Deidre Combs

Deidre Combs is the author of three books on cross-cultural approaches to resolving conflict and overcoming challenges -- The Way of Conflict; Worst Enemy, Best Teacher and Thriving Through Tough Times -- that integrate common wisdom from the world’s lasting cultural traditions with systems theory and brain research. She provides leadership and conflict strategies as a management consultant, coach, mediator and professor.  

 Combs has worked with a variety of corporate, government and NGO clients including Aveda Corporation, the US Forest Service, US Postal Service, IBM and Landmine Survivors Network.

Dr. Combs is a core instructor in Montana State University’s Leadership Fellows Certificate Program.  Since 2007, she has taught intensive leadership training to State Department-selected student and professional leaders from throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America and Pakistan’s FATA region.

Combs was previously employed nine years by IBM as a software development project manager and vendor liaison specializing in healthcare solutions. Combs also served as marketing director for the electronic medical record provider SolCom Incorporated from 1998 through 2002 leading its corporate re-branding effort.

She holds a BA in Mathematics and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin — Madison, a master’s degree in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University, and a doctorate focused on world religions from UCS/Naropa University. Deidre's blog, Playing Well at Work and Beyond can be found at www.playingwell.org .