BP 204: Communicating as a Leader / Virtual Course / August 14, 2025, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Jim is a Managing and Founding Partner of Side Tilt, LLC with over 25 years of experience in talent management and sales and operations leadership. He is passionate about creating efficient and effective teams.  Jim developed his enthusiasm for helping leaders and teams succeed while managing analysts at Capital One Financial. This led him to pursue roles in organizational development and human resources where he could increase his positive impact and influence across the enterprise. 
    

Jim’s career has encompassed roles such as Organizational Development Consultant, Operations Leader, HR Manager, Statistical Analysis Consultant, Project and Process Manager, and Learning Development Manager. Jim has developed succession plans with leaders to help them define and differentiate their development strategy.  He has also formed several new teams to achieve changing company goals. In his most recent role, as a Sr. VP at Truist Bank, he served as a Training and Development Strategy Manager in Wealth Management, consulting with business leaders, managing large-scale training programs, and coordinating transformational change efforts with their recent company merger. 
 

Jim is pathologically curious and considers any new subject an area he just hasn’t discovered yet. In the words of one of his clients, “Jim always challenges us to think in a new way. He asks relevant questions more than anyone I know to help our team solve our problems.”  Jim combines a logical approach with his positive energy to help clients achieve better outcomes.   

Jim holds an MBA from the University of Richmond and a BA in Economics from the University of Vermont. He currently holds Series 7, 24 and 66 Securities Licenses. He earned his Senior Professional in Human Resources certification from HRCI. Jim received his coaching certification from the Center for Executive Coaching.  

Jim is married to his business partner and best friend, Karin Zezza, and has three children (one left in their “nest”). He enjoys getting outside, staying active, and competing in just about any activity with friends and family. Jim still plays volleyball and tennis regularly and skis when he visits family in Vermont. 

Karin Zezza is a leadership consultant with over 25 years of experience in executive coaching, leadership training, performance management, organizational development, team dynamics, succession planning, and change management. She is currently a Managing Partner of Side Tilt, a consulting firm based in Virginia. Karin serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond’s Executive Education Department and University of Richmond's School of Professional and Continuing Studies. She also works through the VA Community College Workforce Alliance. Before starting her consulting business in 2005, Karin worked for Capital One in Richmond, VA as an Organizational Effectiveness Manager and Human Resources Consultant. Prior to that, Karin was a Human Resources Manager at Merck Pharmaceuticals in northern NJ. While in graduate school at Indiana University, Karin developed a competency model for project managers at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis. Karin began her career at The Forum Corporation, a training and consulting firm, working in both Boston and New York City.

Clients recognize Karin for her commitment to people, her ability to establish trust quickly, and working to bring out the best in each individual. Karin uses organization and structure to simplify complicated issues which ensures active learning and application. Karin facilitates and coaches with a blend of realism and optimism. Karin speaks from experience when it comes to dealing with tough issues; she’s able to motivate and inspire others by demonstrating respect and compassion. Karin believes that the most effective leaders focus on others first, bring out the best in their employees, and help them to reach their full potential. In her experience, Karin has developed and facilitated numerous leadership training courses on topics such as:  Creating a Growth Mindset, Demonstrating Executive Presence, Navigating through Times of Ambiguity & Change, Motivating Others to High Performance, and Delegating to Natural Strengths. Karin received her MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business with a concentration in Human Resources Management. She received her BA from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with a major in English and minor in Psychology. Karin is certified as an Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching.  Karin lives in the Richmond, VA area and enjoys learning and growing with her husband and business partner, Jim Zezza. As they approach their empty-nest phase of life, Karin and Jim appreciate any time that their “not so little’” kids join them for tennis, pickleball, or card games. They also enjoy going on walks with their extremely extroverted Golden Doodle.