Meet Laurie Battaglia, the Leadership Rebel, System Disruptor, and Change Catalyst who doesn’t just break traditional leadership rules—she completely rewrites them! As CEO of Aligned at Work, this organizational culture maverick has spent decades dismantling toxic workplace hierarchies and replacing them with cultures where humans actually thrive. Armed with a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, plus certifications as a Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner through iPEC, Laurie isn’t your typical consultant who only talks theory. Her superpower? Building trust quickly through her signature approach that champions vulnerability and transparency, turning “soft skills” into competitive advantages that drive measurable results.

What makes Laurie truly extraordinary is her battle-tested rebel approach that uses storytelling and truth-telling to create real impact. When Laurie and her team engage with you, comfort zones die—she challenges leaders to abandon outdated power structures and embrace the messy, authentic work of leading humans. CEOs call her message “essential,” clients describe it as “thought-provoking,” and the results speak for themselves as leaders finally understand that leading themselves first and radical self-awareness is the secret weapon to creating workplaces where people soar! With expertise in assessments from Center for Creative Leadership, Wiley, MBTI, Everything DiSC, and the Drexler Sibbet Team Performance Model, Laurie brings both the credentials and the courage to help organizations move from toxic traditions to transformational cultures where authentic leadership isn’t just encouraged—it’s the competitive advantage.

Meet Fawn Gilmore Kraut, the organizational mastermind who keeps Aligned at Work running like a well-oiled machine! As Laurie’s Chief of Staff, she’s the strategic force behind the scenes who ensures every project lands with impact and every detail aligns with the bigger vision. From managing social media and maintaining content calendars to producing The Wake Up Call Live show and coordinating pre-conference outreach, Fawn transforms big-picture vision into actionable results. Her superpower? Keeping leaders on track while maximizing every opportunity, whether that’s setting up strategic meetings after speaking engagements or ensuring deadlines are met with precision and grace.

With over a decade of consulting experience and a rich background in project management, hospitality, and coaching, Fawn brings a unique blend of interpersonal finesse and operational excellence to every challenge. Her impressive track record includes managing complex rebranding projects, maintaining a 5-star Airbnb rating through 225+ hosting experiences, and delivering 50+ successful all-inclusive workshops. But what truly sets Fawn apart is her role as a catalyst for growth—she’s the one who pushes leaders to think bigger and do things differently. Certified as a Professional Co-Active Coach and Trauma-Informed Coach, with expertise spanning everything from Google Workspace to modern design tools, Fawn doesn’t just manage operations—she elevates them. Her meticulous attention to detail, combined with her passion for excellence and creative problem-solving, makes her the kind of team member who becomes an indispensable strategic partner.

Meet Dr. Sarah Gould, a powerhouse in the world of human potential and organizational transformation! With over 20 years of experience in the art and science of how humans learn, create relationships, navigate change, and grow, Sarah brings an infectious energy to everything she touches. As a globally recognized researcher, keynote speaker, and leadership developer, she’s made her mark at national and international conferences while authoring multiple white papers and serving as a featured subject matter expert in numerous publications. Her sweet spot? The fascinating intersection of neurodiversity, neuroscience, and data-driven insights that help leaders unlock their teams’ full potential.

Here’s where Sarah truly shines as your magical unicorn—she masterfully balances the focus on people and technology, transforming complex organizational systems and data into clear, compelling visual stories that everyone can understand. Armed with an Educational Doctorate in Organizational Neuroscience and Psychology, Sarah doesn’t just talk theory, she delivers results that matter to today’s leaders. Her clients rave about her transformative approach, with one sharing how Sarah helped them completely reimagine their client service approach and double their revenue in just three months! Whether she’s facilitating leadership development, coaching executives, or translating intricate behavioral data into actionable insights, Sarah brings that rare combination of human connection and analytical brilliance that makes complex concepts click. As one training participant put it: “Sarah is a national treasure!”

Meet Heather Nunley, a seasoned executive coach and culture strategist with over 20 years of leadership experience, including roles at Fortune 500 companies like Marriott and Nordstrom. She is known for helping creative and mission-driven organizations to scale with clarity, accountability, and integrity.

Heather leads strategic projects and contributes her expertise in culture, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Her work centers on designing systems, refining policies, and aligning people practices that elevate performance and reinforce culture—especially during periods of change or growth. Certified in IPEC Energy Leadership Index and Personal Branding, Heather creates the conditions for breakthrough results.

