Who we are
Our founder’s vision was to create a firm to help business professionals and organizations confidently implement realistic actions and behaviors to achieve excellence and drive high performance results. Aligned with that direction, continuous learning is a key priority so that we can help our clients implement successful solutions as their lives and organizations change. We take pride in sharing our valuable knowledge and expertise so that our clients achieve success.
We thoughtfully selected our firm’s services (Executive Coaching, Professional Development Training, Operations Consulting, and Inspirational Speaking) to meet the broad needs of our individual and business clients. After our initial discussions, client engagements are tailored to address the unique needs of each situation.
Stated simply, we provide our clients with the opportunity and direction to achieve positive results and inspire them to implement our recommendations.
Let’s get in touch
We know that finding a firm whom you trust and respect to help you requires discussion and the sharing of information. That is why we invite you to continue learning about our firm here on our website especially the many ways that our clients use our services. Whether you would like to secure our services or have questions, we encourage you to contact us.
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“Excellence is a habit, driven by perseverance, and fueled by passion.”
Leadership
wayne spooner - managing Director
Wayne Spooner is the Founder and Managing Director of Enlightened Research, Training and Consulting, LLC (Enlightened RTC). As a life-long learner, executive coach, mentor, trainer, consultant, and inspirational speaker, he is well known for possessing a passion for learning and sharing knowledge.
Academic excellence is a cornerstone of Wayne’s background, having graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University’s School of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Insurance and a concentration in Actuarial Science. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in General Management from the University of Connecticut’s School of Business with performance securing him an invitation to join Beta Gamma Sigma, The International Business Honor Society.
For approximately 30 years, Wayne built a career in the property and casualty insurance industry beginning with an Actuarial Consulting firm and subsequently with three Fortune 500 international multi-billion dollar insurance companies. He has the distinction of having won Chairman’s Awards in two of those insurance companies; for the second award, he was recognized for co-leading the content development, training and implementation of “Sales Advantage,” the company’s new sales model utilized by more than 40 U.S. Branches, international offices in Canada and Europe, and all Commercial Insurance and Specialty Insurance business units.
In his last position prior to retiring from the insurance industry, Wayne was Vice President of Underwriting for a 12 state region which generated approximately $300 million dollars of written premium, from successfully evaluating and protecting thousands of businesses (across several industries) with revenues up to approximately $50 million dollars. Throughout his extensive career, Wayne acquired broad cross-functional expertise in sales disciplines and management, distribution management, change management, strategy development, business analytics, program and project management, marketing communications, agency and broker automation, operations management, and actuarial and underwriting disciplines used to drive positive results for his teams and companies.
Throughout the years, Wayne has lent his talents to various organizations including serving for more than a decade as the Vice Chairman of the Howard University School of Business, Center for Insurance Education, Insurance Industry Advisory Board which influenced the academic curriculum and provided industry support for the students and university. His dedication to Howard University, its students and overall career achievements were recognized during the Howard University School of Business’ 40th Anniversary Celebration when Wayne was chosen as one of 37 Alumni Exemplars from across its 40 year history. He also served on the National Board of Directors and Chicago Chapter Board of Directors of NAAIA (National African American Insurance Association) and National Big “I” (Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America) Best Practices and Agency Universe Study Committees.
Also very civic-minded, Wayne shares his time, skills and resources to help others - especially through more than 30 years as an active Freemason. He proudly serves in several local and statewide leadership roles within The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois and is an avid contributor to the fraternity’s educational and charitable activities. In recognition of Outstanding Service to the members of Freemasonry in Illinois, Wayne was chosen (from amongst the approximately 50,000 members in the state) as the “2022 Mason of the Year,” which added his name to the exceptional and distinguished group of men who received this annual award during the fraternity’s then 182 year history in Illinois (since 1840).
Wayne is proof that people can achieve personal and career success by leveraging their strengths. His StrengthsFinder “Top 5 Strengths” are Relator (Trust), Achiever (Drive), Maximizer (Excellence), Strategic (Direction) and Learner (Learn). Overall, his teams and colleagues throughout the years have described Wayne as a passionate, results-oriented executive who puts people first, coaches for success, and inspires a winning culture based upon excellence and collaboration, along with having a proven track record of success in solving complex business problems.
Connect with Wayne on LinkedIn and start a conversation.