Influencer Editorial Team
To lead with vision is to see beyond the immediate and guide others toward what’s possible. Dr. Santarvis Brown does just that not through force or fanfare, but through service, purpose, and a lifelong dedication to transformation. His nomination for the Visionary Leader Award at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2025 honors not just a career of milestones, but a mindset that continues to shape the future of education, equity, and leadership on a global scale.
For over 20 years, Dr. Brown has served as a catalyst for change across classrooms, campuses, and communities. From his early days as a public school teacher to serving in executive academic roles including Chief Academic Officer, Associate Provost, and Graduate Business Chair, he has continually demonstrated that great leadership is about building systems that empower people. His resume spans prestigious institutions like Cornell University, University of Virginia, and Florida International University. At Excelsior University, he leads transformative initiatives that align academic integrity with innovation. His global footprint also includes work as a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers and a Distinguished Scholar-Practitioner at the European Institute of Higher Education, roles that reflect both his intellect and international impact.
But what sets Dr. Brown apart is not just what he leads—it’s how he leads. As founder of Edu-Techure LLC and The Leadership Doctor®, he has built platforms that help organizations grow not only in scale but in soul. His work isn’t confined to boardrooms or lecture halls. It’s in mentoring aspiring leaders, developing inclusive curricula, and redefining what it means to lead in the 21st century.
Dr. Brown’s leadership philosophy is rooted in service. As a pastor at Greater Mt. Pleasant AME Church in Florida, he brings compassion to every conversation and conviction to every cause. For him, leadership is sacred work, it’s about lifting others while walking humbly. His books, including Leading While Limping, Oh the Leading You Will Do, and Brothers Minutes, reflect his deeply personal approach to navigating the complexities of leadership. These are not just how-to guides; they are calls to lead with courage, clarity, and conscience.
His accolades speak volumes, recognition from President Joseph Biden, features on the Nasdaq screen in Times Square, and awards from global institutions and leadership bodies. Yet it is his quiet consistency, his steadfast advocacy for equity, and his unwavering commitment to students, educators, and underserved communities that make him truly visionary.
Dr. Brown’s influence extends through his service on the boards of the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency, the Centre for Child and Family Enrichment, and other organizations where policy meets people. Whether he’s consulting ministries of education or coaching doctoral candidates, he’s always asking the deeper question: How can we lead better, together?
In a world that too often rewards short-term wins, Dr. Santarvis Brown reminds us that real vision is long-term. It is intentional. It is inclusive. It builds not just programs, but people. For his rare blend of intellect, empathy, and impact, we proudly recognize Dr. Santarvis Brown as a nominee for the Visionary Leader Award, a title he’s already living every day.
