MARISSA WALDMAN
Chief Excellence Officer

CERTIFIED COACH FROM THE BERKELEY EXECUTIVE COACHING INSTITUTE

Marissa is a respected industry executive with nearly three decades of experience in managing and leading high performing teams and organizations. She is a business builder and strategic leader who intuitively understands her clients’ and stakeholders’ needs.

Marissa’s previous professional experience includes high-value roles such as Company President and leading the learning strategy for all sales organizations at various management consulting firms.

Marissa builds leaders: it is her fundamental belief that anyone has the capacity to be a great leader in whatever they do.

She is often referred to as the Chief Excellence Officer of Leaderology, wholly committing herself to serving her team, her clients and the HR/business community. You can often find her enjoying an iced tea and meaningful conversation with a friend in the Southern California business community. Regardless of whether they are a client, an employee or a vendor partner, to Marissa they are always a dear friend.

Her academic credentials include a BA and coursework towards an MA in Communication from California State University, Long Beach.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Michelle Obama

SAM BLAKELEY
Vice President, Business Development

Sam oversees Leaderology’s sales function and team to lead a sustainable growth strategy and works cross-functionally to ensure client success. Sam is passionate about helping others lead authentically through their strengths and leverage their leadership values to create tangible impact.

Sam’s previous roles include serving as the Regional Director of the U.S. Central region at Gallup, as well as leading the executive coaching center of excellence at Brainard Strategy.

Her undergraduate and graduate research was featured in the journals of Biology of Reproduction, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Stem Cells. Other examples of her professional writing have been featured in Forbes and TEDx publications. Sam earned a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received a master’s degree in developmental and cell biology from the University of California, Irvine.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with her family. On cold or rainy days she can also be found cozied up with a good book and warm blanket!

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Robin Arzón

KAY BASI
Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer

CERTIFIED COACH FROM THE BERKELEY EXECUTIVE COACHING INSTITUTE

Kay provides counsel and insight to the Leaderology executive team and drives the marketing and strategic direction of the organization. She is adept at catching an idea and making it a reality, and possesses the effortless ability to oscillate between seeing the big picture and foreseeing potential roadblocks at execution stage. Kay’s positively contagious attitude, unparalleled critical horsepower and extensive international experience spearheading business growth make her a trusted advisor and thought-partner, not only to our Leaderology team, but to our executive clients and consultant partners everywhere.

Kay firmly believes that a truly effective leader builds bold, courageous and emotionally intelligent leaders around them. It is with this mindset that she approaches every initiative – even every conversation – as an opportunity to bring out the fearlessly authentic leader in everyone, regardless of age, gender, occupation or shoe size.

Kay earned her BSc. (Hons.) Degree in Psychology at The University of Westminster in London, UK. She then traveled to Australia to gain APAC experience and pursue her Master's Coursework in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Sydney.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Malala Yousafzai

LENA BAER
Vice President, Operations

Lena is the Vice President of Operations at Leaderology where she oversees the day-to-day business, provides project management support and ensures client satisfaction.

Lena is an authentic individual who strives to build deep relationships with her clients and team. Prior to joining Leaderology, she was the Head of Operations at Brainard Strategy, leading a team of high performing Project Managers and driving product-to-market strategies.

Before moving to the United States, Lena gained work experience at BASF, BMW and Lufthansa. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Management at F.H Worms, Germany, a Master’s Degree in International Business from Hult Business School, Boston, and specialized in Project Management in Shanghai, China.

When she is not working or traveling, Lena enjoys running by the beach, baking German bread and exploring the world. She is affiliated with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Michelle Obama

TALIA GERSON
Vice President, Product & Delivery

Talia is responsible for the development and facilitation of all leadership development programs, including the innovative LeadershipSOPs initiative.

She is a collaborative and passionate consultant dedicated to helping others leverage their strengths in order to grow into their fullest potential. Prior to Leaderology, Talia worked as an Organizational and Leadership Development consultant in industries including technology, public transportation, non-profit, retail and finance. She also worked as a public high school English teacher in Madrid, Spain.

Talia earned her MA in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University: The California School of Professional Psychology and her BA in Psychology and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. She is certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC, Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, and EQ-i2.0, which she leverages to help clients and participants find their fearlessly authentic leadership styles.

In her spare time, you can find Talia skiing down a mountain, baking up a storm or reading by a fire.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Sheryl Sandberg

MAI GATTENYO
Director of Content Learning

Mai is responsible for the management of our leadership development initiatives, and works in partnership with the VP of Product and Delivery to design new programs. She is passionate about designing creative and transformational learning experiences that help leaders deepen their self-awareness. Mai thrives on activating new ideas, and cultivating deep and authentic relationships.  

