Dennis Volpe is a Partner with the Leadership Research Institute and an executive and small business leadership consultant and coach who partners with founders, owners, and leadership teams to focus their energy and attention on what matters most—and move faster towards their definition of success.

Dennis is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), an ACEC Master Corporate Executive Coach (MCEC), a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, a graduate of the Columbia University Executive Coaching Program and, currently, a Columbia University Coaching Program Fellow. His work focuses on strategic and operational planning, executive and emerging leader development, team effectiveness, and small business growth.

Over the past several years, Dennis has partnered with emerging and high-potential leaders, Fortune 500 teams, and small business Founder/CEOs across industries including aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, technology, financial services, logistics, professional services, government, and non-profits.

Dennis brings more than twenty years of operational leadership experience as a U.S. Naval Officer, including command at sea, multiple overseas deployments, operational planning in Afghanistan, and senior leadership roles supporting U.S. Naval Forces. He also served as a leadership instructor and collegiate rugby coach at the United States Naval Academy—an experience that shaped his practical, no-nonsense approach to leadership development.

Dennis is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds a Master of Science in Leadership Development, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, and executive leadership training from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.

He is the founder of the Severn River Leadership Group, which supports veteran-owned and veteran-led small businesses, and has invested over $1M in small business ventures and investment funds. Dennis is also a Limited Partner in the Veteran Fund and the Academy Fund.

Outside of his professional work, Dennis is an outdoor enthusiast, small business investor, rugby and lacrosse fan, mindfulness practitioner, Traeger grill loyalist, Veteran mentor, and a recreational triathlete. He lives in Milton, Georgia with his wife, Amanda, and their dog, Koa.