OUR STORY
About STSI™
Systems thinking has been praised for decades as the solution to complexity. It appeared in leadership books, boardrooms, classrooms, and global reports, and even ranked among the Top 10 future job skills.
But when most people tried to use it, the experience was frustrating. Definitions conflicted, frameworks multiplied, and results rarely matched the promise. In fact, research revealed that only 12% of the most popular approaches had any scientific evidence of existence or effect. The idea was inspiring, but the path to results was unclear.
The Breakthrough
Cabrera Research Lab felt that same frustration 35 years ago. But instead of adding another model or buzzword, they went back to first principles:
What is thinking? What does it mean to be systemic? Can it be measured? Can it be trained? Does training have a measurable effect?
That pursuit produced a body of empirical research that revealed the hidden grammar of both systems and thinking, showing they share the same underlying structure in how information is organized. From this foundation emerged O-Theory, DSRP Theory, the Big 6 Pareto Moves, and the Professional Systems Thinker Skills Assessment (PST™-SA): a scientifically validated model for how to see, organize, and improve thought itself.
For the first time, systems thinking could be mathematically defined, empirically measured, and reliably trained. It moved from a confusing philosophical debate to a disciplined scientific pursuit.
The Standard
The Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI™) was created to do what the field had never done before: set a reliable global standard for systems thinking that is universal, empirical, measurable, and practical, so that any person, anywhere, can raise their PST™-SA score and their impact, and any organization can earn accreditation as a Professional Systems Thinking Organization (PSTO™).
STSI's mission is to move systems thinking from inspiration to implementation, from theory to practice, from promise without proof to practice with results.
The Practice
From that science came Training C∆MP: a daily mental fitness protocol that delivers outsized results. Six simple cognitive moves provide 80% of the benefit with 20% of the effort, and research shows that consistent practice can improve clarity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence by up to 551%.
Instead of jargon and hand-waving, you now have a CanDo™ pathway: a measurable progression that moves you into the top 1% of systems thinkers. To think systemically is to think at the highest level, uniting analytical, creative, critical, and emotional intelligence into one coherent capability.
The Vision
This is the shift: from buzzwords to standards, from promise without proof to practice with results. STSI's vision is bold but inevitable: to make systems thinking so useful, so practical, and so accessible that raising 8 billion people above the global standard becomes reality.
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STSI Science Board
The STSI™ Science Board is the scientific and evaluative authority behind the Global Systems Thinking Standard (STS)™. Composed of leading systems scientists, translational researchers, cognitive theorists, applied practitioners, and learning and performance experts, the Board rigorously vets and approves every model, protocol, and practice for inclusion. Each must meet our four Science Board Pillars: Practical usability, Empirical grounding, Measurable outcomes, and Universal applicability.
The Science Board safeguards the integrity, evidence base, and global relevance of our standards, which include Systems Thinking Standards (STS)™, Systems Thinking Educational Standards (STES)™ Accreditation, Professional Systems Thinking Organization (PSTO™) Accreditation, and the Professional Systems Thinker (PST)™ Credential.
Together, these standards are advanced through STSI's four core services: The Global Standards of Systems Thinking, The Voice of Systems Thinking, The Practice of Systems Thinking, and The Science of Systems Thinking. STSI™ is dedicated to ensuring that systems thinking is not just influential, but scientifically credible, measurable in its effect, universally accessible, and practically transformative worldwide.
In partnership with the STSI™ Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we make systems thinking accessible worldwide through partial and full scholarship programs.
Dr. Laura Cabrera
Cabrera Lab
Science Board Chair
Laura Cabrera, PhD, is a systems scientist, translational researcher, and educator whose work focuses on translating scientific discoveries into evidence-based methods that improve learning, leadership, organizations, and human flourishing. As Science Board Chair, she leads the translation of systems thinking science into professional standards, educational programs, and practical applications. She is Co-host of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, the world's leading systems thinking podcast.
Dr. Derek Cabrera
Cabrera Lab
Science Board Member
Derek Cabrera, PhD, is a systems scientist and cognitive scientist whose research focuses on discovering the universal organizing primitives that structure mind and reality. He discovered DSRP Theory, VMCL Theory, and O-Theory. He is Co-host of the Cabrera Lab Podcast, the world's leading systems thinking podcast.
Dr. Dave Silberman
Boston University, Cabrera Lab
Science Board Member
Decorated combat-disabled specialized operations veteran and Boston University lecturer, Dave brings deep expertise in strategic systems design. He directs the systems, partnerships, and initiatives that operationalize the STSI standard and scale its reach across institutions, sectors, and regions.
