Fiona Abbott

Education

• Ph.D. Dissertator, Global Leadership Communication for Executive Development and Practice, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, In-progress
• DSL, Interdisciplinary Concentration: Doctor of Global Leadership, Strategic Communication, & Executive Talent Development, Emphasis: Divinity, (Summa cum laude), School of Business and Leadership , Regent University
• MBA - Finance (Summa cum laude), Lubar College of Business, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
• MA - Theater, Emphasis: Actor's Voice for Stage and Broadcast; Musical Theater, University of Illinois - Chicago
• BA - Mass Communication/Media (JAMS), University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee 
• AA - Music (Summa cum laude), Milwaukee Area Technical College 
• Certificate: Excellence in Leadership (Summa cum laude), Waukesha County Technical College
• Certificate: On-Camera Acting and Modeling, John Robert Powers Modeling and Finishing School                                           

Courses Taught

• Business Writing and Word Processing - Waukesha County Technical College, Waukesha, WI
• Business Writing and Word Processing - Bryant & Stratton College, Milwaukee, WI
• Procedures for the Office Professional - Bryant & Stratton College, Milwaukee, WI
• Office Professionals' Voice and Communication Training Course, Enrichment Opportunities Institute of Training
• On-Camera Acting and Modeling - John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center, Brookfield, WI
• Diet and Nutrition for Actors and Models - John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center, Brookfield, WI
• Elementary School Teacher, 5th/6th graders - Central City Cyber School of Milwaukee  

Research Interests

Dissertation Title

Global Leadership Communication: Women Engaging Men as Allies by Expanding Spheres of Influence

Applied Business Research Topics

• Applied Exegetical Studies of Sacred Scripture
• Core Values: Strategic Communication Rollouts
• Ethical Leadership and Decision-making 
• Executive Talent Development 
• Global Leadership Communication
• God-centered Leadership Communication and Stewardship
• Interracial and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Leadership Influence
• Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Strategic Solutions
• Nonpartisan Collaborative Decision-making
• Social Networking for Entrepreneurs and Executives 
• Strategic Foresight

Theoretical Frameworks

• Adult Learning Theory
• Authentic-Transformational Leadership
• Entertainment-Education Communication Theory
• Interpersonal and Mass Communication Theories
• Leadership, Faith, and Ethics
• Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy 
• Personal and Social Influence Theories
• Psychometric Theory
• Sacred Principles of Finance and Investment
• Social Network Theory
• Social Psychology
• Sociolinguistics 
• Sociology
• Strategic Leadership

Industries and Sectors

• Entrepreneurship / Private Business Ownership
• Philanthropy / Charitable Foundations / Non-profit Executive Leadership
• Venturism / Financing of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Professionals

• Chief Executive Talent Developers 
• Faith-filled Leaders working in Secular Settings
• Finance Professionals
• Executive Leadership
• Learning Leaders
• Philanthropists 

Related Activities

Selected Leadership Panels Developed & Moderated

Courage & Risk-taking, 2010

Drive & Ambition, 2009

Making Our Leadership Count, 2008

Passion + Purpose = Power, 2008

Women In Leadership: Keys to Success, 2007, 2009

Confidence & Optimism, 2007

Selected Leadership Communication Seminars Developed and Facilitated 

Leadership Communication Board Retreat, UWM Student Investment Club (SIC) Board, 2019

Assertive Communication in the Workplace, Rockwell Automation, 2015

No Stress Here: Calming the Waters, The Association of Volunteer Managers Conference, Keynote Speaker, 2015

Making Winning First Impressions, Milwaukee Urban League, 2014, 2015 

Breakthrough Conversations, The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, 2014, International Association of Administrative Professionals, 2014

Finding Your Inner Voice, Von Brieson Law Firm, 2014

Be the One With Hi-Impact Communication, The Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2014, International Association of Administrative Professionals Conference, Keynote Speaker, 2013

Mentoring, The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, 2011

Support Networks, The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, 2011

Conflict & Communication and Nutrition & Wellness, Wisconsin State Caregivers Leadership Conference, Keynote Speaker, 2011

