MARK MOHAMMADPOUR, EDUCATION KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND TEAM FACILITATOR
Build a Healthy, Confident, and Connected Culture for Educators
Mark works with K-12 and higher education teams that care about their students and want to live a healthy culture at work.
Trusted by K-12 and higher education organizations.
“Working with Mark was absolutely fantastic. Mark really looked to address the needs of our attendees. We are super grateful for Mark!”
— Raj White, National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
About Mark
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A former communication executive who led award-winning teams and strategy for global brands like Microsoft, Adobe, and Amazon, and who has naturally lost and kept off 150 pounds over 15 years, Mark Mohammadpour combines Fortune 50 leadership experience with certified health coaching expertise.
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His Keynote Conversations blend full attendee engagement, actionable insights, and current research.
Today, his most requested topics, Leading with Empathy, The Buoyant Leader, and Lead a Culture of Well-being, are built around one belief: healthy employees are your greatest competitive advantage.
Mark has worked with K-12 districts, university leadership teams, and education associations, and he understands that educators have heard many promises in many professional development sessions.
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He builds his programs with one assumption built in: your staff will be skeptical until the first five minutes prove otherwise. His frameworks are grounded in the same research that drives outcomes in clinical and corporate settings, and translated into language that resonates with classroom teachers, department chairs, and district administrators alike. He also understands that in education, “retention” isn’t just an HR metric: it’s the difference between a thriving school and a community in crisis.
Who We Help
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The Goal: Listen, learn, and act with intention to stabilize employee well-being and retention.
The Result: Improved student outcomes and a culture where educators and staff want to stay.
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The Goal: Navigate the "Enrollment Cliff" and protect faculty mental health.
The Result: High-performing administrative teams and reduced "academic burnout."
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The Goal: Providing Professional Development that actually sticks for your members.
The Result: Increased member loyalty and high-impact conference programming.
What We Address
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Staff burnout that shows up in turnover, missed deadlines, and quiet resignation.
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Leadership teams who don't have the time or structure to take care of themselves, let alone their people.
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A generation of employees who see campus jobs as transactional, not vocational.
“Not only did Mark tailor the content to the specific needs of our group, but he seamlessly integrated the three topics: personal well-being, building empathy, and team well-being into one session, keeping everyone engaged. I consider Mark to be an expert in his field.”
— Anthony King, Assistant Dean of Strategic Engagement, UC San Diego
Keynote Conversation Topics
“He has the ability to make people want to press pause, take a look at their priorities and understand the importance of making time for health and personal wellness. Mark is engaging, encouraging and inspirational.”
— Betsy Fuller, Director, School/Community Relations, Lakota Local Schools
Book Mark for your event.
Email Mark at mark@chasingthesunpdx.com, call him at 360.609.1077, or fill out the form below.
Mark will respond to you within one business day.
Frequently asked questions.
How can school districts improve teacher retention and reduce burnout?
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Improving teacher retention requires shifting from individual “self-care” tips to systemic resilience. Mark Mohammadpour helps K-12 districts move beyond “one-and-done” PD days and fosters administrative alignment. By prioritizing educator efficacy and psychological safety, districts can stabilize their staffing and improve long-term student outcomes.
What is the link between educator well-being and student success?
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When educators experience Compassion Fatigue or “Quiet Resignation,” the industry is impacted. Mark Mohammadpour’s framework emphasizes that a healthy school culture is the foundation for student success. By equipping staff with leadership tools to manage high-pressure environments, schools create a more stable, effective learning environment.
How do you make Professional Development (PD) "stick" for cynical staff?
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Mark Mohammadpour’s 3-Point Impact Framework extends conversations from a one-time session to lasting change. By involving staff in the co-creation of communication norms and leadership boundaries, the training becomes an integrated part of the daily school cadence.
Why should educational associations include leadership resilience in their conference programming?
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Educational associations add value to their members by addressing industry-wide crises. By featuring a keynote speaker focused on Strategic Leadership and Well-being, associations offer “sticky” content that addresses the root causes of turnover. This positions the association as a vital partner in its members’ professional survival and long-term career growth.