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Coaches

Coaches

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to build a better government and a stronger democracy. Since 2001, we have supported federal leaders by designing programs and initiatives grounded in the realities of leading in the public sector.

Our experienced coaches draw on their deep knowledge of federal management issues to help government executives, teams and peer groups reach their goals and solve critical challenges.

Our coaching may be offered as a standalone service or as part of an integrated program. Click here to learn more about what we offer. 

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Shalini Madan Benson

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Shalini Madan Benson

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“To be at your edge, where you’re unsteady and uneasy – to be wobbling – is to be growing, finding balance and eventually, steadiness."

Shalini Madan Benson serves as an executive leadership coach and facilitator for the Partnership for Public Service. She has more than 25 years of experience working in leadership roles of progressively greater responsibility in the federal, private, and nonprofit sectors, including managing teams of more than 50 people and overseeing budgets of over $5 billion. She has worked as a nonprofit vice president, a private sector consultant and a member of the Senior Executive Service. She has firsthand experience transforming leaders and teams to achieve their potential by focusing on purpose and authenticity.


Creating greater connections, growing joy, and supporting leaders who serve is her purpose. Shalini enjoys working with people who are navigating personal or professional transitions, and with leaders who are working through issues of identity – both their own and those of others.


Her clients especially appreciate her lightness during tough conversations. She makes space to address deeply personal professional challenges and honors and respects her clients’ experiences while framing them for opportunities and new horizons. Clients report leaving her sessions refreshed, hopeful and optimistic.


Experience 



  • Coached in multiple industries, including local and federal government, and the nonprofit and private sectors 

  • Served in the Office of Management and Budget as a Presidential Management Fellow, in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in the Department of Energy, and in the National Institutes of Health and Federal Emergency Management Agency 

  • Experienced leader across multiple sectors, including roles as a nonprofit vice president, a private sector consultant and a member of the federal Senior Executive Service 

  • Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging 

  • Founding board member of Girls Global Academy, the first all-girls charter high school in Washington, D.C., providing a global education to a diverse group of young women


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Master’s degree in Public Policy (Georgetown University) 

  • B.A. Politics and Philosophy (Brandeis University) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF (International Coaching Federation) Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Leadership Circle 360 


Assessment Experience



  • DiSC, EQ-1 2.0; Mile Marker 360; Public Service Leadership 360 


Personal 



  • Shalini is a creative, curious and kind mother of three; a spouse, daughter and nonprofit board member; a small business owner; and a leadership coach and friend.  

  • She is a first generation Indian American with a healthy dose of New Jersey-born pride. Her name is pronounced “SHA-lyn-ee,” and her pronouns are “she” and “her.” 

  • After a challenging, rewarding and productive career in the federal government and nonprofit sector leading and managing teams, she was burned out and took a break. She used the time to try new things and rediscovered yoga.   


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Randy Bergquist

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Randy Bergquist

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Professional purpose: Provide a personalized approach focused on enhancing leadership skills, self-awareness and overall effectiveness. I gain great joy from helping individuals move from a current state to a desired state of being.”

Randy currently serves as an executive coach and facilitator for many of the Partnership’s leadership development programs. He is a highly experienced human capital strategist with international, public, private and academic experience who has demonstrated the ability to coach, consult with and facilitate diverse teams of professionals to new levels of success.   


His experience during and after his federal service includes coaching primarily in the areas of leadership development; career planning and transition; job search strategies; employee relations; conflict management; workforce and succession planning; organizational and individual performance management; and employee engagement. 


Randy’s ability to ask insightful questions, provide constructive feedback and offer valuable perspectives enables his clients to adopt skills and behaviors to support professional advancement and enhanced leadership competencies. Randy nurtures self-awareness and guides clients to set and achieve meaningful goals through confidentiality, trust-building and a results-oriented approach.  


His clients report a profound sense of personal fulfillment and peace of mind after working with him. His measured and pragmatic approach is an ideal fit for leaders who find themselves in overdrive with a lack of resources and constant demands on their time and attention.


Experience 



  • Held leadership positions at the departments of Commerce, Transportation, Homeland Security and Justice, and served for more than 30 years in the federal government 

  • Served as chair of the Interagency Chief Learning Officer Council for six years 

  • Highly experienced human capital strategist with international, public and academic experience who has demonstrated the ability to lead diverse teams of professionals to new levels of success  

  • Expertise and innovative practice in leading departmentwide (Cabinet-level) human capital initiatives such as learning and leadership development; strategic planning; diversity and inclusion; functional integration; shared-services; human capital business systems; workforce analytics and succession planning; organizational and individual performance management; and human resource programs design and evaluation 

  • Proven problem-solver who combines leading people skills with technical and business expertise to successfully implement large-scale organizational transformation 

  • Executive coach and recognized leader in the federal human resources and learning and development communities; frequent speaker at private and public conferences and meetings; and co-author of “Getting Results Through Learning,” with circulation of over 800,000 copies across federal, state and local governments as well as the private sector. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Master’s degree in Counseling (University of Wisconsin) 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music) 


Assessment Experience



  • Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i); DiSC; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment; OPM Leadership 360 Assessment; Strong Interest Inventory; Work Values Assessment; Single-Session Coaching and One-At-A-Time Coaching Certification (Windy Dryden) SOAR  Facilitator Certification Program (Chalmers Brothers) 


Personal 



  • Randy and his wife live in Naples, Florida. 

  • In his spare time, he enjoys travel, golf, circuit training, and listening to and playing music (percussionist). 


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Jan Boxer

Executive Coach

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Jan Boxer

Executive Coach

There is no one on earth better equipped to know what is right, wise, and good for your one precious life, so own that power, and befriend the whispering voice within and be prepared to ask yourself over and over, “What is the next best right action, now?” Once you develop this level of agency and trust yourself intrinsically you can confidently apply the same principles of effectiveness to your role as leader and steward of an enterprise.

Jan Boxer is an expert in leadership, relational effectiveness and the unique development needs of rising women and minority leaders. In addition to coaching hundreds of senior leaders and their teams over the last 30-plus years, she has become a trusted advisor to those involved in leading and communicating large-scale change in some of the nation’s most highly visible and highly scrutinized organizations.   Jan’s experience is far reaching—she has coached global leaders managing complex stakeholder webs and international workforces.  


Jan’s typical client is stepping into an expanded role with higher stakes and is likely building and managing a newly forming or struggling team that must produce results quickly. She teaches clients how to elevate their “presence”—typically by helping them smooth their rough edges or express themselves in more compelling ways. Her goal is to increase their relational confidence, composure, briefing/presentation skills, strategic agility and success rate influencing enterprise decisions.   


The teams and groups she works with report increased comfort with difficult conversations, reduced conflict, more optimism and unity, a clearer shared vision, and a commitment to transparency and mutual accountability. Her former clients often call her for help with career transitions, handling sensitive personnel issues or the “most important presentation of their lives.” Jan is also routinely asked to support leaders facing the stress of an internal federal agency investigation.   


Jan believes the best way to work with leaders is to help them slow down, gain awareness, notice the effects of their words and actions, and tap into the highest part of their selves. She aptly sniffs out hidden truths, asks penetrating questions and relies on her sharp observational skills. It is her candor, humor and nuanced feedback that helps her clients to quickly develop insight, untie knots, replace limiting beliefs and position themselves for competitive advantage. 


Experience 



  • Coached political appointees and leaders within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (White House)  

  • Coached more than 100 Senior Executive Service/Senior Intelligence Service officers and diplomats across the Intelligence Community and Secret Service, as well as a multitude of physicians, scientists, engineers and researchers at the National Institutes for Health and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab 

  • Coached global leaders managing complex stakeholder webs and international workforces within the International Monetary Fund, the InterAmerican Development Bank, Marriott International, Sodexo and W.R. Grace.  

  • Guided senior leaders at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services charged with ironing out our nation’s health care policy and C-suite leaders fighting for profitability at the U.S. Postal Service 

  • Appointed to Georgetown University’s adjunct faculty, where she served as a co-creator of the Advanced Certificate Program in Leadership Coaching, our nation’s premiere executive coach training program  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A. in Human Development/Counseling from George Washington University 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Institute for Life Coach Training  

  • Couples Coaching Certification, Institute for Relational Life Therapy  

  • Spiritual Coach Development Certification  

  • Global Leadership Certificate, Global Coach’s Network  


Assessment Certifications



  • Leadership Versatility Index; Emotional Social Competency Index; Hogan Leadership Forecast; EQI 2.0; Leadership Circle Profile 360; Coaching in the Moment ™;Winning With Your Inner Coach™; Personal Mastery System; Lominger’s Career Architect and Voices 360; Myers Briggs Type Indicator & MBTI Step II; Career Systems International’s Career Power for Managers™ and Career Power for Coaches™ 


Personal 



  • After 40 years in Washington, D.C., Jan now lives the mountain lifestyle in Colorado.  

  • She loves long road trips, competitive pickleball, all types of theatre, game night and frequent dinner parties with friends. 


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David Brownstein

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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David Brownstein

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Partnering with clients in a discovery of self and their environment to evoke changes that impact themselves and others in their lives."

David Brownstein leads the Partnership’s design of leadership development programs, provides individual coaching, and facilitates programs aimed at empowering government employees and teams to achieve their goals. David has extensive experience in organization development and human resources and has designed, implemented and delivered strategic organization development programs in more than 10 countries. He has led multiple companies through organizational changes, partnering with senior leaders to approach their initiatives focusing on employee engagement, empathy, inclusivity and accountability.  


David helps clients understand how their personal growth also positively impacts those around them. This “pay it forward” mentality promotes a unified workforce and community for the client and helps them recognize their leadership potential. David blends his knowledge of leadership development best practices and coaching to create experiences that promote self-awareness for clients and their teams and ignite actionable next steps that support clients’ objectives long after their engagement.  


Clients most often describe his approach as comfortable, practical, inspiring and fun. 


Experience 



  • Started his career in human resources and worked as a learning and development manager and organization development consultant, supporting clients on leadership development and workforce engagement 

  • Has facilitated leadership training covering emotional intelligence, innovation, managing change, accountability and more to over 6,500 people  

  • Over 10 years’ experience supporting and developing federal employees across all agencies as they navigate government’s unique culture and processes. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A. in Public Administration (George Mason University) 

  • B.S. in Organizational Leadership (University of Delaware) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC) 

  • Facilitator Certification (Development Dimensions International, DDI) 


Assessment Certifications



  • MHS’s Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and 360, DiSC, Situational Leadership, Change Style Indicator and Change Navigator, Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator, MBTI, Technology of Participation, Public Service Leadership 360, Korn Ferry Leadership Competency Architect 


Personal 



  • David lives in Maryland with his wife and two kids. 

  • He enjoys cooking and hosting large family dinners. 

  • He loves hockey (a Caps fan) and plays in a weekly rec league. 

  • He feels fully at home in the mountains and being outdoors. 


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Jennifer Jones Bryant

Executive Coach

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Jennifer Jones Bryant

Executive Coach

“Leadership is about humanity. People are at the beginning, middle and end of every process and decision. Once you invest in them, they will go above and beyond for the mission.”

Jennifer Jones Bryant is a highly regarded thought leader, executive coach and leadership development expert with a proven commitment to empowerment and transformational leadership. She is the executive founder of Reaching From Within and Empowerment Journey LLC and the president and CEO of the Step Into Leadership Greatness Foundation. Bryant is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations realize their full potential and achieve personal and professional success. 


Bryant also has a distinguished public service legacy. She spent 31 years in the federal government, advancing from clerk-typist to executive director. Throughout her tenure in federal service, Bryant excelled in leading business management services, driving process improvements and fostering employee engagement within technology-driven organizations. Her leadership contributed to significant strides in organizational performance and solidified her reputation as a dynamic change agent.  


Bryant’s impact extends well beyond her entrepreneurial ventures. She has coached and mentored leaders across the federal and corporate sectors, helping them enhance their leadership capabilities, drive positive cultural change and achieve organizational success. During her corporate career, Bryant served in senior leadership roles in a Fortune 100 company, where she spearheaded initiatives to increase associate engagement, foster a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging, and improve organizational effectiveness. Notably, she led one of the largest women’s empowerment business resource groups, with 24,000 members, catalyzing meaningful organizational change. 


Her extensive expertise encompasses designing, delivering and facilitating leadership development programs, workshops and summits to advance leadership capacity and organizational performance. These initiatives center on key themes such as coaching essentials, psychological safety, allyship, mentorship and collaboration, providing actionable insights that enhance leaders’ impact, influence and ability to drive organizational change. She is a visionary leader who consistently drives change, fosters inclusive leadership and delivers measurable results for organizations, leaders and employees. Her strategic insights and hands-on leadership ensure sustainable growth, collaboration and innovation across different sectors. 


