Meet Henry Maynard

Professional Organizations:

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD)
- Board of Directors
- Forensic Research Committee Chair
- Ethics and Bylaws Committee
- Training and Education Committee
Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science (CARFS)
- Industry Advisory Board
Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR)
Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE)
- Strategic Advisory Board
Council of Forensic Science Educators (COFSE)
Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
- Advisory Policy Board
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer
Federal Laboratory Needs Technical Working Group (FLN-TWG)
- Research Subcommittee Chair
International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI)
National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
National Technology Validation Implementation Coalition (NTVIC)
Project Management Institute (PMI)

Henry Maynard, is the founder and lead instructor of Minds of Distinction, with over 15 years of professional experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). With a strong background in Chemistry, Mr. Maynard was formally trained in Forensic Toxicology, Drug Chemistry, and Explosives Analysis. He has worked forensic science cases for both the public and private sectors. He has supported Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation (RDT&E), as a research scientist, project/program manager, technical reviewer, and portfolio manager in support of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

Mr. Maynard has extensive experience cultivating strategic partnerships between government agencies, universities, and the private sector to advance forensic science research and develop new capabilities. He believes that criminal justice has the ability to make the world a better place by ensuring fairness, equality, and accountability. His motto is ‘justice through science, advanced by research’ and from this, he has dedicated himself to establishing the world’s largest forensic science research collaboration network, the Laboratories and Educators Alliance Program (LEAP). After creating LEAP, he has expanded the program into a global opportunity with over 150 LEAP Partners across 5 continents with 9 countries.

Mr. Maynard is a certified facilitator for Gordon Training International’s Leader Effectiveness Training (L.E.T.). He is a certified trainer for Getting Things Done and Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue from Crucial Learning. He is also an instructor for ASCLD’s Leadership Academy Level II, with the mission to train managers to become LEADERS. Additionally, he has provided workshops and courses at the regional, national, and international levels. Mr. Maynard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Forensic Science degree.

He has a proven track record of leading change at the team, branch, organization, and industry levels. As a strong systems-thinker with in-depth analytical skills, he is able to dissect problems and develop innovative solutions that help lead organizations towards a brighter future.

Distinguished Awards:

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors – Member of the Year
Federal Identity Forum Award Finalist – Best Technical Advancement
Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement
Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Service for work in Afghanistan
US Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General’s Award
Booz Allen Hamilton – Performance and Team Awards

Laura Tramontin

Assistance Chief Forensic Scientist, NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences

"I had the pleasure of having Henry Maynard as an instructor for the ASCLD Leadership Academy Level 2. He masterfully covered the first three sessions sharing his knowledge on the topics of Transitioning from Supervisor to Mid-level Manager, Ethics, Leading Change, and Work-Life Balance. Henry is a very engaging instructor. He shared useful material objectives and learning outcomes to be share with others. Henry includes how-to videos to reiterate his ideas and help the attendees fully understand the topic. His vast connection to industry leaders with real-world examples of the message he was conveying made for greater understanding. Henry ends his lectures with a recap to echo the topics covered and often provided homework that was thought-provoking and provided time for self-reflection on how we would handle future situations. I am grateful for the wealth of knowledge he shared."

Lisa Yoshida

Crime Lab Director, Colorado

"Over the past 4 years I've had several opportunities to be a student in Henry's classes, and I've been continuously impressed by the relevance and usefulness of his lessons. He tailors his lectures and the takeaway tools he teaches to the organization and position of the students. Henry is extremely well-versed on a wide variety of leadership topics, especially change implementation, group dynamics, and employee culture and motivation. He is a true resource for managers and organizations, and his lessons can be applied to a wide variety of industries."

Jeff Herold

Founder, Warrior Leadership

"Henry's passion for process improvement is unparalleled. I have been the benefactor of his efficiency efforts and witnessed his innate ability to achieve results. Henry's enthusiasm doesn't stop with the improvement of processes. He is committed to growing people. This is evident in the way he relates information in the classroom and how he delivers inspiring and thought-provoking leadership training. Whether you need a consultant or leadership training, you simply cannot get a better person in your corner. Henry is committed to making organizations and people better. Highly Recommend!"

Jordan Rose

Executive Co-Director and Co-Founder of Science ATL

"Our team really appreciated the opportunity to work with you, Henry! You led us with genuine warmth and your personal stories helped illustrate the ideas and skills you shared. Science ATL has already changed the ways it operates because of the practical tools you gave us. We are closer as a team and feel less stress about task management. Thank you, Henry!"

Tim Kupferschmid

President, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)

"Since its inception, the ASCLD Leadership Academy has provided management training to more than 1,000 students from across the United States and 5 countries, training managers to become leaders. Your past participation as an instructor, your subject matter expertise, and remarkable career has been invaluable to the success of the ASCLD Leadership Academy both domestically in the United States and internationally."

Antonio Ellis

Educator, Clayton County Public Schools

"I appreciate the opportunity to sit and learn from your experiences. I am now learning how to manage my day and work less stressful after this training. I look forward to the next opportunity to work with you."

Tiffany Bazazzadegan

"Excellent training course! I really liked this training – the content, assessments, and exercises were engaging and I learned a lot about myself and my team. The instructor was great because his knowledge and expertise coupled with his stories and examples helped emphasize the importance of the training material and how we can apply it in the workplace. Right from the start, each session was super engaging with a lot of fun, skill-building games. The instructor was always there to help out and cheer us on. It felt like he genuinely cared about each of us doing well and wanted to help us both personally and professionally. You could tell he was passionate about the topics being discussed which led to a greater enjoyment of the material. After attending the training, I feel way more confident in my abilities. I wholeheartedly recommend the training!"

Jesse Brown

This training was an absolute game-changer and a huge part of that was our instructor. His expertise in leadership, communication, and conflict resolution was nothing short of inspiring. From the get-go, it was evident that he didn't just understand these topics – he lived and breathed them. Each session was like a masterclass in effective leadership, where he effortlessly translated complex theories into practical, actionable strategies. But what really set him apart was his ability to make everything relatable. Whether he was discussing conflict resolution techniques or the nuances of effective communication, his anecdotes and real-world examples kept us engaged and eager to learn more!

Jennifer Duncan

"What an impactful and inspiring course! Henry is an amazing instructor and his passion for the training topics was contagious. You couldn't help but get swept up in his enthusiasm as he explained leadership dynamics and shared his insights on fostering better communication within teams. What truly resonated with me was his genuine commitment to our growth. He wasn't just there to impart knowledge; he was invested in our success every step of the way. His personalized approach meant that he took the time to understand our individual challenges and aspirations, offering tailored guidance that went above and beyond what I expected from the usual training instructors. Thanks to his expertise and unwavering support, I left the training feeling not only equipped with valuable skills but also inspired to apply them in my professional and personal life!"