Skye Cleary

Dr. Skye Cleary is a philosopher, author, and educator who brings an existential and ethical lens to leadership, decision-making, and human behavior in organizations. At Columbia University, she teaches Managing Human Behavior in the Organization, Authentic Leadership, and Ethical Decision Making. She is also a Thinking Partner with Philosophy at Work where she works with leaders, next-generation leaders, and individuals at all levels of organizations to cultivate authenticity and well-being in professional life and beyond.  

Dr. Cleary is the author of How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment, Existentialism and the Authentic Life, Existentialism and Romantic Love, and co-editor of How to Live a Good Life. Her work has been published with The Wall Street Journal, The Paris Review, Aeon, Psyche, Los Angeles Review of Books, TED-Ed, Business Insider, and The New Republic, and she speaks internationally on how philosophical ideas can inform meaningful work, ethical leadership, and human flourishing.

Her earlier career includes service as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army, equity arbitrage trading in New York, and management consulting in the Asia-Pacific region. She holds a PhD in Management and an MBA from Macquarie University in Australia and has also taught at Barnard College, the City University of New York, the New York Public Library, and in prison education programs.