Biographies of Instructors, Coaches, and Guest Speakers

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Introducing Scott Coady

Scott Coady is the Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Embodied Wisdom, a personal and professional education business specializing in leadership development, team effectiveness and organizational culture change.

Certified as a coach by the Newfield Network in 1992, and as a Master Somatic Coach by the Strozzi Institute in 2002, Scott brings a holistic approach to serving his clients. Working in the disciplines of body, mind and spirit, he enables his clients to become clear and move effectively toward their desired futures. Scott has dedicated his professional life to learning and applying emerging methods and technologies from the areas of somatics, philosophy, linguistics, athletics and experiential learning to business culture change initiatives and his personal and corporate coaching.

Clients include Argentine Telecom, AT&T Wireless, CapitalOne Financial, Cargill, The Center for Victims of Torture, Cisco Systems, McKinsey & Co., Microsoft, NASA, National City Bank, and the OSCE (Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe).

Scott attended California Lutheran University where he received his BA in Business Administration and obtained his MBA from Pepperdine University in 1987. His continuing education has included extensive study with Dr. Fernando Flores, the Newfield Network and Dr. Richard Heckler. Scott has held adjunct professorships at Ventura Junior College in California and at George Mason University in Virginia where he co-lead a graduate-level course entitled "Coaching and Organizational Learning" and has been a Mentor Coach for the Newfield Network’s coaching certification and graduate programs. In 2002, Scott was a featured speaker at the International Coaching Federation’s annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Scott is a third generation Californian, currently living in the Ojai Valley near Santa Barbara, California with his wife Kathleen. His passions include surfing, bicycle racing, digital filmmaking and adventure travel. In 1996, Scott competed at the Masters World Championships in Manchester England, placing in the top ten in five events and is the current record holder in the flying 200 meter time trail at the National Sports Center Velodrome for competitors over the age of 35. In July of 2000, Scott fulfilled a dream by following the Tour de France from start to finish. Scott made a film about his adventure and has used it to raise over $200,000 for the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation and the Davis Phinney Parkinson’s Foundation.

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Introducing Kanu Kogod, PhD, MCC

Kanu Kogud is a facilitator, consultant and professional coach with 20+ years of experience in empowering individuals and organizations to realize their potential. With a background as an anthropologist (University of Florida) and a Master Certified Coach, she has been able to apply her experience and insights about people and culture to business settings.

Kanu is committed to supporting the learning of others because she has a love of learning that has resulted in certifications in everything from speech therapy to the language of movement. Her work with large organizations, such as the Crown Central Petroleum, American Red Cross, Lockheed Martin, Maryland Park and Planning Commission, and Hepburn Health Systems, has moved them closer to implementing their organizational visions.

Best known for work in the area of diversity, McGraw-Hill published Tools and Strategies for a Diverse Workforce in 1995. A Leader's Guide to Managing Diversity, which was published in 1991 by Jossey-Bass, has since become a "diversity best seller." Kanu was elected as a Fellow for outstanding contributions by the Society of Applied Anthropology in 1989. She has been an adjunct professor at American University and she has presented to all the major associations in the training field – ASTD, NSPI, SHRM, AQP, Best of America and many others.

On a more personal note, Kanu both practices and teaches meditation and is an avid volunteer for Youth Leadership Washington. She plans to retire into a new career on a farm where people of all ages can come and find meaning in exploring the possibilities of life.

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Introducing Gail S. Williams

Like most Goddard employees, I am baby boomer. I began my Goddard career in 1974 as an entry level contract specialist and worked in acquisition until 1995. Some of you may remember me in my last procurement job – Chief of the Procurement Support Division, the former Code 260. In 1995, I began a 14-month detail at the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy. I enjoyed the assignment. Noting he contrast in culture between OSTP and Goddard made me appreciate the family atmosphere of NASA.

This 14-month detail was a transitional job. I spent the time examining my personal values and career objectives. Prior to then, I was likely characterized as a task-oriented workaholic who cared about her coworkers and people in her division, yet whose default setting was "task." In fact, I often felt I had two personalities – one at work and one at home. Now, I have one integrated personality – what you see is what you get.

