Profession Summary

Dr. Leifman is an internationally recognized expert in human development. He currently advises and consults with corporate clients, consulting firms, not-for-profits, and individuals specifically on executive coaching, career development, change management, counseling, psychotherapy, human resources, out-placement, training, recruiting and staffing and time management. He specializes in helping organizations and individuals work through their personal and human resources issues. He has been in private practice for over thirty years, specializing in work related and anxiety issues.  He is also an adjunct faculty member of New York University and LIM College and formerly at Vaughn College of Aeronautics. He currently teaches Human Behavior III, the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), Marketing and Supply Chain. He has taught Human Behavior, Aviation Safety, Organizational Behavior and Labor Relations and worked with student affairs on alumni relations.

Approach / Philosophy

Dr. Leifman’s approach is meeting the client where they are at. He sees the success in coaching in helping the client meet their goals. His philosophy is everyone can succeed.  

Highlights from Professional Career

He was the Chief People officer of Vault.com from 2000 to 2002, a web site for career information. His role was to oversee all Human Resource functions for the firm. These responsibilities included benefits, compensation, employee relations, recruiting and training.

During this time, he was also the President of Vault's Human Resource Consulting Practice, offering advice and consulting services on Recruiting, Interviewing and HR strategy. He counseled individuals on their marketing materials – resumes, cover letters and provided information and coaching on determining one's career directions. He is qualified to interpret Myers Briggs, Strong Campbell Assessment tests, the NBI (Neethling Brain Instruments), Hogan, and LEA (360 assessments) as well as a host of other psychological and other career related assessments.

Prior to his work at Vault, he was a principal and the National Director for Strategic Staffing and Recruiting for William M. Mercer, Inc. (1998-2000) where he directed all US recruiting for the 12,000-person Global HR consulting firm. Before joining Mercer, Dr. Leifman was a Senior Consultant in the Diversity Practice as well as recruiting and training and development area of Towers Perrin (1994-1998).

Prior to Towers Perrin, Dr. Leifman was the Director of Special Services, New York University, Stern Graduate School of Business. During his tenure at Stern, Dr. Leifman counseled and coached over 6000 MBA full-time and part-time students on their careers.

Education Credentials

He is a member of the Conference Board, Society for Human Resource Management, National Association of Social Workers and on the board of several charitable organizations.  Dr. Leifman has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, a master’s degree in communications management also from Syracuse University, a master’s in social work from New York University and a Ph.D. also from New York University. His dissertation is on, "Family of origin roles and adult work roles in relation to employee adjustment, satisfaction, and success."

He has guest lectured at Harvard, MIT, NYU, CUNY, Stanford and the College of Aeronautics. He has worked and lived internationally.