Experience 



  • Leadership development and coaching: Designed and delivered high-impact training, workshops and summits focused on leadership efficacy, emphasizing psychological safety, allyship, coaching concepts and mentorship to foster collaboration and drive results in the federal government, and in the corporate and small business world. 



  • Authorship: As a 13-time international bestselling author, her leadership books have reached thousands of readers worldwide, providing practical insights and strategies to foster personal growth and enhance leadership effectiveness.  



  • Learning strategy: Architected the Associate Engagement and Cyber Learning and Development Strategy to standardize and enhance leadership development across the organization, ensuring a cohesive and scalable experience for associates and leaders alike. 



  • Enterprise-wide impact: Conceived and implemented a groundbreaking domestic violence awareness initiative that engaged the federal government and corporate sectors, driving systemic awareness and change. 



  • Advisory council leadership: Revitalized the Agency National Advisory Council in the federal government, creating a dynamic platform for senior leadership to directly engage with 55,000 front-line employees, effectively aligning strategic priorities and driving meaningful change across the agency. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Doctor of Philosophy and Leadership (Global Oved Dei Seminary & University) 



  • M.S. in International Affairs (University of Maryland, University College) 



  • B.A. Business Management, Minor Human Resources (Strayer University)  



  • Key Executive Leadership Programs (American University) 



  • Certified Senior Executive Service (Office of Personnel Management) 



  • Certified Prosci ® Change Management Professional  



  • Coaching Certification (Coaching Training Alliance) 



  • ICF Professional Certified Coach, ACC  



  • Women in Entrepreneurship (Cornell University) 



  • Diversity and Inclusion (Cornell University) 



  • Member, Executive Women in Government  



  • Women-Owned Business (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) 


Personal 



  • Lives in the Washington, D.C., area, with her husband and has two adult daughters. 



  • Enjoys traveling to tropical destinations, swimming and exploring new line dances.  



  • Serves as a proud member of the esteemed Zeta Phi Beta sorority. 


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Friderike Butler

Executive Coach

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Friderike Butler

Executive Coach

“My clients often tell me that I have the gift of ‘seeing oak trees in acorns’ and creating the ideal conditions for them to thrive. Together, we quickly move from seeing to action and being.”

Friderike leads the Public Service Leadership Institute’s coaching services team, strives for excellence in the delivery of leadership development services, and is committed to the continued development of PSLI’s growing diverse coaching talent pool. She supports internal and external stakeholders to the Partnership as a subject matter expert for coaching and enjoys all opportunities to serve as a coach for senior federal leaders.                 


Friderike brings extensive international management and leadership expertise, a genuine appreciation for diversity of perspective, curiosity around culture and the power of words, and a heart-centered, pragmatic, people-focused approach to all her engagements. At the core of her work, Friderike is a catalyst for change, growth, purpose and inspiration in the workplace. She cultivates an environment of trust and accountability that invites exploration, experimentation, collaboration and learning.


Friderike is an effective thinking partner for federal leaders who manage diverse teams and who look to elevate their leadership style to better navigate complex environments. She particularly excels in working with leaders who are rebuilding their teams, leaders in new positions or expanded roles, and senior leaders who are stuck in leadership models or narratives that no longer produce the desired impact. 


People who work with Friderike describe her as a creative, supportive and inspiring leader committed to being in service to others and a fun and engaged collaborator with a strong backbone and a generous heart. 


Experience 



  • Experienced the challenges and opportunities of leading across cultural differences through the opening and expansion of the first U.S. sales office for a German luxury cruise line 

  • Actively developed a one-person software consulting practice into a boutique software development firm with 19 on-site employees and virtual teams of subcontractors in Russia, China and India 

  • Was inspired to study organizational development and become a leadership coach after witnessing two cherished and thriving businesses fall apart and close their doors after changes in ownership 

  • Coached more than 500 executives and high-potential professionals in Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and small businesses for improved performance and elevated leadership competencies with excellent results; personal passion for coaching senior leaders in transition and in expanding roles, who are navigating complex environments and competing priorities 


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • M.S. Organization Development and Knowledge Management (George Mason University) 

  • B.I.S. Cross-cultural Management and Communication (George Mason University) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • ICF Certified Mentor Coach 

  • Certified Narrative Coaching Practitioner, studied under Dr. David Drake

  • EMCC Individual Team Coaching Accreditation (ITCA) 

  • Certified Culturally Intelligent Coach 

  • SOAR Certified Leadership Development Facilitator/ Chalmers Brothers T3 


Assessment Certifications



  • Leadership Circle Profile 360; SVSS (Strengths, Values, Storytype Survey); Everything DiSC; Key Polarities Indicator 360 


Personal 



  • Born in Germany, hometown Wiesbaden 

  • Now lives in northern Virginia with her husband, enjoys frequent visits from her two adult sons and is very engaged in her local community 

  • Reconnects with her inner Zen by exploring local trails with her dog 

  • Enjoys experiencing different cultures through traveling and ethnic foods, is an avid scuba diver and a fierce lionfish hunter 


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Grace Calpus

Executive Coach

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Grace Calpus

Executive Coach

“All leadership is personal. It's about who you are, what you believe in, and how you show up in the world. When these three things are aligned, great leadership is possible.”

Grace is a highly trained and well-rounded coach of over 10 years. Her diverse life experience and ability to intuit and connect seemingly disconnected issues to get at the heart of things is uncanny and unusual. Her clients consistently find clarity, direction and alignment with their most important and self-identified values, allowing them to be more assertive, make strong requests and achieve promotion. While she is practiced at working with almost anyone, the clients who love her are  introspective, open-minded, curious, self-directed, highly functional, motivated to experiment and invested in their long-term growth. She works well with developing professionals from ages 20-50. 


Grace is honest, tactful, funny, highly intuitive and relatable. Her strong intuition allows her to be  present with the whole person, including the systems that support and surround them. Insight from this type of listening allows clients to understand their drive, values, meaning and truly align with their most important goals and purpose in life. This results in dramatically improved prioritization, delegation, confidence, decision making, speaking up and speaking out. With a focus on personal development, Grace helps her clients deepen their relationship with themselves so they can lead from a strong sense of self and purpose.  


Experience 



  • Thirteen years of experience as a PCC Executive Leadership Coach 

  • 2019-2020, Technology. Worked as a temporary contractor for a startup technology company Hippo Health. Main responsibilities were to sell the platform to health care entities such as family practice and specialty clinics and to be the liaison between the client and the project manager. Sold and retained the first ten clients during the company’s launch. 

  • 2002-2021, Teaching. Taught emotional intelligence to undergraduate students as adjunct faculty at the University of Denver. 

  • 2015-2019, Health Care. Registered nurse at multiple agencies, including hospice and family practice, on a part-time basis. 

  • 2010-current, Entrepreneurship. Launched coaching practice on a part-time basis. 

  • 2007-2010, Government. Worked as the Senate Majority’s legislative assistant, managing the office and the majority leader’s schedule (two years). Worked as the lobbyist/legislative liaison between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado State Legislature (five years)  

  • 2007-2010, Teaching. Taught clinical nursing at Concorde Career College. 

  • 1999-2007, Health Care. Worked in various registered nurse capacities including hospital cardiac care, clinic cardiac care and home care. 

  • 2000-2001, Peace Corps/Teaching. Volunteered in Kazakhstan, teaching nursing school and English as a second language.  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • BSN, University of Michigan 

  • MPA, Grand Valley State 

  • Certificate in Coaching, Newfield Network 

  • Coach Supervisor, Coaching Supervision Academy 

  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation 


Assessment Certifications  



  • EQ-i/360 Assessment; LMAP 


Personal 



  • Skydiving. I am an avid skydiver with over 800 jumps in 6 years and expertise in multiple disciplines. Skydiving has taught me about adult learning, leading self and managing emotions in difficult situations. I have also learned so much about culture and culture change within the skydiving community locally and at large. 

  • Hiking/biking/skiing/snowboarding/swimming/crew. I have weaned off most of these activities to spend most of my time skydiving but have extensive athletic training and experience over my lifetime. I currently participate in group workouts at a gym three to four days per week to stay in shape and be in a community. 

  • Lives in Colorado with her husband and Goldendoodle, Sadie. 

  • Podcasting. I launched a podcast in 2020 called “What it Takes to Be Wild”, which features interviews with people from different backgrounds who overcame personal barriers to become who they have always wanted to be. The podcast is geared toward women but interviews men as well. I interviewed a professional mountain climber, a retired Coast Guard captain, a professional scuba diver, a professional caretaker and others.  


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Heidi Jackson Everett

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Heidi Jackson Everett

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“I see the best in people and believe in creating new possibilities. It is my aim to illuminate a practical path to clarity in a complex world by igniting courage in leaders to pursue a human-centered and conscious way of being.”

Heidi Jackson Everett is an Air Force veteran, a public company and nonprofit board director, an advisor and a business owner. For over 25 years, she has worked with government, nonprofit and private sector leaders and organizations to design and activate pathways for change. She has led numerous transformations to include mergers and acquisitions, global enterprise restructuring and organizational change management initiatives.


Heidi’s passion is guiding leaders through personal transformation by way of executive coaching and development. She believes in empowering and encouraging new and transitioning leaders to pursue human-centered and conscious leadership for a complex, changing world. She partners with leaders across all sectors to evoke self-awareness, identify adaptive solutions and pursue their own brilliance. She illuminates a practical path to clarity and ignites courage in leaders to create and aim for new possibilities on their teams, in their organizations, within society and, ultimately, in their lives.  


People who work with Heidi highlight her ability to understand the complexity of the intersection between people, business systems, financial dynamics and external influences.  She elegantly balances this complexity by centering her clients’ humanity in her coaching sessions with a generous spirit, welcoming disposition and a deep commitment to the belief in people.  


Experience  



  • Designed and delivered leadership development trainings, workshops, meetings and summits for leaders and their organizations. Her activities center on self-awareness, collaboration and action to provide leaders insight on how to increase their individual impact and influence on teams and within organizations. She has also led organizational executive transitions from due diligence, selection and through transition. 

  • For a Silicon Valley-based technology company specializing in data and storage networking products, she developed a new governance operating model and worked with business unit leads to design change management mobilization strategies. This work was critical for integration efforts after a merger, particularly before the company went public.  

  • Guided leaders through the transformation of the Defense Health Agency (formerly the TRICARE Management Activity) after the secretary of defense ordered a comprehensive review of the Military Health System’s safety, access and quality standards. Her leadership led to the establishment of performance measures based on top performing health care systems to achieve high reliability for its 9.6 million beneficiaries.  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.B.A Strategy and Operations (Georgetown University)  

  • M.S. Organizational Leadership and Innovation (Marymount University) 

  • B.S. Biology (Duke University) 

  • Certified Prosci ® Change Management Professional 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach, PCC 

  • Collaborative Operating System 

  • Executive Education, Mergers & Acquisitions (Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania) 

  • Member, National Association of Corporate Directors 


Assessment Certifications



  • Everything DiSC; Five Behaviors; Positive Intelligence; Leadership Circle Profile 360; Immunity to Change; and Global Leadership Associates Vertical Development Assessment 


Personal 



  • Due to growing up in a military family, Heidi lived throughout the world and continues to enjoy travel. 

  • She resides in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area with her college sweetheart and their two children. 

  • She loves live music and theatre most likely due to her many years playing piano and saxophone. 


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Maria Fafard

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Maria Fafard

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Wherever we are, countless gifts of joy and wonder are offered to us every day—and we need to be present enough to notice and accept them."

Maria Fafard is an executive coach and facilitator who is passionate about helping leaders reach their full potential. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in technology, finance and consulting, including Fortune 100 experience, Maria coaches executives and high potential emerging leaders. She specializes in transformational coaching, helping clients to discern their core values and reorient their life and career around them, to uncover blind spots and to find new perspectives.  


Maria sees coaching as a powerful tool to transform leaders, teams and organizations, and she works with leaders to co-create a reality of fulfillment, meaning and growth for themselves and the people they lead. Typical engagements with Maria address executive development in the areas of self-awareness; servant leadership; executive presence; mindfulness; collaboration and communication skills; developing an inspiring vision; articulating an authentic personal brand; and building relationships. 


Maria quickly develops rapport with leaders and their teams. Clients find it easy to talk to Maria and quickly trust her to explore the most challenging roadblocks to effective leadership and joy at work. Maria knows to ask just the right questions and brings a welcome lightness to solving complex leadership paradoxes. 


