Helping Leaders Excel™
Dr. Dee Soder
Founder and Managing Partner
Dr. Soder has been one of the nation’s leading advisors to top executives, companies, and boards for decades. Deemed “the country’s foremost assessment expert,” “CEO’s consigliere,” ”legendary advisor,” and “clairvoyant” by WSJ, Fortune, CNN, CBS Marketwatch, NPR and others, Soder smoothly combines psychological acumen, business savvy, testing expertise, and common sense. Already a successful executive and thought-leader, she saw the need for a service combining psychology and business for senior executives. In 1986 she started an assessment and advisory firm to fill the void. While intended for clients, in the process she pioneered a new industry, executive coaching and helped thousands further excel.
At the forefront of CEO advice, assessment, diversity, forensic psychology and
coaching young achievers, Soder is typically a step ahead. Despite numerous awards, she is constantly learning. Like her clients, Soder continues to improve and innovate. Over 90% of her firm’s business is referral-based due to her
commitment to results, confidentiality, and clients.
As CEO Perspective Group founder, she advises top management and Boards on a wide range of issues. For 30 plus years Boards and private equity firms have asked Soder to conduct highly sensitive assessments to determine whether to hire or keep chief executives. Clients include smaller companies, private equity firms, executive search and advisory groups, as well as highly successful individuals—the leaders in every field!
Soder's career has numerous "firsts." Early in her career she led a key President's Reorganization Project for the White House; Staffing Director for the District of Columbia; a D.C. Police Department Chief, one of first female Vice Presidents at Prudential, one of first female partners at Rohrer, Hibler, and Replogle. While Senior Research Psychologist for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, she led federal efforts to ensure legal, valid tests, co-founded the highly regarded Personnel Testing Council, and advised Justice and State Departments on testing practices and remedies. Later as one of two psychologists for the EEOC she helped determine the legality of personnel practices. In her first job she worked for a major medical center as personnel psychologist. In later jobs at OU and assistant director of a national law enforcement organization she consulted and attended graduate school at night. The CEO Perspective Group’s work gives her continual challenges and empathy for those trying to find best course.
Soder’s ability to translate her extensive technical background into practical results has frequently resulted in awards including commendations from President Carter, the District of Columbia, New York City Police Department, and plaudits from the Brookings Institution, Chase, American Medical Association, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NACD, Directors & Boards, Conference Board, FEI, YPO and named Top Executive Coach in NYC by Gotham Magazine. She was honored at Carnegie Hall by the ABC Competition for her support of the arts and business. In 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 the firm was selected as Best for CEO Evaluation and Coaching, International Wealth & Money Magazine—a "category killer" as one person noted. In 2023 she was recognized as one of Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs.
She is a lifetime member of the American Psychological Association (former ethics committee member) and Economic Club member for nearly two decades. To avoid conflicts Soder is a nonprofit board director, helping to advance women, ensure reproductive rights, aid law enforcement and service dogs. She’s an Emeritus Board member at RespectAbility, founded to eliminate stigmas and challenges for the disabled. For 11 years she was Director of the bipartisan Women's Campaign Fund, helping elect progressive women such as Pelosi, Murray, Stabenow and others. One of three people recognized in the Labor Department's initial Glass Ceiling report she has been honored many times for her work helping women further excel. Fascinated by forensic psychology, much of her education and early work was in law enforcement. Her advice to leaders and officials was frequently featured after September 11 and still requested. Soder has given numerous keynotes on leadership, stress and corporate governance, as well as quoted hundreds of times by major media.
Her articles and research on CEO assessment received considerable acclaim from professional associations, governance experts, and key business leaders. Her "Early Warning Signs©" was selected for the 25th, 30 and 35th Anniversary Editions of Directors & Boards. "CEO Selection and Evaluation Today: What Directors Say" was a requested cover article by NACD and republished. A psychometrist by education and puzzle-lover by personality, while still in school she developed an accurate juror selection system, predicted a nursing strike a month in advance, matched clients and partners for major law firm (model still used today), and more (see Assessment.)
Attending graduate school at night, Soder is a Phi Beta Kappa and earned a B.S. with Special Distinction, M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology, with an emphasis on industrial and legal applications, from the University of Oklahoma, as well as post-doctoral work in assessment and forensic psychology from George Washington University plus clinical coursework. Currently she is writing a children’s book based on her standard poodle and his friends.