Dorothy Sisneros, CEO

MS, MBA, FAACVPR

Connecting people, creating energy and inspiration to accomplish exceptional results

Dorothy is devoted to harnessing the power of effective teams to support organizational and individual excellence. She brings leadership experiences in healthcare and education to guide leaders to engage the wisdom of employees. Dorothy is passionate about connecting people and capitalizing on their individual strengths. She moves people and ideas to excellence, focusing teams to meet their goals and transforming complex ideas and processes into positive outcomes.

Dorothy has collaborated with numerous organizations on system-wide initiatives as an internal leader and as a partner and consultant during her career with hospitals, physician practices, clinics and higher education in the community college system. She coaches leaders, teams and organizations using proven teaming methodology developed by Thunderbird. Dorothy has been a business owner for over 20 years and has held senior level positions as SVP of Client Services, SVP of Engagement Strategies, District Director of Executive Talent and Succession Planning, Department Chair/Faculty member and as Director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Dorothy has been a speaker/presenter at state, regional and national conferences in Healthcare and Education. She has co-authored articles and written chapters in books. Most recently, she and several colleagues authored a chapter in Appreciative Leadership: Building Sustainable Partnerships for Health.

Specialties:

• Executive and Leadership Team Development
• Executive Coaching
• Team Coaching
• Teaming
• Facilitation
• Talent Management
• Organizational Dynamics

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• B.S. in Education, University of Arizona
• Master of Science, Adult Fitness/Cardiac Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
• M.B.A., University of Phoenix
• Founding Fellow of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Certified Everything DiSC Workplace® Facilitator 
• Love + Leader Designation

Amy Steinbinder, SVP

PhD, RN, NE-BC, NBC-HWC

Committed to high reliability organizations and just cultures

Amy is devoted to creating safe work environments that support patient care delivery. She brings proven leadership experience in healthcare organizations with special emphasis on achieving and sustaining magnet designation, executive coaching, and employee engagement. As a coach, she leads large-scale change, cycles of innovation using advanced design principles that create ownership and sustainability.

Amy coaches healthcare leaders, staff, and physicians individually and in their teams. She has worked with over 15 organizations in pursuit of Magnet designation of Nursing Excellence and in each case, Magnet designation was achieved. She has served in a number of leadership capacities including Service Excellence Administrator, Patient Safety Officer, Senior Director of Nursing Systems, Director of Professional Practice, and Organizational Development Consultant. She had responsibility for patient experience, leadership development, quality improvement, root cause analysis, instructional design, and Magnet redesignation. She has held leadership roles in Banner Health System, Language of Caring, Kindred Healthcare and TRC Healthcare.

She has authored articles and book chapters to advance the field of nursing and clinician leadership excellence. Most recently, she co-authored Achieving Uncommon Results through Caring Leadership for Nurse Leader.

Specialties:

• Executive and Leadership Development
• Team Coaching
• Strategic Planning and Implementation
• Creating High Reliability Organizations and Just Cultures
• Designing and Implementing Cycles of Innovation
• Leading Organization Change
• Teaming
• Process Improvement and Evaluation.

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• BS in Nursing, Bowling Green State University, OH
• MS in Nursing, University of Arizona
• PhD in Nursing, University of Colorado
• National Board Certified in Health and Wellness Coaching
• Integrative Health Coaching
• Executive Coaching 
• Assessment Based Certification (Magnet)
• Board Certified Nursing Executive
• Patient Safety Officer
• DISC and Emotional Intelligence

Jill Bachman, VP Strategic Programs

MSN, BSN

Supporting individuals and teams as they work and grow together to achieve the mission of the organization.

Jill practiced as a Registered Nurse for over three decades in the areas of mental health, nursing education, healthcare quality and employee assistance. She earned a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, which led her to facilitation practice with Thunderbird Leadership Consulting (formerly Sisneros and Associates) in 2006. She has facilitated teams and coached clients within healthcare and education settings. In addition to individual coaching, today Jill facilitates Thunderbird’s Coaching Team.

In 2023 Jill published a novel of historical fiction titled CALLED TO CARE, which follows the lives of four American nurses from the time of the Civil War through modern days.

