Our Team
Why We Are Different
Coaches {R}evolution™ is your premier education coaching and consulting firm, offering best-of-breed leaders, trainers, strategists, and coaches from around the globe in a single place. When you choose to advance your education with Coaches {R}evolution™ you choose to work with one of the finest teams available. By having a well-rounded team we can draw from a variety of experiences and unique expertise to provide custom-tailored solutions that reflect your specific culture and needs. Each member of our team is an expert in their individual field, and many are nationally known and highly respected.
Founders
Kathy Norwood, Ed.D., MCC
Bridging Purpose, Power, and Possibility Through Professional Coaching
Dr. Norwood is a Pre-K-12 national educational consultant, trainer, professional coach and co-founder of Coaches {R}evolution™. Dr. Norwood earned her doctorate from Fielding Graduate University in Educational Leadership and Change and she holds a Master of Education in Professional Development, with emphasis on English Learners (EL) and Administration. In addition, the HeartMath Institute has licensed Dr. Norwood as a HeartMath® Certified Trainer.
Working in the field of Education for 40+ years, Dr. Norwood’s teaching and consulting experience range from preschool to doctoral level education. She teaches in the Evidence-Based Coaching Program for Fielding Graduate University, the Leadership Coaching Cohort (LCC) in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania and provides Leadership Coaching for The New Teacher Project (TNTP). She has worked within a broad spectrum of educational settings, from the hills of Puerto Rico to rural Hawaii, to a Russian strand of dual language educators in Oregon, to the Deep South where some schools are still segregated, to urban districts in California and Oregon where educators experience a wide diversity of student native languages and cultures, and the effects of deep poverty.
Mary Ann Burke Ph.D., Ed.D., MFT
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she has worked with individuals and families struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol, and child abuse. She counseled adolescents in court-ordered group home placement. She taught credentialing classes for foster care parents through the Antelope Valley Community College in Lancaster, California, and classes for aspiring substance abuse counselors at Pacific Oaks College in Los Angeles.
Most recently she counseled returning combat veterans and their families at the Boston Vet Center. Dr. Burke specializes in helping clients look at deeply embedded subconscious beliefs and values that may hinder their best efforts. This work requires extensive knowledge of systems theory, stages of human and group development, motivation theories, and issues of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Senior Coaches & Visiting Instructors
Dian Christian, Ph.D., PCC
Dian has been working with strengths in organizations since 2001, having been certified in 2006. She led a beta site for a strengths-based selling program at a regional bank, which resulted in a 20% improvement in overall sales.
The majority of her coaching practice involves strengths-based leadership discussion. Dian also is certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Emotional Competency Inventory (ECI), Enneagram and DiSC. Her clients generally have significant new awareness and success when they apply their strengths to their most pressing and challenging goals.
Dian is an adjunct faculty member in Fielding Graduate University’s Evidence Based Coaching Program. Dian also holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coach Federation. She is a Coach Supervisor and Mentor Coach. At Coaches {R}evolution™ she is one of our premier coaches, offering her expertise to help strengthen you individually and your entire organization.
Donald Trent Jacobs, Ph.D., Ed.D.
aka Four Arrows
Formerly Dean of Education at Oglala Lakota College and a tenured Associate Professor of Education at Northern Arizona University, Four Arrows is currently a professor with Fielding Graduate University. Selected as one of 27 “Visionaries in Education” for the AERO text, Turning Points, he is author of 21 books on Indigenous Worldview and its applications for education, sustainability, wellness and justice. He is a recipient of a Martin Springer Institute for Holocaust Studies “Moral Courage Award for his activism in behalf of Indigenous Peoples and sovereignty. Among his other published works include: co-editor of the Indigenous section of Sage’s new International Handbook for Critical Pedagogies and other books have been endorsed by Noam Chomksy, Vandana Shiva, Michael Apple, Thom Hartmann, Jon Pilger, Darcia Narvaez, Henry Giroux and other notable educators. Dr. Michael Fisher wrote a book about his work entitled Fearless Engagement of Four Arrows (2018). His newest book is The Red Road: Linking Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives to Indigenous Worldview (in press, IAP).
Coaches & Instructors
Ann Stewart, M.Ed., PCC
Ann Stewart is a professional development trainer with 31 years of experience in the education industry. She has spent the past 21 years developing and facilitating customized workshops and seminars for local and national school districts in resilience techniques, literacy and English language acquisition techniques used by classroom teachers and administrators in grades PreK-8. Prior to consulting, she served as a classroom teacher, Reading Recovery teacher and literacy strategy coach in both the Mount Diablo and Fairfield-Suisun Unified School Districts in California. She completed her Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Global Management, is a Certified Professional Coach with the International Coach Federation and a HeartMath Certified Trainer. She is currently living in Chattanooga Tennessee.
Sandi McClary, M.Ed., PCC
Sandi McClary, has served as a leadership coach since 2010 in multiple school districts in Oregon and Washington. She became certified as an Associate Certified Coach through International Coach Federation in 2016.
Throughout her career, Sandi has served as a high school English teacher, elementary and secondary counselor, assistant principal in two middle and five high schools, high school principal, and district office consultant in various capacities.
Sandi received her Bachelor of Science in Education with majors in Psychology and English from the University of Idaho, and her master’s degree in education in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR.