This detail rekindled my passion and I returned to Goddard with renewed commitment, as I joined the resources and financial management community as Special Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. I am grateful that my current job offers me the latitude to work on projects that I truly care about. To the casual observer, I appear extroverted. I am really an introvert.

Now for some standard biographical information – My undergraduate degree is in psychology from the University of Connecticut. In the mid-1980's, NASA sent me to the Maxwell Mid-career Development Program at Syracuse University. I wisely chose to go during the fall semester when the weather was less severe. I subsequently earned a Master's in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Administration. In 2000, I completed a coaching and organizational learning program offered through the partnership of the George Mason University and Newfield Network. My current job responsibilities are varied and include program manager for Leadership Alchemy and coordinator of the Center Director's Colloquia Series. I also serve as the Agency focal point for career development and training for the financial and resources management community.

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Introducing Melonie B. Garrett, MCC

Melonie Garrett, MCC is a Master Certified Coach, President and Principal Consultant of the ATG Coaching & Consulting, LLC with a focus in the area of individual and organizational capacity building. She is a learner and one who shares knowledge gained from life experiences. She began this lifelong journey of learning and sharing in College Park, MD. Major contributors to her learning and sharing models are her parents, William and Lucille Sharps, along with her three sisters and a host of extended family. Later her formal education and sharing was obtained while attending Morgan State University, where Melonie received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.

Before attending graduate school at The American University to receive a Masters Degree in Organizational Development, Melonie spent 17 years learning and sharing in the Telecommunications business at Bell Atlantic, now Verizon, as an Information Technology Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, and manager. Even in IT, Melonie's underlying passion for change and transformation in self and others was alive and well. As she moved from role to role, she found her strength/gift in motivating, listening, and helping others to emerge more fully. Melonie helped to lead Total Quality Management and High Performance Work Team endeavors on a corporate-wide level for Bell Atlantic, Amtrak, and Rockwell International. At Rockwell, Melonie also developed a learning exchange center. It was during this experience at Rockwell that Melonie fell in love with coaching and realized her calling more fully.

She started her own consulting and coaching practice, learning and sharing her experiences, and forming alliances with organizations such as Bridges in Organizations, and the Newfield Network. Melonie studied with Julio Olalla of the Newfield Network and is now a certified coach and mentor for coaches in training. Her coaching and consulting firm supports a variety of nationwide clients in the areas of assessment and ontological coaching (personal and professional transformation), multi-rater feedback, performance management, post merger & acquisition cultural integration, managing inclusion, and leadership and organizational development. She provides coaching services to Senior Executive Staff (SES) candidates and other leaders who attend the Federal Executive Institute (FEI). She is a guest lecturer at Morgan State University and a member of such professional associations, including the International Coach Federation (ICF), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).

Melonie has been a coach in the Leadership Alchemy Program since its inception in 2001/2002. She looks forward to a rich learning and sharing experience with you!

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Introducing Frank Hackney

Frank Hackney offers 20 years of leadership experience – expanding individual performance and leveraging the resulting energy to spark organization-wide effectiveness. With a solid business background sharply focused on the generation of effective action, Frank brings a unique blend of academic background and organizational experience, having held executive positions in diverse strategic business areas.

In 2001, Frank created InnerShift Practices, LLC – a coaching and organizational change partnership. Since that time, he has worked extensively to facilitate organizational action through individual and team coaching. His organizational work with CEOs, key executives and leadership teams ranges from $25M cooperatives to Fortune 200. In addition, he supports the Newfield Network coach-training program and is a team member of SportsMind – an innovative leadership development company with a focus on developing high-performing teams.

Frank’s coaching methodology is grounded in somatic, linguistic and emotional competence. He draws on each of these areas in his work with clients to raise awareness, enable action and generate sustainable high levels of performance.

An intense believer in continuous learning, Frank was selected as a liaison between George Mason University’s Program on Social and Organizational Learning and the Newfield Network’s Executive Coaching Program – successfully helping to bridge the academic world of organizational learning with ontological coaching.

