Staff Credentials

Marguerite Adams

Marguerite E. Adams. If you are ready to invest in your personal development as a social impact leader, I may be the coach for you!

As a HR professional having worked for the 3rd largest OC employer for 30 years and as someone who invests in her own continuous development, my coaching style includes a consultancy aspect. Organization development, hiring, performance management and training are just some of the expertise areas that I bring to the table.

ECofOC clients have said that they value my ability to stick with them during the rough times and they appreciate my being present for them exactly where they are every time we meet.

Ben Alvarado

Ben Alvarado is Executive Vice President and the Director of Core Banking at California Bank & Trust, where he oversees small business banking and the branch banking network across California.

Additionally, Alvarado sits on the board of the Orange County United Way and has over 25 years of experience managing in the financial services industry at large, regional, and community sized banks. Ben is passionate about coaching, leading, and developing others and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Allison Alvarez

Allison Alvarez. Helping people resolve conflicts and solve problems is my specialty. Additionally, as a great listener with strong skills for understanding situations and a talent for providing useful ideas and resources, let me help you identify needs, develop a productive game plan and finally, support and encourage you to fulfill your goals!

With a well rounded resume in both the non-profit and business world, I can help you run your non-profit like a successful business. My non-profit experience includes 8 years on a board working on board development, fundraising, and operations. Additional volunteer experience includes being a Superior Court mediator where I mediated both small claims and civil harassment cases.

John Benner

John Benner. It has been a great pleasure to have worked with OC nonprofits for the last 25 years specializing in strategic planning, non-profit funding, financial management, and board relationships, but mainly just listening and thinking together with my clients.

Volunteering and assisting the Orange County nonprofit community has been my second career. I have served on the boards of: Hoag Hospital, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, Charitable Ventures, and The Cambodian Family. My business background of financial and general management positions with major national food drug chains has proven to be applicable to even the smallest of nonprofits.

George Blanc

George Blanc owned and operated a gourmet French restaurant on Sunset Strip for 14 years.

He then spent 24 years managing $4.5 million of Orange Coast College’s non-academic programs including five non-profit businesses, its week-end swap meet, its performing arts events and its adult education program.

Dave Blankenhorn

Dave Blankenhorn was the President, CEO and a Director of the American Security Bank in Newport Beach, which under his leadership grew from $260 million in 2004 to $430 million in 2012.

Dave is also on the Board of Second Harvest Food Bank and the Orange County Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Lois Carson

Lois Carson. My specialty is working with leaders to bring their teams together for increased communication, effectiveness, productivity and job satisfaction! By empowering people with the mindset, tools and talents, my clients are able to transform personally and professionally.

An ICF Associate Certified Coach, my coaching background spans over 15 years. Previously I was a senior leader in Product Development for restaurant chains such as Taco Bell, Carl’s Jr. and Godfather’s Pizza.

Mark Chamberlin

Mark Chamberlin. My specialty is helping leaders to achieve higher goals by focusing on their actual job requirements, utilizing their hard and soft skills, as well as leveraging transferable skills. If you need an expert in business development where outreach and professional branding would add impact, I’m happy to team with you.

Previously, I was a hi-tech global sales leader selling to Fortune 500 companies, reaching out, doing business and negotiating with high confidence individuals. I’m also a volunteer and past board director with Youth Employment Service, advocate and guest lecturer with Chapman University related to first career jobs, and a speaker for networking, negotiating and using social media in positive ways.

May Chan

May Chan. In my forty-year career as Financial Controller, CFO and COO, for both Fortune 100 companies and National non-profit organizations, I learned to be a good listener and motivated my team members to grow professionally and personally. I learned how to be a team player and a servant leader. I empowered them with ways to bring out their talents and confidence, so that they could work well with their Boards, donors, peers and thus minimize conflicts.

After joining EC of OC in 2018, I feel rewarded to be working with a fine group of coaches and watching my clients progress in their career and personal lives.

D. Renee Christensen

D. Renee Christensen, Ph.D., CEAP, HHP, ICF. My forty plus years experience has been in the areas of private coaching, Human Resources consulting, Workplace Violence prevention, Traumatic Stress Recovery, and Team development.

My specialty area is in the development of leadership styles, developing strong and dynamic teams, and professional self-development for greater career success.

Having many years of experience setting up human resources departments and staffing in the for-profit sector, I am a great asset for teaming up and creating the structures inside the organization for greater performance.

Dave Coffaro

Dave Coffaro is Principal of Strategic Advisory Consulting Group, a management consulting firm focused on helping organizations define, design and deliver their vision.

