In the business landscape, words like “Inspiration” and “Pioneer” are broadly used- however, only a few significant leaders have managed to live up to their titles and understand the true essence of being an inspirational leader pioneering a prosperous future. Embodying the spirit of transformational leadership and blending it with a military service background, Dr. Monique Chouraeshkenazi, the Founder, CEO, and Chief Clinical Neuropsychometrician at The Chouraeshkenazi Group, is a trailblazer known for changing lives with her tremendous work in mental health and research in forensic neuropsychopathology.

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi is a multi-disciplinary personality- who has garnered numerous accolades and recognition as an international best-selling author, academic scholar, speaker, professor, researcher, clinical neuropsychometrician, mentor, leader, and more. She is also a combat veteran who has served in the Air Force for 13 years before transitioning into healthcare and medicine.

Today, Dr. Chouraeshkenazi leads a veteran-owned business that excels in mental health evaluation, consulting, research, and education services. Her long-term goals are deeply rooted in her passion and purpose of helping numerous veterans and their families with a blend of her advanced forensic neuropsychopathology knowledge.

The Path of Discovery

Identifying a prevailing problem and finding a feasible solution is the perfect example of successful leadership. When Dr. Chouraeshkenazi served in the Air Force, she encountered a problem and witnessed firsthand the psychological challenges military personnel face. Recognizing the need of the hour, she felt a deep-rooted passion to uplift and inspire others. She transitioned to teaching full-time, pursuing clinical psychology with a keen interest as a forensic and medical neuropsychopathologist. This shift allowed her to continue serving veterans and their families in a new capacity.

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s military and national security background gives her a unique perspective on the connection between mental health and defense, which informs her clinical work. Her journey has reinforced her belief in integrating real-world experience with clinical expertise to address trauma and resilience, ultimately helping those serving the country. In her long-standing career, she has conducted independent medical evaluations and medical record reviews for the nation’s most extraordinary veterans and their family members.

The ultimate commitment to serve her country has shaped her career path. And with her undying purpose, she continues to reign in her title as a pioneering and inspirational leader redefining the future.

Creating Greater Impact

When Dr. Chouraeshkenazi sets on her path to change how mental health evaluation, consulting, research, and education are conducted for active duty service members, veterans, and their families, she felt a strong personal connection with the individuals she was helping. She ardently states, “Having served in the military, what deeply resonated with me was my work supporting veterans and military families.”

Conducting assessments and offering therapeutic recommendations for those struggling with trauma, PTSD, and other mental health challenges gave Dr. Chouraeshkenazi a sense of purpose and fulfilment. With a constant commitment to excellence, ethical practices, compassionate care, and lasting support, Dr. Chouraeshkenazi and her team strive to be at the forefront of research and innovation in their field. The impact of these evaluations often extends beyond the individual, affecting families and communities. She saw firsthand how mental health support could transform lives, providing service members and veterans with the tools to navigate their struggles. Being able to contribute to their healing process, using her unique combination of military, education, training, and clinical expertise, was incredibly meaningful to her.

The Genesis of Pioneering Leadership

A key lesson from Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s journey that she has incorporated into her leadership and teamwork style is the importance of resilience and adaptability. Throughout her military service and transition into clinical neuropsychology and forensic neuropsychopathology, she has faced numerous challenges that required her to remain flexible and focused on the bigger picture.

A true leader always focuses on their team members, helping them grow from strength to strength and excel in their work. Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s leadership mantra aligns with the same- she has learned that leadership is not just about giving direction but supporting and empowering others through difficult situations. She prioritizes open communication, empathy, and a shared commitment to the mission and vision in teamwork. She adds, “I encourage my team to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, just as I’ve done. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute to a common goal.”

Defeating Challenges

An ultimate source of motivation for Dr. Chouraeshkenazi is having a sense of purpose and resilience. Overcoming challenges requires one to be a fierce contender in battling the ups and downs. For Dr. Chouraeshkenazi, her drive and passion to do her work fuels her determination to push through obstacles. Having faced adversity, she understands the importance of perseverance and draws strength from knowing her work makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.

What sets Dr. Chouraeshkenazi apart is her unwavering spirit to pursue growth and the desire to set an example for those she mentors and teaches. Her love for learning makes her see challenges as opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve. As a leader, she focuses on solutions rather than setbacks and ultimately, her commitment to making a lasting impact keeps her moving forward, no matter the difficulty.

Times of Transformation

For Dr. Chouraeshkenazi, a pivotal moment where a personal experience influenced a professional decision was during her time in the Air Force, where she witnessed the psychological toll trauma had on her fellow service members. This experience was eye-opening, inspiring Dr. Chouraeshkenazi to pursue clinical neuropsychology, driven by a desire to help those affected by trauma. As she advanced in her training, her focus naturally expanded to the development of forensic neuropsychopathology, recognizing the need for specialized evaluations in the criminal justice system.

Forensic neuropsychopathology is crucial in assessing the mental health of individuals involved in legal cases, particularly in military and criminal justice settings. This pursuit allows Dr. Chouraeshkenazi to blend her talents of military background with clinical expertise, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate care and assessments within both clinical and legal frameworks.

