Our Team

Laurel's mission is to help individuals and companies create remarkable work. She is a compassionate leadership expert with experience coaching/consulting with individuals and organizations including the University of Denver, Cornell University, Toyota, Disney, Viacom, Canyon Ranch, and the New York City Board of Education.

She has an undergraduate degree from Cornell University’s College of Business and an MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. She is a former VP of Human Resources of an global hospitality company.

Laurel is a certified organizational and leadership coach and has been trained by Stephen Covey, Julia Cameron, Ken Blanchard, and other world-class leaders. She is a certified yoga teacher and studied dream therapy and sacred ceremonies of indigenous cultures related to personal development and rites of passage.

Over 25 years ago, she launched her own business and has developed transformational programs that build careers and organizations from the inside out. Laurel currently hosts the Compassionate Leaders Circle Podcast and writes about inspiring leaders for Forbes.com.

A native of Skaneateles, New York, Meryl Eriksen graduated from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration and was the first graduate of its collaboration degree program with the Culinary Institute of America. Meryl began her career in Napa Valley with Hillstone Restaurant Group, then moved to Los Angeles where she opened two restaurants in Manhattan Beach.

In 2010, Meryl returned to the Finger Lakes region and began working for the Inns of Aurora, an entrepreneurial and inspiring company with nurturing and supportive leadership. For the last seven years, her career was focused on people; recruiting, hiring, training, developing, coaching, promoting, retaining, leading, and collaborating. She is strategic with extensive experience in directly managing leadership team members, prioritizing people, building strong relationships, and establishing an environment of collaboration and learning.

Meryl is focused on cultivating a high-performance collaborative culture, organization-wide strategic planning, and organizational development by building effective departments with strong and engaged leaders. Meryl joined Compassionate Leaders Circle to support people first, cutting to the core, innovating, testing, and teaching. She continues to help leaders and individuals to reach their full potential.

Tracy is a two-time certified life coach focusing on teens and young adults. Her passion is to help these individuals discover and cultivate self-compassion, confidence, and resilience to begin building a life that they love. She also has more than 20 years of operations and project management experience working in multiple industries including hospitality, manufacturing, and higher ed. Combining her coaching and organizational skills have made her an invaluable contributor to our client programs and workshops. Tracy earned her bachelor’s degree at UC San Diego and proceeded to find work all over the country. Starting in Hawaii, making her way to New York, and eventually settling on the west coast, she now resides in Reno, NV with her husband and two children. Tracy has a passion for the arts and self-development, which she infuses into her work as one of our Senior Faculty and certified coaches.

Anthea Rowe is a Partner and Senior Faculty Member at Compassionate Leaders Circle. As a public relations professional and communication coach, she helps leaders and organizations explain what they do and why it matters. Anthea has extensive experience leading corporate communication strategies for leaders and organizations in the public, non-profit and private sectors. She has built brands, managed reputations, counselled executive teams, and managed crisis communications, media relations, government and donor relations, corporate social responsibility, corporate philanthropy, sustainability, and employee engagement and communications at small, medium, and Fortune 100 companies. She has overseen stakeholder relations during mergers, built relationships with local, state and federal governments and developed digital marketing campaigns and go-to-market messaging for medical research institutes, universities, consumer good manufacturers, global research centers, and automotive after-market retailers. In addition to leading corporate communication departments in-house, Anthea has led her own consulting practice, developing brands and communication strategies for leaders and organizations across North America. In addition to her role with Compassionate Leaders Circle, Anthea also provides curated personal branding services to help senior leaders build their professional reputations on purpose. She has taught graduate and post-graduate courses in public relations and communications at Canadian universities and colleges and held leadership roles with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), including President of the London Chapter. Anthea has a Masters of English from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada and Executive Education in Leadership and Marketing from the Ivey Business School – also in London, Ontario, Canada. Anthea believes business can and should be a force for good – and that it’s not only possible but critical to have fun while doing important work.

