With a background in multinational consulting, academia, and public diplomacy, Les supports senior leaders in navigating complex global challenges through tailored coaching programs and innovative assessment frameworks designed for the future of work. He is an ICF-certified Executive and Group Coach, having completed his coach training at New York University. He is actively involved in designing new leadership assessment tools that align with the evolving demands of international organizations. He has led coaching initiatives at Columbia Business School, Yale University, and the University of Melbourne, mentoring mid-career and senior professionals in leadership, organizational strategy, and career advancement. He has also facilitated executive learning programs across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, emphasizing intercultural leadership and public diplomacy.

Les holds an MBA from California State University specializing in multilateral management and strategy; M.Sc. in international management from Boston University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB) Faculty of Economic and Social Science; PhD in Art, Environment, and Technology from Leeds Metropolitan University, an MA in Fine Art from the University of London, Postdoctorate from the University of São Paulo in Brazil and was Japan Ministry of Education and Culture Monbusho/ MeXT Scholar 1997-2001.

Les began his career in competitive intelligence and management consulting, advising Fortune 500 companies in Europe, Asia, and the Americas before transitioning to academia and leadership development. He has served on the boards of international organizations, including the College Art Association, and remains active in global alumni and mentorship networks.

A multilingual professional, he is fluent in English, French, and Japanese, with formal training in Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese. His unique background in arts and culture further enriches his approach, making his expertise highly relevant to fostering leadership excellence within the UN system.

Supporting junior, mid and senior level leaders, Les provides coaching that offers the opportunity, space, and psychological safety for JPOs to reflect, contextualize, learn, and grow. These coaching sessions focus on key aspects of career planning, including defining career aspirations within the UN, developing leadership and management practices, strengthening interview and application strategies, and navigating challenges in a multinational organization.

The program methodology ensures individualized and confidential coaching, delivered online through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or telephone. Each coachee receives one-hour coaching sessions tailored to their career vision, strengths, and development areas.

Certifications: ICF Certified Coach. ICF-NYC DEI Coach Mentor; ICF-certified GCHQ Group Coach; GoldAward Mentor. MBA (California), M.Sc (Brussels), MA (Lon), MA (Japan), PhD (Leeds), Post-doc (Brazil).

Languages: Fluent in English, French, with formal training in Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.

Residency: US Citizen. Born Santa Barbara, California (1963) lived and works in New York, Asia and the EU. Resident: France (1983-1984, 1995), Belgium (1986-1991), Germany (1991-92), UK (1992-97), Japan (1997-2001), India (2022). Field research in Japan (1996-1998), Brazil (2012-13), Mongolia (2014, 2015, 2016), China (2013-2019), Taiwan (2016-present),, South Korea (2012), Singapore (2009), Netherlands (2007), Norway (2008).

Honors and Awards: Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Award, India (2022); Fulbright SCA-RTP Regional Scholars Grant for Sri Lanka (2022); University of Indiana/ Nonconformist Museum St Petersburg Russia Writers Grant (2022); Highland Institute, India (Fellow) (2022); US Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Grant for Colombia (2020); US Department of State, American Arts Incubator ZERO1: Art and Technology Artist (2019); Fulbright Hays US Public Diplomacy Mission China Award (2017); CEC ArtsLink Foundation Grant, St. Petersburg, Russia (2017); Taiwan Ministry of Education Language Scholar National Cheng Kung University (2016); Renmin University of China Merit Award for Teaching (2017); Wheatley Foundation Fellow, Birmingham City University, UK (2016); US Department of State Field Research Fellow, American Center for Mongolian Studies (2016); Royal Geographical Society of Great Britain (Fellow) (2016); Royal Anthropological Institute (Fellow) (2016); Fellow, UAL Research Center on Transnational Art, Identity and Nation, London (2015); Fulbright Hays US Public Diplomacy Award for Mongolia (2014); Queenstown Council, Singapore Citation Award, Singapore (2009); Edwin Austin Abbey Fellowship, National Design Museum, New York (2009); Bauhaus Foundation Fellow, Dessau, Germany (2009); Nordic Kunstnarcentrum/ Nordic Artists Center Fellowship, Norway (2008); Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture Scholar (Monbusho) (1998-2001); Erasmus Scholarship, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-arts, Paris (1995); King Sturge Award, London (1995).

Testimonials

“I have known Les for thirty-five years from when we were both still studying at the VUB. He continues to impress me as smart, creative, out of the box, and people oriented. An active listener and coaching partner he demonstrates a unique ability to engage clients not only with coaching frameworks but also with a creative mindset which gives executives and leaders a vital edge in decision-making and planning. .” Karsten De Clerck | Chairman Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), Global Senior Partner Egon Zehnder

“Dr. Joynes is a phenomenal coach who influences how I think, plan, and act, to achieve my ambitions and maximize my potential. His methods combine creative and strategic problem solving techniques that ensure that the paths I define and choose simplify complexities and focus on the most important outcomes. Our work has helped me grow as a more impactful partner to my clients and influential leader and member on my teams” - Peter Sun, | Consultant, McKinsey & Company

Coaching is recognized today as a value-add resource for international organizations, diplomatic communities and government working in multi-cultural environments. It is my pleasure to recommend Dr. Les Joynes as an experienced and thoughtful leadership coach. Experienced across thirty-five countries, Les works alongside leaders and teams to build strategic goals, team effectiveness, mission focus, and maintain work-life balance. - Anthony Diaz | Chief, Political and Economic Affairs Advisor Economic Affairs US Department of State; Advisor, U.S. Mission to the United Nations

As a venture capital professional, it's easy to get caught up in a daily routine and relegate career development decisions to our "someday" to-do list. A leadership coach, Dr. Joynes engaged unique approaches to align my professional and personal goals and work-life balance. I highly recommend him. - Hugues Dongmo | Vice President, XBTO Humla Ventures, New York