Leadership is personal—and so are we.
Our team
At Kapital Leadership Development, we believe leadership growth is most powerful when it’s build on trust, partnership, and genuine connection. Our team is passionate about unlocking potential—in individuals, in teams, and in entire organizations.
We bring together decades of experience in leadership development, organizational strategy, curriculum design, and real-world problem solving. But, more importantly, we bring a people-first approach to everything we do.
FOUNDER, CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER, KAPITAL EDUCATOR
DR. KRISTEN DUGAN
A long-time Mahoning Valley resident, Kristen founded Kapital Leadership Development with a simple but powerful belief, leadership growth starts with people—their stories, their challenges, and their potential.
With more than 15 years of experience designing leadership programs and developing leaders across industries, Kristen blends research-based practices with real-world insight to create development experiences that are both meaningful and measurable.
She holds a Doctor of Executive Leadership, bringing a research-driven and strategic lens to every engagement. As a certified EQ-i 2.0/360 practitioner, Kristen helps leaders deepen self-awareness, resilience, and emotional intelligence to build stronger teams and authentic connections. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, applying data-driven process improvement strategies to help organizations align leadership growth and operational excellence.
Her professional background spans healthcare leadership, organizational strategy, and higher education, giving her a unique perspective on how people lead in complex, fast-changing environments. During her time in academia, she taught and mentored emerging leaders, developed leadership curricula, and guided countless professionals through their own growth journeys.
Today, she brings that same blend of practical experience and academic rigor to her work with clients—translating complex leadership into actionable tools leaders can use immediately, whether in a one-on-one coaching session, a workshop, or a company-wide initiative.
“I believe leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. My purpose is to help people see their capacity to lead and give them the tools to do it with confidence and integrity.”
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF PARTNERSHIP OFFICER, KAPITAL EDUCATOR
DR. SARAH HESS
A North Carolina native, Sarah is a leadership educator and organizational strategist with more than two decades of experience shaping leaders, building programs, and advancing leadership development across healthcare, higher education, and industry. Her career is defined by a passion for helping people and organizations grow — from the classroom to the C-suite and everywhere in between.
Sarah’s professional journey began in healthcare, where she worked as a neurodiagnostic and sleep science specialist and consultant. Her deep experience in clinical environments gave her a front-line perspective on leadership in high-pressure, high-impact settings — insight she continues to bring to her work today.
In higher education, Sarah has served as a program director, professor, and academic leader, designing and leading degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. She has built accredited academic programs, led strategic initiatives, and formed partnerships with healthcare systems, military organizations, and industry leaders — all with a focus on expanding access to leadership education and improving organizational outcomes.
Holding a Doctor of Executive Leadership, Sarah integrates evidence-based practices with practical experience to help leaders navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. As a certified EQ-i 2.0/360 practitioner, she uses emotional intelligence insights to guide leaders in building stronger relationships, enhancing decision-making, and fostering resilience.
An accomplished curriculum designer and educator, Sarah specializes in translating leadership theory into practical strategies that leaders can apply immediately. Her work spans leadership development, strategic planning, program creation, organizational culture, and emotional intelligence. She has presented nationally on topics such as leadership hygiene, coaching, and emotional intelligence, and her published work explores leadership’s role in healthcare, organizational success, and team performance.
“Leadership is about people — their stories, their struggles, their capacity for growth. My purpose is to help leaders discover what they’re capable of and equip them with the tools to make that impact last.”
Our Extended Network
Behind Kapital is a trusted network of experienced facilitators, executive coaches, and subject matter experts who partner with us to deliver specialized programs, and consulting solutions. This collaborative approach ensures that every client—from individual leaders to enterprise organizations—receives the highest level of expertise and support.
Let’s Connect!
We’d love to get to know you and learn about your leadership goals. Whether you’re exploring coaching, planning a development program, or simply curious how Kapital can help, we’re here to start the conversation.