Katie P. Desiderio

Associate Professor of Management (2009)

Education

  • B.A., MBA, Wilkes University
  • Ph.D., Barry University

Contact

Email: desideriok@moravian.edu

Areas of Research and/or Expertise

Holding a doctorate in leadership with a specialization in human resource development, Dr. Desiderio’s teaching interests include a mindfulness thread in courses such as, Leading People in Organizations, Management & Organizational Theory, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Mindfulness in Sport, and Happiness in the Workplace.  Her research is in optimizing human performance at work, employee engagement, organizational citizenship behaviors, and flow at work, which fuels her work in and out of the classroom.

Biography

Katie P. Desiderio counts her blessings starting with the people in her life, which guides her approach to work where her focus is on every organization's most important asset – you! Her personality and behavioral attributes emphasize collaboration and all things that keep human beings in focus, which fuels her intrapreneurial spirit. 

As an athlete, she found flow in sports and later discovered flow at work to fuel her professional trajectory. After working for several years in corporate marketing, Katie chose a second career in higher education, where she celebrates the honor of being the first female chairperson of the Economics and Business Department at the sixth oldest institution in America and first to educate women.  As the mama of two extraordinary girls, she is committed to the development of rising leaders, namely in the spirit of leading from any seat.

Katie’s personal mission is grounded in her r2C model, where she has devoted her work to recognize what we give our time and energy to grows, to reflect on how we [choose to] interact with and see the world, and, at the heart of her approach, to connect with why this fuels transformative growth. This model is delicately nurtured in the interplay of our mindset and our [mindful] behaviors, so when she falls along the way, she chooses to fall up. This inspires her to lead with grace while tickling curiosity and encouraging discovery in working with and through others. 

Katie earned her MBA from Wilkes University, which is where she discovered her passion for learning and growth. Upon completion of her doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership from Barry University, Katie has been co-authoring scholar-practitioner journal articles, conference proceedings, and most recently, The Beekeeper book with her learning partner and friend. Join them on this journey to inspire how you will pollinate the world: https://leadershipfables.com/!

Awards/Distinctions

  • 2022 Lehigh Valley Business’ Power 30 for Higher Education: individuals who hold positions that give them the ability to shape our communities and influence our quality of life through education.
  • 2021 Lehigh Valley Business’ Power 30 for Higher Education: individuals who hold positions that give them the ability to shape our communities and influence our quality of life through education.
  • 2019 Lehigh Valley Forty Under 40 Honoree: Chosen for contributions to their companies, industries and communities, each of the honorees was selected for his or her commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community.
  • 2018 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award: The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation supports the biennial presentation of the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award at Moravian College. The faculty award winner is determined from a poll of seniors, faculty, and administrators. The criteria for selection are excellence in teaching, professional development, and relationship to students.
  • 2017 Moravian College Commencement Speaker – elected by graduating class of 2017
  • 2015 Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Inductee
  • 2013 Timothy M. Breidegam Memorial Faculty & Administrator Service Award
  • 2011 Moravian College Commencement Speaker – elected by graduating class of 2011
  • 2011 Track Chair Assistant Editor, Critical HRD/Social Justice track, AHRD conference
  • 2010 Golden Apple Award winner for teaching excellence sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the national leadership honor society
    • Each academic year, ODK solicits college community votes to honor one faculty member with this prestigious teaching award

Academic Publications

Desiderio, Katie P. & Frino, Michael G. (2023). The Beekeeper. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley.

Desiderio, Katie P., Frino, Michael G., and Toppin, Matt. (2021), Pressure as a Motivator: A Conceptual Paper on the Physics of Stress and Flow. Performance Improvement, 60: 31-35 doi:10.1002/pfi.21956

Frino, M. G. and Desiderio, K. P. (2019), The Agile Sales Force: Understanding Generational Differences to Influence Change. Performance Improvement, 58: 6-19. doi:10.1002/pfi.21893

Frino, M. G. and Desiderio, K. P. “A Piece of Cake for Coaches.” World Coaching Magazine. June 2019. Pg. 43-48. www.worldwidecoachingmagazine.com

Frino, Michael & Djibo, Idriss & Desiderio, Katie P. (2019). Organizational Alignment as a Predictor of Employee Engagement. Performance Improvement. 58. 21-27.10.1002/pfi.21847.

