Meet Lee Cholodenko | Consultant, Speaker, Facilitator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lee Cholodenko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lee, how do you think about risk?
I believe that risk is inherent in the entrepreneurial journey. The process of starting any new venture will require some sort of risk – stepping out into an unknown without the assurance of a specific outcome. Many people seem to think about risk as taking a chance on the world – taking a chance that your product or service will “stick” and become successful. But to me, risk is really about taking a chance on oneself. Risk means that I believe in myself enough to leap into an unknown trusting that I will navigate the outcome no matter what it is. In this way, risk-taking in my life and career has provided opportunities for me to deepen in my trust and belief in myself. I have started a few businesses in my life, some were successes and some were failures. Each venture though allowed me to build more and more trust in my own ability to navigate challenges and successes and develop self-confidence. And this could only be enabled by taking risks. In that way, I could say that risk-taking was essential to my own development of my capacities as a human being and leader. And the success or failure of the business was secondary and far less important than what was being developed internally.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When I was a kid, I experienced a lot of pain. I walked through life riddled with fear, anxiety, stress, and physical challenges. This inspired me to go on a healing journey that ultimately changed my life. Beginning at age 15, I began to look within, investigate the source of my pain, and attempt to connect with a spiritual essence that I had begun to get a sense of. This journey led me to work with some wonderful thought leaders in the personal development space such as Paul Ferrini, Byron Katie, Matt Kahn, Joe Dispenza, and others. Through this process, I experienced deep transformation. I connected with a capacity to love, accept, and navigate challenges with humility and a sense of connection to others and the larger whole of humanity. At some point, I was encouraged to begin facilitating and holding space for the healing of others. This deepened my own growth and exposed me to a passion for offering the kind of support to others that I received in the toughest moments of my life.


At the same time this was all happening, I was also cutting my teeth as an entrepreneur. I started three businesses in my twenties and early thirties – one was a success, one was a failure, and the other was somewhere in the middle. I then took on leadership roles in other businesses, and learned that leadership provided me another very rich opportunity for self-development. I came to see that all of the personal growth work I did was the perfect preparation for business leadership. Leadership tested my ability to be equanimous in tough situations, to communicate with compassion, and to challenge my own thinking to see from new perspectives and unlock creativity.

This realization was profound. It became clear that self-mastery was foundational to impactful business leadership. It was then that my business partner Soren Eilertsen and I started our leadership development and consulting firm, The Kollner Academy.

We started our firm as a place for business leaders to develop themselves from the “inside-out” and cultivate “conscious leadership.” Kollner Academy is founded on the idea that human development and leadership development are one and the same. Leaders must continuously develop themselves and be resources for others to evolve. While some may say this is not a role for business, we believe this is essential for business growth and our best chance at advancing society.

Taking an integral and whole-picture view of human and leadership development, our inside-out approach supports leaders to develop the self-mastery, critical thinking skills and business acumen required to become true leaders in today’s world. Inside-out leadership forwards regenerative thinking and offers a living systems model for understanding the purpose of organizations – to unleash human creativity and potential. 

This company is a true joy for me to be a part of and continues to challenge me to grow and deepen in my self-understanding.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re talking about LA, you gotta start with the food…so many diasporic groups have brought incredible food to Los Angeles. You’d have to check out Jitlada or Spicy & BBQ for Thai food in Thai Town, Sunnin for Lebanese, Carousel for Armenian, or Mayura for Indian food. There’s also a phenomenal taco truck across from The Echo in Echo Park that serves up amazing lengua and asada late night. If you want to show them LA’s fine dining scene, take them to dinner at Providence, Chi Spacca or Republique.

A “Venice Day” is a must – start with yoga at Open, lunch at Gjelina, then check out The Kinn or Moss for a community-centric event, such as a sound bath, meditation, or speaker event. Sunset Sessions at the Penmar is also a fun afternoon activity to immerse in the Venice community.

I love the Getty as well, and think it’s a great place for people who are new to LA to get a lay of the land from a bird’s eye view.

And lastly, one of my favorite LA activities is a day at Huntington Gardens…walk through beautifully curated gardens and then plan to have lunch at one of the several restaurants on the grounds.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been touched and inspired by so many individuals that it’s impossible to acknowledge them all here. There are a few people who have really held space and supported my personal growth, one of whom is Paul Ferrini. Paul was my mentor for many years and I’m incredibly grateful for his work, support, and friendship. My aunt Donna Yerman has been an angel in my life and supported my growth in many ways. I’m also grateful to live my life in a beautiful community of friends. Garrett Jones, The Crew, Dadons, Kats, Chernicks, Sigmans, Pollytunyans, Regan, and many others. Must shoutout my parents, the OG’s Debbie and Michael for their undying support and for showing me what unconditional love feels like. And to my business partner and friend, Soren Eilertsen. Working with Soren is a pure joy and honor and I’m so excited about what we’re building together at the Kollner Academy.

Website: https://kollnergroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leecholodenko/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-cholodenko-32824127/

Image Credits
Photography by Veronica Lopez