Frank holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science/ International Relations from Old Dominion University. In 1998, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Learning from George Mason University, and in 1999 completed Scenario Planning coursework at the Haas School of Business Center for Executive Development, University of California, Berkeley. In 2000, Frank successfully completed the Newfield Network Coaching and Organizational Learning program and is a NN Certified Coach.

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Introducing Marla Zipin

Marla Zipin, as a coach and consultant to individuals and organizations for over 20 years, brings a wealth of expertise and experience in human relationship systems. She coaches her clients to crystallize their visions, overcome their obstacles to manifest their most cherished dreams, and lead fulfilling, balanced lives. She is committed to engaging her clients in a learning process of self-discovery and transformation.

Marla coaches executives, managers, entrepreneurs and individuals in peak performance, emotional intelligence, decision-making, skill development, and well being for highly effective leadership. She designs and conducts teambuilding programs and facilitates the creation of shared visions, strategic plans, and management systems for organizations.

In addition to serving as a coach with Leadership Alchemy at NASA Goddard Space Center, her representative client organizations include BWI Airport, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, numerous Prince William County agencies, nonprofit institutions, health care facilities, community groups, and a variety of small businesses.

She holds a Ph. D. and Masters degree in psychology, and has extensive coaching training. Furthermore, she has been a student of yoga and meditation for most of her adult life.

Marla considers her husband of 20 + years and her teenage children to be her greatest teachers of love, respect, service, and teamwork.

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Introducing Seth Kahan

Every organization has “social potential” but few know how to tap it.

In 1996 at the World Bank I sat in a room of forty of the institution’s movers and shakers: vice-presidents, project managers and change agents.  An international crowd, each was an acknowledged expert in their realm.  They had been brought together to begin shaping a vision for a new organization. It was not going to be easy. There were opposing agendas, differing disciplines, and conflicting views on the direction and future of the institution.  The room was quiet and interactions were stilted as people took their seats, grouping themselves in familiar cliques. 

After a brief welcome, people were asked to share a short, personal story about how they came to be at the meeting.  In 10 minutes the room was filled with exuberance.  In less than an hour they were well on their way to a powerful collaboration which would culminate in a shared articulation of a new organization, the “Knowledge Bank.” Two years later a remarkable transformation had taken place. It included a dedicated budget of over $60m annually, the creation of 100+ communities of practice, changes in the annual performance evaluation and international recognition of the World Bank as a leader in the field of Knowledge Management.  Throughout that transition I witnessed the power of storytelling, community and individual contribution to spark positive change.  I was amazed by how fast change happens when the “social potential” of the organization is tapped.

Social potential is our collective capacity to imagine, work and achieve results together without compromising the contribution of individuals. Real change happens person-to-person, through our natural inclination to come together in community and tell stories about what concerns us. I have dedicated my professional work to understanding how these tendencies can be cultivated to realize our capacity to influence the future.

I grew up in Austin, Texas, and attended college in Bloomington, Indiana, where I majored in Mathematics.  I left graduate school to start an experimental theater company, a troupe of 30 dancers and musicians. For over a decade I produced, directed and performed improvisational theater. In 1978 I began performing as a professional storyteller. Today I am a conference speaker and a consultant. My website has all the details: www.SethKahan.com. 

There you can learn about the other organizations I work with, the techniques I use and the projects I am part of. Be sure to visit the Resources section in which there are many articles available for download free of charge. You may contact me personally at Seth@SethKahan.com.

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Introducing Michele Shay

Michele Shay is an award winning actress, director, producer and Certified Coach.  She has performed on and off-Broadway, in Regional Theatre, television and film.  Michele began coaching actors at the recommendation of Bill Cosby and applies the creative principles of performance in education, business, special event production, presentation and actualization of professional potential for over ten years.  She specializes in designing a public identity for and with her clients that is empowering, engaging, and effectively conveying the essence of who they are, while broadening their vocabulary of expression.  World-renowned Master Coach Julio Olalla of the Newfield Network trained Ms. Shay to be a Professional Coach. 

