Our Leadership

Each of our professionals has a track record of success in attorney career coaching. With our JD’s and leadership in legal career development, we help clients design and execute customized career plans focused on leadership, practice management, and transition goals.

Robert S. Wilson, President JD, Case Western Reserve University

Bob is co-Founder and President of High Potential, Inc. Formerly the Engagement Partner for Right-Jannotta Bray, his leadership in providing outstanding service is recognized by clients as an HPi hallmark. His reputation for facilitating organizational and individual transitions was established while serving as Managing Director of Banque Indosuez, where he successfully reorganized corporate operations. A former practicing Lawyer, Bob served as Counsel for the City of Cleveland and a variety of health-care and publicly traded companies. A frequent speaker on legal career management, Bob delivered the keynote address to the International Trademark Association’s recent conference in Washington D.C. Bob received his JD from Case Western Reserve University, and completed a number of MBA courses as well. He is on the Executive Faculty of the Leeds Business School at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he lectures on Career and Executive Development.

Denise D. Russo, Vice-President of Professional Development, J.D.

As an accomplished marketing professional and practicing attorney, Denise brings personal experience in both the business and the practice of law. Denise recieved her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County. She subsequently moved to Mexico City where she transitioned to a career in marketing with the Leo Burnett Company. During her 16 year tenure, Denise managed high profile domestic and international businesses, rising to a sednior executive position. She then decided to combine her legal background and marketing expertise when she became Director of Marketing for DLA Piper LLp. Denise led the firm's marketing efforts through a number of mergers, name changes and strategic alliances. As a result, she has a keen understanding of the challenges and issues facing the legal industry today.

Christopher L. Wagner, Desnior Executive Consultant

Chris Wagner, a Senior Career Coach specializing in high level attorney services, has been with HPi since inception. Previously, Chris served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the global law firm, McDermott, Will & Emory, as well as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the First National Bank of Chicago. His career consulting/coaching experience includes assessment work with hundreds of clients and the application of the full range of assessment tools including Myers-Briggs, DiSC, and 360° feedback. Chris has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations/associations including the Bank Administration Institute, the Chicago Clearing House and SWIFT. He holds a BBA Degree (Bus. Admin) from St. Norbert College and is an alumnus of the Loyola University Rome (Italy) Center for the Liberal Arts.

James W. Foster, Vice-President of Client Services

As VP for Client Services, Jim Foster leads business development for High Potential.  He is responsible for aligning HPi's Executive Development services with the needs of its business partners.  These services include programs to retain top talent through Executive Coaching and BestFit© Assessment, as well as those focused on the successful transition from one career to another.  Jim's business experience spans over 20 years and includes sales and marketing, corporate management and career management. He coaches teams through all aspects of running a business, from strategy and finance to functional integration and tactical execution. Jim currently facilitates programs of the Harvard Business School in Executive Education and of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management's Executive MBA. Early in his career, Jim served in the military as an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division