Experience 



  • Maria successfully coaches leaders at all levels of organizations, including Fortune 100. Her portfolio of clients has included C-suite executives, vice presidents, senior directors and directors. She delivers coaching in enterprise-wide cohort-based leadership development programs for high potentials at a Fortune 100 company. Survey results: 100% of participants recommend Maria as a coach to other leaders. 

  • An accomplished speaker, Maria is known for her engaging presentation style, maintaining high energy and having a sense of humor. She frequently speaks at major conferences and events for organizations such as the Project Management Institute, Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance (with audiences of up to over 1,600). Popular topics include Power of Coaching, Power of Virtual Meeting Facilitation, Personal Branding for Leaders, Spiritual Tools for Leaders and Coach Your Team to Greatness! 

  • More than 15 years of training experience. Designs and delivers coaching, facilitation, leadership and communications courses and teambuilding workshops as well as team coaching. 

  • Extensive experience delivering training in the tech industry and for federal clients. Delivered successful workshops across the U.S. and abroad.


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A., Economics, The Catholic University of America  

  • B.A., Economics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Certified Leadership Coach (Georgetown University Leadership Coaching program) 


Assessment Certifications  



  • Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF); Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Steps I and II; EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360; The Leadership Circle Profile; Developing Leadership Maturity (DLM) certification; Personalysis; and ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Coaching and Team Facilitation (ICP-ACC and -ATF) 


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Tom Fox

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Tom Fox

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Professional purpose: Helping leaders across sectors and countries make better decisions around purpose, priorities and management.”

Tom works with leaders at all levels, including private sector CEOs and C-suite leaders, nonprofit social entrepreneurs in large nonprofits and senior-level public sector executives. In addition to his U.S. clients, Tom coaches leaders in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Finland, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Turkey and New Zealand. He also provides pro bono leadership coaching to historically marginalized groups—in the U.S. and internationally—focused on building businesses and social ventures in their hometowns.


His clients appreciate Tom’s diverse experience. Blending more than 25 years of work in the private, nonprofit and public sectors, Tom has seen or done it all, from strategic planning to operations, from program delivery to sales, and from supervision and employee engagement to complete reorganizations. 


Tom accelerates leaders’ ability to make well-informed personal and business decisions, whether they are seeking new professional opportunities, pursuing new business strategies, navigating complex change or looking to improve employee engagement. Clients most often describe his approach as analytical, practical, optimistic and fun. 


Experience 



  • Works with leaders across sectors and industries, including CEOs and C-suite leaders in growing private sector startups (i.e., total value of those companies is more than $1 billion) 

  • Social entrepreneur at the Partnership for Public Service for 16 years, securing $500,000 in seed funding to create leadership programs that have reached more than 40,000 federal employees 

  • Wrote the Federal Coach column for The Washington Post for eight years, interviewing approximately 500 leaders and regularly dispensing advice to the column’s tens of thousands of weekly readers 

  • Regular television guest, and his work has been covered by news outlets including The New York Times, NBC Nightly News, CNN and Fox News


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.S. in Public Policy (Georgetown University) 

  • B.A. in Political Science (Bowling Green State University) 

  • Leadership Coaching Certification (Georgetown University) 

  • Lead 60 Coaching Certification (Marshall Goldsmith) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Aspen Seminar (Aspen Institute) 

  • Sorensen Institute Political Leaders Program (University of Virginia) 

  • Situational Leadership Model Certification (Ken Blanchard) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i); Center for Creative Leadership Skillscope; Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership; Strength Deployment Inventory; Everything DiSC Assessment 


Personal 



  • Tom and his wife live in northern Virginia and have four kids—two in college and two at home—but he was born and raised in small-town Ohio 

  • Lived abroad in Madrid, Spain between 2018 and 2021, visiting 26 cities and logging nearly 40,000 miles of travel during that time 

  • In addition to travel, loves attending sporting events and discovering new music 

  • Enjoys walking, tennis and strength training 


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Christine Guthrie

Executive Coach

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Christine Guthrie

Executive Coach

"What if I told you, your purpose in life was to be you? Who would you be? What kind of leadership decisions would you make? What kind of life would you create?"

Christine is an Executive Leadership Coach, facilitator, and leadership presence expert. She is known internationally for her ability to cultivate the safe space needed to clarify purpose for leaders and teams. She combines the insights gained, with her clients’ natural talents and skills, to help them develop a unique filter for decision making and create alignment in their leadership practices. 


 She specializes in helping professionals lead with purpose and rise with presence. Together, she and her clients deepen conversations and shape organizational culture. Their work together results in increased confidence and productivity, motivated employees, and enhanced performance.  


 For more than a decade, Christine served on active duty as an Executive Communication Advisor, in the U.S. Air Force. As an advisor, she helped national and international leaders create communication strategies to address topics such as: diversity, talent acquisition/retention, diplomacy, misconduct, marketing and policy. She is a Bronze Star recipient who has led international consultation, worked with the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, governors, African & European Ambassadors, CEOs of space industries, movie directors, national media outlets and sports organizations. Her innate ability to learn about what drives people on an individual basis both personally and professionally, has allowed her to pull leaders into uncharted territories of success.  


 Christine’s powerful intuition, vast communication experience and unique ability to see varying perspectives, allows her to support clients with language to communicate on a deeper level and create mutual understanding and processes within their organization, and in everyday life. She understands coaching is a thought partnership highly dependent on the chemistry between the coach and the client. She also understands that every client is unique, whole and facing specific life and work challenges. For these reasons, Authentic Ascent has a full roster of talented and diverse coaches, facilitators, and experts always ready to collaborate. 


Christine brings curiosity, clarity, compassion, courage, and comedic relief to coaching.  


Experience 



  • Serves as lead faculty for the learning function at a top global management consulting firm through engagements such as Facilitation, Capability-building and Executive Coaching. As a facilitator, leads immersive programs for analysts up to partners on impact-driven problem-solving, communication & introspection, holistic leadership of oneself, teams & clients, and fosters personal and professional alignment by refining leadership vision.  

  • As a capacity builder, delivers Trust & Dialogue, inclusion, and empathy courses. 

  • Coordinated rocket launch media relations at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force base for customers such as the Department of Defense, National Reconnaissance Office, NASA, and other commercial agencies. 

  • Public Relations Executive with 13+ years of experience creating winning global communication strategies. Provides communication advice and counsel to the top three executives in the Department of the Air Force on all affairs. Established and leads the Department of the Air Forces’#1 Senior Executive Media Training Program.


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • MA, Public Relations Webster University 

  • BS, Health Education & Promotion East Carolina University 

  • Executive Leadership Coaching Certification Georgetown University 

  • International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Any other certifications? 


Assessment Certifications: 



  • DiSC; Leadership Circle Profile 360; EQi 


Personal 



  • As a Virginia native with Jamaican roots, she loves to dance, eat, and travel.  

  • She is a devoted wife, and mother of three beautiful little humans, and she often says she gets some of her best leadership lessons from experiencing life with them. 


 


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Alan Heymann

Executive Coach

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Alan Heymann

Executive Coach

"My entire career has been focused on doing good in the world, through reporting the news, public service or advocacy work. Through coaching, I strive to help my clients do good in the world, as well."

Alan Heymann is an expert at leading complex teams in highly visible organizations. With degrees in journalism and law, he has spent his career at the intersection of communications and public policy. In various leadership roles, he frequently found that people sought out his mentorship and coaching when struggling with effective communication and considering the impact of change on their teams. Then, inspired by a career transformation brought about with the support of an executive coach, Alan decided to formally become a coach himself. 


As a coach, Alan works with executives in government, nonprofits, communications, higher education and the legal field. He specializes in leadership presence and presentation skills, strategic thinking, delegation and time management. His clients find it immensely helpful that Alan understands these challenges because of his own professional experience, and they appreciate that he understands the nuances of their sectors. His calm, reassuring manner and warm presence, along with decades of active listening practice, help leaders create space for the growth they need to be most effective. 


Alan is passionate about working with leaders who want to tap into their creativity through words and images to inspire positive change in society. He is an expert at coaching through transitions—such as the transition from individual contributor to leader, the transition into a larger and more complex role or the transition into a different career.


Experience 



  • Founded Blue Drop, DC Water’s spinoff nonprofit organization 

  • Former vice president of communications for the Humane Society of the United States 

  • Served as chief of external affairs at DC Water, where he expanded the Authority’s government relations efforts 

  • Held various roles in the Government of D.C., including agency public information officer and legislative staffer 

  • Earlier in his career, Alan was a television reporter, producer and anchor in his native Illinois 

  • Admitted to the Bar in Illinois and Washington, D.C. 


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • J.D. (The George Washington University) 

  • B.S. in Journalism (Northwestern University) 

  • Certified Lego© Serious Play Facilitator 


Assessment Certifications



  • The Leadership Circle Profile; Hogan Assessments; Designing Your Life 


Personal 



  • An avid runner, Alan has completed more than 30 half-marathons 

  • Alan has followed a plant-based diet for more than two decades 

  • Lives with his family outside of Washington, D.C. 


 


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Virginia (Ginny) Hill

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Virginia (Ginny) Hill

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"I am a coach who partners with high-potential people to uncover and achieve their goals. I value intentionality, mindfulness and purpose. I work well with clients who are seeking balance in their life, especially around working hard and being kind to oneself. "

Virginia (Ginny) Hill serves as a senior facilitator for various leadership programs and initiatives across the Partnership. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Ginny’s passion is working with leaders to reach their full potential by developing self-command, a growth mindset and an enhanced ability to work with others.  


Ginny’s career began in the federal government as a Presidential Management Fellow at the National Institutes of Health. As a PMF, she experienced a federal leadership program, and she later went on to manage leadership programs and training for the NIH Office of Human Resources.  


Coming to the Partnership in February of 2015 started a new chapter in Ginny’s leadership development career. She has worked with various agencies across the federal government to design, deliver and evaluate leadership programming for leaders at all levels. Her areas of expertise include resilience, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, time management, managing change and driving innovation. She’s certified in EQi and EQ-360 for Emotional Intelligence, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI), Crucial Conversations®, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Modes Instrument (TKI) and the Public Service Leadership Model 360 assessment. 


As a certified coach, Ginny also works one on one with leaders to grow their careers and be more effective in their roles. Her coaching declaration is: “I am a coach who partners with high-potential people to uncover and achieve their goals. I value intentionality, mindfulness and purpose. I work well with clients who seek balance in their life, especially around working hard and being kind to oneself.” 


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Steven Jones

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Steven Jones

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Professional purpose: “I am dedicated to helping leaders and teams build alignment and achieve results nationally and internationally.”

Steven Jones is a consultant, executive coach and results-based facilitator with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in working with leaders and their teams to develop attitudes, skills and practices that promote responsible and sustainable high performance. His clients include leaders and teams in the federal government, the banking industry, large foundations and other social sector organizations. In today’s fast-changing world, Steven combines his expertise in adult learning and organizational systems to help his clients stretch and build their effectiveness. He brings humor, insightfulness and care to his work with leaders, partnering with them to: 



  • Design conversations and build communication skills that richly engage people and create effective movement to action 

  • Transform practices in the services of people and programs 

  • Work collaboratively to achieve large-scale results 

  • Accelerate individual and team actions for the successful achievement of goals  

  • Deepen the ways leaders lead and engage others in taking action 


His clients appreciate: 



  • His ability to bring calm in challenging situations 

  • The way he “creates magic” in coaching teams and boards that open paths to explore and listen at new levels 

  • The ability to collectively hold space for the individual and the team 

  • Learning ways to deepen their actions with their people and their world while developing skills for engaging in new and missing conversations.  


Experience 



  • Leadership coach and facilitator working with 50 Food and Drug Administration leaders in the modernization and transformation of Freedom of Information Act processes. The team received an award for outstanding achievement in reengineering information disclosure. 

  • Co-founder of the Results Based Facilitation Network. He has trained and coached over 1,000 cross-sector and community leaders in facilitating to achieve results in partnership. 

  • Co-lead in building partnerships with leaders and employees to realize the transformation of external and internal client service delivery   

  • Steven is a contributing member of the International Coaching Federation award-winning coaching team for working with U.S. National Geospatial Administration executives.   

  • For a decade, he developed IRS managers’ and analysts’ capacity to navigate change within teams that support internal and external customers. 

  • He has guided the intensive development of over 700 federal leaders and facilitated the achievement of results for more than 2,000 leaders across sectors. 

