For Immediate Release
Design Group International
Maestro-level leaders Appoints New Director to Lead Peer-Based Succession Planning Organization
Bringing academic insight and executive coaching expertise to a growing movement in leadership transition
[Milwaukee, WI] — [June 26, 2025]
Design Group International, a leader in the field of human and organizational development, is pleased to announce Dr. Sarah Harstad as the new Director of Maestro-level leaders.
Maesto-level leaders equips leaders for succession
Maestro-level leaders is a peer-based succession planning community for senior executives, owners, and founders. The common goal for these executives is to approach their leadership transition with a holistic and strategic mindset. They value tools and peer conversations that help navigate key challenges and opportunities that occur during succession, while continuing to lead effectively into the future.
Maestro-level leader cohorts meet in a four-year journey to explore, map, and implement what succession and legacy look like in each leader’s unique life and organizational context. The focus is on a new season of growth, value, and impact for themselves, their successor, and their organization as a whole.
Dr. Harstad a leader in the developing field of succession
Dr. Harstad has been active in the developing field of planful and strategic succession in Minnesota and within the academic community. Dr. Harstad brings a dynamic blend of experience and expertise as she has worked in privately held businesses and taught at the university level. She is the owner of 112 Advising - an executive coaching and strategic planning consultancy, is a Maestro-level leader facilitator, and holds certifications as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) as well as a member of the International Leadership Association.
“I’m honored to join and lead a community and that’s redefining how we approach succession planning,” said Dr. Harstad. “Too often, leadership transitions happen in silos. Leaders don’t know where to turn or who to ask for help. Our peer-based model creates space for leaders to learn from each other, reflect deeply, and plan intentionally for the future of their organizations. They are empowered with tools for today and for the future.”
Maestro-level leaders founded in Process Consulting
Maestro-level leaders was founded by Mark L. Vincent, PhD, EPC, who leveraged over thirty-five years of experience to innovate a cohesive model for executive leaders to approach succession. The Maestro-level leaders approach supports leaders in their third turn of leadership—where the focus shifts beyond leading oneself (Turn One) or leading others (Turn Two) to a deeper drive: building a lasting legacy in Turn Three.
Dr. Vincent has authored a seminal text, Listening Helping Learning: Core Competencies of Process Consulting, which adds to the field of Process Consulting established by Dr. Ed Schein. Dr. Schein and his son Peter Schein, a Strategic Advisor with Design Group International, have written widely on the humble inquiry and process approach, including the books, Helping, Humble Inquiry, and Humble Leadership.
Design Group International’s Co-CEO and Senior Design Partner, Lon L. Swartzentruber said: “We are thrilled to have Dr. Harstad’s leading this transformational effort. Sarah’s work blends both the theory and the practice of transition and succession planning. In doing so, Sarah, along with all Maestro-level leader facilitators, help to equip participants with valuable thinking and practical next steps in crafting their succession plans. We are very excited for the future!”
To learn more please visit https://www.designgroupinternational.com/maestro-level-leaders.
More on Design Group International
Now in its 25th year, Design Group International practices Process Consulting, a type of organizational development consulting that relies on an iterative, collaborative approach with organizations and their leaders based on the core competencies of listening, helping, and learning.
Design Group International encompasses several communities of practice including Maestro-level Leaders, Culture Change Leadership, and Society for Process Consulting. Design Group International has Process Consultants located in fifteen cities across the United States. It is led by Senior Design Partners, Senior Consultants, and Facilitators who work nationally and internationally with a wide variety of clients.
Design Group International has extensive experience with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including family owned-businesses, partnerships, universities and colleges, denominations and associational bodies, Montessori and Christian schools, private and community foundations, city and regional governing bodies, human service, and arts organizations.
Design Group International offers organizational development counsel, executive advising, coaching, and leadership development all from the Process Consulting approach. Its mission is to help organizations and their leaders transform for a vibrant future.
More on 112 Advising
112 Advising (pronounced one-twelve) is a partner in growth, problem solving, and solution implementation for organizational development, leadership, and strategy. At 112 Advising, Dr. Harstad partners with clients on executive coaching, strategic planning and implementation, and champions strategic succession and education helping organizations to navigate the opportunities and challenges that arise. The vision is to equip, develop, and empower leaders and organizations with clear and strategic direction to grow.
To learn more about Dr. Harstad and Maestro Level Leader’s work in peer-based succession planning, visit Maestro Level Leaders Home Page, Maestro Level Leaders Facilitators. 112 Advising