learn more about our facilitators:

 Marsha King Ph.D.

Dr. Marsha King is the President of Polaris Leadership Consulting where she provides coaching and development to senior leaders and their organizations. She also facilitates training, team building and is a popular speaker on topics related to developing leaders and enhancing cultures.Marsha also leads the Center for Leadership and Organizational Change Leadership Coaching Certification.

 Cassandra Mitchell

Cassandra Mitchell has over 30 years of experience in a range of services, from one-on-one executive coaching to Leadership, Team, and Organization Development for educational institutions, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and CPG.

 Dr. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah

Dr. Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah is a clinical associate professor in the Organization and Human Resource Department at the University at Buffalo School of Management. As the inaugural faculty director of Global Programs since 2018, Dorothy designs and implements high-impact programs that develop students’ global and diversity mindset while preparing them for an increasingly intercultural work force.

 Ryan Dunlap

With more than 20 years of combined law enforcement, ministry, and executive leadership experience, Ryan Dunlap is a highly sought-after conflict and crisis management expert. He is the founder and Chief Conflict Officer at Conflictish, a conflict strategy firm dedicated to helping leaders prevent, respond to, and overcome conflict and crisis challenges. He is the creator of The Real Tact Model™, a custom framework for developing conflict competence. To date, he's coached leaders around the globe and in several industries including biotech, government, nonprofit, faith-based, healthcare, pharma, education, food & beverage, and commercial construction, helping them to improve their conflict presence.

 Lawrence Brown

Lawrence Brown is a multifaceted thought leader, speaker and coach. He is the CEO of We Coach Executives, LLC and We Coach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As a certified executive and diversity coach, Lawrence has worked with Fortune 500, small businesses, higher education, and nonprofit clients such as the University of Chicago and the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. While Lawrence’s experience is varied, the recurring theme in the work that he does is leadership development and service to others.

 Steve King

Dr. Steve King is currently Vice President, Associate Experience Network (aka Human Resources) at Rich Products Corporation in Buffalo, New York. He leads the Rich Talent Center and is responsible for talent acquisition and new associate onboarding, integrated talent management (performance management, talent planning and succession) and learning & leadership development. He has been with Rich’s since 2018.

  Adam Orlan

Before founding LEAP Coaching and Consulting, Adam spent 30+ years in Human Resources, primarily leading HR business partner and organizational change management functions.  In these roles, he has provided organization-wide change management support for reorganizations, acquisitions, values-based downsizings, new platform roll-outs, and culture change.  Adam’s mission through LEAP is to maximize individual and team potential through grounded assessments, provocative questioning, deep listening, and care for the individual.

 Kelly Ross

Kelly is a leadership coach, learning and talent strategist and facilitator with global experience. Kelly’s work is in leadership development and talent management – the people side of business. She works with individuals in one-on-one coaching engagements, with teams to clarify goals and increase effectiveness, and with organizations to build and implement learning strategies. Kelly brings experience working in more than 25 countries, with individuals and organizations across industries and sectors, and nearly a decade of experience at McKinsey & Company.

  Mary Axelsen 

Mary Axelsen is the Founder & CEO of WeMaax Consulting and former global HR Executive with a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. She comes with 20 years of experience consulting with and coaching global leaders and employees located in North America, Europe, Latin America, and China. She has partnered with leaders to implement growth plans and transformative change in a wide range of industries and functions to include Fortune 500, public, private, non-profit, PE companies. She holds certifications in Leadership Coaching, DEI, Hogan, and 360 assessments.

  Dr. Amy Wood

Amy Wood, Psy.D. helps ambitious leaders to articulate and accomplish their own versions of success.  Dr. Wood is the author of the award-winning personal improvement book Life Your Way and is often called on for her expert opinion by media ranging from Maine Public Radio to Parade Magazine. She earned her doctorate at Adler University and is certified by the College of Executive Coaching.

 Yosi Kossowsky 

Yosi Kossowsky is a renowned facilitator, coach, and organizational development consultant with over 20 years of experience in the field of human development. Yosi has a passion for unlocking the potential of individuals and teams and has successfully guided numerous clients through transformative journeys using the ITC methodology. With a background in psychology and Organizational Behavior, Yosi combines his deep theoretical understanding with practical, hands-on experience to create engaging, dynamic, and supportive learning environments. His warm, empathetic approach and exceptional communication skills make him a sought-after facilitator and coach for workshops, trainings, and seminars worldwide.

 Lisa Urango

With a 26-year tenure in HR, Lisa embarked on her career in recruitment and has consistently fueled her passion for discovering top-tier candidates while ensuring their alignment with organizational roles. Currently serving as the Vice President of Human Resources, she leverages her extensive experience to coach leaders and teams, emphasizing the significance of robust talent acquisition and management strategies. Lisa remains dedicated to optimizing organizational success through strategic human resource practices.

 Jaimie Falzarano

Jaimie Falzarano is an executive coach and leadership development facilitator.  As Managing Director of LeaderCORE at the  University at Buffalo, School of Management she is responsible for creating the overall coaching process and managing the coaches as well as creating and facilitating the leadership development of individuals from diverse backgrounds.   Her participants come from healthcare (pharmacy, public health and medical), as well as  business, engineering and law.  Prior to her work with UB she worked at the Walt Disney World Company, The Orlando Magic, University of Central Florida and Canisius College.  All her roles have been people-centered. 

Jaimie is also an Executive Coach with Falzarano & Associates. She works with her clients to help build greater self-awareness and develop a broader skillset to lead themselves and others. Working with a variety of tools including assessments, 360’s, and behavioral interviews she guides her clients through their development. Jaimie has coached individuals that have worked at AAA, Pro-Flex Administrators,Kaleida Health, Delaware North Companies, National Fuel Gas Company, M&T Bank, Rich Products, University Health, C&S Companies, Northwestern Mutual, and CareSource to name a few.

Becky Brubaker

ABecky is General Manager for Bureau Veritas, an organization committed to Shaping a World of Trust. Our solutions and services help our clients reduce risk, improve their performance, and meet the challenges of quality, health & safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. Becky finds opportunities to apply her business acumen and unceasing curiosity to companies who believe in the wonderful intersection of people and process. She is a respected leader for transformational growth, process, and profit.

 Karen Kimsey-Sward

​​​​​As Chief Operating Officer, with Dale Carnegie Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Karen has spent most of her career working with organizations and leaders helping them move to the “next level” of performance. She has worked with all sizes of companies and in multiple industries. Karen brings a unique perspective as a business owner who has been through all stages of a company’s life from its founding through the various levels of growth. She has extensive experience as a salesperson, sales leader, internal and external coach and business owner.

She is an accomplished speaker and published author. She was a recent co-author for Lead from Within, an anthology where entrepreneurs share proven traits for success. Her areas of focus are leadership, executive presence, strengthening emotional intelligence, driving growth and strengthening women leadership.