The group is a partnership between two psychologists in complementary fields.

Ben Michaelis, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Ben Michaelis, Ph.D., is an executive coach, clinical psychologist and author with an expertise in evolutionary psychology and the hidden motivations of human beings. His academic training, clinical experience, and natural ability to rapidly identify the primary drivers of behavior allows him to provide clients with direct, meaningful insights that can transform individuals and organizations. Ben has worked with high-performing individuals and teams in entertainment, technology, finance, law, and politics. He believes that becoming a true, impactful leader is earned through service to others.

Currently, Ben is C.E.O. and Co-Managing Partner at the group.io. He works intimately with clients to create and cultivate healthy corporate culture and positive change. Outside of the group.io, Ben works with select individual clients and supports other organizations in the mental health space. Ben is the co-founder of the Clinicians Collective, one of the largest cross-disciplinary organizations aimed at improving the quality of healthcare in the United States. In 2012, Ben published his first book Your Next Big Thing: Ten Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy. Ben also created One Minute Diagnosis, a free YouTube series, which shares information about common mental health disorders. In 2020, Ben teamed up with technologist Matt Abrams to create The Decency Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to making space for difficult conversations in communities across the U.S.
Ben graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University (Columbia College) with a B.A. in Psychology He holds a Ph.D. from New York University in Clinical Psychology. Ben is based in New York City and enjoys spending his time with his family. He is passionate about nature and his dog, Obi.

Stacey Steele, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

Stacey is an industrial/organizational psychologist whose expertise is in designing development programs and experiences to support leaders across all types of organizations. Her academic background paired with her strategy consulting experience gives her the ability to think deeply, listen carefully, and work collaboratively with clients. She believes in the ability of every leader to find their source of strength and overcome any challenges they may face along the way.

At the group.io, Stacey is passionate about ensuring a client’s needs are met at the highest level while preserving what is special and unique about the leader or organization.
Stacey’s career has included global leadership roles at McKinsey & Company where she led learning and development for the global business analyst program and professional development for the Chicago office Associates and early managers. Previously, she worked at Booz & Company consulting with clients on talent management strategy, succession planning, and organizational design.
Stacey has a Ph.D. from Rice University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a B.A. in Psychology. Stacey splits time between Chicago, IL and Austin, TX with her husband and three children. She is passionate about international travel and being in the outdoors.

Pamela Brown

Managing Director

Pamela Brown is an experienced leader and coach whose passion lies in helping people create meaningful and productive relationships within their organizations. With an extensive history working in talent management and learning and development at Salesforce, BlackRock and North Highland, as well as deep experience in academia at The Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University and The Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Pam has helped individuals, leaders, teams and entire organizations become their most productive selves through facilitated programming and coaching.

Her natural curiosity and emotional intelligence allow her to connect with leaders quickly to create a safe space for exploration and innovation and her experience across a wide range of age groups has allowed her to develop highly engaging and effective programming and coaching for a multigenerational workforce.
Pam holds a Masters of Science in Organizational Behavior from Georgia State University, where she is presently an adjunct professor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University. Pam exercises daily and works hard to practice what she preaches -prioritizing her own mental and physical health, and that of her husband and 3 children, all while being dedicated to the work she enjoys so much.