Specialties:

• Communication
• Nursing Practice Advocacy
• Mental Health Advocacy
• Healthcare Quality, Access and Equity
• Healthcare System Design and Issues
• Nursing History

Education, Certifications & Achievements:

• BSN: University of Evansville, IN
• MSN: Indiana University (IUPUI- Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis)
• Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution: University of Denver, CO

Affiliations:

• Arizona Nurses Assocation (constituent member of American Nurses Association)

Tresha Moreland, VP Workforce Strategy & Engagement

MSHRM/MBA

Helping businesses build strong teams, develop leaders, and craft strong workforce strategies in this new era

Tresha is a 30-year experienced HR and executive leader that specializes in organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, workforce planning, and employee engagement. Her experience shaped her ability to navigate workplace complexities and provide results-based guidance for businesses who are serious about accomplishing anything through an inspired workforce.

Her education includes dual master’s degrees in Human Resources Management and Business Administration. She also possesses a Senior Professional Human Resources, Six Sigma Black Belt Professional, and Change Management Specialist certifications.

Specialties:

• Organizational Effectiveness
• Strategic Planning
• Workforce Planning
• Employee Engagement

Education, Credentials & Achievements:

• Dual Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and Business Administration
• Senior Professional Human Resources Certification
• Six Sigma Black Belt Professional Certification
• Change Management Specialist Certification
• Owner and Principal Consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC

Fred Amador

MC, ACC, BAP

Fred has served as a coach, counselor, facilitator and mentor in higher education for over 20 years.  He has extensive experience in coaching mid level managers, directors and administrators working in Fortune 500 companies, higher education, human resources and non profit settings. Fred is passionate about helping his clients live into the possibilities they see for their life.

Specialties:

• Coaching new and seasoned leaders
• Utilizing clients’ strengths and identifying opportunities for growth
• Providing companies with stronger, more effective leaders who are ready to hit the ground running

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation
• Team Coaching Certificate: Living Systems Team Coaching, Adler Learning
• Master of Counseling Degree, Arizona State University
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Arizona State University

Laura Anning

BS, CES

Laura Anning (She/Her) has spent over 30 years in the healthcare and wellness sector. She has experience in learning and development, facilitation, strategic planning and healthcare operations. She has been in a leadership role at variety of fortune 500 companies and a Senior Leader in Patient Experience, Physician/Nurse Learning and Development in a large healthcare organization. She is passionate about life-long learning and supporting others in their growth and development journey. She believes in going deeper and not wider and providing healthcare organizations with strong and effective leaders. Laura is a seasoned facilitator whose is described as high energy, positive, authentic and brings teaming to life.

Specialties:

• Group Facilitation
• Learning and Development for senior, mid-level and emerging leaders
• Performance Assessment
• Process Improvement
• Strategic Planning
• Change Management
• Client Relationship & Account Management
• Physician Support/Consultancy
• Project & Program Management
• Leadership Effectiveness
• Team Building
• Curriculum Development
• Physician Development
• RN and RN Leader Onboarding
• RN (non-clinical) Leader Development
• RN (non-clinical) Development
• RN Career Pathways

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• Bachelor of Science, Sports Medicine-Exercise Science, Eastern Michigan University
• Group Facilitation & Strategic Planning Certification, Institute of Cultural Affairs
• DiSC Facilitator
• DDI (Development Dimensions International) Certification
• Rapport Leadership International – Master Graduate
• Founder – Laura Anning Enterprises LLC (2020)

Nathan Bachofsky

M.Ed., B.M.Ed

Community building through inclusion, collaboration, & creativity

Nathan Bachofsky (He/Him) is passionate about supporting teams and organizations in creating an engaged, inclusive, and innovative climate. As a licensed educator and certified mediator and facilitator, he finds engaging and meaningful ways for people to tap into their inner wisdom. He enjoys creating experiences that build relationships, open communication, foster community, and promote personal and professional growth. As a musician and artistic director, he enjoys helping others reclaim and harness their creativity as a tool for transformation.

