Her Story
About Gwen
Dr. Gwen Lee-Thomas is the CEO and owner of Quality Measures, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in comprehensive evaluation services, leadership development, and organizational capacity building. With more than 27 years of consulting experience, she has partnered with businesses, public and private colleges, universities, and organizations across North America to strengthen performance, improve outcomes, and support strategic initiatives. Since founding Quality Measures in 2009, Dr. Lee-Thomas has overseen numerous projects and served as an evaluator and consultant for more than $120 million in grants and contracts involving state and federal agencies. Her expertise includes program evaluation, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning, accreditation support, and organizational improvement.
Before dedicating herself full-time to Quality Measures, Dr. Lee-Thomas held several leadership and academic positions in higher education. At Old Dominion University, she served as an assistant professor in the Higher Education graduate program and as Assistant to the President and Provost for Special Projects, supporting strategic planning, institutional accreditation, faculty diversity initiatives, and community engagement. Previously, she served as Director of Assessment and Executive Assistant to the President at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where she contributed to institutional research, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement. Her leadership and public service have also included serving as chair of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition and as a commissioner on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Administration and a master's degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology from Indiana State University.
Beyond her consulting and academic work, Dr. Lee-Thomas is committed to empowering leaders, strengthening organizations, and creating opportunities for meaningful community impact. She hosts the Journey Boldly Podcast, where she shares practical insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and navigating professional challenges, particularly for women in higher education and leadership. She has also founded Sankofa Circles, a nonprofit initiative designed to support women in launching businesses, organizations, and ministries. Guided by her faith, integrity, compassion, and perseverance, Dr. Lee-Thomas emphasizes intentional leadership, sustainable growth, and the importance of recognizing one's unique strengths. Through her consulting, mentorship, and community service, she continues to help individuals and institutions translate their goals into measurable and lasting impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gwen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith in God, hard work, and perseverance. Through life’s most challenging moments, my faith and prayer have given me the strength to keep going and overcome obstacles.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came from influential mentors, including Dr. Thomas, Dr. John Midgley, Dr. Gloria Rogers, and Dr. Deborah Fontaine. Their experiences and guidance taught me the importance of understanding people’s lived experiences through data collection, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, and allowing meaningful mentorship to shape my professional growth.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is integrating AI while protecting the integrity of our work and intellectual property. As we shift from serving DEI-focused clients to providing leadership training, we embrace AI to improve efficiency while ensuring our content remains original and reflects our expertise.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and compassion are the most important values in my work and personal life. My faith in God guides me to see people through His eyes, treating everyone with understanding, empathy, and respect while remaining honest and principled in all that I do.
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