About Us

Dr. Karin Botto is a leader in the field of higher education with experience in areas such as leadership development, human resources, strategic planning, mission integration, and faculty development. She currently serves as Senior HR Business Partner at Syracuse University where she partners with senior leaders to shape, develop, and deliver plans and strategy in line with the needs and priorities of the organization including organizational development, performance management, talent management, professional development, workforce planning, and employee relations. She also teaches at the graduate level and serves on multiple dissertation committees. 

Karin's doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership is from Creighton University. She earned her Masters of Science in Training & Organizational Development from Saint Joseph’s University. Her research focuses on developing the ecological self for sustainability leadership. You can learn more about her research on the Ignatian Inquiry Podcast or through a recent article with Conversations Magazine.

In 2015, Karin co-developed a leadership model published in the Journal of Jesuit Business Education (2015). She co-authored a chapter of Success After Tenure (2019) by Stylus Publishing and wrote a chapter of Women Courageous: Leading through the Labyrinth (2021) by Emerald Publishing. 

Botto’s specialties include leadership development, group dynamics and decision-making, sustainability leadership, coaching and mentoring, management training, and integrating contemplative practices into one’s life and leadership. Her most important roles are wife to Mike and mother to Jack, Gwyn and Gavin.

Hilary McManus is a professor of environmental sciences and teaches about the science of the climate crisis in the classroom and local community. She also serves on various committees, both at Le Moyne College and in the Village of Fayetteville, NY, developing frameworks for more sustainable and climate resilient communities. She aims to nurture the current and next generations of environmental stewards through hands-on experiences connecting with nature and leadership coaching. 

In 2018, Hilary was selected as a participant in Homeward Bound, a global leadership development initiative for women in STEMM, which culminated in a 3-week voyage to Antarctica with 78 other women from around the world. Currently over 700 women strong, the network continues to grow as an international collaboration of women scientists aiming to lead and influence decision making as it shapes our planet. 

Hilary is also a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps founded and led by Al Gore. She delivers presentations with interactive components that offer audience members an opportunity to brainstorm climate action items on the individual, community and policy levels.

Hilary is a certified Executive Leadership and Career Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation and Association for Coaching. She guides people to clarify goals, gain self-awareness, and unlock leadership potential.

Hilary's free time is spent outdoors with her two sons, hiking, camping, gardening, and practicing shinrin yoku and silent meditation.