Dr. Cynthia Fox, CEO and Co-Founder of LSVT Global, is no stranger to pioneering breakthroughs. From the early days of working on research grants to witnessing the life-changing results of speech therapy in individuals with Parkinson’s in 1994, Dr. Fox has spent three decades devoted to developing therapies that now extend well beyond speech, Parkinson’s, and even age—impacting adults and children with a range of neurological conditions.
Despite her scientific expertise and deep passion for clinical outcomes, Dr. Fox never imagined she’d one day lead a global company. “I didn’t go to business school—I studied speech and hearing science and neuroscience,” she says. “When COVID hit, it forced me to really ask: how can I be a better CEO? How can I better serve my company?”
That reflection led her to Troy Jacobson and 3 Pillars Performance Group.
However, it wasn’t an immediate decision. Troy first reached out to Cynthia through LinkedIn, and over time, gently introduced her to the concept of Vistage and executive coaching. “I had a friend who had just gotten an executive coach and raved about it,” Cynthia recalls. “Eventually I thought, why not give it a try?” The impact was immediate and meaningful.
“Working with Troy and being part of Vistage has helped me more than I could’ve imagined,” Cynthia shares. “I had classic imposter syndrome—not having a business background, I often questioned myself. But I found out that didn’t matter. Many peers in my Vistage group didn’t come from traditional business backgrounds either, and they were wildly successful.”
The safe, honest, peer-to-peer accountability within the group created a new type of leadership space for her. “You can’t pretend in the group. Everyone gets authentic—sharing what’s wrong and what’s right. There’s a strength in that kind of interaction.”
That support system was invaluable for her as she sought to grow into her role.
Dr. Fox also highlights the diversity of experience in her Vistage group as a major asset. “From finance to legal, from small to large companies—we all face similar challenges. That was both fascinating and comforting.” And, as one of a few female CEOs in the group, she’s also built bonds outside of meetings with other women leaders in her Vistage group “Those connections have been great,” she adds.
Troy’s influence has extended beyond Cynthia herself. “When we first started working together, he did a session with my executive team that was very helpful,” she says. “Our team is remote, so having that external support and team-building was powerful. If I run into a challenge, I know I have a resource I can tap into.” As someone who speaks professionally and leads a mission- driven organization, Dr. Fox is often the one giving guidance. But when asked what advice she’d give to others considering Vistage, her answer is simple and sincere:
“Be open. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. It
holds you accountable—something that rarely happens at
the top. It will make you a better leader.”Cynthia Fox
3 Pillars Performance Group , we specialize in helping leaders with a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. Our Executive Peer Groups connect you with like-minded leaders, providing a trusted network for sharing insights and solutions. Through Executive Coaching, we help you overcome Executive Isolation and Imposter Syndrome while our Blueprint Service can ensure your talent strategy drives engagement and team performance.
Schedule a consultation today and discover how we can help you lead with clarity and confidence.