Prior to joining the Leaderology team, Mai worked in education and non-profits guiding and empowering teen leaders, and also spent time abroad teaching English through the international development initiative Project Ten. 

A life-long learner, Mai joins Leaderology with a M.A. in Leadership Development and a B.A. in Strategic and Corporate Communication from Chapman University. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Cal State Long Beach.  

In her free time, Mai can be found making pottery or perfecting her recipe for shakshuka.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

QUYNH PHAM
Director of Coaching

Quynh is responsible for generating valuable results for clients by delivering high-quality custom initiatives and managing coaching engagements.

She is a highly motivated, first-generation graduate who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University San Marcos. During her tenure there, Quynh received the prestigious accolade of the James R. Meindl Student Leadership Award, given to only one graduating senior each academic school year who demonstrated outstanding leadership on campus.

Throughout her prolific career, her diverse work experience has been structured and strengthened by several industries, spanning from the complexity and meticulousness of the financial advisement arena, to the discipline and stamina of the health and fitness industry. Quynh also works as a researcher and is dedicated to advancing studies in the field of Organizational Behavior, with an emphasis on Leadership.

Once her work and studies are caught up, Quynh loves to indulge in her favorite pastime by dabbling with her culinary skills in the kitchen or trying out her adventurous foodie tendencies at new local hot spots.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Rosa Parks

SUSHMITA SOLIS
Marketing Operations Manager

Sushmita is the vital bridge between marketing and sales efforts. In her role, she manages key initiatives that demonstrate our brand promise in the community. Cool, calm, and collected Sushmita is a collaborative and inquisitive individual who prides herself in being a resource for her peers. Sushmita earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing, loves to learn, and brings a growth mindset to her work.

When not driving marketing operations success, you can often find Sushmita trying something new in the kitchen with her family or planning a fun celebration. Sushmita makes sure she takes the time to appreciate each moment in her journey towards excellence.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Maria Eitel

NATALIE SHADE
Project Manager

Natalie is responsible for supporting the Operations Team, Consultants, and Clients through the implementation of Executive Coaching Projects and Leadership Development Programs. She has a background in both customer service and accounting which provides her with an array of knowledge. She has genuine curiosity about the rewarding world of leadership development and how we can build fearlessly authentic leaders in our communities of effort.

Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She was a member of a professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, where she held the position of Vice President of Professional Activities. She also participated in fundraising events for the Alzheimer's Association to spread awareness on this disease.  

In her free time, Natalie enjoys swinging a golf club, perfecting her avocado toast recipe and skiing. 

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Brené Brown

IVAN CHU
Project Manager

Ivan works with Natalie to support the operations team, consultants, and clients through the implementation of executive coaching projects and leadership development programs. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine.  

Beyond his education, Ivan has previous experience supporting continuing education programs, and collaborating with program leads to execute and oversee digital course development. He also worked in the financial advisory space, spearheading goals-based conversations to help his clients achieve their financial goals. With these past experiences, Ivan provides a unique perspective on the leadership development arena. He strives for continual growth in Leaderology’s pursuit of fearless authenticity.  

In his free time, Ivan is out in search of the best boba shops and tea houses around.  

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Ke Huy Quan

ALLISON ICHIKI
Bookkeeper & Executive Assistant to the CEO

Allison has held management positions in the retail and beauty industries. She has also worked in administration assisting at a non-profit organization.

At Leaderology she partners with the team to execute on its marketing strategy, as well as provide sales administrative support throughout the client’s project life cycle.

Fearlessly Authentic Leader: Queen Lili’uokalani

ED TYSON
PerSynergy Consulting

Ed Tyson is the Chief Executive Officer of PerSynergy Consulting. He is a former strategy executive and Marine, turned executive coach and organizational consultant. Ed is the originator and chief architect of the LeadershipSOPs – a ground-breaking leadership framework and methodology which encourages leaders to develop and deploy Standard Operating Procedures to Structure, Operate and Perfect their communities of effort. In 2019, Ed began a strategic partnership with Leaderology to infuse his framework and methodology into an intense, cohort-based, executive development experience. In his new book, From Expert to Executive, Ed highlights the power of focusing first on the actual work of leading before concentrating on interpersonal competencies, skills and styles when engaging leaders in leading.

Over the past decade, Ed has developed a particular interest in translating new and transformational strategies into innovative organizational designs.

Ed lives in Southern California with his wife, Jen, the youngest of his two sons, Wyatt, and his dog, Kaia.

RON SKYLSTAD
In Case of Success

Ron is the Founder and Chief Creative of In Case of Success, a creative outpost and brand outfitter based in the Pacific Northwest. His ability to work across multiple disciplines enables him to bring a holistic perspective and diverse skill set to every project, including the branding and marketing behind Leaderology.