Dr Karen Mitchell.
Dr Mitchell is a world leader in dark personalities or human predators (including narcissists, psychopaths, coercive controllers, toxic leaders). She is a CEO, international advisor, advocate, lived experience survivor, author and public speaker. Dr Mitchell created the Persistent Predatory Personality model, potentially the most comprehensive and nuanced representation of human predators ever developed which makes dark personalities easier to ‘see’.
With over 3 decades of experience working internationally in organisational culture change, leadership development, with executive groups, teams and individuals, Dr Mitchell is an expert in understanding and working with the complexities of human behaviour. Dr Mitchell has worked extensively in a hands-on capacity with people at all levels, often with contentious issues. She has substantial experience with a wide range of human behaviours, drivers, reactions, pathologies, and interactive styles as well as commercial acumen.
Dr Mitchell has worked in sectors including, finance, mining, automotive, manufacturing, health and medical, professional services, retail, law enforcement, sport, the charity sector, entrepreneurial enterprises, the public sector and others, in contexts including mergers, acquisitions, performance decline, environmental changes, diversity agendas, organisational rifts, deaths, suicides, and other issues. Dr Mitchell has a strength in identifying behavioural patterns and interpersonal dynamics and then assisting teams and individuals where these are sub-optimal. Her work has involved assisting others understand barriers to their ability to fulfil their potential, building individual capability and creating healthier cultures.
Dr Mitchell has deep insight into the harm human predators cause to the careers and wellbeing of individuals and the reputations and performance of organisations and communities. Dr Mitchell has worked extensively with victims of human predators and is a survivor herself.
The Persistent Predatory Personality model is based on the most comprehensive study ever undertaken into dark personalities including narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, dark triad, child sex abuse in religion, sadism, cults, toxic leadership in politics and business, coercive control in domestic violence, terrorism, child prostitution, and human trafficking and others.
Dr Mitchell has been an advocate in the family court for around 20 years and has volunteered extensively in poverty reduction/microfinancing.
Dr Mitchell has also worked extensively in the area of career resilience and success for women and McGraw-Hill published a book she wrote on this topic.
She's a member of the APA, SSSP, AICD and has a BAppSc, GDBus, MComm and PhD.