About our Team

Amy Gamblin – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification plus an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. She has over 15 years of business experience with a background in project management and training. She specializes in career coaching and she has been coaching clients in this niche area for over two years offering one-on-one coaching and packages with professional development workshops. Her client base mainly consists of university graduate students and those seeking transition into new careers. Amy earned her Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the International Coach Federation, the National Career Development Association and the Professional Association of Resume Writers.

Monique A. Betty – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification plus an PCC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. Specializing in executive coaching, Monique's 20-year corporate experience includes communications, marketing, sales, and management with various Fortune 500 companies representing the consumer products and pharmaceutical industries. Monique earned an MBA from the University of Michigan on a Consortium Fellowship with a concentration in corporate strategy and marketing. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Marketing from The Ohio State University. She is married and has two sons and identifies herself as the eternal cheerleader living her life charged with positive energy.

Monique's Schedule

Ruth Pearce – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification. She is also an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. Ruth has a long career in complex international project management, with experience in financial services, state government, non-profits, and education. She is certified by the Project Management Institute as a Project Management Professional (PMP). Ruth divides her coaching practice between coaching project managers and coaching clients from all walks of life who struggle with anxiety and phobias. Ruth graduated valedictorian in her JD class. She also earned her Master of Science in Economic Theory from the London School of Economics. Her book, “Be a Project Motivator: Unlock the Secrets of Strengths-based Project Management” is published by Berrett-Koehler. Her mission is to partner with others to create positive change.

Mel O'Keefe – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification, plus is an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. Mel is a Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach. He values his time with his wife and children. Mel has himself lived the work he now supports his clients to accomplish and incorporating coaching has increased the success of his fitness clients exponentially. Mel is dedicated to the complete wellness of others.

Sarah Roberts – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and is a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification. She is also an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. She retired from state government with over 15 years of management experience and started a consulting business specializing in leadership development and executive coaching. Sarah earned her Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix and her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. She is a member of the International Coach Federation, the Association for Talent Development, and a board member for the Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership and ICF-Colorado. Sarah loves learning and facilitating “aha!” moments in others.

Dr. Phildra Swagger – Trainer - is a Certified Professional Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification, completed an additional 60 hours of coach training, and is a member of the International Coach Federation. Dr. Swagger’s career spans 30 years as an educator and executive, with experience in nonprofit management, procurement, and training. She earned both her MBA and Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. Dr. Swagger effectively uses her time to coach entrepreneurs and consult with organizations to overcome challenges, increase productivity, and generate business growth. Phildra loves working with people and personifies her personal and business motto “combining our expertise to maximize yours!”

Cathy Baskin – Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification and certified in EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360 assessments. She is also an ACC credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation. Cathy is a Leadership Coach and is the owner of Aspirations Coaching Services, LLC. She has Executive and Leadership Coaching experience with fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and the federal and public sectors. She has over a decade of leadership experience in the federal sector as an Acquisition Professional. Cathy has earned her M.S. in Contract and Procurement Management and B.S. in Technology & Management from University Maryland University College. Cathy is passionate about helping leaders develop and grow professionally and personally. She believes that great leaders inspire greatness from others, and get great results!

Marcia Teixeira – Spanish Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification plus an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation. She has over 30 years of business experience in marketing, sales, and program/project management. She has worked in Brazil, Latin America, and the USA. Specializing in leadership and organizational development, she offers one-on-one and team coaching and business consulting. Her clients are mostly leaders in multicultural organizations, dealing with the push-pull of the corporate world. She partners with them to navigate change, cultivate healthy work and personal relationships, and become high performing. She holds a Masters in Organizational Development from Saybrook University, earned an MBA from University of São Paulo, a Bachelor in Economics from Pontificia Universidade Catolica of São Paulo, and is a Certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner. She is the ICF South Florida President-Elect 2021. A life-long learner, she is committed to empowering herself and others to live intentional, relevant, and happy lives.

Beth Donovan – Coach Support - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Wellness Coach Specialist through Center for Coaching Certification. She began her journey to becoming a health / weight coach after moving 100 pounds closer to her right size. Beth changed her size be over 230 pounds healthier in a way that is practical and easily manageable. Beth has been mentioned in magazines, books, interviewed in podcasts, written about in newspapers, and gone on to start her own coaching business. She brings over 9-years of coaching experience and her unique perspectives to the team. She is passionate about helping people and animals. She truly wants to help people feel empowered so that they make positive choices and are their happiest selves.

