OUR STORY
The Cooperative Leadership Institute, founded at Virginia Tech in 2003, builds long-term relationships with clients, partners, and content experts to democratize transformative experiences, so that we can work together to reimagine leadership in the next generation.
We are a proud tenant of the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, where technology, research, and entrepreneurship come together with one of the world’s top research universities.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Charles Lattimer, Founder / Chief Executive Officer
At Virginia Tech, Charles founded the Cooperative Leadership Institute (CLI), a privately held leadership development company – a pioneer in the field of technology‐enhanced organizational and executive performance development. As a keynote speaker, executive coach, leadership guide, and technology entrepreneur, Charles has directed and designed international and enterprise‐level organizational development and training programs for 15 years.
An innovator in democratizing leadership development, Charles has developed programs for 10,000s of managers and executives from Akridge, Alpha Pharmaceuticals, B. F. Saul Company, Club Corporation of America (ClubCorp), e5 Systems, General Electric, LPGA’s Duramed Tour, LTD Management, Marriott International, U. S. Foreign Service Institute, Virginia Tech, Wal‐Mart, Whole Child Learning Company, local governments, schools systems, and many others.
Charles has lifetime memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi and is President Emeritus of Virginia Tech’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Email: clattimer@vtcli.com
Blog: charleslattimer.com
Shelley Smith, President / Chief Operating Officer
Shelley’s primary role is to oversee the day‐to‐day operations, as well as, strategically plan, and develop ongoing opportunities for CLI and their clients. Prior to owning her own executive coaching and consulting firm, Shelley spent several decades in top executive positions within Marriott Corporation, LTD Management, and HMP Properties. Shelley has substantial knowledge and experience in the operations of day‐to‐day businesses. Her expertise includes assessing a stand‐alone unit or multiple units, reviewing key performance drivers and advising the owner, president or CEO on how to deploy their staff and use other resources to operate more efficiently through systems, processes, resource allocation, and talent management.
Shelley’s education includes certifications from Cornell Business School in Ithaca, NY as well as a long list of professional certifications acquired while working for and within Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Intercontinental Hotels. Her certification in Predictive Index allows her to assist organizational clients with talent management and development, and executive clients with their personal development, team leadership and communication skills.
Email: shelley.smith@vtcli.com
