Real Leaders

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Meet the Team

Since 2010 Real Leaders has been on a mission to unite better leaders for a better world. Working at Real Leaders introduces you to inspiring change makers on a daily basis so it’s no wonder why our employees are inspired to come to work every day! At Real Leaders, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful events and collaborate with like-minded leaders who share your passion for positive impact.

Mark Van Ness

FOUNDER
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About

Mark is an active impact investor, advocate for gender-balanced leadership, and has founded several leadership networks promoting business as a force for good. He also founded SVN, a global commercial real estate firm, and served as CEO for 22 years. He is based in the USVI.

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Julie Van Ness

CEO
About

Julie is a seasoned leader in the global impact movement and passionate about inspiring leaders (of any age) to be a force for positive change. With 25 years of media experience, from ad agencies, nonprofits and fortune 500 companies, she has helped global companies define their purpose and design purpose-driven strategies.

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Kevin Edwards

President
About

Kevin Edwards is the President and Host of the Real Leaders Podcast a Top 100 US Business News Podcast.  Since 2015 he’s recorded more interviews (1,000+) with impact CEOs than anyone else in the world in efforts to inspire the future business leadership.

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Carla Kalogeridis

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
About

Carla helps guide and support the Real Leaders publishing activities in content strategy as well as marketing and advertising opportunities. Carla has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit and B2B publishing and is an award-winning writer and editor.

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Kathryn Deen

MAGAZINE MANAGING EDITOR
About

Kathryn is an award-winning professional journalist of over 12 years. She has managed several magazines and freelanced for numerous publications across North America, in addition to holding a variety of leadership roles.

Heather Winkel

MAGAZINE DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION
About

Heather is a strategic creative leader and Certified Brand Specialist. She’s helped mission-driven brands and organizations make a lasting impact with eye-catching brand and editorial design for 15-plus years.

 

Ananda Walden

MAGAZINE DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION
About

Ananda is an award-winning illustrator and print designer with a focus in editorial. Her background of over 15 years is in art direction on staff at magazines, newspapers, and marketing teams.

 

Ramona Stanley

VIDEO PRODUCER
About
Ramona is a recent graduate from the University of San Francisco with experience in media creation and filmmaking. She provides support for the team by editing video content for multiple social media platforms as well as assisting on the post-production of the Real Leaders Podcast.

Tucker Hamilton

VIDEO PRODUCER
About
Currently serving as producer and video editor for Real Leaders, Tucker prides himself on telling meaningful stories through works of cinematic visual production. Working as a freelance videographer and photographer since 2012, Tucker is majoring in Arts, Media, and Entertainment communications at the University of Arizona.

Real Leaders Team – The People Behind the Mission

Real Leaders Team is a group of purpose-driven professionals united by a simple belief: better leaders build a better world. Since 2010, our team has curated stories, programs, and communities that help founders and executives lead with clarity, compassion, and measurable impact.

Our Mission & Values

We champion leaders who align people, planet, and profit. The Real Leaders Team works across editorial, design, events, and partnerships to deliver credible insights and convene trusted conversations—always with integrity, humility, and a bias for action.

Leadership

  • Mark Van Ness – Founder: Sets the vision and stewards the culture of Real Leaders. Focused on expanding our impact, partnerships, and long-term strategy.
  • Julie Van Ness – CEO: Guides organizational growth, member value, and operational excellence across content, community, and events.
  • Kevin Edwards – President: Oversees day-to-day execution and cross-functional alignment so teams ship high-quality programs on time.

Editorial & Publishing

  • Carla Kalogeridis – Publishing Director: Leads publishing operations and print strategy to ensure every issue meets our standards.
  • Kathryn Deen – Magazine Managing Editor: Shapes the editorial calendar, refines features, and champions reader value.
  • Heather Winkel – Magazine Design & Art Direction: Crafts layouts that elevate storytelling and readability.
  • Ananda Walden – Magazine Design & Art Direction: Delivers clean design systems and visual cohesion across issues.

Video & Media

  • Ramona Stanley – Video Producer: Produces interviews and short features that bring leadership lessons to life.
  • Tucker Hamilton – Video Producer: Captures compelling stories and event highlights for digital channels.

How We Work

The Real Leaders Team collaborates in small, cross-functional pods. Editors partner with designers and producers to ship each print issue of Real Leaders Magazine, while our community team curates programs around the Real Leaders Impact Awards and the Top 50 Keynote Speakers initiative. Every project starts with a clear audience, a measurable outcome, and a plan to turn insight into action.

What We Create

  • Magazine: Quarterly print issues with operator-grade playbooks, interviews, and case studies.
  • Awards & Lists: Programs that spotlight purpose-driven companies and world-class speakers.
  • Community: Forums and events where leaders learn from peers and build trusted relationships.
  • Multimedia: Video features and digital content that extend the learning between issues and events.

Why It Matters

Leaders need more than inspiration—they need rigor, examples, and repeatable frameworks. The Real Leaders Team curates credible voices and avoids pay-to-play coverage. Our goal is simple: help you make better decisions, build stronger teams, and scale positive impact.

Connect With Real Leaders

FAQs – Real Leaders Team

How do you select leaders to feature?
We prioritize verifiable results and fresh, actionable ideas aligned with long-term value creation.

Do you accept contributed articles?
We consider contributions that meet our editorial standards and serve our audience. See our magazine page for details.

How can I collaborate with your team?
Reach out via our contact page or connect through the programs linked above.

Real Leaders Team group photo of editors, designers, and producers
Mission-driven professionals: meet the Real Leaders Team behind our magazine, community, and events.
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