Welcome to the DC Neuroleadership Group
Exploring the World of Neuroscience, Human Interaction, and Leadership.
Thank you to our members for selecting our new logo!
The DC Neuroleadership Group (formerly part of the Neuroleadership Institute) is a word-of-mouth study “salon” active since 2009. We are an engaged, curious community that wants to learn more about applications of cutting-edge neuroscience to the diverse fields of executive coaching, consulting, business education and more. Our members come from multiple fields including coaching, psychology, medicine and government. The DCNG offers quarterly breakfast meetings (in-person and Zoom), training webinars and other programs.
Hear from some of our members in this short video:
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Events
2025 Upcoming Events
Join Us for Happy Hour in DC!
When: Thursday, July 17 from 5-7 pm ET
Where: The Heights Bar, Friendship Heights (Red Line)
FREE to register! Sign up by 5 pm on July 10 to secure a spot. This event will be cash bar. Light snacks will be provided. Come mingle and with your fellow DC Neuroleadership members. Founder, Wendy Swire, and Director of Research, Daisy Banta, will be on hand to meet and catch up with everyone.
Virtual Meeting: The Neuroscience of Attention
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM EST
Speaker: Dr. Jill McGaughy
Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Jill McGaughy, will discuss her research that highlights the ways in which early life stressors — malnutrition, for example — cause issues related to attention that linger well into adulthood, far beyond the duration researchers have previously estimated.
Registration link coming soon.
Quarterly (Virtual and In-Person) Events
Why Attend?
- Learn directly from prominent guest presenters including researchers, scientists, authors, professors, psychologists and other recognized experts in fields pertaining to Applied Neuroscience.
- Participate in a “study salon” experience which allows participants to be in conversation with our guest presenters and other members.
- Attend book signings with our guest presenters.
- Join a community of practice of engaged learners who challenge themselves.
- Learn basic and more advanced concepts of Applied Neuroscience.
- CEUs are available from the International Coaching Federation for our events.
- There is no membership fee to join the DCNG.
Testimonials
“Wendy, fascinating! Great content! Lots of Ahas for me to digest.”
Linda Cassell, CPCC, M. Ed., Certified Neuro Leadership Coach
Quantum Leap Coaching and Training
“Thank you for the Applied Neuroscience Webinar. I found the content to be very valuable. I especially liked Wendy’s focus on how to apply what we learned. I plan to share strategies for calming down the brain that were discussed during the webinar.“
Christina Schwartz, Great Coaches Inc.
"In my previous career, I was an occupational therapist and took neuroanatomy in school. Wendy's webinar series was perfect to wake up the part of my brain that learned this 20 years ago. A basic understanding of how the brain works is helpful in making changes in my own life and supporting my clients as they make changes in their lives."
Lisa Hope Tilstra, MHS, PCC, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Coach
“Fabulous talk, great speaker, great info! I am able to take the science and use it to support my work on personal change and neuroplasticity. Love this DC neuro group!”
Galina Knopman, PCC. CEO, Comskil
“Thank you so much for this mind-blowing presentation! I have so much to think about after hearing Dr. Danny.”
Ana Cristina Lapera, Managing Director, Seagull Quest
“Great program! My brain is full. What a great presenter. Thoughtful and considerate. The sign of a true master!”
Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA CCC-SLP
2025 Guest Presenters
Our guest presenters and thought leaders who have spoken at the DCNG include authors, prominent neuroscientists, researchers, psychologists and educators.
Dr. Amtul Malik
Dr. Malik presented Principals for Healthy Aging of the Brain & Body. Dr. Malik is a triple Board Certified Physician (Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine). She graduated from the King Edward Medical University in Pakistan and has been practicing in the US since 2010. Currently Dr. Malik serves as Associate Medical Director at Vitas Healthcare in Northern Virginia where she specializes in providing home hospice services.