Meet Skylar Lewandowski, a dynamic leadership development professional who brings an MBA from Yale School of Management plus incredible startup and Fortune 500 experience to her work with the Aligned at Work team! Skylar’s experience includes creating and delivering customized leadership and neurodiversity training for major clients, including a $10B Seattle-based company with sessions for 150+ managers, directors, and executives. Her superpower? The ability to innovate in traditional industries—like developing multi-year apprenticeship programs that incorporate leadership development for construction software companies, bringing a fresh perspective to sectors typically focused only on technical skills.

What makes Skylar truly exceptional is her track record of scaling impact across diverse environments. From her early days as employee #30 at Tile Inc. (helping grow it to 100+ employees) where she helped launch global contact centers, to her role at Anheuser-Busch overseeing performance systems for 100k+ employees, Skylar consistently delivers results that matter. As a Forté Fellow and Yale merit scholarship recipient, plus co-founder of travel startups and host of a leadership podcast, she brings both academic rigor and entrepreneurial creativity to every project. Her experience increasing employee engagement, boosting customer satisfaction, and driving increased revenue demonstrates her ability to translate leadership development into measurable business outcomes—exactly the kind of strategic thinking that makes her such a valuable addition to the Aligned at Work team.

Meet Tish Times, a powerhouse Leadership Consultant who brings her extensive experience as a senior leader in the staffing industry into transformative work with corporate leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs! Known for her exceptional facilitation and coaching abilities, Tish has mastered the art of free-flowing dialogue that allows individuals and groups to grow past their own obstacles and develop real tools for success. Her superpower? A unique approach to networking that helps companies increase employee engagement, develop brand ambassadors, and revolutionize workplace communication.

What sets Tish apart is her refusal to deliver typical “packaged” programs—instead, she crafts customized workshops, one-to-one consultations, group facilitations, and individual performance coaching that meet people exactly where they are. As a sought-after coach, professional facilitator, speaker, and author, Tish is a frequent presence at professional associations and conferences, addressing everything from business development and workplace improvement to communication, confidence building, assertiveness, anti-harassment, and diversity & inclusion. Her ability to create safe spaces for authentic dialogue while driving measurable results makes her the kind of consultant who doesn’t just facilitate change—she inspires it, one meaningful connection at a time.

Meet Danny Ceballos, a seasoned organizational leader and executive coach who brings 25 years of for-profit and non-profit management experience to the art of “building better bosses!” With his MBA and MAOD credentials, Danny has worked with hundreds of highly motivated middle and senior managers to excel in their performance and bring lasting change through high-impact strategy execution. His superpower? A deep belief that everyone desires and needs to bring their best and authentic selves to their work and lives—and that’s exactly what drives his transformative coaching and DEI work with clients across the country.

What makes Danny truly special is his ability to combine strategic leadership development with meaningful inclusion work that creates real organizational change. As the creator of “Queer 101″—a groundbreaking workshop that helps leaders understand and effectively serve LGBTQ+ audiences—Danny doesn’t just talk about diversity, he provides practical tools that make leaders more effective. His expertise in leading strategy planning and execution with a DEI focus has helped organizations nationwide move beyond surface-level initiatives to create cultures where authenticity thrives. Whether he’s coaching executives to unlock their leadership potential or facilitating workshops that build genuine understanding and inclusion, Danny brings that rare combination of strategic thinking, authentic passion, and practical expertise that helps leaders and organizations not just embrace diversity—but leverage it for extraordinary results.

Meet Dr. Alejandra Rodríguez Mielke, a powerhouse DEIB Consultant and Executive Leadership Coach who brings exceptional academic rigor and real-world expertise to inclusive leadership development! With a Ph.D. in Language & Literacy from The University of Texas at Austin, plus an MA in Education and BA in English & Linguistics from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), Alejandra combines deep research knowledge with practical application. As a former education research project manager and consultant, she’s co-led federal literacy initiatives, managed complex longitudinal multi-site research projects, and facilitated over 1,000 hours of training sessions both nationally and internationally—giving her unparalleled insight into what drives sustainable organizational change.

What makes Alejandra truly special is her unique ability to blend professional expertise with academic rigor to support leaders’ Inclusive Leadership growth through strategic DEIB coaching, education, and development. As an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), certified Professional Coach through iPEC, and holder of an Associate Coach Certification (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation, she brings a comprehensive toolkit that goes beyond surface-level diversity initiatives. Whether she’s developing DEI strategy, coaching executives on inclusive leadership practices, or facilitating transformational learning experiences, Alejandra’s approach is grounded in both research-backed methodologies and genuine passion for creating workplaces where everyone can thrive authentically. She brings that perfect combination of scholarly depth and practical wisdom that helps leaders move from good intentions to measurable inclusive impact.

