After a 28-year career in the Navy, including commanding nuclear-powered submarines, leading the largest submarine squadron in the U.S. fleet, and carrying the "nuclear football" for President George W. Bush, Robert Roncska, affectionately known as “Navy Bob,” transitioned into healthcare leadership in Florida.
There, Bob worked to improve health outcomes and safety for patients and employees, both in practice and by teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals. In his spare time, he earned his Doctor of Business Administration which is when he met Dr. George Graen, and found that his leadership philosophy was rooted in the Leader-Member Exchange Theory.
Driven to share what he had learned, Bob authored two books, Beyond the Sea and High Reliability Healthcare, and began speaking across the country. Along the way, he met others who were equally inspired by his leadership philosophy: Leading with Love. These individuals included long-time educators and researchers in leadership, former and current members of the U.S. government, healthcare professionals, and even a longtime employee of Walt Disney World.
Despite their different paths, they shared a common belief: that love can and should be the driving force in leadership and life. Their collective passion was clear — to make the world a better place:
From this shared vision, Leading with Love was born, an organization committed to Redefining Leadership Worldwide - Anchored in Trust, Science and Heart.
Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former Commodore of Submarine Squadron Seven, where he oversaw ten nuclear submarines, 1,700 sailors, and $25 billion in assets. He previously commanded the USS Texas, led missions beneath the Arctic ice, and served as Naval Aide to President George W. Bush, who nicknamed hi
Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former Commodore of Submarine Squadron Seven, where he oversaw ten nuclear submarines, 1,700 sailors, and $25 billion in assets. He previously commanded the USS Texas, led missions beneath the Arctic ice, and served as Naval Aide to President George W. Bush, who nicknamed him “Navy Bob.” After retiring in 2018, he joined AdventHealth, rising to Executive Director of High Reliability and Unit Culture, supporting 48 hospitals across seven states, focusing on patient safety and organizational reliability. Bob serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Florida’s School of Global Health Management and Informatics. Bob is also the author of Beyond the Sea and High Reliability Healthcare where he shares his stories of the Navy and how they can be applied to leadership and healthcare. Bob holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business.
Bob lives in Winter Park, FL with his wife Stephanie and two dogs. He has two children, Sophia and Zachary. Bob is an avid runner and fitness enthusiast, including participating in Ironman Triathlons, firmly believing in the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for both personal well-being and professional success.
Visit navybob.com to learn more.
Dr. Katie Gottsch brings over 25 years of experience with The Walt Disney Company, where she led engagement and enhanced experiences for customers and employees during major transformations including the introduction of mobile app technology, social media, and park expansions at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As Chief Experience &
Dr. Katie Gottsch brings over 25 years of experience with The Walt Disney Company, where she led engagement and enhanced experiences for customers and employees during major transformations including the introduction of mobile app technology, social media, and park expansions at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As Chief Experience & Strategy Officer at Leading with Love, Katie leads strategic planning and culture development for our team and organizations to build people-first environments, rooted in trust, clarity, and operational excellence. Katie also serves as a strategic advisor for doctoral students and is a public relations faculty member at Full Sail University. Katie holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business where she met Bob.
Katie lives in Orlando, FL with her dog Saylor. Katie has a love of the water, whether above the surface on her boat exploring Florida’s lakes, or volunteering with The SCUBA Gym and coaching kids with physical and cognitive disabilities. She also loves to travel and spend time with her two nephews and niece.
Katherine Bentley is a relationship strategist and speaker advisor with nearly 15 years of experience at one of the nation's top speakers’ bureaus, most recently as Vice President of Client Relations at Leading Authorities. Katherine leads the reach and impact of Leading with Love by forging strong client partnerships, driving business de
Katherine Bentley is a relationship strategist and speaker advisor with nearly 15 years of experience at one of the nation's top speakers’ bureaus, most recently as Vice President of Client Relations at Leading Authorities. Katherine leads the reach and impact of Leading with Love by forging strong client partnerships, driving business development, and aligning strategic growth with the mission of the organization. She blends relational leadership with results-driven strategy to expand services, cultivate new opportunities, and tailor solutions to client needs. Katherine graduated cum laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and completed U.S. Air Force leadership coursework while in Washington, D.C.
