Dr. Xaulanda
Simmonds, MBA, PhD
CHIEF PASSION OFFICER
Dr. Xaulanda Simmonds-Emmanuel is a visionary leader, entrepreneur and organizational psychologist, dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to realize their potential. As Co-founder and Chief Passion Officer of The XauSky Group, LLC, Dr. Xaulanda applies over 25 years of expertise in leadership, healthcare administration, and consulting to help businesses and professionals uncover purpose, drive passion, and achieve strategic growth.
With a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, an MBA in Healthcare Administration, and a BA in Business Administration, Dr. Xaulanda brings an evidence-based approach to workplace transformation. Her research delves into the complex factors that inspire genuine, sustainable work passion, especially within healthcare settings and communities of color. She studies how job roles, organizational culture, and interpersonal dynamics fuel either harmonious or obsessive work passion, giving her a unique insight into the motivations that shape thriving workplaces. Recently, her focus has expanded to the motivations of entrepreneurs and the factors that support small business success within inclusive and dynamic ecosystems.
A committed professional, Dr. Xaulanda is an Expert Member of the Society of Evidence-Based Organizational Consulting (SEBOC), where she collaborates with thought leaders to apply research-backed strategies for organizational effectiveness. As an avid, lifelong learner she has completed courses such Positive Intelligence, Everything DiSC® Certification, and a 5-Day Business Accelerator intensive with The Center for Micro-Entrepreneurial Training (CMET), further equipping her to support organizations, leaders and business owners in maximizing their performance, profit and impact.
In addition to her work with XauSky Group, Dr. Xaulanda has held significant leadership roles, including 2022 Co-President of the Greater Orlando Organizational Development (GOOD) Network, a team member with Georgia Tech’s Southeast Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Growth Hub, and founding member of the Future in Color Global Initiative. She is also a founding member of the SHRM VI Chapter and has been a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Society of Leadership & Success, and the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).
Dr. Xaulanda has been a featured speaker at the 2021 BW Leadership Academy in Orlando, FL, Co-host of The Entrepreneur’s Trip podcast series in the US Virgin Islands, the 2021 Most Downloaded Podcast Guest for The Intern Whisperer series in Orlando, FL, a speaker for the 2021/2022 podcast series of The Forum of Workplace Inclusion in Minneapolis, MN and co-presenter at the 2020 Greater Orlando Organizational Network’s Conference. In 2022, Dr. Xaulanda was featured on the cover of EMPOW(HER) Magazine (Virgin Islands) and the Disruptors as well as had featured articles Voyage Minnesota and The Celebrity Online.
Most recently, Dr. Xaulanda contributed to The Winters Group’s Stories Behind the Number Series (A Black Woman’s Perspective on the Pursuit of an Advanced Degree) and A Point of View Series (I don’t’ fit into a box: The Challenges with Racial and Ethnic Labels withing a Multicultural Society). She is also a published author in the Passion and Purpose anthology containing 21 inspiring stories from women in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Business, Leadership, and Life.
Dr. Xaulanda’s commitment to advancing community and organizational well-being is matched by her passion for helping others build meaningful connections, shared values, and sustainable success. Through her work, she inspires leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs to forge pathways of meaningful impact and collective innovation, balancing rigorous research with a deeply human approach.