Specialties:

• Curriculum & Learning
• Organizational Culture & Climate
• Group Facilitation
• Mediation
• Team Development
• Conflict Management
• Organizational Development
• Community Building
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Recovering & Fostering Creativity
• Music-Arts Leadership

Education & Credentials:

• Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Ursuline College
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Baldwin Wallace University
• DEI Certification, Cornell University
• Certified Facilitator, Center for Cultural Affairs (ToP Methods)
• Certified Mediator, Cleveland Mediation Center
• Ohio Professional Teaching Licensure: P-12 Music
• Responsive Classroom Training
• Google Certified Educator (Level 1 & 2)
• Orff-Schulwerk Certification (Level 1 & 2)
• Gordon Institute for Music Learning Certification

Michael Cavanaugh

MA, MBA

Progress through process in developing leaders

Michael is a seasoned executive, consultant, educator and a global “thought leader” on organizational improvement and operational excellence. He is an organizational improvement (OI) specialist with extensive experience leading OI initiatives targeting operations, manufacturing, health care, customer service and quality. For over 30 years, Michael has led small and large organizations through basic and “easy to grasp” processes which have resulted in increased operational efficiency and optimized effectiveness. Michael has consulted with individuals and cross functional senior leadership teams to achieve and/or surpass business and technical objectives. He has successfully implemented continuous process improvement tools in for profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Specialties:

• Organizational Development
• Process Analysis and Improvement
• Strategic Planning
• Tactical Execution
• Operational Efficiency
• Customer Relationship Management
• Business Process Management

Education, Credentials & Achievements:

• MA, MBA, B.S., Industrial Management, Purdue University
• MBA, Strategic Planning, Xavier University
• MA, Organizational Development, Loyola University, Chicago
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Affiliations:

• Founder, President, Coach- MDCAV Associates, LLC (2001)
• Senior Consultant – Thunderbird Leadership Consulting (2013)

Philip Espinosa

B.S. Journalism, M.S.A., Ph.D. Bus Mgt

People | Partnerships | Value — focusing on the people side of the business to help leaders leverage their people relationships to deliver value.

Philip Espinosa, Ph.D., has over 35 years of leadership experience, 25 of which were in CHRO-level roles. He currently consults with leaders and teams, focusing on leadership and people practices helping leaders succeed where leadership and people strategies meet. Philip’s academic background includes a Ph.D. in Business Management with a leadership specialization. Operational experience has included leading large-scale technology projects, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and supporting M&As. Throughout his career he has focused on leadership capacity building. Philip’s experience spans organizations ranging from 500 to over 10,000 employees and he has been involved in various professional associations and community organizations.

Specialties:

• Passion for working with leaders
• Helping leaders and teams deliver desired organizational outcomes

Education, Achievements & Affiliations:

• Bachelors of Science, Journalism, Broadcast Production Management, University of a Colorado
• M.S.A., Business Management, Central Michigan University
• Ph.D., Business Management, Leadership Specialization, Capella University
• Society for Human Resource Management
• On-Line Learning Consortium

Dustin Fennell

BS, MS

Bringing together technology, processes, and people

Dustin Fennell has over 25 years’ experience as an IT professional where he specializes in strategic technology alignment and integrating technology to enhance organizational success. As a seasoned senior executive with over 20 years’ experience, Dustin has a proven track record of understanding operational challenges, introducing solutions that lower costs and increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and building high- performing teams that add strategic value to the organization. Dustin is passionate about helping others reach their full potential.

Specialties:

• IT Innovation & Strategic Planning/Alignment
• Executive and Leadership Team Development & Mentoring
• Executive & Team Coaching
• Operational Efficiency & Effectiveness
• Continuous Improvement Leadership
• Building and Maintaining High-Performing Teams
• Delivering Results
• Everything DiSC Workplace® Facilitator

Education, Affiliations & Achievements:

• Master of Science in Computer Information Systems, University of Phoenix
• Bachelor of Science in Electronics Management, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Technology Advisory Board, Grand Canyon University, 2022-current
• Technology Advisory Board, American Foundation for the Blind, 2004-2011
• 2011 Education Innovators Yearbook, Converge Center for Digital Education
• 2010 Education CIO of the Year, Arizona Technology Council
• 2010 CIO 100 Award, CIO Magazine