In addition to consulting, Dave’s experience includes leading financial services businesses at Wells Fargo and Bank of America, serving on non profit boards and as interim CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and teaching strategic management at California State University, Fullerton.

Victoria Collins

Victoria Collins, Ph.D, brings three decades of corporate experience and philanthropic leadership to her coaching clients. As a co-founder and managing director of First Foundation Inc. (NASDQ FFWM), a comprehensive wealth management firm managing more than $4 billion, she helped clients set goals and achieve positive results.

Named “Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year” at AFP’s National Philanthropy Day, Victoria has served on multiple non-profit boards and brings insights on leadership, fundraising, board development and marketing.

With a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, Victoria has authored or co-authored seven books on how emotions drive financial behavior. She has been interviewed on major TV shows and is quoted in multiple national publications.

Judy Combs

Judy Combs was the Executive Director of the California Academic Decathlon and consultant to other local and national Academic Decathlon organizations.

She has over twenty-five years of experience in nonprofit organizations as an Executive Director, Development Director or Marketing Director.

Sam Dawson

Sam Dawson had her own public relations company for more than 25 years working primarily with nonprofit and arts organizations and is retired from the Ahmanson Foundation.

She has volunteered with numerous nonprofit organizations and serves on the board of Working Wardrobes and Girls Inc. of Orange County. She is a founding partner and board member of Impact Giving, a woman’s collective giving organization.

Patricia Del Monico

Patricia Del Monico My career has focused on contributing to the enrichment of our communities. I served as CEO of a large nonprofit organization for more than 40 years and my educational background includes an MBA and MSW from UCLA.

Over the years, I have formed strong, creative, collaborative, enthusiastic and mission-driven leadership teams. I have special skills in strategic planning to assist you and your team in developing ambitious but achievable short and long-term goals. Because Board relations is an essential element of successful non-profit organizations, building/maintaining effective Boards is one of my keen interest areas.

Adrianne Geiger Dumond

Adrianne Geiger DuMond was responsible for Executive Development and Succession Planning at Owens-Illinois, First Interstate Bancorp and McDonnell-Douglas. Later she started her own consulting company, the DuMond Group, and worked as adjunct faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership.

She has an MPA and a PhD in Organization Development from USC and has served on the Boards of the United Way, Family Services of Orange County, Wiseplace, and St. Jude Memorial Foundation.

Rafael Durand

Rafael Durand. My special power is to help courageous leaders to figure out the best way to solve leadership dilemmas. My specialty is supporting executives, managers, and emerging leaders in their quest to grow and develop through coaching.

With over thirty-five years of experience working in five different countries, I combine a corporate lawyer’s mindset with an extensive international senior Human Resources experience supporting leaders in global multinational and non-profit organizations.

Andrea Espy

Andrea L. Espy, M.A. is an Executive Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in Organizational and Leadership Development. She was most recently the Director of Talent Development with Vans and has held leadership roles in healthcare, sales & marketing, and senior living.

She is currently serving clients across industries, such as biotech, food, packaging, retail, and non-profit to help leaders identify their talents and strengths, specific opportunities for growth, and provide coaching and support to move the needle on their own leadership development goals. Through her appreciative and strengths-based approach she guides leaders in fulfilling their purpose.

Jim Evans

Jim Evans, after getting his Ph.D. in Executive Management from Claremont, had a thirty year career in city management.

The last 15 years were as City Manager and Executive Director of Development for Eureka and Glendora. He is currently a Senior Associate at Citygate where he specializes in municipal consulting.

Daphne Felicitas

Daphne Felicitas is currently the VP of Learning & Development at Lazy Dog Restaurants has 20 years of experience in the learning, talent and organizational development field. She’s held Talent & OD leadership positions in a range of industries including: entertainment, gaming, technology, action sports, retail, hospitality and education.

Daphne’s expertise is in helping leaders invest in their talent and potential to build capabilities required to lead their organizations and teams.

Having worked in a variety of industries, including 11 years in global companies, she understands the importance of listening, meets people where they are, helps clarify where they want to be, and prioritizes learning the unique context of their organization and culture.

Daphne is here to support leaders fulfill their organization’s purpose, amplify their values and have a meaningful impact in their community.

Mike Flores

Mike Flores. Founder and President/Head Coach of INNER CHAMPION CONSULTING, providing executive coaching and leadership training to upper level executives in the sports, corporate and non-profit sectors.

Mike has been involved in coaching, both individual and group, since graduation from UCLA, including 15 years in the university setting. He has experience coaching executive directors and directors of development for numerous non-profits. As a volunteer, he has sat on over 15 non-profit Boards including serving a Chairman of the Board.