Meet Wilma Li, an accomplished executive coach and facilitator who brings a truly global perspective to leadership development, transformation, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) coaching! With diverse life, work, and multicultural experience across different countries and regions, Wilma has developed an inherent ability to read any audience in the moment and adjust her approach to meet international leaders exactly where they are. Her superpower? A rare combination of curiosity, solution-focused thinking, and people-centered coaching that helps executives embrace change and navigate ambiguity with flexibility and resilience. She uniquely balances people and data/metrics in her approach to performance.

What makes Wilma truly special is her high level of empathy, emotional intelligence (EQ), regulation, and interpersonal ease that creates the perfect environment for breakthrough leadership development. Whether she’s facilitating highly interactive and engaging group sessions or providing one-on-one executive coaching, Wilma leverages her multicultural insights to deliver transformation that resonates across cultural boundaries. Her expertise in leadership development and DEIB coaching isn’t just theoretical, it’s grounded in real-world experience working with diverse leaders who need practical tools to succeed in complex, ever-changing environments. Wilma doesn’t just coach leaders; she helps them develop the cultural competence and adaptive leadership skills that today’s global marketplace demands.

Meet Neha Govil, a Certified Leadership Coach and Visual Facilitator who brings over 10 years of industry experience plus a truly unique superpower—the ability to translate ideas into actions through the magic of visual thinking! With a BA in Economics, Masters in Human Resources, and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, plus Master Practitioner status for the Energy Leadership Index (ELI®), Neha creates transformative experiences for impact-driven leaders and teams. Her secret weapon? Doodling! This creative approach, combined with storyboards, sketchnotes, and graphic recording, helps leaders visualize and build the bigger picture in ways that traditional coaching simply can’t match.

What makes Neha truly special is her ability to hold space for both creative exploration and strategic decision-making, blending visual thinking with kinesthetic facilitation, coaching psychology, and appreciative inquiry. Born, raised, and educated in India and now living in the greater Metro Atlanta area with her husband and little ones, Neha brings a rich cultural perspective and genuine joy to her work with leaders who want to make a real impact. Whether she’s facilitating strategic sessions, coaching executives through complex challenges, or helping teams see their path forward through visual storytelling, Neha’s approach transforms abstract concepts into concrete action plans. Her unique combination of analytical thinking, creative visualization, and coaching expertise helps leaders not just think differently—but lead with authentic impact that creates lasting change.

Meet Brian Fishbone, a dynamic Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging consultant who brings over 20 years of passion and expertise to creating workplaces where everyone truly belongs! With extensive experience in corporate learning and university teaching, plus an MBA in Human Resources Management, Brian takes a hands-on approach with each client to identify their unique needs and craft solutions that actually work. His superpower? Combining his love for education and community building with practical strategies that advance diverse representation and cultivate genuine inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

What makes Brian truly special is his global perspective and cultural curiosity—he’s visited more than 40 countries across 6 continents, taught English as a Second Language in Korea, and studied abroad in Spain and Argentina. This rich international experience infuses his work with authentic understanding of different cultures and perspectives, making him incredibly effective at working strategically and tactically with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), workplace culture transformation, and team effectiveness initiatives. Brian brings that rare combination of academic rigor, real-world experience, and genuine cultural appreciation that helps teams not just talk about belonging but actually create it.

Meet Ombretta Caruana, an accomplished Certified Leadership Coach and Consultant who brings over 15 years of industry experience plus a truly unique educational foundation to organizational transformation! With a BSc in Organizational Innovation, Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne, and Graduate Certificate in Design Strategy and Innovation from Swinburne University, Ombretta approaches leadership development from a refreshingly comprehensive systems perspective. As a PCC ICF-accredited Leadership and Executive Coach, plus LEGO® Serious Play® for Positive Psychology Certified Practitioner and Conversational Intelligence® Enhanced Coach, she brings creativity and scientific rigor to every engagement. Her superpower? The ability to blend inclusion, well-being, and design-thinking approaches that look at organizations holistically rather than in silos.