  • The co-author of “Growing Groups into Teams,” he blogs on LinkedIn about generative and ontological practices. Leaders can learn and grow by creating futures that achieve desired outcomes. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Ph.D., Adult Learning and Organizational Development (University of Maryland) 

  • M.S. Guidance and Counseling. 

  • B.S. Psychology and Sociology at Eastern Illinois University 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Newfield Network) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)  

  • Coaching Excellence in Organizations, Graduate Level Coach Training, Institute for Generative Leadership (IGL) 

  • Certified Results Based Facilitator


Assessment Certifications



  • Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) facilitator; EQi and EQ 360; Hay Group Emotional & Social Competency Inventory; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment; Profilor 360; Center for Creative Leadership 360; SKILLSCOPE Assessment; and Benchmarks 


Personal



  • Steven hails from Chicago, where he honed his love of theater, visual arts, film and jazz. 

  • He is committed to opening possibilities that help people know and live their value. 

  • He writes and blogs on bringing love and care to workplaces. 

  • He is a proud husband, uncle and godfather who enjoys beaches and traveling nationally and internationally. 

  • Steven and his spouse reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.   


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Anita Kishore

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Anita Kishore

Executive Coach and Facilitator

A former scientist and management consultant, Anita brings an open, honest and direct approach to her global experience consulting and coaching diverse clients. Anita is the lead instructor for the Public Service Leadership Institute’s NIH Executive Leadership Program. Anita coaches executives in life sciences and high-tech industries, early-to-mid-career MBA students and underrepresented leaders in organizations. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and the iCoachGlobal program. 


Prior to coaching, Anita worked in positions of increasing seniority in the health care industry. There, she followed her passion of improving access to affordable medicines for patients around the world by working in both private and public sectors at Bain & Company, Sandoz, Pfizer, Doctors Without Borders and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, both in the U.S. and internationally. She recently launched New York City’s first internship program in the life sciences.  


Anita uses strategic thinking, relationship-building and a scientific lens to problem-solving when she encourages her clients to experiment with new approaches to their leadership, behaviors and mindset. She helps high-achieving clients in technical environments tap into their natural emotional intelligence to lead and manage change, inspire others and drive results.  


Anita’s superpower is being a straight shooter with deep empathy.  


Experience 



  • Coached more than 1000 executives and high-potential leaders in professional services, public service, health care and other high-tech industries  

  • Led $55 million immunization cold chain and supply chain logistics program in global health across nine countries in Africa and South Asia 

  • Evaluated strategies for international health care companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and diagnostics 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Master of Public Administration (NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service) 

  • PhD in Chemistry (University of Georgia) 

  • M.S. in Chemistry (University of Melbourne) 

  • B.S. in Chemistry (Yale University) 

  • Executive Coaching Certification (iCoachGlobal) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); Leadership Circle Profile 360; EQi-2.0/EQi-360 


Personal 



  • Anita hails from rural Kansas and brings an international flair from living on three continents, which suits her well now that she lives in the world’s most diverse neighborhood: Jackson Heights, New York.  

  • Anita is a practicing mindfulness instructor and is completing training with the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. 

  • Anita enjoys attending live music concerts. 


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Becky Lee

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Becky Lee

Executive Coach and Facilitator

With over 20 years of experience as an executive leadership coach, facilitator and organization development consultant, Becky is known for her ability to connect with leaders, helping them to become more self-aware and achieve their personal and organizational goals. She helps individuals and groups leverage their strengths and challenges them to reach their full potential.


Becky’s approach to coaching and consulting is holistic and systems-based. It is designed to explore the interplay between personal, professional and organizational dynamics. She asks probing questions that help individuals and groups gain new perspectives and insights, and partners with them to establish goals and a plan for action. Becky has a deep understanding of federal challenges and opportunities, and leverages this understanding to help individuals and groups expand their thinking and include creative approaches to successfully navigate the complexities of today’s workplace. 


Experience 



  • Extensive experience coaching, and designing and delivering leadership programs, at all levels of the federal government and within numerous agencies 

  • Experience coaching, and designing and delivering leadership programs, in the private sector and in nonprofits across industries and missions 

  • Senior consultant at KornFerry with a focus on change management, coaching and leadership development 

  • Created and implemented a leadership coaching program within the Intelligence Community that is still thriving 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.S. in counseling from the University of Tennessee 

  • B.A. in liberal arts from Virginia Tech  

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Newfield Network) 

  • Executive Certificate in Organization Development (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC with over 20 years of coaching experience) 

  • Action learning coach (World Institute for Action Learning) 

  • Leading Systems certification (Barry Oshry) 

  • Situational Leadership Model Certification (Ken Blanchard) 

  • Foundation and Apprenticeship program (Integral Coaching of Canada) 

  • Certified Federal Government Facilitator 


Assessment Certifications



  • Hogan, Myers-Briggs, EQi Bar-On, FiRO-B, SkillScope and Benchmarks 360(Center for Creative Leadership), Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership, KornFerry assessment tools, Leadership Circle 360, Conflict Dynamics Profile 


Personal   



  • Becky and her husband live in northern Virginia. They have two grown daughters who live in Brooklyn, NY.  

  • Becky loves to experience new cultures and meet new people through travel. She also enjoys the outdoors through hiking and biking and participates regularly in group exercise classes. 

  • Becky and her husband have also taught English as a Second Language for years in their community. 


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Hannah Malvin

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Hannah Malvin

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"I focus on making work more equitable, effective, and enjoyable. I support clients in cultivating growth, vitality, and life satisfaction. Teams say I create a sense of ease in approaching workplace culture topics. They tell me they leave our sessions feeling energized and equipped with tools and strategies to tackle dynamics that felt hopeless."

Hannah is a coach and consultant on workplace culture, certified in applied positive psychology, the scientific study of well-being. She has supported Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, federal staff, electrical contractors, wealth managers, emergency medicine professionals and others. Her model of workplace culture, featured in Forbes, focuses on cultivating the conditions for staff to experience dignity, purpose, belonging, growth and joy. 


Hannah’s federal experience includes managing a three-year multiagency initiative on the recruitment and retention of people of color and diverse talent; facilitating staff retreats on strategic planning and team building; researching and authoring a 50-page report on federal employee resource group management best practices; facilitating a six-month workplace culture roundtable learning series for National Park Service superintendents; serving as an advisor to NASA’s Astrophysics Division on the review of inclusion plans in scientific proposals; serving on a Forest Service advisory council on equitable distribution of funding; and leading training on leadership and workplace culture rooted in equity and staff well-being. 


Hannah works with executives, team leaders and new managers on building the right relationships with their teams and with their work. Clients find easy rapport with her down- to-earth style, appreciate her deep knowledge of organizational culture, and are excited to have a true partner who champions their leadership development and helps them navigate workplace dynamics. 


Experience 



  • After organizing a Hewlett Foundation-funded work-life balance retreat for women in conservation and reading through over 200 applications, she was struck by the huge need for better work experiences and inspired to get certified in coaching and in positive psychology. 

  • Regularly facilitates staff retreats on strategic visioning, team building and staff well-being. She has worked with organizations on developing organizational values, designed a community innovation and capacity building hub for foundation grantees, led inclusive management training and served as a culture strategist advising a chief culture officer, developing resources, designing a custom 360 assessment and facilitating the staff culture stewards team. 

  • Worked at the nexus of candidates and employers in the throes of the hiring process when she designed and managed The Bridge Program, a three-year public-private partnership that served as an equitable hiring pathway and a career navigation support hub for people of color and underrepresented communities in the environmental sector.  

  • In 2016, she founded Pride Outside, the leading organization advancing LGBTQ outdoor inclusion initiatives with federal agencies and conservation nonprofit organizations. In 2017, she co-founded the LGBTQ Outdoor Summit, a conference bringing together LGBTQ environmental professionals to boost representation and inclusion in the sector.


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • B.A., Political Science, Brown University 

  • Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology Coaching, The Flourishing Center 

  • Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology, The Flourishing Center 

  • ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment 


Personal 



  • Hannah lives in Washington, D.C., with her wife and a baby on the way! 

  • She is an all-American, two-time NCAA national champion and a U-23 world champion in rowing. 

  • She is fascinated by how we all navigate our career paths and has done over 300 informational interviews. Those conversations have led to getting hired, adopting someone’s cats, becoming a stand-up paddle board ambassador and volunteering at the World Ranger Congress, where she spent time with 300 park rangers from 90 countries. 

  • She led canoe trips in Canada and has been charged by a moose twice.  


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Andrew Marshall

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Andrew Marshall

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Andrew Marshall is an HBR-published, ICF-certified executive coach who launched and led the Public Service Leadership Institute within the Partnership for Public Service until August 2023. In this role, he oversaw a team that developed over 8,000 federal leaders each year. He led the design of the Public Service Leadership Model and the tools and resources to support it, including the Public Service Leadership 360 and associated case studies. He has written on public service leadership for Harvard Business Review and MIT’s Sloan Management Review.  


Andrew has firsthand experience developing leaders and leadership teams in the private, nonprofit and public sectors, from aspiring supervisors to seasoned executives. Clients include federal departments like the Department of Transportation; global nonprofits like Accion; health care networks like Mass General Brigham; and education foundations like the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation. He has facilitated numerous retreats for Cabinet-level secretaries and other political appointees and courageously convenes challenging conversations for change. 


As an executive coach, Andrew strives to both challenge and support his clients in their development. He believes that every leader has vast potential, and he partners with clients to find the next version of themselves. Andrew’s clients report being more equipped to navigate complex change, build and sustain a positive culture, and generate more meaning in life and leadership. His clients appreciate that he is optimistic, action-oriented and committed to their success. 


He is committed to developing the leaders who lift society. Strengthening these leaders positively impacts individuals today and generations tomorrow. 


Experience 



  • Facilitated over 10 retreats with Cabinet-level secretaries (or equivalent) and their teams, leading to greater cohesion and purpose. Leaders call his work as a facilitator “fantastic,” “relevant” and “productive.” Leaders appreciate his ability to help them “think globally” and “become closer.”   

  • Served as the executive coach for numerous members of the Senior Executive Service and political appointees, including assistant secretaries and deputy secretaries. Leaders call his coaching “transformational.” One SES stated it this way:

    “Through coaching with Andrew, I’m better equipped . . . to build an inclusive, innovative and energized workforce and to make these non-negotiable pursuits for the rest of my team.” 

  • Led the design of the Public Service Leadership Model and Public Service Leadership 360, held as the Partnership’s standard for effective government leadership 

  • Spearheaded the design and delivery of a curriculum for 2,000+ leaders at the Department of Labor, contributing to a rise in every leadership category in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings, which resulted in DOL being the most improved agency two years in a row 

  • Keynote speaker at the 2022 Senior Executive Association’s Changemakers Conference, at Deloitte’s 2023 Executive Summit and GovExec’s 2023 Workforce Summitt  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.S. Public Administration in Non-Profit Management (Brigham Young University) 

  • B.A. Journalism (University of Utah) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Strength Deployment Inventor; Core Strengths Accountability; MHS’s Emotional Intelligence 360 assessment; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment


Personal 



  • Father of five (!) incredible children and husband to one remarkable woman  

  • Passionate about U.S. history and a lifelong student of Lincoln’s leadership 

  • Holds lay leadership positions in faith community 

  • Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese 

  • Loves writing and playing music with his family 

  • Enjoys exploring Rock Creek Park and other trails on his bike


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Belva M Martin

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Belva M Martin

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Belva takes a LEAP with her clients by listening attentively, engaging with and encouraging them, asking powerful questions and becoming an accountability partner.”

Belva currently provides coaching, training and other consulting services to public, nonprofit, faith-based and private sector clients. She has developed and delivered learning content to national and international clients on employee engagement, leading and managing high-performing teams, strategies to build resilience, conflict management approaches, change management and using emotional intelligence effectively in the workplace. 


Belva takes a holistic approach by encouraging individuals and organizations to use the “whole of themselves” to achieve growth. She uses and shares research on such common coaching and leadership topic as personal integrity; vision; communication; empowering individuals and teams; leading from the middle; servant leadership; establishing work/life balance; and practicing mindfulness and intentionality. Areas where Belva’s clients have achieved measurable success include building resilience; creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion; building collaborative relationships; managing conflict; and leading and serving others. Belva has a passion for supporting women of color in leadership positions and has developed helpful approaches for unlocking their authentic leadership voices. 


Throughout her career, Belva has actively mentored and coached direct reports and peers. She notices those who are missing from spaces and places in the workplace and demonstrates the added value of diverse opinions, thoughts and ideas. She is particularly attuned to sharing tools and strategies to build and maintain relationships that result in higher performance. Her clients have recognized her presence, empathy and curiosity, which lead to deep and trusting connections.  


