Dr. Mira Brancu

Founder & CEO

Consulting Psychologist, Speaker, Author

Why I Do This Work

I was originally born in Romania - back when it was under a communist regime. When we emigrated to America when I was 6 years old, I had to learn a new language and figure out how to navigate a new culture. This forced me to develop strong skills in observation and interpretation of nuanced behaviors in order to understand people and make deep connections. 

Over the course of my career as a school counselor, clinical psychologist, chief of operations, and other leadership roles, across many industries, including healthcare, academia, federal government, and schools, I gained a special interest in the impact of how systems (relationships, groups, organizations, societal factors) impact success. The more I understood and applied this knowledge, the more success I saw in my leadership growth as well as the growth of my teams and organization.

My mentees and supervisees often ask me how I got to where I am today. In the past it seemed like all these opportunities came from just pure luck.

In time, though, I realized those opportunities greatly expanded once I developed, and consistently applied, a strategic and resourceful perspective.

I am now in the fortunate situation to be able to translate those strategies to help other leaders effectively navigate complex systems; develop strategic thinking and processes; and work effectively with individuals, teams, and organizations.

I also specialize in working with emerging and under-represented women leaders and the companies who want to support their retention and career growth.

My vision is to help people thrive, not just survive, in the face of increasing complexity and change. Across all the work I do, you will notice that my unique perspective on how best to help people thrive is to apply a psychologist's lens to reveal the internalized barriers, unspoken rules, unfair practices, and systemic threats that limit leaders' individual potential and organizational impact, and to build the strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and agency they need to address them.

I’ve lived and worked in many places, including New York, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, and North Carolina, where I’ve now settled down with my husband, two children, and a pandemic-inspired old adopted cat named Pug.

Outside of work, I volunteer with and serve on several boards in my local community focused on supporting underserved women in gaining financial and professional success. Check out our charitable partnerships to learn about some of them.

Select Training & Education

A brief overview is listed below, but I encourage you to look me up (and connect!) on LinkedIn as well.

  • PhD in clinical psychology

  • M.Ed. and advanced certificate in counseling and supervision

  • Certificates in: Business; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Coaching

Writing & Research

Awards & Recognition