News
September 3, 2025Member News: The Leaders Group
Dean Leber, MA, ACC, is the founder of The Leaders Group, an organization dedicated to partnering with executives and leadership teams to strengthen strategy, culture, and performance. With a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and years of entrepreneurial experience, Dean combines practical business insight with evidence-based coaching methods. In addition to his work with leaders across the U.S. and internationally, he also teaches college-level courses in Organizational Strategy, helping to shape the next generation of business leaders.
The inspiration for The Leaders Group began during Dean’s first company, which he started in his mid-20s. During that time, he realized how valuable mentorship and guidance would have been in navigating leadership challenges. This experience sparked his passion for leadership development and ultimately led him to begin coaching in 2016. The Leaders Group officially launched, complete with its signature pawn logo, in 2020.
The Leaders Group offers two primary services: coaching and consulting. Its executive and leadership coaching programs are designed to help leaders develop essential skills to guide their teams and organizations more effectively. On the consulting side, the firm assists companies with strategy and operations, including organizational design, meetings, KPIs, and culture development—focusing on vision, values, and integration.
Over the years, The Leaders Group has provided coaching experiences to leaders across New York and in various states, including Massachusetts, Kentucky, Florida, and California. The company has also expanded its reach internationally, with clients in Germany. Looking ahead, Dean plans to grow the consulting practice and launch cohort-based leadership and executive development programs.
The company’s logo, a pawn, often piques curiosity. While many see the pawn as the weakest chess piece, Dean views it as a symbol of servant leadership. In chess, the pawn moves first, setting the stage and supporting other pieces to reach their full potential, often sacrificing itself for the greater good. This mirrors the role of great leaders—those who take the first step, set the example, empower others, and put the mission above ego.
A hallmark of The Leaders Group is its focus on measurable growth. Whether through leadership coaching or organizational development initiatives, progress is tracked using assessments to establish baselines, monitor improvement, and confirm results. Many of these tools are custom-built in-house to meet the unique needs of each client.
Dean values his involvement with the Capital Region Chamber, viewing leaders as modern-day superheroes whose responsibility is to leave every space better than they found it. He appreciates the Chamber’s role in connecting trailblazers and change agents who are making a positive impact through business. As a member, Dean has engaged in award ceremonies, galas, networking events, business referral groups, and the Young Professionals Network, finding many opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute.
Living and working in the Capital Region holds special meaning for Dean. He loves the area’s accessibility, with day trips possible to cities like Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, as well as nearby natural escapes like the Adirondacks, Finger Lakes, Berkshires, and Catskills, filled with hidden swimming holes and waterfalls.
One of the most rewarding moments in Dean’s career came from working with a CEO and her 12-person team to develop mission, vision, and values that became the foundation of their strategy. The company has since grown to more than 70 employees, expanded along the East Coast, and formed partnerships to reach even more people. The CEO credited their collaboration with changing her life, and years later, she was honored as one of Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40. Dean keeps a photo of that award in his office as a reminder that his work isn’t just about business growth, but about empowering leaders to make lasting, meaningful change in their organizations and communities.
