Dr. Gino Collura: 2024 Latin Times Magazine Lideres Award

Full name: Dr. Gino Lorenzo Collura   

Hispanic Heritage: Cuban 

Residence: Tampa, Florida

Profession: Behavioral Scientist & Executive Coach  

Dr. Gino Collura (Dr. G) is a seasoned behavioral scientist, author, entrepreneur, and renowned executive coach. Dr. G began his journey into the study of human behavior at the ripe age of twenty-two when he took a position as an anti-kidnapping specialist in Colombia, South America. For three years, he worked side-by-side “C” suite executives for international corporations, ensuring they and their families did not fall victim to kidnappings. This experience influenced his doctoral work within the combat veteran community, where his research has been used to enhance resiliency and brain optimization efforts for military members across the country.  

His first book, Seven Layers of Successful Relationships, has been used to help military members, corporations, and civilians find clarity and depth in the relationship they have with themselves to ultimately improve the quality of their daily lives. He has been sought after by U.S. Army Special Operations, United States Special Operations Command, as well as the Joint Special Operations University, to provide training in human optimization, resiliency, relationship and identity management to our nation’s fiercest warriors. 

In 2018, Dr. Collura was awarded the esteemed Fusion Latino Magazine’s Influencer Award. Additionally, he has been recognized for his contributions to the national science community by the Florida Academy of Sciences for his work on neurobehavior, stress, resiliency, and biocultural diversity. Dr. G has been featured in several articles and news segments by WFLA News Channel 8, WTSP Channel 10, The Morning Blend, Todo Tampa Bay, Connecting with Kim, 970 Talk Radio, and 102.5’s Morning Show. He is a regular subject matter expert featured on NBC’s nationally syndicated TV show, Bloom Health and Wellness. 

Dr. G received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida (USF) in 2008, his master’s degree in 2011, and his Ph.D. in Neuropathology (study of the brain, biology, behavior, and (culture) from USF in 2018. He is a Governor Appointed Board of Trustees member for Pasco Hernando State College and sits on several Advisory Boards including the Gus A. Stavros Center For Free Enterprise at the University of South Florida, the International Allied Forces Foundation, Saint Leo University Advisory Board for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center.  

Gino regularly serves as a pro-bono speaker at the University of Tampa, University of South Florida, as well as St. Leo University to students who have an interest in leadership, business, human behavior, and psychological well-being. 

LTM: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it: 

I am an executive coach who has specific expertise in the areas of performance optimization, relationship management, and conflict resolution. I do a lot of work with family-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, as well as the U.S. Military.  

Since childhood, I have had a strong affinity for helping others who are going through adversity. Being an advisor, navigating turbulent waters with them, and seeing them step into success on the other side of a challenge truly fills my cup. Combining my years as a business owner with my academic expertise in human behavior, I have created a fulfilling approach to guiding individuals into complete optimization and happiness at work and home.   

LTM: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition? 

Quality and depth. Quality of human-to-human interaction that brings layers of understanding at a psychological, emotional, and spiritual level, as well as depth of expertise and “out of the box” ways of dealing with business as well as life challenges. Combining neuroscience, anthropological research, psychological methodologies, and timeless wisdom constitute the bread and butter of how I interact with those I have been called to serve.  

LTM: Why do you feel you were nominated? 

I believe I was nominated because of my dedication and commitment to serving the community. My community knows me. They know my heart; they know the purity of my intentions to make others better and know that I walk the talk. Everything I apply and guide them through in their own lives is practiced within mine at home. I am very open about that, and it lends itself to building a deep line of trust and transparency.  

LTM: During COVID-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it. 

My biggest challenge during the pandemic was navigating the ambiguity of it while supporting my wife who was pregnant with our first child. We relied heavily on each other, with lots of prayer, and incredible family and friends who left meals at our doorstep, picked up groceries, and respected the boundaries we had to set to ensure my wife stayed healthy throughout not just the pregnancy but also the first several months post-partum. It was tough having loved ones meet our little ones for the first time through a window or sliding glass door. We are a deeply loving and affectionate family so not being able to have my parents or her parents be there to shower our daughter with hugs and kisses as she made her entrance into this world was a big challenge. 

LTM: Tell us about your biggest achievement in business or personal life, and how you achieved it. 

Writing my first book. I always knew I wanted to write a book but never knew how, what, or when I would write about it. My wife and I had challenges with getting pregnant so when we finally were blessed with our first daughter, I was hit with incredible motivation to write the book. I didn’t write it to be a best-seller, I wrote it as a legacy piece for my daughter. Something that would reflect me, and will still be here when I am no longer walking this earth. A living and breathing guide on how to manage relationships with other human beings as seen through my eyes and expertise. Fast forward to today and the book has been adopted by several units in the U.S. Military as well as corporations on how to navigate relationship management as well as self-optimization. I never thought in a million years it would have that kind of impact.  

LTM: What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you? 

I am currently working on my second book with a third book coming behind that. Additionally, I am deeply committed to spending more time in ministry as well as serving more families and businesses across the country. This past year opened up the door to getting a lot more hands-on with the clients that I serve at a national level, and I am looking forward to nurturing those opportunities and relationships.  

LTM: What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you? 

It means honoring sacrifice and always appreciating opportunities that come with being an American. My abuelo and abuela came to this country in search of reprieve from Fidel Castro’s horrific regime. They had everything in Cuba and were forced to flee and completely start their lives over after Castro took it all from them. America was their lighthouse during a horrific storm. What this country allowed them to do was nothing short of amazing. I am forever grateful for their courage to come to this great land and open the gateway for my parents as well as myself to have the opportunity to enjoy freedom.   

LTM: What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our country? 

Our country was built on incredible principles with strong morals, ethics, and dedication to God. What we have been slowly turning into over the past 30 years is alarming. Society’s moral compass is skewed, our lack of respect and reverence for God is shameful, and the obsession with technology instead of investing in each other face-to-face is sending us down a path we need to pivot from. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges are on the rise, and families continuously find themselves in conflict and disarray. This is an area where the Latino community can bring a lot of leadership and value. We understand the power and potency of family. We know what it means to love our parents, honor their sacrifice, and do whatever it takes to ensure our children experience a life better than our own. That level of love, sacrifice, and tenacity is needed, and our community is in a prime position to lead by example for other communities to see how it is done.   

LTM: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career? 

I define leadership as “your ability to influence others to achieve a common objective.” The ability to influence requires connection, yet, we live in a time of technology that fuels a “connected disconnection.” We have forgotten the power of face-to-face conversation, the comfort of a hug, and the tireless value of “making the time” for one another that goes well outside the realm of digital interface. We need to get back to the basics of human leadership and the basics of being loving, empathetic, and truly connected at ground level with one another. None of us are “better” than anyone and we need to remember that in the realm of leadership. Just because there is a “corporate hierarchy” doesn’t make it acceptable to believe there is a “human hierarchy.”   

LTM: What is your comida Latina favorita?

Preparate this one is going to be long! Start off with croquetas de jamon y un café con leche. Then una copita de caldo gallego followed by ropa vieja con arroz blanco y frijoles negro, platanitos maduro, y pan Cubano tostado. Y lo termino con un flancito y café bombon. Eso se llama exito mi gente!!!