The Sanger Leadership Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Christen Flack Behzadi, MD, to the Sanger Advisory Board. A physician, consultant, and founder with expertise spanning healthcare and organizational development, Dr. Behzadi brings a distinctive diagnostic lens to leadership and talent strategy.
Dr. Behzadi is the Founder and Principal of IIC Firm: Diagnostic-Based Leadership & Talent Development, where she applies clinical rigor to identify the root causes shaping leadership effectiveness and team performance. Her work supports high-performance organizations including Pixar Animation Studios, Elevance Health, Trinity Health, ACGME, and AT&T. In addition to her consulting practice, she is a board-certified anesthesiologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Missouri, where she continues to lead complex operating room teams across private and academic medical centers.
A University of Michigan alum, Dr. Behzadi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2005 before completing her MD at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2009. She currently resides in Houston, Texas.
Reflecting on her decision to join the Sanger Advisory Board, Dr. Behzadi shared:
“When I was invited to join the Sanger Advisory Board, it was an easy yes. The Center’s commitment to developing leaders with both the character and capability to create meaningful change resonates deeply with my own work. I look forward to contributing my diagnostic perspective and helping connect the next generation of leaders to the real challenges organizations face.”
Her dedication to shaping the next generation of leaders is grounded in firsthand experience:
“Leadership done well changes lives. I have seen it in the operating room and in the boardroom. The Sanger Leadership Center’s commitment to developing leaders with both the skill set and the mindset to make a positive difference resonates with me. I am excited to contribute to that mission and invest in the students who will go on to lead organizations that shape our world.”
Sanger’s Interim Managing Director, Michelle Austin, commented, “Christen brings a rare combination of clinical expertise, executive insight, and strategic thinking. Her ability to diagnose complex organizational dynamics and translate them into actionable development solutions will be an invaluable asset to Sanger as we continue to strengthen our leadership development programs and expand our impact.”
Dr. Behzadi joins a diverse group of accomplished professionals who help guide Sanger’s mission to develop the next generation of leaders. The Advisory Board provides strategic insight, supports fundraising efforts, and fosters corporate and alumni connections, with members contributing their expertise through bi-annual board meetings and engagement across Sanger programs.
Christen Flack Behzadi, BS ’05