Mike is a graduate of CTI, Coaches Training International, and has completed his hours for certification as an Executive Coach. Mike is fully bi-lingual (English – Spanish).

John Gordon

John Gordon is a retired bank Chief Financial Officer with over 30 years experience helping managers develop a strategic approach to the financial, operational, and human resources management of Orange County regional banks.

John has worked closely with bank boards to develop achievable objectives helping to navigate performance through turbulent economic cycles, mergers and acquisitions, and increased regulatory oversight.

Karen Haren

Karen Haren. Let me help you achieve your goals, resolve challenges and problems and lead others to accomplish your organization’s mission. My special areas of expertise are strategic planning, fund raising and development, board development, leadership and sustainable growth.

Prior to joining EC of OC in 2016, I had a 40-year career as a CEO for nonprofit organizations. I also bring a business perspective and I have an MBA. Most recently I was the CEO of a regional food bank that grew sustainably, received numerous recognitions and raised over $100 million during my tenure.

Frank Hathaway

Frank Hathaway was a Senior Supply Chain Executive in consumer products and biotech at Genentech and Amgen, and was as a Vice-President at Avery Dennison, Unilever and Nestle. He is currently a board member and secretary at South County Outreach, and served of the board of the One World’s Children’s Fund.Frank is Board President of Waste Not OC.

Monica Horner

Monica Horner. I am a non-profit fundraising professional, with more than 20 years of management and leadership experience working with local organizations dedicated to meeting human service needs in Orange County. With a proven track record of raising millions of dollars in the nonprofit industry, I specialize in donor cultivation, Board development and empowering teams with the vision and direction needed to exceed their fundraising goals.

As a seasoned Executive Coach with a demonstrated history of management coaching in the nonprofit industry, I help my clients identify and actualize their talents so they are able to reach their full potential by setting specific goals and solving difficult issues in a confidential setting.

Shaheen Husain

Shaheen Husain is the Principal at Accelerating Impact, a practice focused on fundraising strategies for nonprofits. She is creating impact in Orange County with her involvement in Girls Inc., United Way, Working Wardrobes, and OneOC.

Shaheen’s career began in banking and shifted to architecture, then higher education, and nonprofits. Her personal and professional experiences have driven her to focus her efforts on education, income, and social responsibility, both on an individual and corporate level. Shaheen was born in Khartoum, Sudan and was educated on four continents before high school!

Jeanette James

Jeanette James. I have worked as a non-profit executive for over 20 years. I am able to assist you with interfacing effectively with co-workers, management, clients and outside organizations due to my outstanding communication skills. I will help you learn to work well under stress or time constraints. I can assist with insight, which can give you the ability to research and resolve complex problems with tact and diplomacy.

My areas of expertise include, Donor Stewardship, Donor Relations, Program Development, Grant Writing, and all other areas of fundraising.

I have served on many non-profit boards and as a volunteer for many non-profit organizations.

Heidi Kasevich

Heidi Kasevich, PhD, is the founder of Kase Leadership Method, where she is a Quiet Empowerment Educator and Coach.

A national keynote speaker, she works with schools and companies to foster inclusive environments where introverts can thrive.

Heidi has served as Educational Director at Quiet Revolution, and History Chair and Leadership Program Designer at several schools and universities in New York City.

Michael Kogutek

I am passionate about coaching nonprofit leaders.

My best gift is the capacity to listen on many levels and avoid judgement. I listen with the intent to understand. Other skills that I bring to the table are developing leadership, work/life balance, conflict resolution, and better communication. The client and I accomplish this by creating a relationship of mutual trust, honesty, feedback, and accountability. It offers a neutral perspective.

I am a retired psychologist. I was in private practice for 31 years. I also taught part time at CSU-Fullerton. I believe coaching is transformative.

Danny Lanz

Danny Lanz has been coaching for ECofOC since 2019. Danny brings 20 years of progressive leadership experience including multiple senior executive roles in Aerospace and Biotechnology. Having successfully tackled a broad range of operations, engineering, sales, and technology challenges, Danny believes that the greatest assets of any organization are its people.

He has a proven track record of driving unprecedented business results by hiring and developing amazingly talented individuals.

Danny founded A&B Solutions in 2018 to deliver transformational operational improvements in the manufacturing industry. A&B grew quickly, and by 2020 the company evolved to include E8 Engineering to deliver technology assisted “boots on the ground” solutions to supply chain challenges in quality-critical industries.

He is also a certified Executive Coach through Allen Training Centers.

