Our Founder
Dr. Corrin Spiegel, CEcD, ICMA-CM
President & CEO
corri@aretestrategic.com
563.265.1254
With a proven track record of transforming organizations and empowering individuals, Dr. Corrin Spiegel brings over twenty-five years of dynamic leadership to every endeavor. As President and CEO of Arete Strategic, she blends creativity, strategic vision, and fearless execution to uncover opportunities where others see limitations. Connecting people and ideas is a signature strength, fostering environments where innovation grows into meaningful success and lasting change.
This leadership philosophy is built on the belief that challenges are opportunities waiting to be reimagined. Her tenure as a City Administrator exemplifies this mindset: she approached complex issues with fresh perspectives, pioneered community development initiatives, and reimagined service delivery models that elevated public sector performance. These efforts consistently inspired leaders, energized organizational cultures, and drove sustainable growth through innovative, purpose-driven partnerships.
Corri’s expertise is rooted in both rigorous academic achievement and extensive real-world experience. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with a research focus on the intersection of intrinsic motivation, positive psychology, and organizational commitment, as well as a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership specializing in Strategic Innovation and Change Management. Her credentials as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and an ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) further underscore her commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and cultivating a growth mindset.
At Arete Strategic, Corri champions the idea that lasting success begins with individual empowerment. Drawing on experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, she works closely with leaders to uncover their unique strengths and connect those strengths to organizational goals, fostering environments where personal growth drives bold aspirations and uncompromising execution. This creative approach ensures that both individuals and organizations achieve results that are impactful and enduring.
Her philosophy is simple yet transformative: true excellence arises when people are empowered to think differently, act courageously, and embrace transformation as a pathway to success. Dr. Spiegel’s ability to see potential where others see barriers makes her not just a leader, but an architect of possibility.
Arete Insights
CliftonStrengths
Strategic. Arranger. Activator. Learner. Individualization. (2025)
Activator. Command. Strategic. Analytical. Relator. (2020)
Relator. Individualization. Responsibility. Strategic. Arranger. (2015)
Relator. Analytical. Activator. Responsibility. Command. (2013)
Everything DiSC
High D: Commanding - Resolute - Pioneering (2022)
High D: Results - Challenge - Action (2019)
High I: Promoter (2003)
Working Genius
Discernment + Galvanizing: The Intuitive Activator. (2025)
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
ENTJ-A (2025)
ESTJ-A (2022)
Enneagram
Challenger (8). Achiever (3). Reformer (1). (2025)
Just For Fun
Gemini Sun. Sagittarius Moon. Leo Rising.
…also, a farm kid.
There is a traditional professional biography, and then there is a profile cultivated from over a decade of leadership assessment insights, capturing the strengths and expertise that embody the principles of Arete.
These insights come to life in Dr. Spiegel’s leadership journey. As a transformational leader, she combines strategic vision, decisive action, and relational intelligence to drive meaningful change for both organizations and individuals. As President and CEO of Arete Strategic, she approaches every challenge as an opportunity for growth. Guided by creativity, collaboration, and fearless execution, Corri fosters environments where innovation thrives and bold ideas take root. Her leadership philosophy, grounded in both academic expertise and practical experience, is further enriched by professional assessments, illuminating her unique ability to inspire excellence through connection, precision, and action.
Core Strengths and Leadership Style
Dr. Spiegel’s leadership is defined by a distinct combination of strategic vision, decisive execution, and relational intelligence. Drawing on insights from CliftonStrengths, Everything DiSC, MBTI, Working Genius, and Enneagram assessments, she inspires excellence through bold ideas, precise execution, and collaborative action.
Strategic Visionary: Across multiple CliftonStrengths assessments, the trait of "Strategic" consistently emerges as a defining characteristic. Corri excels at analyzing complex systems, identifying patterns, and charting innovative paths forward. Her ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities keeps her steps ahead in planning and decision-making. Guided by her Reformer instincts, she is committed to continuous improvement and principled decision-making, ensuring her strategies are both innovative and grounded in integrity.
Catalyst for Action: With "Activator" prominent in CliftonStrengths and "Galvanizing" in Working Genius, Corri transforms ideas into reality with urgency and purpose. As both an Achiever and Challenger in the Enneagram, she brings relentless energy and determination to every initiative, motivating teams to pursue ambitious goals and overcome obstacles with confidence.
Confident Leader: Her high "D" DiSC profile and ENTJ-A/ESTJ-A MBTI classifications reflect her commanding presence. Resolute and pioneering, she inspires others to challenge the status quo and drive initiatives that deliver impactful results. As a Challenger, Corri advocates for bold change and empowers others to lead with courage and conviction, fostering a culture where decisive action is valued.
Relational Connector: With "Relator" consistently appearing in CliftonStrengths, Corri builds deep relationships that foster trust and collaboration. Her "Individualization" strength enables her to tailor leadership approaches to the unique needs of team members, creating environments where people thrive. Guided by the Achiever’s drive to bring out the best in others, she cultivates a culture of recognition, shared success, and authentic connection.
Analytical Innovator: As an "Intuitive Activator" in Working Genius and with "Analytical" in CliftonStrengths, Corri combines sharp intuition with data-driven decision-making. This balance allows her to approach challenges with both creativity and precision. Her Reformer instincts reinforce her commitment to excellence, ensuring that every solution is both innovative and rigorously executed.