Joseph Sanders. PhD

Dr. Joe Sanders is a leadership expert, speaker, author, and mentor passionate about developing leaders of character and purpose. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, he formerly served as Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He holds a PhD in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Colorado State University and has delivered thousands of keynotes, lectures, and workshops on servant leadership, moral development, and transformational change.

He is the author of Unreasonable Responsibility, a compelling call for leaders to embrace their influence and create lasting, meaningful impact. Today, Joe serves as CEO of Colorado UpLift, teaches leadership as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and founded the Touchstone Leadership Academy to equip and inspire leaders in underserved communities.

Grounded in faith and committed to service, Joe has also led ministry initiatives for the homeless and regularly speaks at churches and conferences across the country. He and his wife, Lourdes, live in Denver and are the proud parents of Isaiah, Jasmine, and Josiah.