
The LeadLab Team
Behind every LeadLab experience is a community of people devoted to one purpose: helping leaders grow so the mission of the church thrives.
LeadLab
LeadLab was created by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI) at Andrews University, an innovation hub dedicated to cultivating Christlike leadership worldwide.
With Visionary Leadership & Foundational Support, the two co-founders, now Co-Directors, with the help of the Administrative & Techical Support Team designed and developed LeadLab as a leadership laboratory—a place where learning becomes transformation and leadership becomes legacy.
Built on trust, vision, and innovation
The Global Leadership Institute (GLI) and LeadLab were born through the faith and foresight of key leaders who believed deeply in developing leaders for mission.
Visionary Leadership & Foundational Support
Dr. Juan Prestol, as Treasurer of the General Conference (2015–2021), was part of the group of leaders who envisioned GLI. It was his conviction that leadership growth strengthens the church's mission that supported the launch of LeadLab in 2018.
Dr. Alayne Thorpe, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and College of Education & International Partnerships at Andrews University, is an experienced champion of institutional innovation and new initiatives to support leaders worldwide. Her close and constant guidance was crucial to the global implementation of LeadLab.
Co-Directors, Global Leadership Institute
Building Pathways for Leader Growth and Mission Impact
At the heart of the Global Leadership Institute are two colleagues who have spent their careers helping leaders grow in both competence and character.
Dr. Randy Siebold and Dr. Erich Baumgartner co-direct GLI and co-created LeadLab—a leadership laboratory designed to translate learning into transformation and leadership into mission. Together, they design experiences that help leaders connect insight with action, reflection with community, and personal growth with the larger purpose of advancing the Gospel.
Dr. Randy Siebold
Co-Director, Global Leadership Institute
Randy brings decades of experience in learning, leadership, and innovation. As an entrepreneur, leader, professor, and student of the Bible, he has sought to simplify difficult-to-understand concepts using memorable illustrations. He is passionate about aligning people, purpose, and process so leaders and their teams can work together to develop habits of growth and multiplication, enabling them to fulfill the church’s mission with clarity and faith.
Dr. Erich Baumgartner
Co-Director, Global Leadership Institute
Erich focuses on leader transformation, learning design, and cross-cultural leadership. His work helps leaders recognize God’s fingerprints in the events, people, and experiences that have shaped their calling—and equips them to multiply that growth in others.
Administrative & Technical Support Team
Turning vision into action every day.
At the operational heart of GLI is Anna (Anna Piskozub), who coordinates the daily activities of both LeadLab and the broader GLI initiatives. She ensures smooth communication, logistics, and participant care, supported by a dedicated team of Technical Assistants (Fred, Songwa, Junkil). Their behind-the-scenes work enables LeadLab to run seamlessly across time zones, languages, and divisions—making transformation possible at a global scale.
We are indebted to Ramiro Quero, who, as the Associate for Digital Technologies and Learning Community (2023-2025), played a key role in building the operational systems and team structure that sustain the implementation of LeadLab. His technological skills and passion for community helped scale the concept into a global learning reality. Currently, Ramiro has transitioned to Hope Channel International as Director of Network Strategies, Development & Training, continuing to demonstrate commitment to ongoing growth and leadership development.
LeadLab Global Coaching Network
Over 40 Learning Coaches (or facilitators) from around the world form the backbone of every LeadLab Growth Series. They walk alongside participants throughout the six-month journey—guiding small learning groups, connecting insight to action, and creating a trusted space for reflection and growth. Their mentoring is designed to empower each group into a genuine learning community where leaders speak truth in love and grow together in grace, courage, and competence.
A Global Network of Learning Partners
United for Mission Growth
LeadLab is more than a program—it’s a growing movement of Seventh-day Adventist leaders, coaches, and facilitators who share one conviction: When leaders grow, mission thrives. Together, the GLI team embodies the spirit of the laboratory—learning, experimenting, and growing in Christ for the sake of the Gospel worldwide.