About Us

Mel Wildermuth
A dynamic speaker and a highly creative instructional designer, Mel is the creative force behind The Effectiveness Group's “theme–based” training programs. Mel's powerful imagination quickly generates games, simulations, and activities designed to "make learning stick." 

Mel had over 15 years of experience as a teacher and college instructor before turning his talents to adult learning. He obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and conducted research on the multiple perceptions of the importance of education. 

Along with his partner Cristina, Mel has written several published articles including "The 10 M's of Employee Engagement" (T&D Magazine) and "Decoding Leadership Ethics" (Journal of Industrial and Commercial Training).  

Mel is a certified Rhythm Circle Facilitator and a Master Trainer in the Five Factor Model of personality. His current writing and research interests include the impact of the brain on diversity relations. 

Currently, Mel directs The Leader Campus®, a community of leaders who help one another learn new skills, capitalize on their strengths, and grow. 
Cris Wildermuth
An experienced OD consultant and facilitator, Dr. Cris Wildermuth is an Associate Professor at Drake University, where she coordinates the Master of Science in Leadership Development and teaches courses in global leadership, change leadership, ethics, instructional design, and human resource development.  She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and has facilitated leadership, team development, and intercultural relations programs in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. 

Passionate about teaching, Dr. Wildermuth brings to her graduate classes the excitement and entrepreneurial spirit of "real world" OD consulting: Her students work on their own organizational change cases, develop practical instructional design and research projects for real clients, and engage in lively leadership and ethics simulations. 

Dr. Wildermuth is the author of “Diversity Training,” published by the national American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), has had articles published by various peer reviewed journals, and frequently speaks at national and international conferences. She has a strong expertise on the topics of employee engagement, the five factors of personality, and building leadership capacity.