Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute and Leadership Alliance combine to create a powerful resource to find, develop and retain talent

ST. LOUIS — Dec. 15, 2021 — Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute Inc., a consultancy specializing in leadership, company culture and customer loyalty, has announced its acquisition of Leadership Alliance, a firm focused on data-driven talent identification and development practices. Together, these organizations bring a new end-to-end talent management and customer experience consultancy to the global market, which will help companies select the right people, develop and grow their talent, identify high potentials, manage succession thoughtfully, support inclusion initiatives and create stronger customer loyalty.

“The impetus for this acquisition was seeing how many organizations were and continue to struggle with hiring and retaining talent during the Great Resignation,” said Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute Managing Partner Sara Hannah. “The talent landscape has completely changed in the last two years, causing a paradigm shift for employers. Through this acquisition, we can help business leaders solve these tough challenges by focusing on smarter selection, while bolstering engagement and retention strategies through our people-centric approach.”

Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute was established in 2015 to share the leadership strategies of Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of $3B global industrial manufacturing firm Barry-Wehmiller and architect of the Truly Human Leadership approach. Since its founding, Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute has served multiple companies in various industries—including American Airlines, St. Louis-based supermarket chain Dierbergs Markets, metal packaging provider Ball Corporation and Michigan-based grocer Meijer.

“Chapman & Co. has expanded quickly due to the growing interest for more human-centered leadership. Every day, we are encouraged by the companies and leaders seeking our help to teach them how to care for those they have the privilege to lead,” said Chapman. “Chapman & Co.’s expertise, combined with Leadership Alliance’s depth of knowledge in assessing and coaching potential leaders, creates a tremendous resource for organizations committed to becoming vibrant workplaces where people can become the best versions of themselves.”

Leadership Alliance, founded in 1998 by Karen Weller, Ph.D., has successfully served Barry-Wehmiller, as well as an extensive variety of clients, including Equifax, St. Louis-based health care system SSM Health, aerospace manufacturer TransDigm Group, Fortune 500 global manufacturer Emerson and consumer packaged goods provider Post Holdings.

“Leadership Alliance has been a long-time talent partner of Chapman & Co.’s parent company, Barry-Wehmiller, making this strategic match a natural succession for the partnership,” said David Weller, Ph.D., former Principal of Leadership Alliance and now Senior Partner of Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute. “Together, we are solving a key need for business leaders through an end-to-end talent approach centered around the basic principle of treating people well.”

“We have seen a huge benefit from our partnership with Leadership Alliance in matching the right leaders with the right roles for our unique Barry-Wehmiller culture,” said Barry-Wehmiller Chief People Officer Rhonda Spencer. “We’re so proud to have David, Karen and the whole team as part of our BW family.”

Through this acquisition, Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute will be better positioned to leverage its Truly Human approach to support businesses and their leaders shift the way they lead from end to end—from new-hire assessments to leadership development, customer loyalty practices, succession planning and everything in between.

“It is a time of transformation for many organizations, and we are well-resourced to help leaders solve the hard problems of increasing employee engagement and retention, and developing future leaders,” said David Weller. “Happy employees create happy and loyal customers. It is just that simple, and we have set our sights on helping business leaders attain that.”