Experience 



  • Director, Government Accountability Office. Led diverse teams producing reports to help ensure that government funds are spent in an efficient and effective manner. Uncovered millions in savings and testified before Congress on results of her work. 

  • Consultant, The Brookings Institute. Provided mentoring and coaching to over 80 federal managers and executives through The Brookings’ executive leadership training programs. 

  • Special Assistant to the chief human capital officer, GAO. Developed strategies to recruit, retain and reward talent. Additionally, served as a DE&I champion and developed training and strategies to imbed DE&I practices into the culture of the agency. Led planning for the annual Diversity Month celebration.


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A. in public administration from Howard University 

  • B.A. in political science from South Carolina State University 

  • Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Teleos Leadership Institute and The Bookings Institute) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC since 2016) 

  • Experience with DiSC assessments and Strength Finders Assessments  


Assessment Certifications



  • OPM 360 Assessments; Public Service Leadership Model 360 Assessment


Personal 



  • Loves traveling and experiencing new cultures and food with her husband, John 

  • Enjoys time with her 4 granddaughters  

  • Strong believer in the benefits of movement for health and longevity  


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Amiko Matsumoto

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Amiko Matsumoto

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”- Brené Brown

Amiko is a cross-sector leader with more than 25 years of experience developing people, programs and partnerships for the public good. She is passionate about helping people be the best version of themselves and directly applies this to her work as a director for design and facilitation and as a seasoned executive coach at the Partnership‘s Public Service Leadership Institute. 


In addition to having extensive expertise in the higher education and nonprofit sectors, Amiko draws from her experience as a former career and political federal employee who managed diverse teams, navigated complex stakeholder relationships and led agencywide initiatives. She brings this hands-on experience to her leadership development and coaching work, which is now exclusively focused on federal clients. She connects equally well with emerging leaders and senior executives. Her commitment to their growth and development is evident in every conversation. Amiko encourages pragmatic perspective taking, brings a focus on equitable solutions to her coaching engagements and masterfully connects values and purpose to effective leadership competencies. 


Her clients credit their work with Amiko for their increased confidence in the ability to lead, a deeper understanding and appreciation of their authentic leadership style, a better sense of how to navigate personal and professional challenges, and a renewed sense of purpose.  


Experience 



  • Led an agencywide change management initiative and cross-functional teams to identify and implement workplace solutions that resulted in improved scores in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government® rankings 

  • Served as the Partnership’s director of talent, overseeing talent management initiatives including supervisor training, cross-organization and cross-level working groups, onboarding and performance management, helping the organization to earn a spot on the NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For rankings for multiple years  

  • Led an agencywide strategic initiative and created partnerships with national nonprofits and a television network to engage young people in service with their communities  

  • Advised C-suite members on employee engagement and change management initiatives 

  • Conducted interactive trainings for staff, community partners and agency representatives with a focus on equity, inclusion and belonging 

  • Managed a multimillion-dollar, multistate grant portfolio focused on involving youth in service 


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • B.A. in English from Westmont College 

  • M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from University of Vermont 

  • M.A. in Education and Human Development from George Washington University 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (North Carolina State University Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance) 

  • Conant Leadership Boot Camp 

  • Women in Leadership and Learning Program 

  • Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC) 

  • Senior Certified Professional, Society for Human Resource Management 


Assessment Certifications



  • Public Service Leadership Model 360 Assessment; Center for Creative Leadership Benchmarks© 360 Suite; DiSC Assessment 


Personal 



  • Originally from Southern California, Amiko has embraced life on the East Coast. She and her husband live in the Washington, D.C., metro area. They have two children, one in college and another in high school.  

  • Amiko has served on local and national boards focusing on homelessness, youth leadership, civil and human rights, and higher education.  

  • She’s lived in six states and visited more than 10 countries. She readily welcomes travel and book recommendations. 


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Alison Miller

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Alison Miller

Executive Coach and Facilitator

Helping leaders grow in courage, confidence and ability. Recent client comment: “Thank you again for all of your time and expertise today.  It can be difficult to share about some of these issues.  You are exceptionally good at your job and I’m grateful for all the effort and care you put into working with me.”

Alison Miller is a leadership coach, and a strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and leadership development advisor with over 30 years of professional experience, including over 15 years as a coach. Alison has held executive-level positions with information technology, management and human capital consulting organizations, delivering results by effectively engaging stakeholders, colleagues and staff. While she works across public, nonprofit and private sectors, her passion is helping elevate the government workforce. Alison’s goal is to help seasoned and emerging leaders make the best use of their talent and lead with more clarity, diplomacy and skill to increase the shared appreciation for our dedicated public servants.  


Recognizing that clients often have too much to do in high-pressure, high-visibility complex environments, Alison provides practical coaching and thought leadership. She brings a deep compassion for each client’s individual stories, helps the client identify how to obtain the most value from coaching and co-creates small practices that address current challenges while building a roadmap to succeed at future opportunities. Alison collaborates with her clients to design actions that increase self-awareness about their current mindsets and behaviors and encourages them to incorporate new skills. Her support is always customized to the specific goals and circumstances of each client and includes resources and frameworks to reinforce learning and adopt new habits.  


Clients consistently report their appreciation for her insightful questions, clear feedback and helpful best practices that create new ways of thinking and leading.  


Experience 



  • Coaches private, nonprofit and public sector clients in acquisition, administrative, financial, clinical, operational, research, scientific, statistical and technology disciplines. Her clients include C-suite and Senior Executive Service leaders, with most clients in mid- or senior-level management roles. 

  • Current and prior government clients include the Environmental Protection Agency; the General Services Administration; NASA; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Securities and Exchange Commission; the Social Security Administration; the U.S. Patent Trademark Office; as well as the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Labor, State and Veterans Affairs. 

  • Prior to becoming a coach, Alison served in vice president technology and business service roles – a long ways from her first job as a systems engineer working on Navy ship sonar systems.


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • M.B.A. from Cornell University’s Johnson School of Management 

  • B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson University 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University, Institute for Transformational Leadership) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Positive Psychology Life Navigation Coaching Masterclass (PositivePsychology.com, Netherlands) 

  • RESET Program (Neuroscience to Reset Your Nervous System, Heal Your Trauma and Transform Your Life; Optimum Health Clinic) 

  • Trained in Radical Collaboration, Capability Maturity Model Integration Facilitation and David Allen’s Getting Things Done Work-Life Management System 


Assessment Certifications



  • Bar-On Emotional Quotient-Inventory; Conflict Dynamics Profile; Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Element B; Klein Group Instrument for Leadership and Team Effectiveness; Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; and Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument 


Personal 



  • Alison originally hails from upstate New York, but after living on both coasts for work, now calls northern Virginia home with her husband, labrador retriever and lab rescue mix (that was supposed to be only 35 pounds). 

  • Invests her free time in dog walks, being in nature, puttering about in the garden and holistic health research and practices 

  • Enjoys traveling adventures in the U.S. and abroad 

  • Relishes supporting the monarch population by raising butterflies (almost 1000 annually) 


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Jeff O'Malley

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Jeff O'Malley

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Helping you identify and reach your goals.“

Jeff O’Malley serves as an executive coach and team coach and provides strategic guidance to the Partnership’s leadership development programs which have reached thousands of federal leaders over the course of his tenure. He designs and facilitates content across a wide variety of areas, including leadership presence, navigating change, and applied emotional intelligence. Jeff has served at executive-level positions in several organizations. 


As a coach, Jeff uses artful questions to help each person or team identify core issues and goals. He works closely with clients to identify next steps and skills to develop so they can gain the outcomes they seek. He enjoys the opportunity to work with leaders at all levels—whether an emerging leader or a seasoned executive—as his passion is to help the leader identify key challenges and concrete ways to move forward. 


His calm and reflective presence creates a safe space in which clients can be candid and identify their real issues. He subtly challenges them to find what’s most essential at a point in time and create next steps to progress towards goals and meet challenges. Homing in on clients’ needs, Jeff often provides resources to support them in their leadership development goals.  


Leaders working with Jeff find they focus better and gain clarity around complex issues, and they find Jeff to be a great exploration partner. 


Experience 



  • Wide and deep experience across government as a leadership coach and team facilitator 

  • Hired and managed coaches for the Partnership’s leadership programs 

  • Significant experience coaching and equipping supervisors 

  • Coached hundreds of leaders to leverage 360 feedback 

  • Coach in the Partnership’s Excellence in Government Fellows Program


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • M.A. in International Communication (American University) 

  • B.A. in Behavioral Science (Messiah University)

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • MHS Emotional Intelligence 360 assessment; Thomas-Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI); Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment 


Personal 



  • Leadership development experience with leaders from around the world and a wide array of roles and backgrounds 

  • Special interest in self-assessment, publishing an article on the topic 

  • Focused on leaders’ “software” in areas such as Emotional intelligence, presence and effective communication 


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Bob Oberleitner

Executive Coach

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Bob Oberleitner

Executive Coach

"What a leader says and does matters and impacts the entire organization."

Through the lens of his engineering background, Bob has always been interested in how things work and how they work together within the overall system. That curiosity and understanding helped him succeed during his time as a senior executive, where his focus was people, communication and coaching. He supports success through coaching by being a sounding board and providing a safe space for leaders to think through and sort out difficult challenges in a way that is true to them.  


Bob brings an extensive senior executive and management background to his coaching. With 18 years in the federal Senior Executive Service and over 30 years in operations management, he understands the challenges faced by leaders at all levels. His hands-on leadership experience coupled with expertise in coaching, has enabled him to coach executives toward achieving the results they seek. Bob masterfully integrates creativity and structure, process orientation and systems thinking while paying close attention to the whole person and their needs. 


Many of Bob’s clients seek out his coaching to work on their executive presence, communication or building coalitions with their executive peers. His collaborative approach generates a better understanding of how to apply their strengths and see challenges from other perspectives. This leads his clients to discover and adopt solutions that work with their natural gifts and style.  


Clients indicate that they feel heard, understood and comfortable exploring their pressing professional challenges in a new light. This results in clients gaining clarity, their leadership voice, techniques and a renewed confidence to navigate their organization’s system.    


Experience 



  • Eighteen years of experience as a member of the Senior Executive Service at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including over 10 years coaching and managing other senior executives 

  • Three decades of experience in operations management 

  • International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Coaching leaders on a wide variety of topics such as executive presence, coalition building, communication, change management, increasing awareness and managing stress. I rely on neuroscience principles in coaching to facilitate change. 

  • Executive Sponsor for U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Leadership Coaching Program 


 Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Executive Certification in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems (Penn State University) 

  • Graduate Certificate in Public Administration (Syracuse University Maxwell School) 

  • International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • Leadership Circle Profile Assessment; Hogan Assessment 


Personal 



  • Bob loves sports and likes to read mystery novels. He plays tennis and softball.  Bob lives in northern Virginia with his wife. They have two adult sons. 


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Carolyn Owens

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Carolyn Owens

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Many of us don’t like looking in the mirror and taking a close look at one’s self and stepping into the self-reflection that will occur. But in doing so, we are going to learn. We are going to develop, both professionally and personally. Don’t be afraid to get a little uncomfortable and step into that space. That is what coaching is all about."

Carolyn is an internationally recognized trainer, career strategist, leadership and executive coach. She has extensive experience working in diversity and inclusion, and has deep compassion for individuals with disabilities and reasonable accommodations. She is one of the select few certified Rapid Employment Master Coaches, specially trained in assisting with career planning and demystifying the hiring and promotion process for leaders looking to accelerate their professional growth. 


Carolyn served in the United States Navy for over 24 years and retired as a Navy commander in 2012. During her military career, she served as director of human capital management, a position that brought over 4,800 civilians, military and contract personnel under her responsibility umbrella. Her favorite assignment was serving as a professor in the Department of Command Leadership and Management at the United States Army War College.  


Upon retirement from military service, Carolyn decided to turn the roles she loved most during her military career—coach and mentor—into a second full-time professional career. She has become a leading authority on leadership and professional development and has worked with top leaders across the globe at the intersection of life and professional career choices. She supports clients with evaluating and adapting professional and personal life perspectives and challenging vertical and horizontal career transitions. 


Carolyn excels at discovering unrealized potential and new possibilities together with her clients. Her warm and caring personality, expansive capacity to partner with people who are working through strong emotions, and her joyful nature bring lightness to sometimes challenging coaching engagements. With each client, she strikes just the right balance between gentle compassion and firm accountability as well as goal setting, action planning and intuitive exploration. At the end of her coaching engagements, she often hears a version of: “Carolyn, I never thought I was able to get to where I am today. This feels like a dream come true that I didn’t even know I had.” 