Danny holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Cal State Long Beach and an MBA from Webster University.

Joanne Larson

Joanne Larson is currently a management consultant and Executive Coach, and has completed the 60 hours of coursework required for The Associate Certified Coach credential from ICF. From 2001 to 2013 she was Director of Client Services at Larson Retirement Planning Services. Prior to that, she was Director of Operations at Employee Support Systems Co. in Orange, CA.

Nicole Leier

Nicole Leier, SPHR-CA, is the Principal & Sr. HR Consultant for Mindful HR Consulting & Coaching. She graduated from St. Cloud State University (MN) with a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Resources, and earned a SPHR-CA, (Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification, with an additional specialty certification in California Employment Law). Nicole spent 25 years in Hospitality Human Resources Leadership roles in Corporate America as an HR Director and Area Director across the county. Her passion is guiding and developing others to be their best, and to bring out the best in their teams.

Over the course of her established career, Nicole has spent copious amounts of time in both union and non-union environments, and is well versed in acquisitions, divestitures, and business transitions, to match seamlessly with her extensive familiarity in opening high end properties.

She now works with business owners in all industries, helping them establish their HR infrastructures and providing Leadership Coaching to owners and Managers on how to create an environment where individuals and their businesses can thrive.

Rachel Mohr

Rachel Mohr. For Rachel, life is about learning, growing and progressing. She is passionate about pursuing these and loves helping others seeking to do the same. Her mission is helping others bring their goals of growth, improvement and excellence to fruition with ease in a positive way that truly sticks long-term for them.

Rachel is an experienced executive coach, life transformation coach, speaker, facilitator and trainer. She is an internationally credentialed and certified professional coach who holds an ICF (ACC) credential, a coaching certification from one of the top ranked coaching academies in the world and degrees in both Psychology and Spanish. Rachel’s career paths have included being the #1 nationally ranked high-performing senior sales executive for a pharmaceutical company multiple times where she also worked on the marketing team for two of the products, founding and running two companies, teaching, training, speaking, coaching for individuals and organizations as well as being the CEO of Mohr Enterprises where she gets to be a wife and mother to two little ones who keep her on her toes.

Rachel has a demonstrated history of teaching others, improving personal and team performance and guiding others to excellence. As a personal excellence and success coach, Rachel loves helping empower achievement-oriented individuals struggling with feeling stuck whether in their career, in relationships or personally to finally break free, gain the traction needed and get the forward momentum they crave to produce massive results and live the fulfilling and intentional lives they’re meant to live for themselves and those they love.

Tara Norton

Tara Norton has over 25 years’ experience as a Sr. Executive Coach, Career Coach, Leadership and Organization Development professional. She has partnered with global Fortune 100 internal and external clients such as Cisco Systems, Walt Disney World, PepsiCo, Gateway, Hard Rock Café, and Warner Brothers to successfully accelerate individuals, teams and organizations to achieve their goals and increase overall effectiveness. She is an insightful coach who works with individuals who are looking to achieve a greater degree of professional and/or personal leadership success by enhancing their leadership style, communication skills, interpersonal savvy, executive presence, and/or career development.

Tara is an ICF Associate Certified Coach, holds a Master’s degree of Human Resource Management, member/past board member of ECofOC for the last 15 years, an instructor for UC San Diego, and is certified in 9 assessments and leadership programs.

Bryan Powell

Bryan Powell has been a member of ECofOC since May of 2019 working with Non Profit leaders to assist them in reaching the goals of their organizations. He holds his PCC credential through the International Coaching Federation and is certified in areas such as Disc, Motivators, Tilt, Intelligent Leadership and 360 Stakeholder Coaching.

Bryan serves as an internal executive leadership and team coach within a Fortune 500 organization and is a current board member for ICF Orange County as well as Parentis Foundation. He believes in partnering with leaders and their teams in all aspects of their organization so that they can reach their full potential in order to fulfill upon the mission of their Non Profit that serves our community.

David Riley

David Riley was the Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency where he was instrumental in improving the indigent health care system in the county. David possesses in-depth administrative experience in finance and budget, board relations, human resources, and legal compliance.

Barry Ross

Barry Ross RN, MPH, MBA, Executive Director, Justice Partnerships, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, has 40 years of health care leadership experience. He is the founder of three non-profit organizations and has served in leadership roles on six non-profit boards of directors.

He has facilitated many board strategic planning retreats and served as a thought partner for several CEOs of nonprofits. Barry has experience in obtaining and administering government contracts and private foundation grants, and has a passion for addressing upstream issues through policy, system and environmental change. He teaches part time in the MPH and MSN programs at CSUF.

