Joseph Sweeney is an educator-turned-executive with over two decades of experience at the intersection of strategic leadership, decision science, and social impact. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of JD Bravo Company, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in federal construction contracting, where he is leading financial and strategic transformation during a critical phase of growth. He is also the founder and President of the Decision Leadership Institute, a boutique firm that helps executives and organizations improve decision quality, culture, and performance through applied decision science.
Previously, Joseph served as Executive Director of the Alliance for Decision Education, where he led the transformation of a regional nonprofit into the national hub for K–12 Decision Education. Under his leadership, the organization’s budget grew from $400K to $8.5M, a global Research Grants and Awards program was launched, and national figures, including Nobel Laureates Daniel Kahneman, Carl Weiman, and Richard Thaler, were engaged to support the mission. He also spearheaded the development of K–12 learning standards and built a network of champions, including CEOs and Chairs of Fortune 100 companies, military leaders, and policymakers.
A frequent speaker, podcast host, and educator, Joseph has taught strategic leadership and analytics at Columbia University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Villanova University. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as master’s degrees in Economics and Mathematics, and a B.A. in Physics.
Across roles, Joseph’s work is guided by a unifying purpose: to help leaders and institutions make better decisions so they—and the communities they serve—can thrive.