Experience 



  • Internationally recognized, trainer, career strategist and leadership coach, supporting midsize and large organizations in protecting their most important asset: their people 

  • Experience with developing and facilitating multicultural dialogue learning cohort and emotional intelligence programs 

  • Senior military human capital advisor to the Navy’s Cyber Manpower Zero Based Review Task Force to plan and execute a review of the agency’s cyber workforce to include military, civilian and contractor personnel 

  • Advisor to senior leadership in all areas of human capital management, responsible for 25 team members and a budget of over $2.3 million for talent acquisition, professional development, military personnel, human capital management analysts and HR policy 

  • Educated senior military, civilian and international leaders for strategic leadership roles at the U.S. Army War College. Her students were working toward a master’s of science degree. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Master of Arts, Human Resource Development and Management, Webster University 

  • Bachelor of Arts, Temple University 

  • Graduate of the Naval War College, Non-Resident College Program 

  • International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Culturally Intelligent Coach (CQ) 

  • Certified Mentor Coach (CMC) 

  • Professional Career Coach (CPCC), Federal Career Coach (CFCC) and Federal Job Search Trainer (CFJST) 

  • Certified Rapid Employment Master Coach 

  • Certified Executive/Life Coach (CPC) 

  • Senior Professional In Human Resources (SPHR) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) 

  • Certified in the Veterans at Work Program 


Assessment Certifications:



  • EQ-i 2.0;Center for Creative Leadership 360 Benchmarks Assessment Suite; Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); Energy Leadership Indicator – Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) 


Personal 



  • Carolyn loves to read and is a three-time, Amazon best-selling author. 

  • Fitness is important to her, and she tries not to miss a workout. She earned a black belt in martial arts later in life and is working toward earning her third degree, San Dan. 


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Sheryl D. Phillips

Executive Coach

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Sheryl D. Phillips

Executive Coach

"Through my work and everything I do, I aim to bring forth positive change in the world."

Sheryl D. Phillips, a leadership consultant and executive coach, has partnered with leaders for more than 25 years to create more effective and forward-thinking organizations. She works at the individual, team and system level to provide executive coaching, leadership development, organizational development, and strategic and business planning. While each coaching engagement presents unique focus areas particular to the client, Sheryl finds her clients experiencing recurring themes, including the need to create time to reflect on and plan for larger issues and strategy; to work in increasingly complex environments; to develop a more effective “leadership presence;” to manage the vastly different employees they supervise; to influence up, down and across the organization; and to rediscover the core skills of effective conversation and coordination. 


One strong area of focus for Sheryl is mindfulness and leadership. She approaches this topic in an applied way, helping leaders understand what it means to be fully present, what the science says about why this matters for performance and success, and how to adopt both practical routines and real-time techniques to take reflective action as a leader.  


Sheryl’s coaching style has been described as insightful, a blend of persistent and patient, and challenging and supportive. She is known for her good humor, easy manner, southern charm and solid sensibilities. 


Experience 



  • Esteemed faculty of the internationally acclaimed Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching Program (2001-2021) 

  • Co-director for the Executive Certificate for Transformational Leadership 

  • Over 10 years of experience as a senior human resources executive in a large organization 

  • Twenty years as an executive coach and leadership development practitioner, working with hundreds of organizations and clients in the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors both within the U.S. and internationally 


Education 



  • Master’s degree from the College of William and Mary 

  • Bachelor’s degree from Auburn University 

  • Certified Professional Coach by the Newfield Network 

  • Certified Somatic Coach by The Strozzi Institute 

  • Certificate in Organizational Learning from George Mason University 

  • Graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s program for leadership practitioners 


Personal 



  • Solo parent to a “rising adult” daughter 

  • Splits time between Washington, D.C., and Savannah, Georgia  

  • Loves to travel and find new adventures in the world 


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Jessika Portney

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Jessika Portney

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Empowering leaders to seek inward to lead outward.”

Jessika serves as an executive leadership coach, a facilitator and a keynote speaker. She partners with purpose-driven executives to develop their authentic leadership style while staying true to their values, which in turn increases their efficacy and impact as leaders. She strives to advance the growth of women in leadership, supporting female leaders looking to expand their influence, make their voices heard and take purposeful action to shift the status quo in the public, corporate and nonprofit sectors.   


Jessika is passionate about accelerating social change through conscious leadership, enabling leaders to thrive with compassion and inclusivity. She coaches leaders on building collaborative teams, embracing creative leadership skills and maximizing their professional potential to achieve business results. She also delivers customized training and facilitates leadership programming for institutional clients. She has implemented and overseen leadership training programs for think tanks, nonprofit organizations and federal agencies. 


Clients value Jessika’s deep curiosity about the human experience and ability to create a warm environment that allows them to be vulnerable and better understand themselves, their values and motivations, and their individual strengths. She also helps clients identify limiting beliefs that hinder them from leading with authenticity and intentionality, and she encourages those she works with to be open-minded and experiment with creative leadership strategies that leverage their skills and natural gifts. Her approach is holistic and interdisciplinary in nature. Each individual coaching relationship is co-created and tailored to the client’s needs. 


Experience 



  • Works across sectors and industries, including with organizations such as Women in Government Relations, Leadership Institute for Black Women and Advancing Women Executives   

  • Oversaw strategy, design, operations and partnerships for a $2.5 million portfolio of leadership development programs for federal executives at the Brookings Institution, including the Executive Fellowship and Women’s Leadership cohort programs  

  • Jessika’s approach to leadership has been informed by the cross-cultural experiences she’s sought out: pursuing a graduate degree and teaching English in Rome, facilitating Fulbright fellowships for midcareer leaders from 90 different countries, and implementing USAID leadership and workforce training programs for Egyptian women pursuing a STEM education.  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A., Government and Politics (St. John’s University) 

  • Graduate Certificate, Diplomacy and International Law (St. John’s University) 

  • B.A., dual degree in Communication and Italian language and Literature (University of Maryland, College Park) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Flow Coaching Institute) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC) 

  • Certified Narrative Enneagram Practitioner, (The Narrative Enneagram) 


Assessment Certifications



  • DiSC Assessment; Partnership for Public Service 360 Assessment; Enneagram 


Personal 



  • Jessika lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and cat. They are expecting their first child in 2024. 

  • Jessika is a proud Terp and serves on the University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities Alumni Board and as a recommended coach for the UMD Alumni Association.  

  • Jessika lived and worked abroad in Rome, Italy, and spent time as an au pair in Madrid, Spain. 

  • Jessika is an avid theatre patron and enjoys hiking in Rock Creek Park and the surrounding Washington, D.C., area. 


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Ariela Rosenstein

Executive Coach

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Ariela Rosenstein

Executive Coach

"When you prioritize connection, you target results that are aligned to your deepest values and reflective of the change you seek to achieve."

Ariela partners with leaders, teams and organizations across the globe to cultivate pathways of greater awareness, inclusion and trust that drive actions for expanded outcomes and purpose-driven transformation.   


Ariela’s approach to leadership has been honed by her over two decades of experience working with thousands of leaders and teams across more than 80 countries to deliver impact strategies and programming that resonate deeply with stakeholders at all levels. She also draws on insight from her experience as vice president of a global nonprofit organization to develop strategic partnerships that empower leadership potential. 


People who work with Ariela appreciate her ability to create high-trust environments that enable leaders to grow in their confidence and capacity to advance their goals, influence and impact. They also talk about her unique set of experiences, skills and approaches that support her effectiveness in working across diverse contexts and cultures.  


Experience 



  • Led the strategy and delivery of leadership development programming for a global humanitarian organization, reaching more than 8,000 employees across 80 countries     

  • Facilitated thousands of hours of in-person and online training and coaching across themes of leading change, navigating complexity, influencing others, inclusive leadership, leading teams and emotional intelligence 

  • Served as vice president of a global conservation organization and oversaw the global product line for leadership development and behavior adoption interventions to achieve conservation impact 

  • Served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, and is fluent in Spanish

     


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Masters, Sustainable International Development, Heller School for Social Policy & Management, Brandeis University, Massachusetts

  • B.A. History/Political Science and Spanish, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 


Assessment Certifications:  



  • DiSC; Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI); Intercultural Development inventory (IDI); Influencing Styles Inventory (ISI) 


Personal 



  • Has been practicing Vipassana meditation for over 20 years 

  • Loves hot sauces, hammocks and drinking hot water 

  • Lives in northern Virginia with my husband and two kiddos   


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Chris Schiavone

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Chris Schiavone

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“My coaching supports clients as they connect to the core of who they are and why they do the work that they do so they can begin to evolve into the next best version of themselves.”

Chris Schiavone is a PCC-level ICF certified executive coach, facilitator and leadership development expert. She has over 20 years of experience developing high-performing leaders and organizations across the nonprofit, private and public sectors. She is known as an empathetic realist whose unique combination of authenticity and practicality helps her clients discover new ways of thinking, leading and achieving results. 


She is most passionate about supporting senior executives, women leaders, clients navigating personal and professional transitions, and working parents. Her clients often seek support in gaining clarity about their professional next steps and leveling up as a leader in their field. Chris also regularly coaches clients who want to reimagine how work and life can be integrated in a more fulfilling way. She helps her clients develop self-awareness and gain confidence in tackling leadership—and life’s—challenges with purpose.  


Chris has extensive experience partnering with clients to successfully navigate change, develop high-performing teams and maximize organizational impact. Whether it’s working with groups, teams or one-on-one clients, Chris creates a collaborative and experiential learning environment. Her coaching approach is driven by curiosity, trust and candor.  


Her clients often cite her ability to quickly build trust and create a partnership rooted in empathy and honesty. They also appreciate her commitment to allowing leaders to bring their full selves to their coaching sessions, no matter what they might be dealing with, and be honored and respected.  


Experience 



  • Coaches leaders from across industries including the federal government, global manufacturing, higher education, health care, private equity and global nonprofits. She has served as a coach and facilitator for organizations including the Partnership for Public Service, The Women’s Impact Alliance, Chief, Torch and numerous Cabinet-level federal government agencies. 

  • Under her watch as director for executive and team coaching, the Public Service Leadership Institute scaled its coaching practice by 575% and successfully delivered the Public Service Leadership 360 assessment and one-on-one, team and group coaching to thousands of federal leaders.  

  • She spearheaded LeadHERship in Government, an initiative to better understand and promote women leaders’ experience in federal service. She has presented on the topic for Executive Women Government, the Senior Executives Association, the African American Federal Executive Association and Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. 

  • Extensive experience leading organizational transformation efforts. She’s led multiyear, multimillion-dollar culture change and leadership transformation initiatives at Cabinet-level departments, resulting in significant improvement in annual employee satisfaction scores. Her experience includes working with agencies with strong union partnerships and in highly politicized work cultures. 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Hofstra University 

  • B.A. in Psychology, Salisbury University 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 


Assessment Certifications



  • MHS Emotional Intelligence 360 assessment; Everything DiSC; Center for Creative Leadership 360 assessment suite; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment 


Personal 



  • Chris grew up on the Jersey Shore and now resides in Maryland with her husband, three young children and their golden retriever. 

  • She is passionate about supporting women leaders and mothers in the workplace. Through her own experience as a working professional and as a mom, she knows how critical it is to have coaching and sponsorship in the workplace—and the positive impact it can make when you have support.  

  • She comes from a long line of public servants, including her dad who served for almost 40 years in the federal government. 

  • She loves cycling, live music, a good book and is happiest when she is at the beach with friends and family. 


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Felícita (Feli) Solá-Carter 

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Felícita (Feli) Solá-Carter 

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“To be of service, lead by example and create ethical and inclusive pathways for success” are Feli’s trademarks as a coach and mentor.

Prior to her retirement in January 2009, Feli served as assistant deputy commissioner for human resources and deputy chief human capital officer of the Social Security Administration. She joined SSA upon graduation from the College of Mount St. Vincent. Her career began in New York City, moving rapidly into managerial positions and, in 1991, to the Office of the Commissioner in Baltimore as senior advisor to the principal deputy commissioner. In 1998, as associate commissioner for the Office of Training, she became the first Puerto Rican woman appointed to the Senior Executive Service at SSA. She is the recipient of both a Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive and a Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive.


Feli has served as an executive coach and as a member of the Strategic Advisor to Government Executives with the Partnership for Public Service since 2009. She also serves as a facilitator and an instructor on leadership for government agencies and nonprofit organizations.


