Iyad Saad Uakoub
| Iyad Saad Uakoub | |
|---|---|
| Born | Damascus, Syria |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Syrian-American |
| 🏫 Education | B.Eng., Computer Systems and Networks; M.S., Business/HR/OD, Purdue University (Krannert School of Management); Ed.D., University of San Francisco |
| 💼 Occupation | Behavioral scientist, leadership development researcher, executive coach |
| Known for | Applying behavioral science to leadership development and executive coaching |
Iyad Saad Uakoub (Arabic: إياد سعد يعقوب) is a Syrian-born American behavioral scientist, leadership development researcher, and executive coach. His work focuses on applying behavioral science to leadership development, workplace learning, and executive coaching. He has held senior roles at technology companies and academic institutions and has contributed to professional publications in the fields of talent development and organizational learning.[1]
Early life and education
Uakoub was born in Damascus, Syria.[2] He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems and Networks and a Master of Science in Business, Human Resources, and Organizational Development from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. He later earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of San Francisco, where his doctoral research focused on organizational education, cooperation, and higher education institutions in conflict and post-conflict settings.[3]
He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship by the U.S. Department of State, which brought him to the United States.[1] He also received an International Visitor Leadership Program grant from the U.S. Department of State in 2007, and was named to the Top 10 Under 40 list by Greater Lafayette Commerce in 2015.[3]
Career
Early career and community work in Syria
Before emigrating to the United States, Uakoub launched and led one of the first career and entrepreneurship development centers in the Middle East as a volunteer in Syria. The center served more than 1,500 participants in its first year, and this work informed his later focus on capacity building, competency mapping, and learning transfer.[1] He subsequently designed learning and development programs for youth agencies including UNICEF.[1]
Academic roles
Uakoub held positions at Purdue University and Stanford University, where he designed nationally recognized coaching and data-insights programs. He served as Career Educator and Manager of Branding and Digital Communities at Stanford Career Education (BEAM). Prior to Stanford, he led operations and communications at Purdue University's Center for Career Opportunities.[3] Research he conducted on meaningful work and Generation Z was adopted by more than thirty-five universities worldwide, according to Sounding Board's 2022 press release.[1]
He served as President of the Fulbright Association at Purdue University and is a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Coaching.[1]
Technology sector
Uakoub held talent, learning and development, and people program leadership roles at several global technology companies, including ThousandEyes (subsequently acquired by Cisco), JUUL Labs, and Skillz. At each organization, he designed and delivered programs intersecting talent management, leadership development, and coaching.[1]
Sounding Board
In January 2022, Uakoub was appointed Senior Director of Behavioral Science at Sounding Board, Inc., a leadership coaching platform provider. In this role, he led the company's behavioral science initiatives, with a focus on developing solutions to help organizations build leaders capable of driving measurable business impact during periods of rapid change.[1] He held the title of Director of Behavioral Science during subsequent professional engagements and publications.[4]
Sparathon
Uakoub is listed as the founder of Sparathon, an LLC focused on leadership, organizational development, and behavioral science.[5]
Professional affiliations and advisory roles
Uakoub is an ICF-certified coach and has contributed to initiatives associated with the International Coaching Federation.[1][6]
He has been appointed to advisory roles in the human capital and HR technology sector, including an advisory board at HR.com focused on the future of coaching and mentoring.[7]
He holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is a SHRM-CP credential holder.[3]
Speaking
Uakoub has delivered talks and workshops on leadership development, workplace learning, and career strategy at conferences, universities, and professional events.
He delivered a TEDx talk at the Arab International University in Syria in 2016, titled "What Would You Like to Be When Growing Up?"[3]
He has spoken at the Build Palestine Summit (2021)[8] and delivered webinars for professional audiences through Sounding Board, the Human Capital Institute, and other organizations on topics including multigenerational leadership development, inclusive leadership, and the behavioral science of coaching.[9][10]
Research and writing
Uakoub's published work focuses on leadership development, behavioral science, and workplace learning. His writing has appeared in Training Industry, Chief Talent Officer, HR.com, and the Association for Talent Development (ATD) blog.
In a 2023 article in Training Industry, he argued that traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion programs address symptoms rather than systemic causes, and that organizations would produce better outcomes by building leadership capabilities directly through behavioral science-based coaching.[4]
In a 2022 webinar featured in Chief Talent Officer, he described how a more people-centric leadership style can humanize the multi-generational workplace, emphasizing the value of adaptive leadership that accounts for generational differences in communication styles and development preferences.[10]
Publications and acknowledgments
Uakoub was acknowledged for providing behavioral science support in The Leadership Revolution: Developing a Successful Workforce (Wiley, 2024).[11]
Selected publications
- "Don't Just Build DEI Programs; Build Capabilities," Training Industry, April 2023
- "3 Ways to Increase Knowledge Retention and Drive Behavioral Change," Association for Talent Development
- "You Need Great Leaders: Should You Coach, Mentor, or Both?", HR.com Training & Development Excellence Essentials, April 2022
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Sounding Board Appoints Leadership Development Expert Iyad Uakoub to Head Behavioral Science Research". GlobeNewswire. January 26, 2022.
- ↑ "Mayer: Hidden Stories". Journal & Courier. April 10, 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Iyad Uakoub – TEDx Arab International University Speaker". Arab International University. December 10, 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Don't Just Build DEI Programs; Build Capabilities". Training Industry. April 18, 2023.
- ↑ "Sparathon – Team". Sparathon.
- ↑ "ICF Coaching Platform Standards Development Group". International Coaching Federation.
- ↑ "HR.com Appoints Industry Leaders to Advisory Board to Shape the Future of Coaching and Mentoring for 2025". HRTech Alliances.
- ↑ "Iyad Uakoub – Build Palestine Summit Speaker". Build Palestine.
- ↑ "Iyad Uakoub – HCI Speaker Profile". Human Capital Institute.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Leadership Development for the Multigenerational Workforce". Chief Talent Officer. March 23, 2022.
- ↑ The Leadership Revolution: Developing a Successful Workforce. Wiley. 2024. p. 250. ISBN 978-1394171828. Search this book on
External links
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