i/o psychologist, executive consultant & kol

Meet the Chief

Jonathan Bonanno is a seasoned practitioner in organizational development and leadership, focusing on psychological safety, communication strategies, and leadership growth. His journey in healthcare began at the age of 16, when an early ambition to become a plastic surgeon led him to clinical rotations across various healthcare settings as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). However, after experiencing the emotional and practical challenges of clinical work, Jonathan pivoted from patient care to the corporate side of healthcare, where he discovered his true passion: helping teams and organizations thrive.

Early in his career, Jonathan worked for some of North America's largest healthcare corporations, leading impactful people operations and implementation management projects. Notably, he spearheaded initiatives like Risk Evaluation & Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for post-kidney transplant patients and individuals with severe schizophrenia, accelerating his growth as a leader and expanding his influence on global healthcare practices.

After several successful years in corporate America, Jonathan shifted into dentistry as Chief Operating Officer at Performance Partners, where he transformed practice management consultancy into a Dental Service Organization (DSO). He launched initiatives such as Dental Virtual Support Solutions (DVSS) and campaigns like US Dental Triage during the 2020 pandemic, solidifying his expertise in optimizing dental practices. His deep immersion into a client's dental practice eventually led to a successful sale, a testament to his operational insight.

Jonathan's passion for psychological safety and organizational resilience culminated in the founding of Chief Psycho (now part of his company ZIA), a consultancy and recruiting firm based on psychology-driven methodologies. ZIA specializes in talent acquisition, workforce optimization, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for emerging Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and group practices. As CEO, Jonathan continues to empower healthcare teams through innovative recruitment and leadership strategies.

His academic background is equally extensive, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (in candidacy), a Master of Science in Business Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Jonathan also holds multiple professional certifications in talent optimization, social behavioral research, and psychological assessments.

Outside of his corporate endeavors, Jonathan is passionate about fostering self-awareness and growth through group coaching programs. Rooted in his proprietary LAB Methodology and HUMAN values framework, these initiatives create environments of trust and mutual respect, driving both personal and professional development.

Jonathan’s journey reflects a unique blend of clinical insight, corporate leadership, and psychological expertise, all aimed at empowering healthcare professionals to build resilient, high-performing, and psychologically safe teams.