Mark Conklin Unlocks the Secrets of Chick-fil-A’s Secret sauce

President Bruce Rogers with Mark Conklin and Rotarian Bill Koleszar

This week the Rotary Club of Birmingham welcomed Dr. Mark Conklin, Co-Founder of Wise Counsel, Inc. and former Leadership Development Director at Chick-fil-A Inc. He discussed “The Secret Sauce…Four Key Ingredients in the Chick-fil-A Business Recipe." Dr. Conklin stressed that the success of a company is directly correlated to a wholehearted commitment to its culture and values, continuous investment to develop a robust pipeline of outstanding leaders, and constant striving for excellence in all its endeavors.

Bio for Mark Conklin

Dr. Mark A. Conklin is a nationally recognized expert in leadership development whose work has shaped one of the worlds most admired brands. During his more than two decades at Chick-fil-A, Inc., Dr. Conklin served as a principal architect of the companies’ leadership development strategies. He was instrumental in designing and implementing the leadership framework that helped fuel Chick-fil-A’s remarkable growth, distinctive culture, and values-driven reputation.

Drawing on that experience, Dr. Conklin co-founded Wise Counsel, Inc. (WCI) – a leadership development firm dedicated to helping senior executives unlock their potential and steward their influence with purpose. Through immersive live experiences and WCI’s signature digital training platform, Every Leader’s Journey, he equips leaders at every level and across industries with the mindset and tools to lead with clarity, conviction, and impact.

Dr. Conklin’s unique blend of strategic thinking, military discipline, and academic rigor sets him apart as a leadership practitioner. Prior to joining Chick-fil-A, his active-duty service as a nuclear, biological and chemical weapons specialist overseas and tenure in higher education provided a foundational perspective on organizational health and individual effectiveness. Whether delivering keynote addresses, coaching executives, or advising leadership teams, he is known for his relational approach and transformative insights.

He holds a doctorate in Global Leadership Studies and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. A lifelong learner, Dr. Conklin has also earned multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees and is a committed board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Open Eyes Foundation.

Dr. Conklin and his wife Joy have been married for 43 years. When they’re not hosting family and friends at their home south of Atlanta, they can often be found volunteering in their community or checking national parks off their bucket list.