Michele’s acting background includes a BFA in Acting at Carnegie-Mellon, training in NLP with Fortune 500 Coach Linda Sommer, mask work with

Pierre Le Fevre, Acting Coaching with William Esper and Harold Guskin (who coach Calista Flockart, Kelvin Kline and Glenn Close, voice with Kristin Linkleter, and writing with Syd Field.

Michele taught acting at CAL Arts, American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, North Carolina School of the Arts, and on-Camera Technique at David Kagen’s Film Acting Studio in Los Angeles.  She served on Theater Panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, New York and New Jersey State Arts Counsels, and the Princess Grace Foundation.  Her clients include the Mind-Body Medical Institute, Boston, Essex County College, New Jersey, Melissa Rivers, TLC, and Sanaa Lathan (Love and Basketball, Disappearing Acts with Wesley Snipes).

Workshops

Engaging the Dramatic Self:  A 1-day or 2-day workshop with comedy, mask work, story-telling and theatre games created to introduce the non-actor to the intuitive dramatic self in an environment that is inspiring, awesome and illegal fun.

Finding Your Own Light:  A 6-week series and on-going scene-study class that focuses on presentation skills.  The workshop offers a safe nurturing environment to deal with fears and individual concerns, while focusing on discovering the client’s personal gift and style, text interpretation, broadening the range of expression (mentally, physically, vocally, emotionally), and learning to manage the stress of performance. 

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Introducing Donna Strickland

A nationally acclaimed speaker and organizational development consultant, Donna is famous for her high energy, dynamic keynote addresses and presentations.  She specializes in opening and closing large national conferences, speaking to over 100,000 people annually as a keynoter.  Her programs, including Leadership, Laughter and Lightness of Being, Saving Your Life amp; Career, Leadership in the 21st Century, Laughter Matters and Overcoming Terminal Seriousness, have received standing ovations around the country.

Not only is Donna an outstanding motivational speaker, she is well known for the transformational work she does with organizations as a consultant.  She goes the distance with companies, walking side-by-side with them as they integrate the change and transition process, create effective leaders, and leverage talent to elevate performance.  Donna's hallmark is doing powerful proprietary consulting that offers organizations the opportunity to undergo profound shifts, creating a fluid environment that is responsive to change, committed to its mission, its    people and its long-term success.

She is also a certified Change and Transition Management Consultant and was among the first fifty people in the world to become accredited in the Emotional Competence Inventory. Donna has a Master of Science degree, an RN and the NSA's highest designation -- that of Certified Speaking Professional. She works as a team development and leadership consultant in a range of industries, including health care, technology, communications, aerospace and finance.

Donna is President of the Denver-based management consulting firm, The    People Connection. She is a coach, national speaker, and organizational    development consultant with over ten years experience and 1,000,000    workshop participants to her credit.

 Donna's clients have included The Mayo Clinic, CoorsTek, American Hospital    Association, NASA, Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies, Texaco, AT&T,    Continental Airlines, Methodist Hospitals, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical    Center, ACX Technologies, Voluntary Hospitals of America, Merrill Lynch, and

the United States Dept. of Interior, the United States Air Force, and hundreds of healthcare organizations around the country.

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Introducing Kim Loop

Kim Loop has been involved in the corporate training and development community for 17 years working with clients such as Cargill, Capital One, McKinsey & Company, and Microsoft. During that time he has successfully fulfilled roles in logistics, management, design, and delivery. As a facilitator his emphasis has been on teambuilding trainings, creating self-management practices for individuals, and designing and delivering leadership development programs.

Using an experiential base to support his work with clients Kim puts an emphasis on raising individual awareness and eliciting personal accountability for resolving issues and driving towards results. It is his belief that a high performing team is made up of accountable individuals aligned around a common purpose.

In addition to a BFA from Western Washington University, Kim has been working with people in the various roles of instructor, coach, mentor, manager, and trainer since the age of twelve. He has a strong commitment to supporting individuals and organizations in facing their challenges and achieving their goals.

Kim lives in Seattle with his wife Eden, a teenage son Gordon, and two cats. He enjoys running, downhill skiing, carpentry, and engaging the neighborhood children in rambunctious games of ball tag.

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