What makes Ombretta truly special is her comprehensive toolkit that includes certification to deliver the full suite of Core Strengths and Energy Leadership Index® assessments and workshops—giving her multiple pathways to unlock individual and team potential. Whether she’s facilitating individual and group coaching sessions, leading leadership development initiatives, conducting team building training and assessments, or guiding strategy sessions that underpin sustainable business growth, Ombretta’s varied educational and professional background allows her to offer organizational development that actually works. Her design-thinking-like approach means she doesn’t just address surface symptoms—she helps organizations build the systems and culture changes that create lasting transformation from the inside out.

Meet Dr. Kevin D. Neal, a powerhouse leader whose diverse background brings unmatched depth to every coaching conversation! With over 25 years in telecommunications engineering at AT&T and Windstream, plus frontline service as a firefighter/EMT with Dekalb County Fire & Rescue, Kevin understands what it takes to perform under pressure and build teams that deliver results. His military service in Operation Desert Storm taught him the fundamentals of discipline, teamwork, and resilience that he now weaves into every leadership development session. As a certified John Maxwell Team speaker, trainer, and coach, Kevin doesn’t just talk about leadership—he’s lived it in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.

What makes Kevin truly special is his servant’s heart combined with a leader’s mindset, honed through over 40 years of ministry and mentoring others to find their purpose and lead with integrity. Armed with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Liberty University and certifications in Six Sigma LEAN, Kevin brings both the spiritual wisdom and analytical rigor that today’s leaders need to create cultures of belonging. Whether he’s helping executives navigate complex organizational challenges or coaching emerging leaders to develop their potential, Kevin’s approach is grounded in real-world experience and genuine care for human development. His unique blend of engineering precision, emergency response decisiveness, and pastoral compassion makes him the kind of coach who can meet leaders wherever they are and help them build the inclusive, high-performing teams their organizations desperately need.

Meet Lauren LeMunyan, a Master Certified Coach who brings over 3,000 coaching hours and 20+ years of professional experience to help leaders thrive in constantly changing environments! With extensive work across tech, design, healthcare, nonprofits, and financial services, Lauren has mastered the art of creating safe and supportive spaces where both incoming and existing leaders can harness their unique voice and develop the skills they need to succeed. Her superpower? Building leadership pipelines for the future while helping overloaded professionals avoid the burnout trap that she herself navigated and conquered.

What makes Lauren truly special is her unique blend of executive experience and coaching expertise—she served as Executive Director of three global trade associations before transitioning into coaching, giving her real-world insight into leadership challenges. As the Innovative Mindset facilitator for Capital One’s Catapult program, plus author of two books and host of a weekly entrepreneur-focused podcast, Lauren doesn’t just coach—she leads by example. Armed with certifications in The Four Stages of Psychological Safety, iPEC professional coaching, ICF Mentor Coaching, MBTI®, and Certified Resentment Release Master Practitioner, Lauren brings a comprehensive toolkit that helps leaders not just survive but truly flourish. Her approach combines the strategic thinking of a former executive with the heart of a coach who genuinely understands the pressures today’s leaders face.

Meet Mary Beth Beaulieu, a powerhouse coach who brings over three decades of corporate financial services experience plus extensive nonprofit volunteer work to every leadership conversation! With this unique blend of corporate depth and community heart, Mary Beth has powerful insight into the realities faced by leaders of all types and in enterprises of all sizes. Her superpower? She inherited a storyteller’s gene that allows her to blend hard-hitting facts with courage, common sense, and quick wit, creating workshops and consultations that don’t just inform—they transform. Mary Beth’s strongly-held belief that people are far more than the work they do drives her approach to helping leaders grow both personally and professionally with the right tools and support.

What makes Mary Beth truly special is her compassionate yet direct style that encourages self-evaluation, courageous thinking, and planned, mindful risk-taking to foster long-term, sustainable change. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with certifications in Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching, plus her role as a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator (based on Brené Brown’s groundbreaking work), Mary Beth brings both the credentials and the heart that today’s leaders need. Her work with teams and organizations is grounded in proven change management and team effectiveness methodologies, enhanced by her expertise in Emotional Intelligence, DiSC, and Motivators assessments. Whether she’s helping executives navigate complex organizational challenges or coaching emerging leaders to take meaningful risks, Mary Beth’s intuitive approach creates the safe space where real transformation happens.

Meet Barbara Basel, a results-driven Executive Coach and HR Consultant who brings over 20 years of Human Resources experience across diverse industries to every leadership challenge! Recognized as an influencer and skilled presenter, Barbara has mastered the art of driving people and cultural connections that bring entities together, build strong communications, and create the job/talent alignment that organizations desperately need. Her superpower? A hands-on ‘lead by example’ style that naturally fosters a culture of teamwork, shared mission, and unwavering dedication, the kind of leadership that inspires others to bring their best selves to work every day.

