Mark Grandstaff PhD

Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by

Marquis Who’s Who

Mark R. Grandstaff, PhD, has been endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the coaching industry

An accomplished listee, Dr. Grandstaff celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network and has been
noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all
Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value.
Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account
during the selection process.

Dr. Grandstaff’s distinguished career spans more than five decades of dedicated
service in military, academic and executive leadership roles, underscoring a legacy
built on expertise, innovation, and mentorship. Since 2010, he has served as the
chief executive officer of Renaissance Thinkers, where he has guided the
organization in advancing thought leadership and the practical applications of
Jungian psychology. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to fostering
intellectual growth and supporting individuals in their personal and professional
development. Under Dr. Grandstaff’s direction, Renaissance Thinkers has become
recognized for its innovative approach to coaching and consulting, particularly in
integrating depth psychology into leadership practices.
 

Having contributed significantly to higher education as a professor of history and
leadership, Dr. Grandstaff was a faculty member at Brigham Young University
from 1993 to 2010. During this period, he also served as an associate chairperson
of the department of history between 1998 and 2001. His academic career was characterized by a dedication to
teaching, research and curriculum development, with a focus on institutional culture and leadership theory. Dr.
Grandstaff’s influence extended beyond the classroom through his mentorship of students and colleagues, as well as
his involvement in shaping departmental initiatives.
 

Dr. Grandstaff’s military service has served as a cornerstone of his professional journey. He served as a senior military
officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 2002, including assignments as a nuclear missile launch commander
between 1984 and 1988 and later as a joint special operations command defense analyst in the U.S. Air Force Reserve
from 1993 to 2002. Dr. Grandstaff’s earlier military experience included service as an aviation electronics technician,
petty officer first class, in the U.S. Navy between 1974 and 1980. Over the course of more than two decades in the
armed forces, he demonstrated exemplary leadership and technical proficiency, earning recognition for his significant
contributions to national defense. In addition to his primary roles, Dr. Grandstaff was appointed senior military advisor for the National Service
Committee for the President’s Summer of Service in 1992. This position allowed him to provide strategic guidance on
national service initiatives, highlighting his expertise in organizational leadership.

Dr. Grandstaff’s academic achievements included a bachelor’s degree in business from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University in 1980, followed by a master’s degree in religious formation from Brigham Young University in 1984 and
a Doctor of Philosophy in institutional and organizational culture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992.
In addition to his formal education, Dr. Grandstaff has pursued extensive professional certifications, including a
spiritual direction certificate and credentials in creative mind coaching, as an MBTI master practitioner (typology), an
interstrength certified practitioner for temperament, interaction and cognitive styles, and, among others, an MBTI
certification. Additionally, Dr. Grandstaff has held legal bar admission with the International Association of Jungian
Coaches and Consultants since 2025.

Dr. Grandstaff is a former senior fellow at the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership at the University of
Maryland's school of public policy, serving from 2005 to 2020. He is also an active member of the International
Association of Jungian Coaches and Consultants based in Zurich. Civic engagement is integral to Dr. Grandstaff’s life
philosophy. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he completed missionary service
in Germany, shaping his worldview and deepening his commitment to service.

Among Dr. Grandstaff’s most notable scholarly achievements are two seminal works: "Foundation of the Force: Air
Force Enlisted Personnel Policy, 1907-1956," released by the Government Printing Office in Washington D.C. in
1997, a comprehensive analysis that remains influential within military history scholarship, and Strategic Leadership:
The General"s Art," published in 2009, which explores advanced concepts in organizational leadership for aspiring executives. Moreover, as a
senior editor and author on several projects, Dr. Grandstaff has contributed original research that bridges historical
analysis with contemporary leadership practice.

Recognized for scholarly excellence, Dr. Grandstaff received a Best Paper Award from the Military History
Association in 1997, a Best Paper Award from the Mormon History Association in 1998, and a Best Paper Award in
Utah History from the Utah Historical Society in 2000. For him, building a lasting legacy is paramount. Dr. Grandstaff
values having an accessible online record that accurately represents his lifetime achievements, rather than physical
mementos or active business promotion.On August 25, 2025, Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical
profiles, presented Dr. Grandstaff, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.