Jeanette, co-founder of Batiste Leadership, is known for her personable, authentic, and to-the-point approach to leadership and consulting. With a knack for connecting with others and a commitment to delivering thoughtful, strategic insights, she successfully creates environments where people feel valued and empowered to achieve their best. Her strength lies in balancing authenticity with expertise, helping clients navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Her unique leadership experiences, both domestically and internationally, broadened her perspective, helped shape her inclusive and adaptable approach, and strengthened her resiliency in navigating new and challenging environments. Because of her adaptability, she is able to work with large multinationals, family run companies, start-ups, non-profit and government organizations.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire, along with an MSc in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics. In her early days she began her leadership journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, Africa. After completing her service, she remained in Malawi and held leadership roles with African Parks Conversation and ASAP Africa, helping to advance community-based conservation and food security.
After returning to Rochester, NY, Jeanette joined Foodlink, where she progressed to become Co-Executive Director, overseeing large-scale food distribution and developing leadership skills in organizational collaboration and systems thinking.
In 2015, Jeanette partnered with her father to launch Batiste Leadership, where she continues to guide organizations in strategic thinking and planning, leadership and team development, building cultures of trust and empowerment, and organizational change. A certified yoga teacher, Jeanette integrates mindfulness and alignment into her leadership coaching to drive lasting transformation.
John graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1974. He served for 31 years in the US Army as an Infantry Officer with deployments in the First Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq in 2004. His final position was Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”) during peace enforcement operations in Kosovo and combat operations in Iraq.
He transitioned to the steel industry in late 2005 and was president of Klein Steel until 2013. Under his leadership, Klein was recognized as one of 10 Industry Week Best Plants in North America and a New York State Best Place to Work. His passion to find a better way to produce armor led him to start a new steel company, Buffalo Armory.
Since 2013, the company has 15 granted patents on its unique induction technology and is widely recognized for its ballistic solutions in the markets of body armor, police car door armor, and ballistic barriers for schools, places of worship, and offices.
In 2016, John and his daughter, Jeanette, partnered to form Batiste Leadership to assist companies and organizations in defining, building, and nurturing cultures of trust and empowerment. John has served on non-profit boards in support of Veterans and is a past executive committee member of the Raffles Insurance Captive and Metals Service Center Institute.
Book your free conversation to see how we might help you. If you have questions or want to explore how we might work together, please reach out. Don’t hesitate to get in touch - our conversation is free and we’re excited to connect. For any specific questions email Jeanette@batisteleadership.com