Darryl Brown is a prosperity and culture strategist working across companies, schools, and worship communities with a focus on equity as the foundation for positive economic impact. Currently, he sits on the Board of Trustees of Fordham University where he has guided the President, Father McShane and other top leaders through a process resulting in more racial awareness, policy changes, and diversity over the last 8 years. He is the former Executive Vice-President of ABC Radio Networks where he pioneered more equity for Black and Hispanic talent and audiences through improving national brands advertising spends. Darryl is an exceptional coach, consultant, and facilitator; committed to helping others lead with love so all can flourish. 

Natalie's deep experience in executive communications, PR and marketing has spanned a range of settings –leading tech companies (SAP and IBM), professional services firms (Accenture and PwC), and global PR agencies (Edelman and Porter Novelli).

Natalie is an exceptional strategic and empathetic leader with the ability to convert vision into detailed execution. She is a dynamic communicator, intellectually curious, and deliberate in her thoughts and actions.   She brings strong executive presence, having worked for both SAP Co-CEOs Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe. Two highlights from her tenure working for Bill and Jim:

• Created Co-CEO roundtable event at World Economic Forum in Davos for 30 leading influencers.
• Orchestrated executive communications, wrote external Keynotes for delivery at National Press Club (Washington, DC), The Churchill Club (San Jose, CA), plus top-tier tech and industry conferences in the US and Germany.

In 2018, she accelerated her focus on people, talent, and culture through becoming a certified coach with Erickson International. While at SAP, she supported four clients as an SAP Internal Coach, integrating wellness and mindfulness concepts to support her clients’ objectives.

Her passion and commitment to unleashing the potential of colleagues has deepened in multiple ways, including:

• “Personal Leadership,” Columbia Business School Executive Education
• Search Inside Yourself / Mindfulness, and Thrive Global Workshops
• NeuroLeadership Institute’s NeuroLeadership Conference
• “Pivot with Purpose,” Compassionate Leaders Circle
• Mindful Life, Mindful Work Mastermind Group

An empathic Executive Whisperer and seasoned Storyteller, Natalie’s forte is helping companies and individuals unleash their talent to drive growth.

Derek is a coach to executives, professionals, and impact investors; and an organization development consultant specializing in purpose, leadership development, culture change, and team effectiveness. He has worked with individuals, small organizations, and Fortune 500 companies in industries including banking, technology, food, FMCG, transportation, and mission-driven NGOs in North America, Latin America, and Europe. Derek has led multi-month leadership and team effectiveness programs for teams with $1 billion+ P&L responsibility. Prior to focusing on leadership and organizational transformation, he spent 10 years in strategy consulting, leveraged buyouts, and investment banking. Derek received his Bachelor of Science in Economics summa cum laude from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of The Coaches Training Institute’s Co-Active Coach Training and Co-Active Leadership programs and a 2018-2019 Fellow with the RSF Integrated Capital Institute.

Kelly Dwyer is the Director of Learning at Compassionate Leaders Circle. As an executive coach and facilitator, she helps leaders and teams build awareness and choice, and drive toward performance outcomes. Clients find clarity, realize improved performance, and experience life at their growth edge. Kelly has extensive leadership experience across operations, strategic projects, and program management, often holding responsibility for the creation and launch of new departments, business services, and cross-functional teams. Her experience in startup and high-growth environments has given her an eye for innovation, a visceral experience of what it means to be Agile, and the ability to come up to speed very quickly in new contexts. Additionally, years of experience practicing and teaching mindfulness and yoga enhances the work Kelly does with clients in the areas of emotional intelligence, presence, and focus. She is a contributing author for Pivot with Purpose: The Path to Remarkable Work, is an engaging speaker, and is deeply passionate about personal growth and the positive impact it has in performance at work, personal relationships, and happiness. Kelly has worked with leaders in companies from 50 to 100,000+ employees, and across industries including software, healthcare, management consulting, media, legal, consumer products, and non-profits.  Kelly is an ICF professional certified coach (PCC), holds an MBA from Cornell University, and a BS in Journalism from the University of Colorado. 

