ABOUT ACHIEVE
THE ORIGIN STORY
Long before The Achieve System existed, founder Mark Cunningham was pursuing excellence as an elite decathlete. Through years of training and competition, he became fascinated by a question:
The answer was rarely talent alone. Mindset, personal accountability, resilience, habits, discipline, and daily behaviors often made the difference. These observations became the foundation for a larger realization: the same principles that drive individual performance can also transform organizational performance. What began as a study of human potential eventually evolved into The Achieve System and with almost three decades of helping organizations create lasting change.
Why do some talented people consistently perform at a high level while others never fully realize their potential?
WHY WE EXIST
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Proven Performance System
More than 25+ years of helping organizations improve performance by developing leaders, strengthening culture, and improving execution.
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Human-Centered Approach
We focus on the people responsible for creating results, because sustainable change begins with mindset, behavior, and relationships.
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Sustainable Results
Our work is designed to become embedded in the way organizations operate rather than existing as a temporary initiative.
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Practical Application
The Achieve System combines a Framework and an Approach that people can use every day to improve performance.
The Achieve team combines performance experts, leadership practitioners, coaches, facilitators, and organizational transformation specialists who help leaders and organizations perform at higher levels and achieve sustainable results.
Our team has helped leaders and organizations across industries improve performance, strengthen culture, accelerate execution, and achieve lasting results.
Executive Leadership
Mark Cunningham
Founder/CEO
Mark is the founder and CEO of The Achieve Institute and creator of the Achieve System™. Inspired by his experience as an elite decathlete, Mark spent years studying what drives peak performance under pressure and transformed those insights into a practical system for organizations.
For more than 25 years, he has worked with Fortune 100 leaders and organizations to improve performance, engagement, and results through lasting behavior change..
Patrick Cunningham
CAO/CFO
Patrick is Chief Administrative Officer of The Achieve Institute. A former telecommunications executive and U.S. Army officer, he brings more than 20 years of leadership experience scaling operations, supporting growth, and building high-performing organizations.
William "Max" Duggan
VP Delivery Operations
Max is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and business leader with more than 35 years of experience in leadership, cybersecurity, communications, and operational management. He has extensive experience building and leading high-performing teams in both military and civilian environments, supporting critical missions and national security objectives.
Stacey Domanico
Customer Success Lead/Performance Expert
Stacey is a certified Achieve Performance Expert with more than 25 years of leadership experience across sales, marketing, operations, customer experience, and business growth. A two-time cancer survivor, author, speaker, and coach, she is dedicated to helping people become the best version of themselves personally and professionally.
Her areas of expertise include leadership development, employee engagement, inclusion, resilience, and career growth.
Team
Eric Puumala
Director of Operations/Services
Eric Puumala is Director of Services at The Achieve Institute and brings more than 35 years of operational and leadership experience. Since joining Achieve in 2010, he has helped expand the organization through program development, client delivery, logistics management, and the launch of Achieve’s e-learning platform. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.
Joe Chuisano
VP Strategic Partners
Joe is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at The Achieve Institute. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in sales, operations, marketing, and business development, he specializes in building strategic relationships that drive growth and create value for clients.
Joe leads the development of partnerships that expand market opportunities, strengthen customer outcomes, and support Achieve's long-term strategic vision.
Nikki Prestidge
Director of Internal Development, Senior Performance Expert
Nikki is a Master Performance Expert at The Achieve Institute with more than 15 years of experience coaching leaders and implementing the Achieve System. Her expertise includes executive coaching, facilitation, organizational development, and leadership development across a variety of industries.
HEADSHOT PENDING
Callie Stone
Customer Success Lead/Senior Performance Expert
Callie is a Master Certified Performance Expert at The Achieve Institute with more than 25 years of leadership and coaching experience. Drawing on a background in executive leadership, consulting, and organizational development, she helps leaders and teams achieve sustainable high performance and lasting results.
The practitioners who help organizations implement The Achieve System through leadership development, coaching, facilitation, culture transformation, and sustainable performance practices.
John Flowers PhD
Performance Expert
John is a Performance Expert at The Achieve Institute with decades of experience in leadership development, training, and organizational effectiveness. Passionate about helping others succeed, he partners with leaders and teams to build capability, improve performance, and achieve meaningful results.
