Trainers and Coaches

Trainers

	José Acevedo José is president of New World Consulting and an expert in the development of leadership skills and the creation of high-performing organizations. José has spent the last 25 years working with a broad range of organizations to help them function innovatively in pursuit of specific mission-critical results.
	Michael Bell Michael is the co-founder, president and CEO of InPartnership Consulting Inc., an organizational development and strategic change firm specializing in global diversity and leadership development. Michael is a leader in the fields of organizational development, diversity and strategic planning.
	Robert Gass, EdD Robert is co-designer of the Art of Leadership and lead trainer for Leading from the Inside Out Yearlong Fellowship. He is a Harvard-trained psychologist, organizational development consultant, leadership coach and workshop leader. Robert has more than 30 years experience consulting at senior levels for nonprofit, private and governmental organizations and agencies.
	Suzanne Hawkes Suzanne focuses on strengthening the voices of civil society organizations in Canada and countries worldwide. As a facilitator, workshop leader, coach and campaign consultant, she has worked with hundreds of nonprofit organizations. She is driven by a passion for supporting the power, skills and wisdom in social change leaders and organizations.
	Toby Lynn Herzlich Toby is a facilitator and trainer with a background in community development, organizational excellence, conflict resolution and participatory strategic planning. Her work focuses on developing leadership within progressive nonprofits, supporting values-based planning in grassroots organizations and cultivating visionary leadership among women.
	Helen S. Kim Helen is an organizational development consultant, facilitator and executive coach with 18 years of experience working with social change organizations and leaders in the U.S. and internationally. She is co-author of Working Across Generations: Defining the Future of Nonprofit Leadership, a member of the Building Movement Project, and served on the board of the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training and the international planning committee for the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID).
	Yeshi Neumann Yeshi has been facilitating workshops about women's leadership, diversity, communication, conflict resolution, organizational development, healing family relationships and mindfulness for over 20 years. She has worked as a midwife since 1970. In addition, Yeshi has developed a relevant and inspiring curriculum for the grandmothers of our time. Yeshi has a Masters degree in History and a Masters degree in Public Health.
	Darlene Nipper Darlene Nipper is deputy executive director at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. She brings nearly 20 years of management and advocacy experience to the organization. She has held leadership positions in the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors, including the city government of Washington, DC; Black Entertainment Television (BET) Foundation; the National Mental Health Association; and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She was formerly the director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Darlene is an ordained interfaith minister and lives in Washington, DC.
	John Poore John is president of Whole Leaders where he specializes in leadership development and coaching to support the work of social change leaders. Over the last 20 years, John has served as a founder, executive director, board member and consultant to a broad range of nonprofit organizations. His work employs a whole-person approach to leadership development and spirals outward to drive desired organizational change. John enjoys being a father, tending honeybees, gardening and hiking.
	Maria Ramos-Chertok Maria is a consultant, trainer, writer and mediator. Her areas of expertise include conflict resolution, team building, managing change and cultural competency. She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.
	Leslie Sholl Jaffe Leslie has over 24 years experience as a consultant and trainer across a broad spectrum of businesses and non-profit organizations as well as 6 years as an executive director.  Her work creates environments that enable people to transform their lives and achieve results.  Her expertise is in leadership development, curriculum design and facilitation; effective communication; meeting facilitation and coaching for personal and professional development.
	Allan Silva For the past twelve years Allan has been providing organizational development, leadership development and executive coaching to nonprofit, government agencies, and corporations. He holds graduate degrees in clinical psychology and neuroscience, and specializes in narrative and embodied leadership. Allan has worked for everyone from U.S. Army Generals and special forces units to young dating violence batterers to silicon valley social entrepreneurs – to help create a new generation of powerful, empathic leaders.
	Roberto Vargas, PhD, MSW Roberto is an educator, community organizer and organizational consultant with more than 26 years experience providing leadership development, team building and strategic planning services primarily to organizations engaged in advocacy, community service, empowerment and social change. A founder of several Chicano community programs and an active ceremony leader, Roberto integrates the practices of spirit connection and cultural activism in his consultations.

Coaches

In addition to professional coaching provided by our trainers, Rockwood's team includes our affiliate coaches who bring strong expertise in Rockwood's approach to leadership and many years of experience coaching progressive nonprofit leaders. Please contact us for more information on coaching.

Amanda Berger

Amanda Berger, brings twenty-five years of social justice experience to her coaching practice. Amanda has an extensive background in progressive philanthropy and transformational leadership development through her work with the Jewish Fund for Justice, the Funders Collaborative for Youth Organizing, the Women Donors Network and Rockwood Leadership Institute. She currently works as a senior consultant with Communities for Public School Reform (CPER). Amanda believes in the power of coaching to loosen limiting beliefs, to expand a greater sense of possibility and to instill new practices in everyday life. Amanda brings direct communication, compassion and warmth to her coaching sessions. She lives in the Bay Area with her partner, teen daughters and beloved dog, Zuma.

Andrea Briscoe

In over 10 years as a Human Resource Director, Organizational Development Consultant, and Executive Coach, Andrea Briscoe has gained invaluable experience in the ideas and methods that help managers achieve goals and move organizations forward. She is an expert at identifying pathways to success and setting both individuals and organizations on the most expedient route to their short- and long-term aims. Some of her past clients include leaders from Black Enterprise Magazine, Inc., The White House Project, and Baruch College.

Anushka Fernandopulle

Anushka Fernandopulle has worked with leaders of mission-driven organizations for over 15 years. Her coaching is informed by a BA in social anthropology/religion from Harvard University, an MBA from the Yale School of Management focusing in organizational behavior, and coaching certification from Coaches Training Institute. Anushka also leads mindfulness meditation classes and retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, and other venues.

Belma González

Belma has provided culturally aware coaching to leaders and activists since 2004. Certified through the Coaches Training Institute, she works with diverse clients across the United States on leadership enhancement, life purpose, change management and work/life balance.