braveminds
Brave
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BraveMinds is a program of idealis. — a research-backed advisory firm committed to driving high performance with high humanity. We built BraveMinds because we believe that work starts much earlier than most people realize.
idealis. was founded on a simple conviction: better humans lead better organizations and communities to better outcomes. We work with investors, boards, and C-level executives to help navigate critical inflection points — embedding leadership practices that promote empathy, trust, resilience, and accountability.
BraveMinds extends that mission to the next generation. Because the habits, skills, and self-awareness that define great leaders are formed early. Middle school is an early inflection point and how students begin to shape their future selves matters — long before the boardroom.
Founder & CEO, idealis.
Dr. Sumona de Graaf is the Founder and CEO of idealis., a research-backed advisory firm committed to driving high performance with high humanity. An organizational psychologist specializing in human motivation, she has worked with founder-led businesses, family offices, venture capital and private equity companies, and boards and management teams across the public and private sector. Most recently a F300 CHRO, she previously worked for ghSMART, Bloomberg LP, American Express and Goldman Sachs.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Chief Learning Officer, idealis.
Allison Williams is the Chief Learning Officer at idealis. and brings more than 20 years of experience in education and leadership development. A former senior higher education executive, she most recently served as Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students at Muhlenberg College, and has taught organizational leadership at the graduate level for many years. She leads curriculum design and program development for BraveMinds.
Center Valley, Pennsylvania
Director of Operations, idealis. / BraveMinds Program Director
Suzanne Berry is the Director of Operations at idealis. She oversees idealis' impact work broadly and serves as BraveMinds Program Director. She is responsible for program logistics, school partnerships, and day-to-day operations. A Doctor of Physical Therapy, Suzanne brings a grounded, human-centered approach to everything she builds. She continues to see patients part-time, keeping her closely connected to the real-world challenges that shape the next generation of leaders.
Boston, Massachusetts
From the founding of idealis. in 2022, we committed to giving back a percentage of every dollar earned to support children — the future leaders of our world. A personal commitment to give forward was intentionally built in from day one.
Recent impact work includes partnering with Choose Love to bring free, evidence-based social-emotional learning to children and communities worldwide and a program called Khusi Girls, where idealis. sponsored 100 high school girls across five cohorts in partnership with SSYE in India — to hone these students' leadership skills to have immediate impact in their communities.
