About Us
Story
Vision &
Values
Team
Our Story
About Us
Vision & Values
Our Team
Michelle Gellert
Facilitator & Consultant
LinkedIn
An accomplished professional with a diverse background spanning the accounting, finance, and human resources sectors. Starting her career in accounting and finance, Michelle has since expanded her focus to include leadership, management, and professional development. Currently, she serves as the Senior Human Resources and Finance Manager for a growing engineering firm, where she plays a crucial role in building the organization’s HR and finance infrastructure. Her contributions are instrumental in positioning both the company and its employees for long-term growth and success. Prior to her current role, Michelle was the Director of Professional Development at Rampart Communications where she shared leadership and management resources and methodologies with others. Earlier in her career, she served as a Project Accountant at Skyline Technology Solutions, a role that set the foundation for a career transition into Human Resources as a Learning and Development Professional. In this new capacity, Michelle discovered her passion for servant leadership, partnering with individuals to help them discover the full potential of their capabilities. In addition to her corporate achievements, Michelle has had the privilege of traveling domestically and internationally to speak, lead, and facilitate communication and leadership programs for various organizations. This global experience has further deepened her dedication to helping others grow and ensuring that development aligns with their own unique definition of success. At the core of Michelle's professional philosophy is a commitment to servant leadership and creating corporate environments where people can thrive both personally and professionally. She firmly believes that a collaborative partnership between an organization and its employees, with individual growth aligned to organizational goals, is essential for achieving sustained mutual growth and success.
Zachary Cochran
Coach & Consultant
LinkedIn
Founded Cochran Coaching LLC in 2017, a professional development company specializing in helping clients discover their vision and goals through insightful conversations. He offers a range of services, including leadership development programs, business and executive coaching, training and workshops, group facilitation, and career coaching. A developer of leaders, Zachary coaches both business owners and executives, in addition to providing corporate training. His career coaching focuses on management and exploration, with an emphasis on direction and design. In 2023, Zachary was recognized by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce as "Young Professional of the Year". The Howard County Chamber’s Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) identifies and recognizes businesses and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their field, have achieved extraordinary success, and have improved the business community in general. Zachary was also honored as "Young Professional of the Year" in 2022 by the BWI Business Partnership. Zachary resides in Baltimore with his wife, Sylvie, and their son.
Anthony Diekemper
Founder & CEO
LinkedIn
Has over 30 years of experience in growing organizations in a variety of roles. He has served as an executive in large companies and startups. His passion is working to unleash the potential of organizations by working with individuals to realize and develop their potential. He has worked in a wide range of industries and focuses on the development of holistic Strategic Management Systems that combine the best of management disciplines with high impact leadership development activities. He has served as an executive for the last 17 years and is currently leading Diekemper Consulting and Training. DCT is focused on bringing his management and leadership systems and training to organizations that do not have the capacity to build their own corporate development groups. He has been married to his wife Kellie for 35 years and they have four wonderful adult children. Noah 29, Emily 27, Ashley 25 and Sydney 21. He and Kellie make their home in Severna Park, MD.
Craig VanBrackle
Sr. Consultant & Solutions Architect
LinkedIn
Seasoned executive with a proven track record of driving significant growth and organizational transformation. Currently residing in Eldersburg, Maryland, Craig has been serving as a Senior Consultant & Solutions Architect. Before his current role, Craig served as President at OPS Consulting (10/2021-1/2024), reporting directly to the Founder/CEO. In this role, Craig was instrumental in growing the company's value, ultimately positioning it for a successful acquisition by The Swift Group in July 2023. Prior to OPS Consulting, Craig served in key leadership positions at Skyline Technology Solutions (11/2013-10/2021), including Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer. Partnering with the CEO, Craig was pivotal in setting strategic direction, implementing operational processes, and developing talent to support the company’s expansion. Earlier in Craig’s career, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief People Officer at ADG Creative (8/2008-11/2013), Craig directed the transformation of the 18-year-old organization, including leading a $3 million effort to relocate the corporate offices, showcasing expertise in strategic planning and execution. Craig's expertise spans strategic planning, leadership development, organizational management, human resources, and operational excellence. Craig is passionate about building strong organizational cultures and driving sustainable growth. Craig is married to his wife, Lisa and has two children, and four grandchildren.
Amy Long
Director of Operations
LinkedIn
As the Chief People and Talent Strategist at MCC (Maritime Conference Center) and MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies), Amy is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in HR and Administration. Her career journey has taken her through reputable organizations such as Skyline Technology Solutions and Rampart Communications, where she honed her skills and expertise in people management. She has a particular passion for Leadership Development, believing that strong leadership is the cornerstone of any successful organization. With a keen eye for talent and a strategic mindset, she thrives on creating innovative solutions to nurture and develop future leaders within the industry. Amy's unique blend of experience, coupled with her unwavering dedication to fostering talent, allows her to drive impactful change within organizations. She is committed to empowering individuals to reach their full potential while steering companies towards growth and success. Ensuring that development aligns with their own unique definition of success.
Our Story
Diekemper Consulting was founded in late 2002, but its journey began earlier when the founder was encouraged to pursue consulting after leaving Allegis Group. As requests for guidance started coming from friends and colleagues grappling with business growth challenges, as well as individuals seeking more fulfilling careers. What changed was the perspective on the purpose behind the requests. While starting a consulting firm never felt fulfilling, the opportunity to help others succeed always had a strong appeal. Diekemper Consulting was born with the mission to help individuals and organizations unlock their untapped potential. Over the years, it has evolved, shaped by the founder's experience growing companies as a CEO and assisting customers, vendors, and community partners through organizational challenges. Today, Diekemper Consulting continues to offer a fresh perspective on growth, culture, leadership, and performance to both commercial and purpose-driven organizations of all sizes. We're eager to explore your growth challenges and partner with you to overcome them.
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Our Team
Vision & Values
Our Vision is to transform organizations into vibrant workplaces. Commercial and for-purpose organizations that continually rise to meet the challenges of today's rapidly changing world to serve their customers and stakeholders. We will develop organizations and leaders who vigorously pursue potential and embody the principles of mutual trust and respect in order to pursue high performance.
Passion
We value passion in the same way that Olympic athletes do. They do what they do because of a love and passion for their sport. Helping our partners challenge themselves to learn, grow and overcome their biggest barriers in order to unleash their potential is an incredibly rewarding experience. One that we are very passionate about. We are passionate about being that kind of a partner. And we are passionate about helping others have that experience.
People
People are the only reason for our organization to exist. They are the reason we do everything we do. Whether we are teaching leadership or process management, people are at the heart of it. In an age where financial results and eliminating humans from organizations is highly valued, we recognize that people are at the center of giving organizations meaning. All of our work is aimed at improving the experience people have in our partner organizations and those they serve.
Performance
Excellence is not intended to exist for its own purpose. We believe in pursuing excellence in organizations for the purpose of performance. Excellence in operations serves the people who deliver that service, the customers who receive that service, and it drives the financial performance of the organization which serves all stakeholders. Performance is a culmination of the execution of our values.
Potential
We believe that all individuals and organizations contain enormous potential. We value that potential and we value the partners we get to strive with to help unleash that potential. Realizing potential means to both come to be aware of it as well as accomplish it. We work with our partners to do both.