Our Story

My name is Derek Knudsen, and I am honored to introduce myself as the founder of Lumina Leadership. This company was born from a simple yet powerful belief: personal leadership—the ability to take control of and guide your own life—has the power to elevate individuals, teams, organizations, and the communities they serve. Personal leadership means shaping your journey by embodying positive leadership traits, rather than leaving your direction to chance.

My “awakening” to its power came when I was talked into doing my first triathlon. At the start, I couldn’t run two miles. Less than two years later, I was competing in Ironman and at the same time was achieving my MBA from the University of Southern California, all while raising two young children and leading corporate strategy for a multi-billion-dollar business. This personal journey taught me the value of intentional growth, discipline, and resilience, that when you put your mind to it nothing is unachievable. When I applied these principles to my next role as a Chief Technology Officer and paired them with a servant leadership approach, I witnessed their profound influence on my leadership teams. This, in turn, sparked a cascading effect that resonated through their teams and the broader organization, ultimately driving high-impact change.

These experiences, combined with my passion for helping others discover their own potential, led me to create Lumina Leadership. The name "Lumina" is derived from the Latin word lumen, meaning light or illumination. At Lumina Leadership, our mission is to illuminate the path to transformational growth by empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to achieve their fullest potential. I invite you to join us and experience the transformative power of personal and professional growth firsthand.