Martha Ryan

Martha Ryan. My professional background includes years of leadership experience in the corporate and consulting world. I have also served on multiple non-profit boards and I provide insight and guidance on leadership, strategic planning, board development and fund development.

I best serve my clients by helping them realize their full potential, as well as to recognize areas for growth, including helping them set goals, develop strategies and action plans. With these steps, coupled with holding them accountable, my clients become their very best.

Joe Schoeningh

Joe Schoeningh joined the Second Harvest Food Bank as a volunteer coordinator in 1995 (after a 35 year career in the office products industry), and became the Executive Director in 2003. As the ED, Joe spearheaded a capital campaign of $8.5 million to renovate a 126,000 sq. ft. warehouse office facility for the nonprofit.

Mary Sidhom

Mary Sidhom has over 17 years of experience in the management consultancy and coaching field, focusing on organizational excellence & leadership management. Mary focuses on effective strategic planning and transformational change management roadmaps. She has helped businesses build world class organizations by developing innovative business strategies, while cultivating partnerships and stakeholder management across the organization.

She has worked in the fields of Financial Services, Telecommunication, Information Technology, Insurance, Automobile, Retail, Engineering and Government sectors. She hold an MBA degree and PMP certification.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith. I am the owner of Growth Source Coaching, an Orange County, CA based business and executive coaching company, that specializes in helping business professionals become extraordinary leaders, savvy business owners and confident marketing strategists. I co-hosts a business podcast called The Business Wingmen and is the author of, leadership Axioms- Timeless Principles for Leading in Business and Life.

I work to help non-profit executives to develop clarity and inner confidence. I will help you become a stellar communicator and a strategic thinker who will have executive presence. I will also teach you the very important skill of delegating.

Yohan Sohn

Yohan Sohn is the general manager at SimTech USA, the developer of versatile mind mapping software MindMapper, and an executive coach at Alegre Coaching. Yohan’s areas of expertise include emotional intelligence, visual thinking, and project management, all of which are, in his experience, the foundational skills necessary for success at work, home, and school.

He is passionate about executive coaching, helping leaders nurture themselves and grow their characters to achieve their full potential. He specializes in fostering the opportunity for personal change, growth, and high performance in the workplace. With his extensive business background, Yohan understands and possesses what it takes to help executives develop a competitive edge and thrive personally and professionally.

Ernest Stambouly

Ernest Stambouly did product development in the aerospace and defense industries. He then worked as a business consultant on incubating, launching and managing change in small technology companies. Ernest also has ten years experience in coaching corporate teams in professional development and in using social media to promote his business.

Daniel Stetson

Daniel Stetson is the Executive Director of The Nicholas Endowment which supports the performing and visual arts and assists in the advancement of science and education. Previously, he was President and CEO of the $9M Ocean Institute which under his leadership won the Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in Maritime Education.

Valerie Strauch

Valerie Strauch is the Chief Operating Officer of BrightCoach, a group of Executive Coaches, Life Coaches and support personnel. Previously, Valerie had a 25 year career in the property management industry where she rose to becoming a regional vice-president of Merit Property Management.

Larry Tucker

Larry Tucker. Let me help you engage your staff and your board. My 25-year career consulting with clients on people issues, gives you access to my knowledge and experience in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, retaining and engaging employees. Also, my experience in serving on nonprofits boards, including as chair, will provide you with valuable insights on board engagement, recruitment and development.

My experience also extends to working with nonprofit boards in developing effective board retreats and practical strategic plans, both of which require a comprehensive process of planning and partnering between staff and board.

David Wild

David Wild had a 30 year career in sales and marketing for the #1 toymaker Hasbro, selling leading brands such as Star Wars, Play-Doh, Disney, Marvel, Monopoly and Sesame Street. He worked with design and marketing teams to launch new products and create strategic brand presentations that sell.

David volunteers as a mentor to small business owners with the nonprofit SCORE Orange County. His keen focus relates to sales, marketing and community engagement. He is a frequent mentor for the CSUF Entrepreneurship student-consultancy program.

Molly Yen

Molly Yen. I come to coaching with skills in management, planning, and collaboration. Additionally, I am passionate about developing habits that build emotional resilience – something non-profit leaders must have to create meaningful and sustaining impact. As a former teacher, I experienced the benefits of coaching and ultimately became a coach! Along with education, I have coached clients in a variety of industries such as insurance and retail.

I am committed to the coaching process. Coaching can have a lasting impact when the process of one’s own learning, growth, and awareness is valued just as much (if not more) than desired outcomes.