Paul H. Batz 

President

Paul is a leadership and business development expert.  He is an energetic, passionate executive coach who understands strategy, influence, and their role in advancing ideas.  He is at his best working with top leaders who have ambitious growth goals.  Paul is a highly skilled facilitator and accomplished professional speaker working in the areas of influence, leadership communication, executive presence, and how to build high performing cultures.  He understands how to motivate growth and change in dynamic business environments.  Audiences and coaching clients agree, his style is invigorating and his work is inspiring.

Paul joined MDA in 2001 and in 2004 became an owner of the firm.  Prior to joining MDA, he was an executive and partner with the national public relations firm Padilla Speer Beardsley (PSB).  At PSB, Paul counseled clients on strategies for business development, positioning, strategic marketing, and leadership communication.  His work has won awards in both the advertising and public relations industries.  Prior to PSB, Paul ran the creative services division of Primarius Ltd. Promotion, a specialty publishing and event promotion firm in Minneapolis.

Paul is deeply connected to the community, currently serving as the youngest Chair of the Board for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, one of America’s most powerful and influential non-profit social service organizations.  He is an active Rotarian, a volunteer youth sports coach, and choir director at his church.  He has served as a United Way Executive Series speaker and was nominated by The Business Journal as one of the 100 Unsung Heroes of Corporate Philanthropy. 

His first book, Inspire Persuade Lead: Communication Secrets of Excellent Leaders, is in its second edition and is a teaching tool in corporate and university leadership programs. Paul also participated in Conversations on Leadership, a book project of 17 leaders published in 2004.

Paul is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College. He is the father of three, an avid golfer, and Elton John aficionado.