Deep Water Leadership LLC Founder and Executive Leadership and Team Development Consultant, Dr. Chris Auger, believes success happens when we bring clarity to the complex and challenging, enabling us to pursue significance in life and work. In this role, he leverages his knowledge and certifications to combine self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and servant leadership, building high-performing leaders, followers, and teams both at work and in personal settings.

Chris's passion for strong teams and leaders was ignited and developed over his nearly 28 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Chris served 12 years as an enlisted U.S. Navy SEAL and then 16 years as a commissioned U.S. Navy SEAL Officer. He rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer before his commissioning, then to Lieutenant Commander (LCDR/O4), and was selected for Commander (O5) at the end of his career. Chris turned down the promotion to pursue more time with family and opted to retire in March 2015.  He remains dedicated to seeing high-performing teams truly know one another, genuinely care for one another, and support each other in becoming better. He is passionate about helping others become better versions of themselves so that we all flourish in life and work together.

Another passion of Chris's is giving back and volunteering. The Honor Foundation has had a significant impact on his life. He originally attended the first formal session in the spring of 2014 and then the Virtual program in the Fall of 2023. What started as a request to Matt Stevens to audit a course evolved into full attendance, allowing Chris to intentionally sharpen his transition skills and develop a greater perspective to coach future fellows. He has been coaching a fellow in each winter, summer and fall cohort since then.      

Dr. Auger is a Board-Certified Coach from the Center for Credentialing and Education and a certified CliftonStrengths Coach. He is also certified to administer the Emotional Intelligence Quotient 2.0 (EQi 2.0) suite of emotional intelligence tools, Wiley's My Everything DiSC assessments, Full Focus Planner Certified Pro, the Birkman, and the PRO D assessment.

Dr. Auger received his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership with a concentration in leadership coaching in May 2018 from Regent University. He earned his Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2010, with an emphasis on project management and international business. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, University College, in 2007, earning a degree in Information Management Systems.