Dr. Dan Guerra is a clinical psychologist, executive coach and a playback theatre performer.  He brings 25+ years of clinical experience treating individuals and groups in the areas of adjustment to chronic pain, improving stress management and treating anxiety and trauma.  He is also an executive coach who has worked with upper level managers and C-level executives across a broad range of organizations, internationally.    He has traveled in the USA and abroad giving talks on topics including leadership development, stress management in the workplace, reflection as a leadership skill, social-emotional learning and the role of body-mind-brain learning in healing trauma.  He has co-authored the book: From Stressed to Centered:  A Practical Guide to a Happier and Healthier You.  Dan studies and implements recent findings in neuroscience to support and enhance his personal and professional experiences in the areas of eastern wisdom and the healing arts to deliver a psychology of health and wellness to his patients and clients.  He is an avid, world adventure traveler and hiker who has been fortunate enough to visit over 50 countries and to hike many mountain ranges across the globe.  Dan is currently resides in The Hudson Valley , NY and has private practices in both Fishkill and New York City. 

Shamis Pitts serves as Senior Faculty. Shamis has operated at the intersection of strategy, people, and business processes for 20 years. She served as Chief Operating Officer for start-up technology companies in the education, music, and beauty verticals. Shamis functioned as the official mediator and the unofficial heart and soul of the companies, facilitating team alignment with the business strategy on a daily basis. Prior to working with start-ups, Shamis performed mission-driven work in both elementary and higher education, allowing her to support the educational growth and personal development of young women and men of color. She began her career as a human capital management consultant focusing on the development of strategies to increase operational efficiency through the design and implementation of compensation and other human resource structures. Shamis then had progressive responsibilities within a major US bank that spanned internal consulting, business operations, and marketing. She is passionate about mentoring young black women professionals. When at play, Shamis is mentoring, volunteering, karaoke-ing and dining with friends, or golfing with her husband. 

Karen is a dynamic, inventive senior-level leader with a proven ability to be a catalyst for transformation. Designer of unique and lasting organizational experiences for a wide range of global to not-for-profit leaders and organizations. She has a track record of partnering with senior teams and key talent to create a competitive advantage through people. She is particularly skilled in conducting organizational diagnostics, leading cultural integrations, branding & change initiatives, developing, coaching & advising leaders, designing succession, employee engagement, and leadership development processes, and implementing innovation and growth strategies. Karen also has a lifetime of experience and service as an advocate and philanthropist for women’s and children’s initiatives.

Jaye is an Executive Coach and master facilitator providing clients with the knowledge, expertise, and compassion to create better work environments, opportunities, and to drive success and results for all stakeholders. Her career as an executive coach and organizational effectiveness consultant spans over 25 years. Her mission is to help people, teams, and organizations be vital and chart a course of action that is fulfilling for them and produces extraordinary results. Jaye is co-author of The Retirement Boom: The All-Inclusive Guide to Money, Life, and Health in Your Next Chapter as well as Reboot Your Life: Energize Your Career and Life by Taking a Break. Jaye founded Breakwater Consulting and co-founded Partners International. Previously, Jaye spent a number of years as a senior consultant to Chase, Chemical Bank, and Citibank. She began her early career in senior management positions at a community-based organization. Jaye holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from New York University and a B.A. in Psychology from City College of New York.

Nancy is an executive leadership development and transition coach, working closely with clients to help them identify and pursue their career passions. She serves as an objective advisor, connecting the dots on the areas that spark their interests, capitalize on their strengths, and provide a sustainable path for future growth. Using an appreciative inquiry approach she helps them craft a strategy for finding the next source of professional inspiration, and personal satisfaction. 

Nancy currently serves as the Director of Alumni Career Management at Columbia Business School. Prior roles included career management and corporate relations at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Nancy has made her own career pivot. Before transitioning into the field of leadership development and coaching, she served in a variety of marketing management roles at both large corporations and small entrepreneurial ventures, primarily in software technology firms. She is convinced that all individuals can find fulfillment and joy by contributing their talents while integrating their lives' professional and personal aspects.

Nancy earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Organizational Psychology from The Adler School of Professional Psychology, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Loyola University. She is certified in the Tiara Model for True Leadership (SM), various Hogan Inventories, and the Korn Ferry Voices 360.

