Igor Kotlyar
PhD

Background

Dr. Igor Kotlyar’s research agenda focuses on identification and development of employee talent in the workplace. He is currently developing an online simulation for assessing interpersonal skills (skillsimulator.com), which have been shown to be critical for job performance and yet remain difficult to evaluate. His previous research addressed a range of related organizational issues, including high-potential employees, leadership and technology.

His papers have been published in a range of internationally renowned academic journals, including:

• Computers in Human Behaviour
• Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies
• Journal of Management Development
• Management Decision
• Small Group Research
• The Leadership Quarterly

His articles have also appeared in many practitioner publications, including:

• Canadian HR Reporter
• HR Magazine
• The Globe and Mail
• Training Report

Dr. Kotlyar has also been quoted in the print media (The Globe and Mail, Profit Magazine and Toronto Star) and interviewed on national television (Discovery Channel, E! Entertainment and NBC News).

Prior to joining FBIT, Dr. Kotlyar founded two technology companies. One of his companies developed simulation-based software for training, selection and recruitment of employees. It was the first company in the world to build an online video simulation assessment and was widely covered by the media for its innovation. Dr. Kotlyar’s other company created online avatar-based communication tools to facilitate real-life relationships. Its innovative products were featured on CBC, Discovery Channel, Fox News, NBC and TIME, to name a few. That company received a prestigious Top 100 Global Companies Award from Red Herring, which recognizes the most promising technology companies leading the next wave of disruption and innovation. (Past winners of this award include Google, Yahoo!, Skype and YouTube.)