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Today we welcome the Vice President of Community Engagement & Innovation, Mark Gesner, to The Law of Relevancy! He is the driving force behind advancing community engagement and involvement at Saint Leo University.

Mark L. Gesner, Ph.D. was exposed to transformational leadership early in life at large family gatherings in Brooklyn, New York where his grandmother and great aunts inspired a sense of strength and belonging among all who entered. These underpinnings informed Mark’s career of growing organizations and businesses, building partnerships, developing mission-driven leaders and entrepreneurs, and creating innovative programs. He has designed programs and led courses locally and globally about innovation, cross-cultural management, leadership, and community engagement.

He currently serves as the Vice President of Community Engagement & Innovation at Saint Leo University where he is a member of the senior leadership team. Mark previously served in faculty and leadership roles at Cardinal Stritch University and the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Prior to higher education, he was the national director for education and development for Hostelling International-USA, an organization promoting cross-cultural understanding through affordable travel. Mark brings his message to life by being an engaged citizen who supports others in realizing their personal and collective aspirations and to discover home wherever they roam.

Mark’s main focus in higher education is fostering community engagement, building partnerships, creating innovative programs, advancing entrepreneurs, teaching and learning, and developing mission-driven leaders.