energy, insight, and practical approach shine most.
A special thank you to The Leadership Edge, our monthly sponsor, for their valued partnership and support of the SDHR Forum and San Diego HR community.
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