Feli works with a wide range of leaders, including executives in federal and local government as well as in the nonprofit and academic sectors. Clients value her experience as she has often been the first Hispanic woman to achieve, lead and succeed in various roles.  


She honors the dictum “to whom much is given, much will be required.” 


Experience 



  • Stellar career with the Social Security Administration, from entry-level to regional and national leadership in operations, human capital investment and best-in-class leadership programs  

  • 2003 and 2004: Presidential Rank Awardee of Meritorious Executive and Presidential Rank Awardee of Distinguished Executive 

  • Service with Hispanic-serving institutions to develop and implement leadership and mentorship programs 

  • Community leadership 2014 induction to the Howard County, Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame 

  • 2016 and 2020 gubernatorial appointments and ongoing service on the board of trustees at Howard Community College, a Baldridge Performance Excellence Award recipient 

  • 2021 and ongoing service on the Executive Board, Maryland Association of Community Colleges 

  • 2008 and 2021 selection to the Top 100 Women in Maryland  

  • 2023 National Trustee of the Year Award, American Association for Women in Community Colleges 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Bachelor of Arts, College of Mt. St. Vincent, Riverdale, NY 

  • Federal Executive Institute, Leadership for a Democratic Society 

  • EQ-I Certification 

  • SDI L1 Certification 


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Lynette Sprowls

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Lynette Sprowls

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Live a life full of love, laughter, passion, curiosity and joy!”

Lynette Sprowls is an ICF-PCC and NBC-HWC board-certified executive coach with more than 8 years of coaching experience and over 12 years of experience in workshop facilitation and corporate training. She is a forward-thinking coach and speaker who specializes in creating dynamic partnerships that empower individuals, teams and organizations to align with their purpose, elicit clear, achievable and well-defined goals and be inspired to take strategic action to move from intention to positive impact.   


Lynette has been on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing from a stressful lifestyle, trauma and long-term illness that kept her from living the life of her dreams. This has created a passion and dedication to guiding her clients through a transformational coaching journey that empowers them to create their desired life and find powerful forward momentum.  


Lynette views coaching as a way for her clients to see their life more clearly through a fresh perspective and explore what keeps them stuck and creates stress, enabling them to achieve incredible personal and professional transformation that reignites their spark and joy for life. She is known for her positive energy, heart-based coaching and passion for connection, and she would love to walk beside you on this journey of personal discovery to become the leader of your own life, deepen your understanding of yourself and create a powerful impact on your world.  


Experience 



  • Leadership development, organizational transformation and strategic communications. Integrates the principles of mindfulness, cognitive behavior and resiliency to create workshops and retreats for individuals, executives and organizations to foster practical transformational change 

  • Coaching individuals and leaders who seek increased motivation and engagement in their careers, a desire to reconnect with their passion and purpose and to discover, believe in and operate from their truest selves 

  • Works across a range of industries, such as government agencies, the military, nonprofit organizations and corporations  

  • Successful entrepreneur for more than 15 years  

  • Financial industry for 13 years with multiple promotions, including licensed stockbroker, manager and corporate trainer  


Education, Training, and Certifications 



  • Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • NBC-HWC Board Certified 

  • Certification in Positive Psychology Health and Wellness Coaching  

  • Certified Life, Career and Executive Coach  

  • Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (NANP) 

  • HeartMath® Certified Trainer 

  • Energy Codes® Certified Coach and Facilitator  

  • BodyAwake® Yoga Teacher 

  • Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Training Level 1 and Level 2  


Assessment Certifications



  • Public Service Leadership 360; Success Triangle 360; DISC 


Personal 



  • Lives in northern Virginia with her family 

  • Avid outdoor lover and enjoys hiking with her Australian shepherd and kayaking as often as possible 

  • Yoga instructor 

  • Lifelong journey of personal growth through meditation, self-reflection and mindfulness 


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Christina Swartz

Executive Coach

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Christina Swartz

Executive Coach

Christina works with leaders at all levels to improve their leadership effectivness, find fulfillment and achieve their goals. She works with clients in various organizations, such as the federal government, and in other private and nonprofit companies. Christina passionately applies her lifelong curiosity and interest in people to all her engagements. Growing up, she aspired to become an archeologist. Today, her background and continued interest in psychology and strong desire to help others enables her to gently remove layers in conversations and relationship dynamics until hidden treasures are brought to light. As a keen seeker and explorer of strengths and potential, Christina believes that her clients already have what it takes to reach their goals. She is dedicated to helping them rediscover, embrace and effectively apply their unique experiences and expertise in a truly authentic way.  


With her support, clients clearly see their own potential, trust themselves more and shift their mindsets to see new possibilities in difficult situations. Striking a good balance of support and challenge, Christina helps clients take new action so that they get new results and move more quickly up the learning curve.   


Some examples of coaching topics that Christina supports her clients with are: 



  • Setting boundaries and saying no          Improving communication 

  • Dealing with overwhelm                           Time management 

  • Improving work/life balance                   Managing up effectively 

  • Overcoming imposter syndrome            Gaining career clarity 

  • Improving executive presence                 Increasing confidence 


Prior to becoming a coach, Christina had careers in education, first as a teacher and later as the owner and director of a private school in Virginia. Before that, she worked in the airline industry, where she held many leadership roles, such as the department head of customer service, for a major airline.   


Christina knows from experience the challenges that many leaders face and how lonely it can be at the top. She understands that growth and development are a process and can occur with great effect with the support of a coach. Her experience as a business owner and overseeing managers at various levels has prepared her well to work with leaders and emerging leaders in a variety of industries.


Experience 



  • Fifteen years’ experience as an independent consultant and coach 

  • Graduate of Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching program 

  • Coaches leaders in the federal government, local government, and private and nonprofit sectors  

  • Current and prior clients include the Department of Health and Human Services; the Food and Drug Administration; Daiichi Sankyo; the Federal Reserve Board; Legal Zoom; the Smithsonian National Zoo; the National Archives and Records Administration; BMW; Chubb; the Department ofAgriculture; Delta Airlines; EssilorLuxottica; GroupM; The Rainforest Trust; the Transportation Security Administration; Lyft; Institutional Shareholders Services; the American Society for Hematology; Lord Fairfax Community College; Deltek; and HelloFresh 

  • Volunteer and pro bono activities include being the leadership fauquier-co-director of coaching program, a Georgetown alumni coach mentor, a Professional Women in Advocacy pro-bono coach and a senior mentor coach for the TSA through the Federal Internal Coach Training Program


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • B.S., Psychology, honors from the University of Mary Washington 

  • Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership Coaching Program 

  • PCC certified through the International Coach Federation 

  • Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program  


Assessment Certifications  



  • The Leadership Circle Profile; Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); Insights Discovery; Custom Insights 


Personal 



  • Christina lives with her husband, two teenaged sons and shiatzu in the Washington, D.C., metro area.   

  • She enjoys watching her kids play sports, especially baseball.   

  • She has a love and appreciation for art, biographies, documentaries, music and all things food related.   


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Rhonda Tagg

Executive Coach

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Rhonda Tagg

Executive Coach

"Rhonda is guided by the philosophy that, in leadership, every day matters, every voice matters and every decision matters."

Rhonda helps leaders grow their capacity to lead and make a positive impact within their organization, their community and the broader world while honoring their core values. She offers more than 30 years of experience cultivating the development of individuals, high-impact teams and innovative solutions while operating at the intersection of people and technology. As a senior executive within the U.S. Intelligence Community, she experienced firsthand the benefits of working with an executive coach in challenging leadership situations. This experience increased her confidence and ability to lead while operating in a dynamic, high-stakes environment. 


Rhonda coaches executives and first-line leaders across sectors who are navigating unfamiliar, challenging or complex situations. While her clients serve in various roles and levels, they share a drive to achieve meaningful results and are committed to enhancing their ability to lead and develop others. Rhonda co-creates a trusted partnership with clients to support authentic conversations as they deepen their awareness of themselves, their values, their relationships with others and the broader ecosystem in which they are leading.  


She helps clients envision what is possible, increase performance and build leadership capacity through an iterative process of identifying high-leverage opportunities for development, strategizing actions they can take to achieve their goals and incorporating adaptive learning gained by reflecting on their actions and experiences. To that end, she may introduce leadership frameworks, evidence-based practices or other tools to accelerate and sustain growth. 


Clients who work with Rhonda appreciate her calm presence, optimism and confidence in their ability to grow and transform their leadership. They feel supported throughout their coaching journey, as she naturally creates trust with clients and taps into her coaching intuition and depth of leadership experience to help them discover and build inner strengths that support their personal and professional aspirations. 


Experience 



  • Coaching. Facilitated client development of new perspectives and competencies that equipped them to lead more confidently during periods of rapid change and ambiguity. Focus areas included leading change with influence; empowering and developing employees; enhancing interpersonal communications; engaging in difficult conversations; developing situational awareness; managing competing tensions; making decisions; managing risks; creating psychological safety; leading amidst changing employee expectations; and more. 

  • Team Development/Facilitation. Partnered with organizations to design, develop and deliver targeted leadership training. Crafted and facilitated a series of leadership development workshops for a nonprofit leadership team that featured conversations on topics relevant to the shared practices they are adopting as they prepare to scale their impact.  

  • Government career. Completed her career as the directorate of digital innovation  executive for a regional mission center. Partnered with leaders and colleagues to accelerate the matrixed integration of digital expertise and capabilities into the center, which bolstered its capacity to collect intelligence, craft all-source analysis, and provide support to officers at home and abroad, advancing U.S. goals in the region. As deputy director for the directorate’s talent office, supported the director in spearheading the launch of a new digital career service to grow the skill sets needed to leverage current and emerging technology for impact. As group chief in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, managed a portfolio of social, mobile and cloud applications that enabled mission partners to produce, disseminate and collaborate on intelligence within the agency and the Intelligence Community. 


 Education, Training and Certifications 



  • MBA (George Mason University) 

  • BS, Quantitative Business Analysis (Penn State University) 

  • Executive education, Senior Executives Fellows (SEF) Program (Harvard Kennedy School) 

  • Executive education, Leading Change in Complex Organizations (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (University of South Florida) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (ACC) 


Assessment Certifications: 



  • Leadership Circle Profile 360; Emotional Intelligence EQ-I 2.0/ EQ 360 


Personal 



  • Rhonda lives in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area with her husband.  

  • She enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. 


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Solly Thomas

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Solly Thomas

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“It’s a real pleasure working with, and developing, current and future leaders in the public sector.”

Solly Thomas has over 30 years of experience leading and managing federal agencies and programs. He has held senior-level positions in both the public and private sectors—as a member of the Senior Executive Service; as an associate partner at the IBM Corporation; and as an executive coach and instructor for federal leadership programs. 


As an executive coach, Solly combines his extensive federal leadership experience with best practice leadership research, models and approaches. This unique combination enables him to provide the next generation of public sector leaders with practical tools and resources that help them develop both personally and professionally.    


Since 2009, Solly has coached in a variety of programs across the federal sector, both in the classroom and through one-on-one coaching. He currently serves as an executive coach for the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, which prepares rising federal leaders to lead people, drive change and deliver results. He is also the coach for two Senior Executive Service programs which help new executives transition into their role.  These programs include the Department of Homeland Security Capstone Program and the Department of Transportation Executive Onboarding Program. 


Solly also serves as the instructor for the Senior Executive Assessment Program, sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management. This program is designed to help senior federal managers assess their performance potential for—and better understand the expectations and challenges of—the Senior Executive Service, and determine their readiness to go through the selection process.  


Experience 



  • Over 17 years of experience as a member of the Senior Executive Service 

  • Three years of Senior Executive Service experience at the Office of Personnel Management leading government-wide human capital programs 

  • Twelve years of Senior Executive Service experience as the executive director and chief operating officer at the Federal Labor Relations Authority 

  • Over two years of Senior Executive Service experience as the chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission 

  • Three years as an associate partner at the IBM Corporation 

  • Fifteen years as an executive coach 

  • Over 1,000 hours of one-on-one executive coaching 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame  

  • Emotional Quotient Inventory Assessment Certificate 


Personal 



  • Solly and his wife live in Potomac, Maryland, and have two adult children, both of whom live and work in the San Francisco, California, area. 

  • He and his wife travel extensively across the United States as well as overseas. 

  • In addition to travel, he enjoys reading, sports and is an avid (but not very good) golfer. 