Janice Ganann

M.Ed., PCC

Unwavering commitment to increasing leadership effectiveness

Janice Ganann has spent the last 6 years coaching executives and leadership teams in public and private organizations. Industries included banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, public utilities, higher education and healthcare. Prior to that she spent over 20 years creating leadership development programs for front-line leaders, executives and physician leaders within a healthcare system.  Janice’s talent management experience focused on ensuring the top 300 leaders within the System were prepared for the challenges facing healthcare. She was responsible for developing leaders to create a bench for executive positions. In addition, she implemented a C-Suite team effectiveness process.

Janice is passionate about improving individual and team performance, assisting leaders maximize their strengths and talents, as well as aligning individual strengths and career aspirations with the goals and ultimately the performance of the organization. Her mission is to add relevant and sustainable business value.

Specialties:

• Executive Coaching
• Succession Planning
• Leadership Development
• Team Effectiveness

Education & Credentials:

• Founder, Executive Director, JLG and Associates, LLC
• Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Northern Arizona University
• Bachelor Communications, The University of Iowa
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation (ICF)
• Certified Consultant, Hogan Assessments
• Certified Consultant, Kolbe Cognitive Assessment
• Master Change Agent, GE Change Acceleration Process (CAP)
  – WorkOut Change Management Methodology
• Certified Consultant, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), SEI
• Certified Consultant, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
  – Return on Investment Process
• Certified Consultant, DiSC – Personal Profiling System/Personal Learning Insights Profile, InScape Publishing

Jose Leyba

Ed.D.

Connecting people & building relationships

Dr. Leyba is a 3rd generation Arizona native. His career spans over 45 years in the P-20 system. He began his career as a Junior High School Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics and designated bilingual classroom teacher. Dr. Leyba has previous experience as adjunct faculty at Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University. In addition to teaching experience at different levels, Dr. Leyba’s administration experience includes, Principal, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, and Superintendent of schools. After a successful K-12 tenure he moved to the Maricopa Community Colleges where he served as the Acting Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Vice President, and Provost. Dr. Leyba has also served as an Interim Vice President and Acting Provost at Pima Community College and as an Interim President at Los Angeles Mission College. In addition to his work as a consultant and executive coach for Thunderbird Leadership, Dr. Leyba serves as a Search Consultant for JG Consulting and an advisor to the International Alliance Group. He resides in Tempe, Arizona with his wife Debra, who is also a retired superintendent.

Specialties:

• Human Resources
• Diverse Recruitment Initiatives
• Teacher Recruitment
• Student-Centered Learning
• Facilitation
• Executive Coaching
• Employee Relations-Services
• Organizational Training and Development
• Mediation
• Accreditation
• Strategic Planning

Education, Credentials & Affiliations:

• B.A. in Secondary Education/History, M.Ed., and Ed.D. in Administration & Supervision, Arizona State University (ASU)
• Arizona Department of Education, State Superintendent’s Latinx Advisory Council
• National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA)
• Leadership Institute for Mid-Level Administrators
• National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC), Fellows Presidential Preparation Program
• Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS).
• Arizona Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (AZALAS), founding member
• Los Diablos Alumni Association
• ASU Scholarship Program
• Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)

Mary Lockhart

PhD, MS

Mary brings 20+ years of leadership experience in healthcare and education to her role as a consultant and coach. A Quality specialist, Mary has extensive experience leading system-wide initiatives focused on improving Service Excellence and Employee Engagement. She invites leaders and teams to expand their self-awareness, unlock their potential and effectively clarify and achieve their goals. Mary is passionate about coaching, collaboration, effective communication and making the “right thing easier to do”.