Dr. Rich Morales (General retired)
Brown University, USMA
Science Board Member
Dr. Rich Morales is a Professor of the Practice in the School of Engineering at Brown University, where he teaches systems thinking, innovation management, and decision-making. A retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Dr. Morales has over three decades of experience in systems engineering, operational leadership, and academic instruction. He served in senior roles under three U.S. Presidents, including as a White House Fellow and as an aide to the Administrator of NASA. He previously chaired the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point and held strategic assignments in peacekeeping missions, national policy, and defense innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Cambridge, an M.B.A. from Yale, and a B.S. from the United States Military Academy. A recipient of the Purple Heart, Dr. Morales brings unmatched insight into the practice and pedagogy of systems thinking, with a focus on organizational design and value creation.
Leisa Thompson
Metropolitan Council
Science Board Member
Leisa Thompson is the General Manager of Environmental Services at the Metropolitan Council, where she leads a team of over 600 professionals in managing wastewater treatment and water sustainability initiatives for the Twin Cities region. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Thompson has been instrumental in achieving consistent 100% compliance with federal clean water standards and advancing regional environmental planning. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and equity, including partnerships with tribal nations to ensure inclusive infrastructure development. Thompson holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Winona State University. She was named Star Tribune Working Woman of the Year in 2001.
Dr. Jennifer Kushner
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Science Board Member
Dr. Jennifer Kushner is the Director of CALS Global at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she leads international research and outreach in agriculture and the life sciences. With over 30 years of experience, she has led and evaluated initiatives in agriculture, health, environment, energy, and community development across the globe. Dr. Kushner specializes in systems approaches to complex issues, with a particular focus on water. She holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences and a master's degree in adult education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as a doctorate in adult education from National-Louis University. Dr. Kushner serves on the executive committee of APLU’s International Committee on Organization and Policy (ICOP) and is a member of the Globalizing Extension Innovation Network’s leadership council.
Michael Collins
Cyber Cognition®
Science Board Member
Cybersecurity expert and systems thinker with over two decades of applied experience in cyber defense, systems design, and risk management. A veteran of the Royal Australian Navy, he brings operational insight from high-stakes, high-complexity environments. Founder of Cyber Cognition® and a leading voice on integrating systems thinking into cybersecurity strategy, Collins advocates for holistic approaches that address not just technical threats but systemic vulnerabilities. His recent research focuses on adaptive defense protocols and cognitive frameworks for risk awareness. He provides practical, systems-based insight to STSI’s standards development and interdisciplinary reach.
Dr. Scott Campbell
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Science Board Member
Dr. Scott A. Campbell is a nationally recognized leader in adult learning and workforce development with over 25 years of experience in higher education leadership. He currently serves as Vice President for Higher Education Partnerships at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), where he leads national initiatives to align educational programs with the needs of adult learners and today’s evolving workforce. Dr. Campbell’s expertise spans prior learning assessment, career-aligned credentialing, and institutional transformation. His career includes deanships and executive leadership roles at Edgewood College and Regis University. A former professional baseball player, Dr. Campbell brings discipline, strategy, and lifelong learning to all he does. His work reflects a deep commitment to equity, access, and systems-level change, making him a vital contributor to the Practice of Systems Thinking (PST) and the STSI Science Board.
Dr. Michael J. Kwinn, Jr.
University of Arizona
Science Board Member
Dr. Michael J. Kwinn, Jr. is a seasoned systems engineer and strategic leader with over 30 years of experience in military, academic, and industry settings. He currently serves as Professor of Practice and Director of Engineering Management at the University of Arizona. Dr. Kwinn's expertise encompasses systems engineering, operations research, and strategic planning, with a focus on applying systems thinking to complex organizational challenges. His extensive background includes service as a U.S. Army officer, academic roles at West Point, and leadership positions at Raytheon Technologies. Dr. Kwinn is a Fellow of the Military Operations Research Society and an active member of INCOSE and ASEM. His contributions to the field are marked by a commitment to integrating empirical research with practical application to advance systems thinking globally.
Rich Maltzman
Boston University, EarthPM
Science Board Member
Rich Maltzman is a seasoned project management professional with over 40 years of experience in engineering and leadership roles within the telecommunications industry. As a Master Lecturer at Boston University's Metropolitan College, he specializes in project leadership, decision-making, and sustainability integration. Maltzman co-founded EarthPM, LLC, to promote the incorporation of sustainability principles into project management. He has co-authored several influential books on project management and has contributed to the development of global standards through his work with the Project Management Institute. At STSI, Maltzman brings his extensive experience to the Science Board, supporting the advancement of the Global Systems Thinking Standard (STS®) with a focus on sustainability and long-term value creation.
STSI Foundation
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