Teri McGraw – Coach Support - is a Certified Professional Coach and a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification. Teri is also certified as a Qualified Family Mediator through Effect Services, LLC, and the founder of Center for Quality Coaching, LLC. As an alumni from Clemson University with a B.A. in Psychology and Business, Teri continued her master studies in pastoral theology, counseling, and coaching. She spent 20 years as a director of education and continued working in education enhanced through the value of coaching. She has served as a speaker for both schools and churches with her love and value of coaching and being coached. She is presently using her training, wisdom, experience and positive motivation for coaching while assisting in the Center for Coaching Certification.

Jill Wilk – Coach Support – is a Certified Master Coach specializing in Career Development and Career Transition coaching. She has spent over 20 years Human Resources both in Director and VP level internal positions and as an outside consultant implementing performance and training strategies for small and mid-sized businesses. With a focus on employee development, she partners with businesses in diverse industries, integrating concrete action plans while instilling a collaborative culture. She holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management and Organizational Behavior from Golden Gate University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and Theatre from University of Washington.

Kris Liebau – Coach Support - is a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Over the last decade she has developed her passion for coaching through leadership positions and training deployment in the aerospace and medical device industries as well as in volunteer non-profit organizations. She enjoys working with professionals seeking fulfillment and joy in in their everyday lives both personally and professionally as well as supporting them taking their careers to new heights. In addition to coaching certification, she is a Certified Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) and Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). She holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Pandora Ray – Business Development - is a Certified Master Coach (CMC) and Certified Executive Coach Specialist (CSS) through the Center for Coaching Certification. She has a tenured career in both the private and not-for-profit sectors serving in a variety of leadership and operational management roles at the senior level. Known for her facilitation skills she works to encourage groups and individuals in clearly defining desired outcomes before advancing to solution mode. Pan is a Mills College alumna, holds two Masters degrees in Organization Design and Public Health and is certified as an Action Learning Coach through the World Institute for Action Learning. She has a profound interest in coaching and the value it provides in the personal and professional environment. Her focus is on embracing change, working passionately, and making the space in which we work and live a better place.

Alisa Atkinson McDonald – Connection Executive - is a Certified Master Coach (CMC) and Certified Executive Coach Specialist (CECS) through the Center for Coaching Certification. Alisa also works with business owners to assist them with strategic business planning, innovative marketing, and financial strategies through the Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC). She founded Renew Your Perspective LLC to help diverse clients tap into their strengths and explore their perspectives and options to achieve their goals and priorities. Alisa is a University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill alumna, holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from University of North Carolina - Charlotte (UNCC) and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI). Alisa’s unique experience as an executive leader at Fortune 100 companies, along with her mindset as a professionally trained coach, entrepreneurial spirit and passion to help others grow makes her a phenomenal coach.

Jane McCarthy – Connection Executive - is a Certified Master Coach (CMC) and Certified Executive Coach Specialist (CSS) through the Center for Coaching Certification and a member of the International Coach Federation. Jane is the CEO and Chief Brainstormer at JaneSTORM. Her thirty-year career at Verizon and as a volunteer lead at the American Cancer Society served as her foundation for transformational coaching for life and business, workshop facilitation and public speaking. Jane is known for bringing positive energy and curiosity to every relationship. She is an intentional listener and draws out individuals and groups with empathy, compassion, and humor. She has a proven track record in public speaking, non-profit fundraising, and event planning. Jane’s high energy and bountiful ideas have contributed to her success as a program implementer and team/community interface. The JaneSTORM mission is to clear your mind clutter through thought provoking, creative and purposeful collaboration. She empowers her clients by using the six Cs of Transformation: Confidence; Client Base; Curiosity; Clarity; Commitment and Client Feedback, plus the bonus C: Celebration.

Janine Sunday – Coach Support - is a Certified Professional Coach with the Center for Coaching Certification. She holds a BA in communication from UNC-Chapel Hill. Janine is the owner of Lean Into Change, a consulting and coaching business that uses her 15 years of experience helping medical professionals find new communication tools and use them in daily interactions with patients and staff. She is also an awarded singer and actress in the DC metro area with mastery in lyric interpretation, as well as a gifted voice teacher. Janine runs Lean Into Change and a parallel coaching practice for people in the performing arts industry, many who are finding new ways forward due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a coach, Janine is able to use her ability to interpret words, body language, and vocal inflection to effectively connect with clients. Her mission is to compassionately guide and collaborate by leaning into challenging transitions to find a new way toward balance. She believes that everyone is capable of greater awareness and the courage to make positive changes that will enlighten every facet of life.