Be a Lifelong Learner

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi believes balancing personal growth with professional responsibilities in a high-pressure environment requires intentional time management and self-awareness. As a founder and CEO, one must constantly be on the go, putting the best foot forward and achieving the desired goals daily. To keep up with the changing dynamics in the industry, one must prioritize continuous learning—whether through advanced training or staying current with criminal justice and national security developments, she ensures growth personally and professionally.

Aligning professional goals with personal wellness and setting boundaries to balance dual lives, Dr. Chouraeshkenazi embodies the importance of self-care. She sets boundaries to maintain her mental and emotional well-being, ensuring she has time to recharge. She reminds herself of the bigger picture—how her work serves others, which drives her motivation to balance these demands effectively. She took a hiatus to focus on teaching, her hobbies, and a significant life change. Recharging is a must; it keeps one aware and active to sustain in the long run. Soon, she will return to her clinical work in the next couple of weeks.

Cornerstones of Success

The values that drive Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s actions at work are Integrity, Service, and Resilience.

 

• Integrity guides her commitment to providing honest, ethical care and evaluations, ensuring the individuals she works with receive the support they deserve.
• Service, deeply rooted in her military background, fuels her dedication to helping others, especially veterans and military families.
• Personal and professional resilience keeps her focused on overcoming challenges and continuing to learn and grow.

These values align closely with her life outside the office, as she strives to live by the same principles through her community involvement or as a mentor and leader. These are not values but the pillars of her life which make her truly successful. They create a strong foundation for her professional work and personal life, fostering a sense of purpose in everything she does.

Setting Boundaries and Shifting Gears for Holistic Growth

For Dr. Chouraeshkenazi, her well-being is a priority and not a necessity. She consciously takes care of herself by combining the essential qualities of discipline, self-awareness, and boundary-setting. Hailing from a military background and transitioning to the key roles of a mentor and leader, Dr. Chouraeshkenazi recognizes the importance of mental and physical health, making time for regular exercise, therapy, and reflection. She also sets clear boundaries to ensure she does not overwork herself, balancing work with personal time.

Additionally, Dr. Chouraeshkenazi practices time management by breaking tasks into manageable steps and focusing on what truly matters, which helps reduce stress. Being mindful of her limits allows her to recharge and perform at her best, ensuring she can meet personal and professional demands without compromising her overall well-being. She believes maintaining balance is essential for long-term success and effectiveness.

Larger than Life Aspirations

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s aspirations have been a driving force in setting and achieving professional goals. As a military professional, she has always been motivated by a strong desire to serve and make a meaningful impact. She approaches her career with a clear purpose and the key mantra of making a difference in the lives of those she serves. She sets goals that align with her values of service, integrity, and personal growth, which helps her stay focused and committed even when challenges arise.

Moreover, Dr. Chourashkenazi’s aspiration to bridge her military experience and academic experience in criminal justice with forensic neuropsychopathology has shaped her pursuit of specialized training and certifications. She firmly states, “Each goal I set is a step toward advancing my professional expertise and ability to contribute to others’ well-being, especially veterans and military families. This alignment between personal and professional aspirations ensures I work toward significant goals.”

Incorporating Real-time Hobbies at Work

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi is a multi-faceted personality, and apart from her roles as a mentor and leader, she is also a profound author, researcher, and scientist. She describes that her hobbies of writing and reading have helped her approach work-related challenges differently. As an author, researcher, and scientist, she has published numerous textbooks and research publications, allowing her to refine her critical thinking and communication skills continuously.

Writing forces me to break down complex concepts and communicate them clearly, which is essential in Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s academic and clinical work. Extensive reading updates her about the latest research and developments, inspiring new ideas and approaches to her problems. These hobbies have enriched her professional expertise and provided a creative outlet for problem-solving, enabling her to approach challenges with a well-rounded perspective.

Notable Sources of Inspiration

A major influence on Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s professional and personal development has been her military experience, particularly the mentorship of the late Dr. Ashton B. Carter. As a mentor and friend, Dr. Carter taught her invaluable lessons in leadership, integrity, and the importance of service. His guidance during her time in the Air Force shaped her approach to decision-making, resilience, and navigating challenges with a clear sense of purpose.

Beyond the military, other academic mentors, peers, and the individuals Dr. Chouraeshkenazi serves, especially veterans and military families, continue to inspire her growth. Their influence drives her to apply her skills and experiences to make a meaningful impact in her professional and personal life.

Dr. Chouraeshkenazi’s Blueprint of Success

“Success means making a meaningful impact on others’ lives while continuously growing and evolving.”

In her career, Dr. Chourashkenazi measures success by the positive difference she can make—helping veterans, contributing to the field through research, or mentoring students. Leading with transformation, she looks for tangible outcomes: improved well-being for those she serves, the progression of her students, and the advancement of knowledge through her published work.

In her personal life, success is about balance—maintaining strong relationships, prioritizing well-being, and staying true to her values. Ultimately, success is about alignment between her personal and professional goals, where each area supports the other, creating fulfilment and purpose.