Dr. Molly Kent
Molly Kent, PhD, Assistant Professor at Virginia Military Institute, and Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Richmond and Randolph-Macon College, specializes in teaching research methods, gender and the brain, and behavioral neuroscience courses, She also advises students, supervises research labs, and conducts genomic neuroscience research. Dr. Kent has a PhD in Neuroscience from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a BS in Biology from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Having published multiple peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Kent also serves as Director of the VMI Center for Undergraduated Research (VCUR) where she fosters an environment of active learning. Through her research, as well as her own personal challenges, Dr. Kent learned that adversity can lead to profound growth.
Dr. Richard Wingate
Dr. Richard Wingate is a Professor of Developmental Neurobiology at Kings College, London. His research addresses how the identity of neurons and their ultimate location in the brain are genetically specified in development and evolution. Dr. Wingate is a dynamic educator and has a strong commitment to public communication in science through schools outreach, public speaking, writing and broadcast media. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the United Kingdom. He has had a number of successful collaborations with artists and has curated two exhibitions for the King’s Cultural Institute. In 2012, he acted as the scientific advisor for the Wellcome Collection’s “Brains: Mind as Material” exhibition in London and Manchester, and co-authored the accompanying book. He is Editor-in-Chief of Brain Factspublished by the Society for Neuroscience.
Dr. Susan Rogers
Susan Rogers holds a doctoral degree in experimental psychology from McGill University (2010). Prior to her science career, Susan was a multiplatinum-earning record producer, engineer, mixer and audio technician. She is best known for her work with Prince (1983-1987) but production/engineering credits also include David Byrne, Barenaked Ladies, Geggy Tah, Nil Lara, Robben Ford, Tricky, Michael Penn, and Jeff Black. In 2021 she became the first female recipient of the Music Producer’s Guild Award for Outstanding Contributions to U.K. Music. She currently teaches psychoacoustics and neuroscience for Berklee College of Music. Her book on music listening for W. W. Norton is titled This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You.
Dr. Matthew Mintz
Dr. Mintz received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and a medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine and was chief medical resident. He received a Master Teacher’s certificate from the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
After serving as full time faculty for twenty years at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC; Dr. Mintz left academics in July 2017 to start a private Internal Medicine and Primary Care practice in Bethesda, MD.
2023 Guest Presenters
Beth Sperber Ritchie, Ph.D.
Dr. Sperber Richie is a licensed psychologist and consultant in the Washington, D.C. area. She is a trauma specialist who works with activists and social justice leaders on avoiding burnout and building individual and organizational resilience.
Dr. Neil Spiegel
Dr. Spiegel attended medical school at New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He finished his postgraduate and residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York University. Dr. Spiegel also completed a Fellowship in anti-aging, functional, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Spiegel has multiple certifications and Fellowships. He is Fellowship-trained in sports medicine and board-certified in Physical Medicine for Rehabilitation. Dr. Spiegel is a fellow of the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and the American Academy of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Board Certified in Anti-Aging, Functional and Regenerative Medicine.
2022 Guest Presenters
Daphne Jefferson, PCC
Daphne Y. Jefferson is an executive coach, author, speaker, facilitator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience as a senior executive with the Federal government. She is passionate about helping leaders to gracefully navigate the challenges of transitions. As a coach, she has worked with dozens of leaders at every level of government, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and academia. Daphne is a noted speaker and has given keynote addresses on leadership, diversity and inclusion.
Matt Carter, PhD
Dr. Matt Carter is Associate Professor of Biology & Neuroscience at Williams College located in Williamstown, MA. His lab studies how the brain regulates sleep and food intake, and his research is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
Ann Betz, CPCC, PCC, MNTC
Ann in an international speaker, author and well-known trainer on the intersection of neuroscience, coaching and human transformation.
Previous Guest Presenters
Douglas Fields, PhD
Chief of Nervous System Development and Plasticity, National Institute of Health (NIHCD), renowned expert in Neuron Glial Biology.