Specialties:

• Leadership Development
• Service Excellence
• Change Management
• Evaluation Research

Credentials, Education & Achievements:

• Certified Professional Coach (College of Executive Coaching)
• Associate Certified Coach (ACC) (International Coach Federation)
• PhD in Community Health Education, University of Oregon
• MS in Counseling Psychology, Oregon State University
• Lean Leadership Certification, Portland State University

Affiliations:

• President, Consultant and Coach, Mary Lockhart Consulting, LLC
• Executive Coach, Thunderbird Leadership Consulting
• Coach/Consultant, HealthStream
• System Quality Program Manager, PeaceHealth
• Operations Manager, Health Education Services, Kaiser Permanente, Northwest Region

Jo Anne Mastrangelo

MA, MBA, PCC

Passionate about helping individuals unlock their full professional potential

Jo Anne Mastrangelo is a coach with over 25 years of corporate leadership experience, passionate about helping individuals unlock their full professional potential. She works closely with clients to identify roadblocks and guides them through actionable strategies to overcome challenges and achieve their career goals. Jo Anne believes that taking a step back and being the observer of one’s life is a powerful way to chart a new course. As a coach and growth partner, she inspires innovative approaches to leadership development, incorporating lightness, humor, and strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs. With a lifelong interest in wellness, Jo Anne’s educational background includes dual Master’s Degrees in exercise science and nutrition and business (MBA).

Specialties:

• Developing clients into self-aware, compassionate, and highly evolved leaders
• Highly effective communication skills based in neuroscience
• Dynamic workshop facilitation
• Fitness and nutrition coaching
• Finding the path to self-mastery one crucial and committed step at a time

Education, Achievements & Affiliations:

• MBA, University of Southern California
• MA, California State University, Los Angeles
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation
• Coaches Training Institute (CTI), Co-Active Coach Certification
• Certified Positive Intelligence Facilitator
• Certified in Conversational Intelligence Training
• Training in Gallup StrengthsFinder
• ICF PCC, International Coaching Federation
• ICFOC, International Coaching Federation, Orange County Chapter
• Positive Intelligence (PQ) Pioneer Affiliate Member

Jennifer S. Mensik

PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Translates complex issues into usable operational tactics to drive excellence

Jennifer has over 25 years of healthcare experience, ranging from critical access to large healthcare systems. Her diverse background in community, long term care, and acute care settings in addition to academia give her a special insight into understanding the challenges faced across all settings by staff and leaders. Jennifer possesses the unique ability to translate complex issues and research into everyday, usable and operational tactics to drive excellence.

Specialties:

• Skilled Presenter and Writer
• Nurse Satisfaction and Work Environment
• Strategic Planning
• Management and Leadership
• Patient Outcomes

Education, Credentials & Achievements:

• PhD in Nursing, majoring in health systems and minoring in public administration, University of Arizona
• MBA, University of Phoenix
• BSN, Washington State University
• ADN, Wenatchee Valley College
• FAAN, Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (2014)

Kevin Monaco

B.A., M.A

Kevin Monaco is an experienced educator, coach, composer and artist. He began his career in independent education where he taught beginning to advanced levels of Spanish, served as a faculty advisor, and chaired the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. He worked to develop curriculum and department policies, oversaw the accreditation process, evaluated teachers, and aided with the hiring and professional development of staff. In 2018, Kevin left the traditional classroom and started his own private Spanish coaching business and began to pursue his passion for music recording, songwriting and the Healing Arts. Kevin has training in Reiki and is passionate about helping others foster and harness their own creativity and intuition.

Passion & Experience:

• Team Building and Leadership
• Curriculum Development
• Hiring and Evaluation
• Institutional Accreditation
• Personalized Learning
• Mentorship and Advising
• Spanish Linguistics and Hispanic Cultural Studies
• LGBTQ+ Issues
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Songwriting / Composition
• Videography / Media Design
• Healing Arts
• Reiki and Energy Work
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Recovering and Fostering Creativity

Specialties:

• Leadership and leadership development, mentorship, individual and organizational attentive communication, individual and organizational coaching and self-mastery
• Conducts workshops, webinars and retreats, engaging people in actualizing their highest level of personal and professional performance and satisfaction

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Ohio Wesleyan University
• Master of Arts in Spanish, Cleveland State University
• Curso de Español (Lengua y Cultura), Universidad de Salamanca
• ACFTL Spanish Proficiency & Assessment Training

Nicola Perry

MS, EdS

Nicola brings over 25 years of higher education experience, most in large multi-college community college districts in Arizona and California.She currently serves as the Director of Strategic Enrollment Management, a Cabinet level position, at a large community college. This role focuses on initiatives that impact the full student journey, with an eye towards increasing equity and access while removing systemic barriers. Nicola is responsible for implementing the guided pathways framework in concert with the VP of Instruction, building an extensive success coach network, leading work to re-imagine onboarding for adult/non-traditional students, and directing the Title V HSI grant.

