Brad Densen, MPH

“One of the most unexpected and meaningful gifts I’ve ever received came from my parents—a birthday present offering a year of coaching. At the time, I was stepping into a new leadership role and was also a new father. That gift couldn’t have come at a better moment.

My dad, a former dean at the University of Iowa, introduced me to Cindy Marteney, whose work he knew well. The coaching journey she brought helped me have a deeper understanding of who I aspired to be as a leader as well as how to develop members of my team.

As I grew, my boss noticed that I was different—more grounded, intentional, and resonant—even with the most difficult conversations and the most challenging HR issues. That made him curious. Eventually, he committed our entire team of deans and directors to taking a year-long journey with The Marteney Group. Leaders steeped in various other coaching traditions remarked on the depth of the work.  Many went on to take the work forward to medical school students, residents, faculty colleagues, and even friends.

Years later, I regularly return to what I learned as a source of invigoration and self-reflection. What started as a personal gift became a turning point—for me, for those around me, and for my family too. Meanwhile, my dad and I have continued to trade insights on complicated personalities and situations in both leadership and life. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

— Brad Densen, MPH - Programs Director, Office of Medical School Education, University of Michigan