Dr. Daniel Pine, NIH
Chief, Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Dr. Ted George
Psychiatrist and Neuroscientist, National Institute of Health, author, Associate Professor at George Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Majid Fotuhi, MD., PhD
Dr. Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D. Head of the Center for Memory and Brain Health at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. PhD Neuroscientist. Author of two best-selling books on memory and brain health.
Rick Hanson, PhD
Clinical psychologist, well-known author and recognized thought leader in the neuroscience (hardwiring) of happiness.
Stephen Suomi, PhD
Psychologist, Chief of Laboratory of Comparative Ethology. National Institute of Health (NICHD), Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University.
Judith Glaser
Organizational anthropologist, Founder of Conversational Intelligence, CEO of Benchmarks Communication.
David Rock, PhD
Founder of the Neuroleadership Institute, author, global thought leader.
Amanda Blake
Author, researcher and expert in the neurobiology of somatic coaching.
Deborah Norris, PhD
Founder of The Mindfulness Center™, author, Head of the Psychobiology of Healing Program at American University, renowned for meditation teacher training and holistic healing programs.
Ian Kelleher, PhD
Head of the Research Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, author, science educator.
Susan Wranik
Speech language pathologist, TED presenter, specialist in verbal and non-verbal communication.
Norbert Myslinski, PhD
Professor at the University of Maryland, researcher, Executive Director of the International Brain Bee. Recipient of the Society for Neuroscience Science Educator Award.
Rachel V. Gow, PhD
Expert in nutrition and the brain, postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Health (NIAAA).
Denise Zannino, PhD
Neuroscientist, Science Policy Analyst at the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Elizabeth Stuller, MD
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry, practicing physician at the Amen Clinics (Virginia), CEO of Stuller Resettings.
Dr. Thomas Hoffman, MD
Research Scientist and Administrator (National Institute of Health), Principal of PScience Associates.
Dr. MA Greenstein
Los Angeles based expert in Creativity and the Brain, author, experience designer and artist.
Book Signings
Book signings by our guest presenters happen regularly at DCNG quarterly meetings. Here is a sample of some books discussed or book signing events at the DCNG (click the cover to purchase on Amazon).
Applied Neuroscience Webinar Series
Back by popular demand. The DC Neuroleadership Group is offering a new two-part series on Applied Neuroscience topics. In only two hours, you will gain high-impact and practical understanding of essential aspects of brain science with immediate workplace applications. The Webinars take place live on Zoom and are also recorded if you cannot attend the live events. You will receive supplemental resources, a participant workbook and access to the recordings and all course materials.
To learn more about this exciting virtual training program and how they work, please go to the following link:
https://swiresolutions.com/applied-neuroscience/
Photo Gallery
Author and TED speaker Chalmers Brothers discussing language and behavior.
Guest Presenter Dr. Myslinski from the University of Maryland brings a human brain to our group meeting.
Guest Presenter Amanda Blake
signing copies of her book.
Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Stuller from the Amen Clinic discusses the Neuroscience of Addiction and imaging technology.
DCNG Leader Wendy Swire with guest presenter Judith Glaser, CEO of Benchmarks Communication and founder of Conversational Intelligence.
Susan Wranik, speech pathologist and expert in communication talking about role of the brain and speech mechanics.
DCNG members during a small group application discussion.
DCNG Leader Wendy Swire with Douglas Fields, PhD., reknown expert in Neuron Glial Biology.
Meet the DCNG Team
Wendy S. Swire
DCNG Founder and Head
Daisy Banta
DCNG Head of Research
Katie Dyke
DCNG Administrator
The DC Neuro Group was founded by Wendy Swire, principal of Swire Solutions, a leadership consultant and executive coach based in the Washington, DC area (www.swiresolutions.com) There is no membership fee to join the DCNG. Registration is required in advance for all of our events which frequently sell-out.
If you are interested in being a presenter or to learn more about the DCNG, please contact the organizer Wendy Swire.
Mind Over Matters Blog