As Vice President of a consulting company, Nicola was able to assist several large colleges review their Equity and Athletics programs, guide districts and colleges through HR technology adoptions, review processes to streamline student onboarding and lead conversations around building an engaging college atmosphere that fosters a sense of belonging and belief.  

Nicola began her higher education career building and expanding programs for interns at Arizona State, managing and growing programs at multiple colleges in the Maricopa system, leading districtwide initiatives that impacted employees at 10 colleges, and served as a key member of budget and advisory councils serving three college presidents.

Specialties & Projects:

• Business process analyses
• Facilitating organizational change 
• Strategic and integrated planning 
• Staff and team development
• Working with college staff to implement technology solutions:
• Report building, routing & workflow (Maxient), 
• Securing and building mobile app (ModoLabs), 
• Selection, evaluation and implementing HR solutions (Cornerstone), 
• Implementing and training for predictive analytics (Civitas)
• Mentoring at scale (Mentor Collective),
• Title V HSI grant development, 
• Athletic equity reports (EADA) 

Education:

• Certification: Institute for Educational Management (IEM), Harvard GSE
• EdS, Higher Education Leadership
• MS, concentration: Exercise & Wellness
• BS, Justice Studies, Magna Cum Laude

Carla Rotering

M.D., M.A.

Full-hearted coaching and mentoring for collaboration, excellence and integrity

Carla, a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician, is a leader, mentor and coach who is deeply committed to people–to their growth, upliftment, resilience and purpose as they strive toward the best version of themselves in their professional and personal lives. She supports mastery for individuals and organizations by employing both experiential and introspective processes. Carla delivers her guidance, and expertise with full-hearted enthusiasm, caring, wisdom and humor. Her life experience and training have offered her a deep appreciation for the role of coaching and mentoring as it contributes to evolving human potential and our shared ability to expand and grow toward collaboration, excellence and integrity. Carla is also the founder, consultant, and executive coach at BoXcar International.

Specialties:

• Leadership and leadership development
• Mentorship
• Individual and Organizational Attentive Communication
• Individual and organizational Coaching and Self-Mastery
• Workshop Facilitation
• Retreat Facilitation

Certifications, Education & Achievements:

• Crucial Conversation (VitalSmarts)
• Emotional Intelligence (6secs)
• Certification in Leadership Development (University of Santa Monica)
• Coaching certifications from the University of Santa Monica (2013) and the international Supercoach Academy (2014)
• M.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine
• Internal Medicine Residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ
• Pulmonary Fellowship at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ
• Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology with Emphasis on Consciousness & Health (non-religious)
• Healthcare Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Phoenix Business Journal (2019)
• Founder, Consultant and Executive Coach at Boxcar, International

Autumn Sisneros

MS, RD, LD, CDCES

Maximizing organizational potential by leveraging the unique strengths and qualities of each individual.

Autumn brings experience from a variety of health care sectors and over a decade of both direct and indirect person-centered care.  She completed her master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University and began her career as a level-I burn and trauma dietitian, followed by specialized roles in oncology, kidney transplantation, and diabetes. As a lead dietitian, she worked to develop outpatient oncology and cardiovascular nutrition care programs and served as preceptor to students in the Texas Tech Didactic Program in Dietetics. Outside of the hospital, she has worked extensively with long and short-term care facilities, group homes, and home healthcare organizations on performance, quality and safety, and staff education regarding policy development and implementation. In addition to her clinical work, she served as the President of the Lubbock Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics which allowed her to advance her passion for research, policy work, and community education.