Frino, M. G. and Desiderio, K. P. (2018), The Genesis of Flow: What to Explore Next?. Performance Improvement. doi:10.1002/pfi.21792

Frino, M. G. & Desiderio, K. P. (2018). Toward a Theory of Patient Focused Selling. Performance Improvement Journal 57 (2): 33-39. Doi: 10.1002/pfi

Djibo, I., Frino, M. G., Martinez, J., Desiderio, K. P. (2016). Impact of a Didactic and Experiential Sales Training Based on Empathy: A Quasi-Experimental Study.  Performance Improvement Journal 55 (9): 18-25. Doi: 10.1002/pfi.21612

Ross, L.R, Desiderio, K.P., Knudstrup, M., Frino, M.G., (2014). Sales Teams or Sales Persons: Performance Implications for Embracing Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultural Values in a Global Marketplace. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 26(4): 53-73.

Frino, M.G., Desiderio, K.P. (2012). Functional Considerations for Gender and Experience as Predictors of Sales Performance in Business-to-Business Sales Organizations. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 24.4.

Kopp, D.M., Nikolovska, I., Desiderio, K.P., & Guterman, J.T. (2011). "Relaaax, I remember the recession in the early 1980s...": Organizational storytelling as a crisis management tool. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 22, 373-385.

Kopp, D.M, Nikolovska, I., Desiderio, K.P., Guterman, J. T. (2011). Organizational storytelling as a crisis management strategy. Human Resource Development Quarterly, (in press).

Djibo, I., Desiderio, K.P., Price, N. (2010). Predicting Temporary Employee's Organizational Commitment and Citizenship Behavior: The Role of Leader Behavior. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 21(4):

Kopp, D.M, Desiderio, K.P., McAtavey, J.M. (2010). When job aids attack: On the social history of dubious job aids. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 21(2): 209-221.

Kopp, D.M, & Desiderio, K.P. (2009) Training's woeful countenance. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 20(1): 135-142.

Academic Conference Proceedings

Djibo, I., Frino, M. G., Martinez, J., Desiderio, K. P. (2016). Impact of a Didactic and Experiential Sales Training Based on Empathy: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2015 International Research Conference, Jacksonville, FL.

Desiderio, K.P., Frino, M.G., Kopp, D.M. (2015). The Leadership Compass: Exploring the Depths of Flow. Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2015 International Research Conference. St. Louis, MO.

Frino, M.G., Martinez, J., Desiderio, K.P., Ramsay, C.L. (2015). Toward a Theory of Patient Focused Selling. Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2015 International Research Conference. St. Louis, MO.

Frino, M.G., Desiderio, K.P. (2013). The Role of Demographics as Predictors of Successful Performance of Sales Professionals in Business-to-Business Sales Organizations. Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2013 International Research Conference. Washington, D.C.

Desiderio, K.P., Kopp, D.M., Nikolovska, I. (2011). The locus of flow: A framework for research and practice. Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2011 International Research Conference.Schaumburg, IL.

Kopp, D.M, Nikolovska, I., Desiderio, K.P., Guterman, J. T. (2010). Organizational storytelling as a crisis management strategy. International Conference 2010, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

Nakov, L., Nikolovska, I., Kopp, D.M, Desiderio, K.P., (2010). The insights of Social and Transitional Justice- Towards a New Global Perspective for HRD. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Human Resource Development across Europe. Pecs, Hungary.

Kopp, D.M, , Desiderio, K.P., McAtavey, J.M. (2010) When job aids attack: On the social history of dubious job aids. T. Chermak, J. Storberg-Walker, C. Carroll, (Eds.), Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2010 International Research Conference. Knoxville, TN.

Djibo, I., Desiderio, K.P., Price, N. (2010) Predicting Temporary Employee's Organizational Commitment and Citizenship Behavior: The Role of Leader Behavior. T. Chermak, J. Storberg-Walker, C. Carroll, (Eds.), Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2010 International Research Conference.Knoxville, TN.

Kopp, D.M & Desiderio, K.P. (2009) Training's woeful countenance. Proceedings of the Sixth International Critical Management Studies Conference. Warwick Business School, The University of Warwick, UK.