Genaro Torres – Business Development Team Leader and Spanish Trainer - is a Certified Master Coach and a Certified Coach Trainer through the Center for Coaching Certification plus an ACC credentialed member of the International Coach Federation.  Genaro is the founder of GTC and a bicultural business consultant with a proven track record of success. He has experience in different industries developing the managerial skills of leaders in organizations in the United States and Latin America. His areas of expertise include: executive coaching, talent management, strategic planning, organizational development, business development, and systems thinking. Genaro graduated with honors from the Master of Science program in Systems Thinking Engineering and Planning, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Genaro also has a certification in Sales and Business Development from the University of San Diego. He has collaborated with the San Diego Organization Development Network, has taught at the San Diego Community College District, received the Distinguished Service Award by the American Society for Training and Development, and has many years coordinating the mentorship program at the Association for Talent Development in San Diego.

Susanna Theo – Continuing Education Trainer and Coach Support - is a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification.  She has over 18 years of experience as an international entrepreneur, trainer, and workshop facilitator.  Susanna specializes in business communication and conflict resolution.  She enjoys working with every individual and group through an interactive upbeat approach constructively guiding them to take their next step forward for achieving long-term success!

Laura Masters – Continuing Education Trainer / Science of Positivity Trainer – is a Certified Professional Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification, a Certified mBIT Coach through mBIT International, and a member of the ICF. Laura is the owner of The Masters Company for Learning, Inc. where she has 25 years as a learning specialist and coach for adults and children of all ages. Laura works with her clients to build success and empower individuals of all ages to create dynamic and expansive lives. Laura has studied neuroscience since 1992 and her coaching, teaching, and seminars are researched and grounded in cutting edge neuroscience. Laura earned her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Alberta, Canada and specializes in teaching the neuroscience behind learning, handling stress and anxiety, and creating authentic happiness. As a coach and trainer, Laura's mission is to inspire others to grow and create the life they want.

Karen Eisenthal – Continuing Education Trainer / Diversity and Equity Trainer – is a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification and a PCC credentialed coach with the International Coach Federation. As an executive and management coach and master facilitator for more than 25 years, Karen has worked with clients to identify and accomplish a huge range of individual, team, and organizational goals. Her ability to co-create with clients a unique workspace of trust, rapport, and zero-judgment empowers them to explore and identify in greater depth areas of development, to increase capabilities, build competencies, and develop as strategic, inspiring, and inclusive leaders, and highly effective individual contributors. Karen lived and worked internationally in Japan, the UK, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada which fostered in her truly global and inclusive perspectives and honed her expertise in global business and aligning intentions with impact. Previously, Karen was an internal Executive Coach to the C-suite and other senior leaders in addition to running the HR function at a B2B and B2G internet start-up. Karen also co-led the New England office of the Anti-Defamation League’s A World of Difference Institute, where she trained trainers and facilitated anti-bias sessions with state police troopers, school districts, and others to mitigate racial, religious, and other inequity and conflict. Karen is certified in several diagnostic and learning tools. She earned her B.A. in Communication from the University of Massachusetts and her M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley College. She lives with her family in the Greater Boston area.

Pete Liska - Information Management - is a Certified Professional Coach and Certified Business Coach Specialist presently working with the Center for Coaching Certification. He graduated from The Citadel with a MS in Project Management, retired from the US Air Force, and most recently was working as a defense contractor in the Charleston, SC area. He brings management, training development, technical, and social media skills to us in support of our expanding programs and company growth.

Cathy Liska, the Guide from the Side® CMC, MCC, Certified Coach Trainer- CEO/Founder of the Center for Coaching Certification is a Certified Coach Specialist and Certified Coach Trainer plus an MCC credentialed member of the ICF.  She is recognized internationally in coaching, training, conflict management, and facilitation. Cathy is a sought-after trainer and coach, drawing on her 30 years of experience in business ownership and management. Cathy certifies others to coach in her ICF-approved coach training programs and provides mentor coaching for those seeking a credential with ICF. Her personal mission statement is “People.” Cathy is known for her positive attitude and inspiring success plus training and coaching that empower others to achieve the results they desire.