Finding Your Inner Voice, International Association of Administrative Professionals, 2007, 2008

Marketing, Networking, and Professionalism for Entrepreneurs, for men and women in business hosted by Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), 2005 

** Privately facilitated executive presentations and coaching list available upon request. 

References

“In business, I’ve witnessed leaders who could truly put aside ego, they valued people, listened, were generous, and empathetic. I include in those people of influence, author Fiona, a doctor of global leadership & strategic communication, with specialties in media, finance, divinity and leadership. She reminds us that ethical answers to problems, issues and dilemmas have always been available to us.  It is my great pleasure to know her as a fellow member of professional organizations, as a client, a producer, and a leader/teacher guiding my long-held beliefs into actionable, faith-filled leadership skills.”

Patrice M. Nault, Emmy Award Winning Producer & Media Professional

“I had the opportunity to evaluate Dr. Abbott's work in several settings. As a faculty advisor for the Student Investment Club at UWM, I have knowledge of her participation as an analyst. I have also observed her in a professional setting as a participant in her leadership retreat designed especially for our club's leadership team. It is evident that she has great experience and skill from her communication and theater background to help groups unite on decisions facing them.

As a student, I have found Dr. Abbott to be always prepared and enthusiastic about research topics. Dr. Abbott distinguished herself from other students by her ability to get top executives and others to talk with her and to share their insights. I can see her writing a dissertation on top financial executives' decision processes, when they failed and when they succeeded.

She has proved herself a leader who is self-motivated, intuitive, loves to teach, and is driven to be a successful business student already who shows talent in research and leadership.”

Richard D. Marcus, Ph.D. Emeritus Associate Professor of Managerial Economics & Finance; Fmr. Chair, Lubar Executive Committee; Fmr. Director of the M&I Center of Business Ethics

Biographical Sketch

Guiding Quote: 

"See, I am sending my angel before you to lead you safely to the land I have prepared for you" (New Living Translation, 1997, Exodus 23:20). 

Fiona Abbott holds an Executive Doctorate in Global Leadership and Strategic Communication with a concentration in Executive Talent Development and Divinity emphasis and an MBA in Finance. In the arts and entertainment fields, she holds degrees in Mass Media, Music, and Theater.

Dr. Abbott's work spans broadcast, theater, fashion, philanthropy, and corporate consulting. Her accomplishments include serving as the creator and executive producer of the Women In Leadership radio series and president of its nonprofit production company. She is best known for her leadership interviews with high-achievers, including all 3 female Wisconsin Lt. Governors, New York Times best-selling author, Mary Higgins Clark, and former presidential administration advisors—Julia Stache and Desiree Rogers. Her last leadership radio special featuring Nan Gardetto received the 2017 Wisconsin Broadcasters Excellence Award.  

Dr. Abbott is a 3-time winner of the Wisconsin Communicators’ Award for Radio Journalism and a winner of 3 international presentation competitions. She has served on Lt. Governor Lawton’s media committee for Wisconsin Women Equal Prosperity and as a national judge for the Clarion awards, judging entries of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, National Public Radio, and American Public Radio.

Dr. Abbott integrates her knowledge of practical leadership with her adult education experience teaching in higher education and as a corporate facilitator and trainer. She launched her leadership workshop series for the WCTC Corporate Business Division and is a private coach for business professionals. A former flight attendant, she is well-traveled and understands high-end customer service skills. She is trilingual (German and Spanish) and advises clients on intercultural relationship development. 

Her commitment to community service includes partnering with organizations that promote Godly principles of excellence, integrity, leadership communication, healthy living, and academic achievement among underprivileged women and youth. 

Honor Society Memberships: 

Phi Theta Kappa *  Beta Gamma Sigma  * Phi Kappa Phi 

Judgeships

DECA, Marketing and Communication Judge, 2025

UW-Milwaukee Undergraduate Research Symposium Judge, 2019

Sacagawea Award (Women's Leadership) Judge, 2013, 2014, 2018

National Clarion Award Judge (Women in Communication), 2007