WHO WE ARE
We’ve been in your shoes.
D&L Leadership was founded by two corporate leaders who know firsthand how challenging leadership can be. We’ve led teams, navigated difficult conversations, worked through organizational change, and faced the same people challenges many leaders encounter every day.
That’s why our approach is practical. We don’t teach leadership theory. We provide real-world tools, strategies, and guidance that leaders can use immediately.
Meet Laura and Dean
Laura Faro
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Laura retired as a Principal Manager after a 38-year career, including more than two decades in leadership roles. She led field construction crews, planning and design teams, project managers and corporate change initiatives, consistently driving innovation and efficiency. Along the way, she delivered major construction and design targets, managed budgets of more than $1 billion, implemented new technologies, redesigned key processes, and built and restructured organizations to meet changing business needs.
A passionate mentor and advocate for positive workplace culture, Laura led by example and championed change through practical leadership. She also launched a Women’s Network dedicated to building confidence and developing future leaders.
Laura is co-author of Leadership, Moment by Moment and co-creator of the D&L Leadership Playbooks, a library of one-page guides and companion tools for the situations leaders face most.
Laura holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in business, along with certificates in project management, and is a certified Executive Leadership Coach.
Dean Heiss
Co-Founder, Managing Partner
Dean is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in project management and financial oversight across a range of industries. He has held multiple management roles, worked as a lead consultant managing project controls for large-scale projects, and now leads project execution and implementation for a major utility, turning continuous improvement ideas into lasting business practices.
Dean is co-author of Leadership, Moment by Moment and co-creator of the D&L Leadership Playbooks, bringing his focus on clear processes and follow-through to tools leaders can use right away.
Dean holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from California State University, Long Beach, along with certifications in project management and innovation. He is also a licensed commercial pilot.
How We Help
Every engagement starts with a free discovery call, so the support fits what your team actually needs.
Leadership Training
Practical training for new and experienced leaders, built around the real situations they face.
Pulse Surveys & Assessments
We design the survey, help you communicate it to your team, interpret the results and build a practical action plan with you, so the data leads to real change.
Workshops
Interactive, custom workshops on the topics your team needs most, designed with you ahead of time so they fit your culture and goals.
Strategic Leadership Blueprints
When an organization or leader is facing a specific team challenge, we work with them behind the scenes to build a clear plan they can lead with confidence.
Challenges We Help Leaders Navigate
Team conflict and communication issues hurting trust, collaboration, or performance.
Silos between teams that make it difficult to align priorities and get work done.
Difficult conversations involving feedback, accountability, performance, or change.
Leadership growth and development for emerging leaders, new managers, and experienced leaders looking to strengthen their impact.
Who We Work With
Aspiring Leaders who want to build influence, confidence, and leadership skills.
New Leaders transitioning into management and leading others for the first time.
Mid-Level Managers who are balancing competing priorities while driving results through their teams.
Experienced Leaders and Executives who want practical solutions to strengthen leadership and team performance.
OUR GOAL