Katherine lives in Houston, TX with her husband and young son. She enjoys spending time with family, volunteering at her son’s school, and exploring creative ways to connect ideas with people.
Dr. Susan Aloi is a nationally-recognized leader in curriculum design, academic innovation, and healthcare administration, with more than 30 years of experience across higher education and healthcare systems. As Chief Academic Officer, she helps mission-driven leaders build cultures rooted in trust and performance. Susan also serves as As
Dr. Susan Aloi is a nationally-recognized leader in curriculum design, academic innovation, and healthcare administration, with more than 30 years of experience across higher education and healthcare systems. As Chief Academic Officer, she helps mission-driven leaders build cultures rooted in trust and performance. Susan also serves as Assistant Program Director at Thomas Jefferson University, where she plays a key role in expanding the Doctor of Health Science in Population Health program. A published scholar and doctoral mentor, Susan has coached over 450 faculty members and executives. She holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management and is board certified in medical practice management.
Susan near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her husband and three rescue dogs on their 11-acre former Christmas tree farm. She enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting family, and giving back to her community.
Gail Lamarche is a marketing and communications strategist with nearly 30 years of experience helping leaders and organizations define their voice and build meaningful relationships with the communities they serve. At Leading with Love, Gail brings a blend of strategic thinking, creative storytelling, and operational discipline helping th
Gail Lamarche is a marketing and communications strategist with nearly 30 years of experience helping leaders and organizations define their voice and build meaningful relationships with the communities they serve. At Leading with Love, Gail brings a blend of strategic thinking, creative storytelling, and operational discipline helping the team stay aligned, focused, and connected as the message reaches new audiences across industries. Known for her integrator mindset, she excels at bridging vision with execution, bringing consistency and heart to everything she touches. Her approach is grounded in service, driven by authenticity, and focused on building trust.
A lifelong New England sports fan, Gail enjoys time with her family and cheering on the Red Sox and New England Patriots. She blends her passion for baseball with philanthropy serving on the Boston Red Sox Celebrity Golf Classic Tournament Committee, helping raise millions of dollars for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Gail also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Florida Seminole Club, where she leads its annual fishing tournament benefitting scholarship programs for Florida State University students.
Ryan Flad brings a sharp analytical mind and a strong foundation in discipline and creativity to his role as Growth & Experience Associate. Valedictorian of his class, and a National Merit Commended Student and AP Scholar with Honors, Ryan was recognized with the prestigious Rensselaer Medal for Academic Excellence in science and math. Ou
Ryan Flad brings a sharp analytical mind and a strong foundation in discipline and creativity to his role as Growth & Experience Associate. Valedictorian of his class, and a National Merit Commended Student and AP Scholar with Honors, Ryan was recognized with the prestigious Rensselaer Medal for Academic Excellence in science and math. Outside the classroom, he earned All-State honors for trumpet performance from the New York State School Music Association, demonstrating a balance of technical precision and artistic expression. Ryan is pursuing a degree in materials science and engineering at The Ohio State University, where he continues to blend curiosity, focus, and heart, key qualities he brings to the Leading with Love team.
Ryan lives on Long Island, NY with his parents and younger sister. He enjoys playing board games and hanging out with friends.
Dr. George Graen was a trailblazer in the field of leadership and organizational psychology. Best known as the creator of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory, he forever reshaped how we understand leadership - and how we, as leaders, understand people. He believed leadership was never about power or control, but about relationships groun
Dr. George Graen was a trailblazer in the field of leadership and organizational psychology. Best known as the creator of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory, he forever reshaped how we understand leadership - and how we, as leaders, understand people. He believed leadership was never about power or control, but about relationships grounded in trust, mutual respect, and genuine care.
He taught us that love belongs in leadership — and he lived that truth in how he mentored, encouraged, and inspired others.
More than a thought partner, he was a mentor, friend, and key influence in shaping the foundation of Leading with Love. His belief that leadership begins with authentic relationships continues to guide our work every day. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in our mission, our values, and our hearts.