More recently, her focus has been to work with individuals, teams, and leaders on improving outcomes and achieving individual and organizational goals through the use of Advanced Communication Skills and Change Management theories. Autumn believes this can be done while honoring personal values, supporting positive healthy habits for wellbeing in the workplace, and fostering authenticity.

Specialties:

• Change Management
• Facilitation
• Process Evaluation and Improvement
• Leadership Development
• Health Education and Promotion
• Organizational Communication and Engagement
• Policy Development and Implementation
• Safety and Quality Control

Education, Certifications & Achievements:

• Bachelor of Science with Minor in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management, Texas Tech University
• MS, Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University
• Registered and Licensed Dietitian
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
• Former President, Lubbock Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Texas Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year, 2012
• Fellow, Patient-Centered Care, 2019
• Certified Patient Experience Professional – Patient Experience Institute, 2018
• Certificate in Patient Experience Leadership – The Beryl Institute, 2018
• Board/Committee Member: Oncology, Renal Transplant, and Stroke Certification

Linda Thompson

MHSA

Linda Thompson (She / Her) spent 30+ years in the mission-driven nonprofit filed, focusing first in health care, followed by the health and human service sector, and culminating with thirteen years at an education-focused philanthropic organization as the Senior Vice President over Program Administration and Organizational Learning. Linda brought strategic order to business processes; learning aimed at improving practice; and built high functioning teams. In her leadership role, Linda brought the manager-as-coach philosophy to the organization and was instrumental in rolling out a company-wide strengths-based approach.

Specialties:

• Design and implementation of business processes and program design
• Research, evaluation, and applied learning
• Integration and maintenance of strengths-based approach in organizational culture
• Development and management of high performing teams
• Manager-to-coach transitions and ongoing support
• Individual orientation to personal and professional style profiles including CliftonStrengths®, DiSC and Enneagram 
• Team orientation to work style personality profiles including CliftonStrengths®, DiSC and Enneagram
• Development and delivery of team CliftonStrengths® workshops
• Leadership, management, and individual contributor professional and personal coaching
• Leadership of grantmaking process and data management systems; program design and delivery project management; and research and evaluation

Education & Credentials:

• Master of Health Service Administration, W. P. Carey School of Business – Arizona State University
• Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Arizona State University
• Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach

Rhonda Williams

MBA, MSN

Leaders and teams want to do the right thing. Let’s empower them with the skills, tools and resources to do just that!

Rhonda Y. Williams is a certified coach, international speaker and author. With over two decades of leadership experience, Rhonda now uses the principles of emotional intelligence to help leaders define an action-oriented path to well-being, happiness, productivity, and success. Rhonda believes hope is not a strategy and the desired manifestations show up in our lives when we gain clarity, courage, and consistency.

Rhonda holds a double master’s degree in nursing and business administration, and her professional experience includes executive-level roles as Chief Nursing Officer and hospital Chief Executive Officer. Having served at the C-Suite level, Rhonda is an advocate and champion for helping women of color ascend to executive, c-suite, and board-level roles. Additionally, Rhonda has spent more than ten years working with global organizations to develop and transform culture.

She is a four-time author, and her published and available books include:

• Are You Out of Your ______ Mind? A Modern Guide to Successfully Surviving Infidelity?
• The Dream Life Roadmap: 10 Essential Factors for Creating Your Dream Life
• The UCR Advantage: How to Boost Your Emotional Intelligence, Fast!
• The Stress-Free Leader: 5 Types of Stressed-Out Leaders and How to Be Stress-Free

Specialties:

• Leadership Training and Development
• Cultural Enrichment
• Organizational Development
• Emotional Intelligence
• Workplace Well-being

Education, Certifications & Achievements::

• MBA, Healthcare Administration
• MSN
• CEC – Certified Executive Coach
• Certified Facilitator – A Deeper Way
• Registered Nurse

Affiliations:

• ACHE – North Texas Member
• ACHE – Healthcare Consultant Forum
• Dallas Human Resource Management Association
• Rhonda is the CEO and Chief Vision Officer of Above the Grind
• Host of The Coffee with Rhonda Show, a cup full of inspiration, revelation, and wit for today’s savvy leader