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Claudio Toyama

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Claudio Toyama

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Claudio is the embodiment of leading with authenticity and care. When talking with Claudio, there is a sense of deep listening, a grounded presence and an extension of compassion. He produces a feeling of deep care.” – CEO, medical service company

Claudio helps senior leaders become more visible and respected by their higher-ups so that they can get promoted faster and thrive with confidence. A descendant of samurai, Claudio was born and raised in Brazil, has lived in Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom and the U.S., and has consulted in 113 countries so far.  


Claudio is best known for making sure that individuals, teams and organizations achieve and maintain high levels of sustainable performance by enhancing the customer experience, enabling and elevating employee engagement, and coaching executives in dynamic leadership development. His intercultural perspective and sensitivities for different cultures and backgrounds enables him to easily connect with others and to gracefully bridge cultural differences. 


Claudio and his clients go deep while keeping it light, ensuring they get out of their own way and “sharpen the sword” to become world-class communicators, influencers and leaders. 


Experience 



  • Adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership 

  • Author of the bestselling book, “The Samurai Samba Vinci Way: How to Improve Your Executive Presence, Increase Trust and Lead Your Team at a World-Class Level” 

  • For almost three decades, Claudio has built his career as an international research-based consultant, having worked in marketing, reputation management and customer experience for a multitude of sectors, including information technology; biotech; finance; retail; hospitality; aerospace; architecture; media and public relations; nonprofits; conscious business; and others. 

  • Eighteen years as global director for customer and employee insight for an award-winning consultancy based in London, England  

  • Contributor to Forbes™ on the topics of leadership, customer experience, employee engagement and company culture for four years  


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Masters degree in Interactive Multimedia (University of the Arts – London, UK) 

  • B.A. in Business Administration (EAESP FGV – Sao Paulo, Brazil), graduate degrees in marketing, strategy (CEAG FGV – Sao Paulo, Brazil) and communication studies (Universidade Mackenzie – Sao Paulo, Brazil) 

  • Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Newfield Institute – Boulder, CO – USA) 

  • Certificate in Coaching Excellence in Organizations (Institute for Generative Leadership – Longmont, CO – USA) 

  • DEI Certification (Cornell University) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Everything DiSC Authorized Partner – Wiley 

  • Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Authorized Partner – Wiley 


Assessment Certifications



  • Leadership Circle Profile 360; DiSC tools; Hogan; Key Polarities Indicator; Cultural Transformation Tools 


Personal 



  • Claudio lives with his daughter outside of Washington, D.C., and consults around the world. 

  • He loves a good cuisine, traveling and playing chess. 

  • He is resolved to bring more beauty and passion to the world, and he is easily distracted with ice cream, chocolate and sushi (but probably not all at the same time).  


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Rachel Verlik

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Rachel Verlik

Executive Coach and Facilitator

“Coaching Philosophy: Helping individuals and leaders in mission-focused organizations to lead clearly with head, heart, courage and purpose.”

Rachel is an international executive coach, facilitator and speaker who works with leaders across industries, including government, construction, medicine and the nonprofit sector.  She has over 25 years of business experience, including 13 years of federal service. Rachel has coached and facilitated individual leaders and groups in the U.S. and more than 70 countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Pakistan and France.            


Rachel is a champion for brave and authentic leadership.  She believes in coaching the whole person—body, mind and spirit—toward brave futures that align with her client’s values.  While she works with leaders in all levels of organizations, her passion is for supporting new and midlevel leaders on their journey to greater self-awareness, enhanced communication and increased  confidence.  


Rachel’s clients appreciate her relatable experience, authenticity, and warmth. She helps them identify what matters and where they would like to go through a nonjudgmental partnership.  Her experience facilitating leadership development programs allows for a depth of tools and knowledge to be shared with clients for their most effective leadership. 


Rachel’s clients often say she is a “soft place to land.” They walk away from their engagements feeling heard, developing a clear sense of what matters to them and the leader they want to be, and cultivating a deeper inner confidence to help themselves, their teams and their organizations thrive and transform.   


Experience 



  • As a former federal leader, Rachel is passionate about supporting public servants manage and lead through complexity. She has worked with clients in all Cabinet-level agencies.  

  • Rachel’s held leadership positions in agencies during and following periods of great national upheaval, including 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent subprime mortgage crisis 

  • In 2019, Rachel was competitively selected to be trained by Dr. Brené Brown as a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator.  Rachel loves working with mission-based organizations to help them build their courage-building skills based on the Dare to Lead™ framework.   


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Minor in Spanish (James Madison University) 

  • M.S. in e-Commerce (George Mason University) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University) 

  • ICE Fellows Program (Federal Executive Institute) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator (based on the work of and trained directly by Dr. Brené Brown) 

  • Certified Grief Educator (by David Kessler)  

  • Pro Bono coach to the Women’s Impact Alliance  


Assessment Certifications



  • Everything DiSC® (and Authorized Partner); Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team; Learning Circle Profile; EQi-2.0; EQ-i 360; Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment


Personal 



  • Rachel resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her family and rescue dog Smudge.   

  • When she is not working, Rachel enjoys traveling, being in nature, walking, listening to live music and reading.  

  • Born and raised in a small New England town, she has been a Red Sox fan since before birth, attending games at Fenway Park while in the womb! 


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Steve Whearty

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Steve Whearty

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Empowering clients to leverage their strengths, challenge their assumptions, and lead with integrity and humility."

Steve Whearty brings 30 years of experience in leadership and learning professional roles in the federal government, the private sector and uniformed service to his current work. A practitioner of leadership, Steve previously served as a Navy officer and as the acting dean of faculty at the Federal Executive Institute.


Steve derives personal and professional satisfaction from serving others, which is why he gravitated toward public service and coaching. He works closely with his clients to develop new strategies and behaviors through a process of self-awareness and experiential learning, resulting in personal and organizational effectiveness. His clients gain a better awareness of their own hidden assumptions, perceptions and unspoken expectations that block them from their objectives. He also encourages his clients to leverage their gifts and abilities to act and move toward success.  


Clients who work with Steve describe him as someone who listens completely and without judgment, synthesizes and recaps their experiences and emotions, and guides them in answering their own questions and solving their own challenges. Clients also describe Steve as very relatable because of his extensive government experience and sense of humor.  


Experience 



  • ICF Certified Coach with over 650 hours of coaching individuals at all levels, from junior and high-potential employees to executives from across Cabinet-level federal departments and agencies, as well as the private sector 

  • Skilled small-group facilitator for federal and municipal government and private sector cohort programs. Facilitation includes exploration of individual core values, storytelling, coaching fundamentals and feedback, designed to promote personal vulnerability and lasting interpersonal connections 

  • Experienced in the assessment, design and delivery of custom team learning events to meet the complex needs of executive-level stakeholders and their teams in areas such as change management, employee engagement, strategic planning, conflict management, team mission, vision and values


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.A., Education and Human Development (George Washington University) 

  • MBA, (Cameron University) 

  • B.A., Public Policy (Duke University) 

  • Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Federal Internal Coach Boot Camp) 

  • ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) 

  • Certification: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 


Assessment Certifications



  • Hogan (HPI, HDS, MVPI); DISC; EQi 2.0/360; Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile; Change Style Indicator/Change Navigator; Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); StandOut 


Personal 



  • Married with two grown children; resides in Charlottesville, Virginia 

  • Loves to travel; lived in Italy for a while and wants to go back! 

  • Active member in his church community 

  • Enjoys weightlifting, oil painting and hanging out with his Golden Retriever 


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Christine Williams

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Christine Williams

Executive Coach and Facilitator

A highly rated coach for over 30 years, Chris has personally coached over 2,000 executives and leaders in industry and government. Chris’ coaching approach focuses on helping individuals achieve results that align with their personal values and vision so that achieving goals provides a true sense of joy, satisfaction and accomplishment.


As a former leader in government, Chris understands the challenges of working in this unique and complex environment. She has a passion for helping and supporting federal leaders who she considers the unsung heroes—those who ensure the foundation of good government and provide the critical strength our nation needs. Chris strongly believes that within each of us is a spark waiting to be released into the world to help us realize our greater selves, to build meaningful connections and to use our gifts in a positive way. Since retiring from NASA, Chris has served as a coach for several Partnership leadership and executive programs. 


Experience 



  • Author of the 2023 best-selling book “If You Don’t Ask the Answer is Always No, From Stories that Hold You Back to Skills that Drive Success.” In this book, Chris shares her coaching knowledge along with numerous powerful tools and techniques that help individuals shift their mindset, build new skills and achieve their goals. 

  • Served as coach in several Partnership programs, including the Excellence in Government Fellows Program, the Federal IT Leaders Program, the Mission Support Leadership Program, and programs tailored for members of the Senior Executive Service for the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Labor 

  • Served as former director of several NASA agencywide leadership development programs; envisioned, designed and implemented NASA’s coaching program 

  • Speaks internationally on leadership development, organizational change, executive coaching and the application of advances in neuroscience to improve employee learning and organizational effectiveness 

  • Served on the Executive Steering Committee for the Conference Board’s Executive Coaching Conference; senior consultant to the Neuroleadership Institute; founding member of the Society for Organizational Learning Public Sector Consortium; member of the High Performing Federal Agencies Group; founder and first chair of the Board of Leaders for the Council for Excellence in Government, Senior Fellows 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • M.S. in Organizational Development and Applied Behavioral Science (Johns Hopkins University.) 

  • B.S. in Oceanography (Catholic University) 

  • Professional Coaching Certificate (Newfield Institute) 

  • Certificate in Business Management (Harvard Business School) 


Assessment Certifications 



  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; DiSC; EQ 360; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment; NASA 360; SCARF Assessment; and Epworth Assessment


Personal 



  • Chris lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband of 47 years, Steve.  

  • She has a passion for justice and protecting the rights of all individuals, ensuring everyone has a safe and healthy environment in which to thrive.  

  • She actively works on numerous committees within her community. 


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Essey Workie

Executive Coach and Facilitator

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Essey Workie

Executive Coach and Facilitator

"Human experience is the leaven of God in the world around us. ...So we are either growing or collapsing at every moment. We are either becoming bigger souled or smaller souled at every moment. And however you and I become, everybody else becomes around us." - Sister Joan Chittister

Essey helps mission-driven leaders, especially members of minority, immigrant, disability and queer communities, align their work with their values. Building on her international roots, she supports managers, executives, and teams globally, including clients in China, Kenya, Jordan, Mali, Rwanda and the United States. Essey uses a developmental lens to make coaching accessible to leaders at all skill levels and positions.  


Leaders affectionately refer to Essey as their “work therapist” because of her twin-focus on performance and well-being. She is known for helping clients sort through the muck of office politics, personal and organizational shifts, and uncertainty. Integrating her skills as a coach and former therapist, Essey helps her clients gain clarity, direction and balance. By the end of coaching, leaders describe having more confidence to accomplish their goals and being more resilient.  


A foundational principle of Essey’s approach is to marry leadership theory with real-life application. Having directed teams and initiatives for 25 years, including 10 years in federal service, Essey knows firsthand what it takes to lead. Because of her dual perspective as a federal leader and coach, Essey has a built-in understanding of employee engagement; performance reviews; reorganizations; labor relations; policy development; grants management; contracting; budget cycles; public affairs; and strategic planning. Clients find it easier to communicate with Essey because she understands the federal government context.  


Experience 



  • Coached, trained and/or facilitated retreats for leaders in various federal agencies including the departments of Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and State  

  • Led diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for federal, state and local government agencies and international nonprofit organizations, including the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Programs, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child Support, the State of Michigan, the D.C. Councilmember’s Office, the American Public Transportation Association and Save the Children International  

  • Former top federal government executive and official spokesperson for a regional office with an annual budget of $4 billion and 60 staff members  

  • Featured by news outlets including the Associated Press, Forbes Coaches Council, National Public Radio and The Washington Post 


Education, Training and Certifications 



  • Master’s degree in social work (Temple University) 

  • B.S. in psychology (James Madison University) 

  • Leadership Coaching Certification (Georgetown University) 

  • ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) 

  • Official member of Forbes Coaches Council  

  • Executive Leadership for America (Brookings Institute)  

  • Certified Diversity Executive (Institute for Diversity Certification) 

  • Member (International Association of Facilitators)  


Assessment Certifications 



  • Change Navigator; Change Style Indicator; Hogan Assessments; Intercultural Development Inventory; Leadership Circle Profile Assessment; Strength Deployment Inventory Levels 1 and 2 


Personal 



  • Tapping into her creative side, Essey has written several spoken word pieces, co-authored a cookbook and co-created a children’s book. 

  • As part of her civic engagement, Essey helped to start three nonprofit organizations and currently sits on the board of directors of the Refugee Council USA.  


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