About
My journey into the world of coaching and consulting began with a simple belief: everyone has the potential for extraordinary growth. This belief took root during my 25 years in Corporate America, where I held various executive roles. I witnessed firsthand the power of leadership, strategy, and innovation – but also the challenges that can hold individuals and teams back.
Driven by a desire to help others unlock their full potential, I transitioned from the corporate world to pursue my passion for empowering others. I dove headfirst into the world of coaching, earning certifications in FourSight, Breakthrough Coaching and becoming a member of the International Coach Federation. Along the way, I explored diverse disciplines like Path Coaching, Living Intuitively, and Creative Problem Solving facilitation, continually seeking new tools and perspectives to enhance my work.
Today, I partner with professionals, boards, and leadership teams in corporations, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial ventures guiding them on a journey of transformation. My approach is collaborative, heart-centered, and rooted in deep listening and compassionate truth-telling. Whether we're navigating leadership challenges, crafting strategic plans, or sparking innovative solutions, my intention remains the same: to help you achieve your goals and create a lasting impact.
When I'm not working with clients, you'll likely find me camera in hand, exploring the beauty of nature—whether I'm wandering local trails or discovering new cultures abroad. I find peace in quiet moments of reflection, while arranging fragrant blooms or simply savoring a cup of tea in a sun-drenched corner. These moments of rejuvenation fuel my creativity and allow me to bring fresh energy and insight to every client engagement and my surrounding family.
Partners
I believe in the power of collaboration to deliver exceptional results. I’ve cultivated a network of trusted partners with specialized skills, allowing me to offer comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs. Depending on the scope and requirements of your project, I may engage one or more of these partners to provide specialized support.
Russ Schoen
Russ helps individuals and teams unlock their creative potential and achieve extraordinary results. As a facilitation lead at FourSight and a globally recognized speaker and trainer in the areas of deliberate creativity, innovation, strategic planning, high performance and change leadership, he empowers organizations to transform their challenges into opportunities. He has facilitated programs worldwide from Kuwait, Singapore, Italy, Australia, to England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the US.
Russ is a contributing author to a number of creative leadership related materials including FourSight and Ingenious Thinking training materials. In addition, Russ is adjunct faculty at the Center for Studies in Creativity where he teaches graduate courses in facilitating creative process.
Russ holds a Master of Science in Creativity and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory. He is a specialist in individual, team, and organizational innovation and holds certifications in Polarity Management and Emotional Intelligence. He also serves as a leader at renowned creativity conferences, including the Creative Problem Solving Institute and the Mindcamp Creativity Conference.
Russ has partnered with leading organizations such as T. Rowe Price, International Flavor & Fragrances, SmithBucklin, Association Forum, Kraft, TAP Pharmaceuticals, SC Johnson, Philips Electronics, Praxair, Discover, Zimmer and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra helping them achieve breakthroughs in product development, team performance, and strategic planning.
Jonathan Vehar
Fast Company calls Jonathan an “innovation thought leader,” and Investor’s Business Daily referred to him as an “innovation guru”. Jonathan partners with organizations to develop cutting-edge leadership and innovation solutions necessary for growth.
Jonathan is a partner with Pilgrimage Professional Development, an executive leadership and organizational development practice, and on the faculty of the Center for Creative Leadership.
He served as the chief product officer and member of the global executive team of Dale Carnegie & Associates, a training organization with operations in 50 states, 90 countries and 32 languages, where he revitalized the product offerings including face-to-face training, virtual instructor-led, on-demand video, and AI-based apps. Jonathan previously worked at CCL as a full-time senior faculty and portfolio manager for innovation, technology-based learning solutions, and individual leadership development solutions. He also spent 14 years as the President and cofounder of a global training and organizational development firm focused on creative thinking and innovation leadership skills.
Jonathan regularly works with Fortune 100 companies in the consumer goods, transportation, electronics, pharma, and entertainment industries as well as mid-size enterprises, various government agencies and business schools.
Jonathan has served as adjunct faculty at Northwestern University, SUNY Buffalo State College, Ithaca College, and the Rochester Institute of Technology, was a regular speaker at the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester, and has lectured in the business schools at New York University and Georgia Tech. He is certified in FourSight, FIRO-B, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Hogan Suite of assessments, Workplace Big Five, and many other assessments. He recently co-authored a sixth book, published in August of 2024 called, “How to Make Meetings Not Suck:Tips and Tools to Run Effective Meetings”.
Michael Miro
With a passion for helping organizations thrive, Michael brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, facilitation expertise, and community engagement to his consulting work. He is the founder of Shorepath Consulting, a boutique firm that works with nonprofits, government, associations, and businesses across a wide range of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, community foundations, advocacy organizations and business incubators.
Michael specializes in strategic planning, board development, retreat facilitation, and creative problem-solving. He is passionate about helping his clients find innovative solutions to their pressing challenges.
Michael masterfully utilizes different perspectives and tools to forge connections, prioritize goals, and strengthen processes and procedures. Known for his active listening and personable approach, he builds strong relationships with clients and fosters a collaborative environment where innovative solutions emerge. He is unafraid to challenge constructively and ask the difficult questions while providing strategic oversight to ensure accountability around the client’s vision.
He has an M.A. in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago and is certified in Nonprofit Management from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He is also a certified FourSight facilitator. At the local level, Michael serves as board president of two organizations, the Ridgeville Foundation and Lending for Evanston and Northwestern Development (LEND); he also served two terms on the Housing and Community Development Act Committee for the City of Evanston.
Website Credits
Website Development: Muhr Design
Photography (headshots): Jennifer Schuman
Photography (background images): Ariel Perry