Dr. Moran has 20 years helping leaders discover and leverage strengths and work through barriers, to create fulfillment and higher performance for themselves, their team, and the organization. She coaches executives to help them create permanent, positive shifts in their leadership impact and the results they achieve. Her curious, intuitive, and practical nature, plus broad business experience, creates a powerful blend of vision and action.  She has supported executives and team leaders in client services, sales, technology/product development, finance, marketing, and HR roles, within the technology, financial services/fintech, professional services, pharmaceutical, energy, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Additional experience includes Vice President of Global Talent & Development at ADP, Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion with Bloomberg, Vice President of Talent Management at Lehman Brothers, and leadership development, coaching, and OD roles at Getty Images, Rodale Publishing, and Gap Inc.

Mark Anthony Lord, MDiv. is an internationally recognized speaker, author, successful entrepreneur and coach.  In 2003, Mark founded the Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago, building it from three people in his living room to over a thousand. During his fourteen years at Bodhi, Mark trained over one hundred spiritual coaches, ten ministers, and taught transformational, spiritual classes to thousands. Most of these courses he created himself.

He has created, marketed, and taught several online training programs that help people experience career and personal success according to their inherent definition. He is the co-founder and primary teacher at Living The Course, an online, global community with over two-thousand members.

Mark is the author of Thou Shall Not Suffer: 7 Steps to a Life of Joy and The Seven Living Words. 

Prior to his work as a spiritual leader he spent seventeen years traveling the world as a director and choreographer, with three of these years at Disney. 

His personal mission is to help people heal their unconscious commitment to suffering, forgive all, and fully live a magnificent life.

Andrea Shaw is an education advocate, passionate about the power of learning and compassion to transform lives.  She brings over 25 years of strategic leadership across public, private, and for-profit higher education institutions driving marketing, admissions, career and student programs and curriculum innovation with an eye toward change.  Andrea has also held executive positions at global educational publishing organizations such as Pearson, Cengage, and Houghton Mifflin. For fun, she teaches brand management and strategic marketing at Southern New Hampshire University. She holds an Economics degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. 

Bonjour! My name is Caroline Lee, I am French and mother of 3 teens. I was born in France, bred in England, and am now based in California.

I am a bilingual ICF certified Transition Coach. I support driven leaders worldwide to maximise their impact without burning out. I reconnect them with their emotions and their needs so as to manifest their true calling and retake control of their work/life balance.

Always person-centric driven in all 3 careers I pursued, I haven’t always been a coach. It was after going through several personal and career transitions that I gained valuable wisdom. That wisdom, coupled with honest self reflection, made me realize I was meant to help high achievers find, and move into, their true calling, manifesting their talents, preventing them from burning-out, and honoring their work/life balance.

I am an expressive enthusiast for life, with a deep curiosity and care for others. My true gift is to see people for who they really are, their true self, and help lead them manifest their talents in their next professional goal. 

Ulli is a 2008 Primetime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Cinematography (Carrier, PBS). His international 30-year experience includes documentary clients such as HBO, PBS, FOX, TBS and Discovery. 

Ulli’s recent works include the Ken Burns films Cancer and The Gene (PBS 2015, 2020). Presently Ulli is working on a film about the staging of the musical The Braille Legacy by the Theatre By the Blind, the only theatre group of its kind in the US.

Kianna Hawkins is the Content and Creative Manager at Compassionate Leaders Circle. As a visual communication specialist, she loves empowering others to share their stories in creative and impactful ways. Kianna assists companies in developing their look and feel and designing websites and social media content.

Additionally, she enjoys teaching yoga and meditation in her community. She also loves teaching mindfulness tips online at The Now and Here and recently published a book of reflective and mindful poems called The Ocean is Also the Rain. You can find her doing creative photography, spending time in nature, eating good food, and playing the guitar in her spare time.

Finn Arffmann was born and raised in New York City, where he was exposed to music, art and dance through school training and programs across the city. After moving to Chicago for high school, he studied East Asian Languages and Culture and Chinese at Haverford College. It was there he researched the Chinese independent film industry's impact on the LGBTQ community. After college, he worked in the advertising industry for Nestlé, where he developed a passion for analytics. He's returned to Chicago and is excited to work on media and analytics for Compassionate Leaders Circle!