What makes Barbara truly special is her focus on connecting with diverse levels of organizational design and development to understand and appreciate the unique talents and gifts that each person brings to the table. Whether she’s providing executive coaching, leading leadership development initiatives, or guiding organizational development transformations, Barbara’s approach goes beyond surface-level solutions to create meaningful change that lasts. Her ability to see possibilities and potential in others, combined with her extensive HR expertise, makes her the kind of consultant who doesn’t just solve today’s problems, she builds the foundation for tomorrow’s success. Barbara’s commitment to authentic connection and cultural transformation helps organizations move from good intentions to genuine results.

Meet Jessica Purdy, a transformative Human Resources & Inclusion Consultant whose personal journey as a transgender woman transitioning on the job and military service under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has given her unparalleled insight into creating truly inclusive workplaces! As Executive Partner of Culture and Operations at Lancaster County Chooses Love and CEO/Founder of FIC Human Resource Partners, LLC, Jessi brings a unique perspective on how culture issues and misalignment impact leadership teams and employees. Her superpower? The ability to see beyond surface-level diversity initiatives to create meaningful organizational change that actually shifts cultures toward being people-centered and inclusive.

What makes Jessi truly special is her unwavering commitment to the Aligned at Work® mission—she joined the team in 2018 when her consulting business was just beginning and has chosen to remain because she believes deeply in aligning people and workplaces. Her work furthers her own mission to foster inclusive environments where everyone can thrive authentically. As an active LGBTQIA+ rights activist, training and group facilitator with the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, first Board Chair of the Lancaster Pride Association, public speaker, and author, Jessi doesn’t just consult on inclusion—she lives it every day. Her combination of lived experience, professional expertise, and genuine passion for creating belonging makes her the kind of consultant who helps organizations move from talking about diversity to actually transforming their cultures.

Meet Fred Amador, a seasoned mentor/coach and educator who has spent over 20 years mastering the art of creating safe spaces where people can truly grow and develop! As a Counseling Faculty member in higher education, Fred has developed powerful ways to listen, reflect, and guide students, faculty, and staff through meaningful career development processes. His extensive experience serving on over 30 hiring committees across all organizational levels gives him unique insight into what leaders really need to succeed. His superpower? The ability to help people navigate complex organizational dynamics while staying true to their authentic selves and career aspirations.

What makes Fred truly special is his role as an internal coach for new and mid-level managers entering the community college system—he’s the trusted guide who helps them interpret 360-feedback reports, identify strengths and growth areas, and create actionable coaching goals. Armed with a Master of Counseling from Arizona State University, certification as a Professional Coach from Adler School of Coaching, and Associate Certified Coach status with the International Coaching Federation, Fred brings both academic rigor and practical wisdom to every interaction. Whether he’s helping managers navigate conflict resolution, stress management, organizational politics, or personal and team development, Fred’s approach combines the insight of an educator with the heart of a mentor. His expertise in Leadership Practices Inventory® 360, Strong Interest Inventory®, MBTI®, and Personal Globe Inventory means he doesn’t just coach—he provides the assessment-backed insights that create lasting transformation.

Meet Joseph Battaglia, the intuitive, insightful, and passionate retired Co-Founder of Aligned at Work® who remains Laurie’s most trusted advisor and creative force behind some of our most meaningful work! With nearly four decades of experience in the medical field, including an Associates Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Gwynedd-Mercy College and Radiologic Technology certification from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Joe has witnessed people at their best, worst, and most vulnerable moments. This profound experience observing the human condition has shaped his unique approach to mending and strengthening the relationships that allow people to truly thrive—work that became the foundation for his groundbreaking Immersive Intimacy® Model for communication.

What makes Joe truly extraordinary is his rare combination of medical precision, artistic soul, and coaching heart. As an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner through iPEC, Joe brings both scientific understanding and creative wisdom to relationship building. But beyond his credentials, Joe is a poet and artist who genuinely cares for and about others—qualities that infuse everything he touches with authenticity and depth. His Immersive Intimacy® Model isn’t just a communication framework; it’s a testament to his belief that meaningful connection is at the heart of all success. Though officially retired from daily operations, Joe’s influence continues to guide Aligned at Work’s mission of creating workplaces where authentic relationships flourish and people can bring their whole selves to work.