Dr. Josie (pronounced Jo-C) Ahlquist (pronounced All-Quist) is a digital leadership educator, discovering the intersection of digital communication technologies and leadership development. She believes in challenging how we think about social media, for community building and for leadership itself. 

Josie received her EdD from California Lutheran University, studying higher education leadership. She holds a Master’s in Counseling from Northern Arizona University and undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies from South Dakota State University. 

After more than a decade working on college campuses, Josie went rogue from traditional higher education roles, becoming an independent speaker, researcher, author, and coach on digital engagement and leadership. For seven years, she also served as a research associate and leadership instructor at Florida State University, teaching courses from the undergraduate through doctoral level. 

Dr. Ahlquist backs up her content with her own grant-funded and award-winning research. Her work has examined teens and young adults’ digital experiences, senior executives’ online leadership practices, and digital leadership pedagogy. She is extensively published, including the Handbook of Student Affairs Administration, The Journal of Leadership Studies, NASPA Leadership Exchange, and Contested Issues in Troubled Times. She is co-editor and author of Engaging the Digital Generation and Going Digital in Student Leadership. Her book, Digital Leadership in Higher Education: Purposeful Social Media in a Connected World, was an Amazon #1 new release for college and university student life. 

In 2023, NASPA named her a Pillar of the Profession, one of the highest honors in student affairs. She is also a three time LinkedIn Top Voice in Education, and for six years running, Ed Tech Magazine has named her to its Top 50 Must Read Higher Education Technology Blogs. She co-founded AHECC, the Association of Higher Education Consulting and Coaching, the first professional community built for the consultants and coaches who serve higher ed. Her podcast, Josie and The Podcast, has been featured by Inside Higher Ed and The Chronicle of Higher Education. 

Josie is on a mission to help students up to executives thrive online. She’s trained thousands, she’s been around the world, and now, here with us today sharing the message of leadership in the digital age.