Donald C. Kunkel Jr.
Founder of the Elite Leadership Center™
Author of The Foundations of Influence: The Power to Lead & Inspire
Creator of the TECCA™ Influence System and Five Foundations of Influence Framework™
Donald C. Kunkel Jr. is a nationally recognized educator, mentor, and founder of the Elite Leadership Center™—a leadership development firm helping professionals expand their influence across operational, executive, and civic spheres. With more than 28 years of combined leadership experience across defense and industry, Donald has guided thousands of professionals, from front-line supervisors to senior-level leaders.
He is the creator of the TECCA Influence System™—a behaviorally grounded framework built on the Five Foundations of Influence: Trust, Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Credibility, and Adaptability (TECCA). Rooted in applied behavioral science, TECCA™ translates proven leadership disciplines into practical tools for teams and individuals operating in high-stakes, mission-driven environments.
Donald’s book, The Foundations of Influence, offers a concise, actionable guide for leading with clarity, trust, and intention. His proprietary TECCA™ Influence Assessment and Power Profile™ Report have helped leaders uncover blind spots, accelerate development, and build high-performance, values-based cultures.
He founded the Elite Leadership Center™ to provide workshops, coaching, and scalable influence systems that drive measurable results. His programs are trusted by organizations committed to developing leaders of character, adaptability, and clarity.
Donald believes leadership begins with influence—not a title. His mission is to equip leaders to serve with purpose, lead with confidence, and foster trust that lasts.
Want to explore my full professional background and leadership journey? Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