John holds a PhD in Adult Education, and Organizational Leadership.
Dawn Ferrentino
Performance Expert
Dawn a former accountant of 27 years, Dawn managed dozens of staff and facilitated processes. She is now an entrepreneur, business owner, author, and coach. A top performer in her industry, Dawn is passionate about helping others transform their lives personally and professionally.
Joan Bowyer
Performance Expert
Joan is a transformation and growth leader with more than 30 years of experience across telecommunications, technology, and insurance, including over 15 years in executive leadership. She brings extensive expertise in business transformation, organizational effectiveness, change management, and leadership development.
As a former Achieve client and executive leader, Joan successfully used the Achieve System to improve customer experience, drive growth, strengthen engagement, and transform organizational performance..
Wes Putman
Performance Expert
Wesley is a Performance Expert at The Achieve Institute with nearly two decades of experience coaching leaders, facilitating transformational learning experiences, and helping individuals and teams achieve breakthrough results. His expertise in leadership development, communication, and performance improvement helps clients create meaningful and lasting change
Tina Parker
Performance Expert
Tina is a leadership and transformation expert with more than 25 years of experience spanning executive leadership, military service, organizational development, and business growth. A retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and successful entrepreneur, she has advised senior leaders across government, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations.
Her expertise includes leadership development, strategic planning, change management, communication, and performance improvement, helping leaders and organizations achieve sustainable results.
Leslie Lathon
Performance Expert
Leslie is an accomplished executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare, human capital strategy, and organizational transformation. His expertise spans leadership development, organizational effectiveness, change management, and operational excellence.
As a former Achieve client and executive leader, Leslie successfully applied the Achieve System to strengthen performance, enhance leadership capability, and improve business outcomes.
Mary Lynne Heldmann
Performance Expert
Mary Lynne is a Performance Consultant and Executive Coach with nearly 40 years of experience helping leaders improve effectiveness, strengthen teams, and drive organizational performance. She has coached executives across Fortune 500 companies and is known for her expertise in leadership development, facilitation, and executive coaching.
Mary Lynne is the author of When Words Hurt and has helped bring the Achieve System® to audiences around the world, including leadership initiatives in East Africa
Catherine de la Poer
Customer Success Lead/Performance Expert
Catherine is an executive coach and facilitator who works with boards, senior leaders, and teams to strengthen leadership effectiveness, performance, and organizational culture. Drawing on more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience, she brings practical business insight and a human-centered approach to coaching and development.
She is also a keynote speaker, podcast host, and thought leader on leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, and the future of work..
Geordie Tomkins
Performance Expert
Geordie is a performance psychologist and executive coach who helps leaders and organizations strengthen performance, resilience, and leadership effectiveness. Drawing on expertise in psychology, coaching, and business leadership, he supports clients in building high-performing teams and navigating complex challenges with confidence.
Geordie works across a range of industries and also mentors future business leaders through Hult International Business School, where he earned his MBA.
Chris Baron
Senior Advisor
Chris is an accomplished executive and transformation leader with nearly 30 years of experience in sales, operations, strategy, and organizational performance. As former President of Verizon Wireless' Midwest Area, she led a $26 billion business across 16 states and managed a workforce of more than 15,000 employees.
Having successfully applied the Achieve System® as a client, Chris now helps leaders and organizations improve performance, drive growth, and realize their full potential.
Rich Montgomery
Senior Advisor
Rich is a Senior Advisor to The Achieve Institute, bringing more than 35 years of global executive leadership experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. His expertise includes business transformation, growth strategy, operational excellence, and leadership development across a wide range of industries and international markets.
Rich is known for building high-performing teams, leading complex transformations, and helping organizations achieve sustainable growth in rapidly changing environments.
THE ACHIEVE DIFFERENCE
01 / FRAMEWORK
Culture + Mindset
A shared way to think, communicate, and lead. The Framework shapes the culture that makes sustained performance possible.
02 / APPROACH
How Work Gets Done
Everyday practices turn belief into action. The Approach helps teams align, execute, and keep improving.
LET’S BEGIN
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