Kopp, D.M & Desiderio, K.P. (2009) Training's woeful countenance. T. Chermak, J. Storberg-Walker, C. Carroll, (Eds.), Proceedings of the Academy of Human Resource Development 2009 International Research Conference. Washington, D.C.

Industry Associations/Research

  • Academy of Human Resource Development – Associate Proceedings Editor, 2012-2013
  • Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) Member, 2008-present
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Member, 2009-present
  • SHRM Lehigh Valley Student Chapter Co-Chair, 2009-present
  • Current Research: Leadership, Flow, Job Satisfaction, Training & Organizational Behavior

Manuscript Reviewer

  • Human Resource Development Quarterly (HRDQ)
  • Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD)
    • Cutting Edge Committee
    • Dissertation of the Year Committee

Symposium Chair

  • (2009, 2010, 2013) AHRD International Research Conference of the Americas

Student Engagement

Dr. Katie P. Desiderio, associate professor of management, is trying to put her students in that first camp before they even cross the commencement stage. For the fourth consecutive year, students in her Management 342 class presented their self-created ePortfolios to panels of esteemed alumni and members of the community who have experience hiring employees. https://www.moravian.edu/news/inside-moravian/eportfolio-presentations-2016

Katie Desiderio’s delight about becoming chair of the department of economics and business has everything to do with the fact that now she lives what she teaches. Being able to connect her classroom work and her research with what she is living is paramount. https://www.moravian.edu/news/interview-katie-p-desiderio-associate-professor-of-management

The morning of Wednesday, November 2, 2016, began with a better-than-usual buzz in the HUB at Moravian University. The students in Management 255: Mindfulness and Flow in Sport Organizations, in cooperation with their professor, Dr. Katie P. Desiderio and Dean Amy Saul and Pat Hanna of the Center for Career and Civic Engagement, held the third annual Hounds Connect at Home event.

Although Strauss had decided to leave Moravian, he felt a special connection to his First Year Seminar advisor, Katie Desiderio, assistant professor of management. “I felt that she was one of my main supporters when I transferred to the Academy. Despite where I was going to school, her mentorship and friendship never swayed,” Strauss recalled. 

Casey Raymond shares of talent of making their day with MoPaws.

The Moravian University Community can add great value to your journey if you allow it...(see magazine pages 13-15 for more): http://issuu.com/moravian/docs/fall_2015_for_web_complete

As part of this Organizational Behavior and Leadership course, taught by Dr. Katie P. Desiderio, assistant professor of management, students made ePortfolio presentations to different panels of professionals. Each student was allotted 10-12 minutes to highlight their ePortfolios, which consist of information regarding achievements, experience and self-assessments. A short critique from on-hand panelists followed.

In the fall of 2013, students of Moravian University’s “Mindfulness and Flow in Sport Organizations” course tackled one of the most difficult questions facing a minor league baseball affiliate, “How do you successfully promote an early-season weeknight game?” Boiled down, when the temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees, what will get fans through the turnstiles and into the stands? 

On Oct. 4, 2013, the Fan Cave proved to be a great classroom setting for more than 40 Moravian University students and faculty interested in sports and sports management. Mostly comprised of students in the University’s “Mindfulness and Flow in Sport Organizations” course, offered by Katie P. Desiderio, assistant professor of management, the contingent took in a three-hour visit of the Fan Cave, but discussed a lot more than just balls and strikes. 

As the crowd of 9,000-plus fans settled into their seats to watch the 2013 Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game, hosted by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park on Sept. 17, many in attendance likely couldn’t name the three teams in action. Helping the staff facilitate the game day experience that evening were 30 students enrolled in Moravian University’s “Mindfulness and Flow in Sport Organizations” course, offered by Katie P. Desiderio, assistant professor of management. 

Throughout the fall 2012 semester, students from Dr. Desiderio’s Human Resource Management classes experienced a unique hands-on learning opportunity as they partnered with the Women’s 5K Classic, Inc. 

Moravian University stood for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness long before the country’s founding fathers wrote that famous phrase into the Declaration of Independence. But what does “happiness” really mean? Dr. Desiderio explored the essence of the Moravian culture with her FYS students with the help of alumni mentors.