Born in Boise, Idaho, she grew up nearby on a fruit ranch in Emmett. She is a long-time resident of Vancouver, Washington where she is a leader in her neighborhood association and active in several community groups.
| Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk, MAT, PCC, CWP, MMCT |
Mindfulness-based Executive Coach
Carrie-Ann Tkaczyk is a seasoned executive coach, educator, and mindfulness teacher who supports leaders to find balance and develop the confidence to build presence, navigate tough conversations, and create a lasting impact. With nearly a decade of coaching experience and a Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding University’s Master Program, she blends research-backed strategies with mindfulness to help professionals lead with clarity, resilience, and authenticity. She provides coaching and professional development across K-12 education, nonprofits, and businesses.
A Certified Wellness Practitioner, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, and Yoga Teacher, Carrie-Ann brings a deep understanding of how mind, body, and leadership intersect. She’s chair of Professional Development at Arizona’s ICF Chapter, and an active member of the Mindfulness Coach Association and the Climate Coaching Alliance.
After spending a year exploring the West, she now calls Sisters, Oregon home—where she fuels her passion for the outdoors through hiking and time in nature. Whether guiding a coaching session or trekking a mountain trail, she’s always looking for the next challenge and conversation that sparks transformation.
Kay Anderson, ACC, E3A, CWP
Kay Anderson, a former corporate executive with a passion for the human side of business, left the corporate world to launch three businesses centered on people-first leadership. Her latest venture, Connect with Heart, operates under The HumanSide, LLC, providing coaching and leadership development for those seeking deeper, more meaningful ways of leading and living.
As a HeartMath® Certified Trainer, Kay delivers exclusive programs like The Coherence Advantage™ and Activating the Heart of Teams™, alongside custom trainings that integrate HeartMath®, horses, and human development. She specializes in equine-assisted leadership coaching, using the power of HEART and HORSE to foster transformation.
Her credentials include certifications from the International Coaching Federation (ACC), National Wellness Institute (CWP), and Equine Experiential Education (E3A). She holds degrees from Cottey College, University of Northern Iowa, and a master’s in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Having lived in eight states and traveled to all 50, Kay has a rich background in adventure, from triathlons to RAGBRAI rides. She looks forward to supporting your leadership and personal growth journey.
Dawn Hicks, Executive and Life Coach, PCC
Dawn’s coaching is guided by her vision for a world where we all embrace our gifts, step into our power, and thrive personally and professionally. Dawn supports high-achieving individuals to lead authentically, make an impact, and live their fullest lives.
With over 19 years of leadership experience in the education and nonprofit sectors, Dawn has coached and grown professionals, led strategy, and strengthened organizational culture. Before founding Dawn Sheree Coaching, LLC, Dawn assumed diverse leadership roles, including School Leadership Coach at UChicago Impact, Chief Program Officer at Umoja Student Development Corporation, and Assistant Director of the University of Chicago Charter School’s North Kenwood Oakland campus. Most recently, she was the Senior Co-Director of the BES Fellowship and supported aspiring leaders to found anti-racist and community-driven schools.
Dawn understands firsthand the challenges that leading people and organizations can bring. She believes these challenges can be overcome when we lead with both our heart and mind, prioritize our well-being, and open ourselves up to new possibilities. Dawn blends her background in yoga, leadership, and coaching to create a holistic experience. Clients say she communicates directly and tells it straight, yet brings a sense of humor and lightness that makes the coaching experience fun and energizing.
Dawn holds a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago, a Master of Arts in Education Supervision and Administration from National Louis University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University. Dawn is a Newfield Certified Ontological Coach and holds a Professional Coach Certification (PCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF). She is a 2017 Surge Fellow. When she isn’t coaching you can find her chasing her toddler, enjoying a Netflix binge, or reading a good book.
Sherry Xie
With over a decade of experience in executive and leadership coaching, Sherry specializes in positive psychology coaching. She holds dual master’s degrees in Applied Positive Psychology and Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Dr. Martin Seligman, the Founding Father of Positive Psychology.
Sherry is a certified Organizational and Leadership Coach from the University of Pennsylvania and holds additional certifications as a Happiness Trainer from the Happiness Studies Academy (HSA) and as a Positive Psychology Instructor at Tsinghua University. She has also earned advanced certifications in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy from the Oxford University Mindfulness Centre and Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice from the VIA Institute on Character.
Sherry leads the Asia-Pacific cohort in the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) Work & Organizations Division. She has collaborated with over 200 Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, Philips, Alibaba, and TikTok, to deliver impactful executive and leadership coaching.
As a social media influencer with over 100,000 followers, Sherry’s content on coaching and positive psychology has inspired millions. Passionate about human flourishing, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and achieve meaningful growth and more success.
John Burnett
John’s personal mission is to:
To empower leaders to heal through rest, recovery, and reconnection enabling them to live rich and fulfilling lives.
He is currently responsible for the management and development of two sitting school principals and an executive coach for NFBLME, a fellowship for Black and Brown male educators, and MPower, a fellowship for Black men currently leading schools. His expertise is facilitation, individual executive coaching, and consulting. Following the pandemic, he noticed the effects of burnout in schools and since then, has been committed to empowering leaders through the use of strengths-based coaching, reframing self-care as a priority (especially for leaders in the social sector) and leading intensive retreats that enable attendees to increase their capacity to take care of themselves, in service of others. John is a Morehouse Man, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, a steward of the Black community, and most importantly, a proud father of his 8-year old daughter Rose.
Carmen Bolanos, PhD, MCC
Carmen Bolanos, Executive Coach and Principal of Carmen Bolanos Coaching, has been facilitating growth and leadership development in her clients since 1999. With a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and professional experience in hospital administration followed by 25 years experience in the field of coaching leaders, she has a deep background in evidence based practice. Her related experiences have included teaching the art and skill of coaching at Fielding University’s Evidence Based Coaching Program and formerly, ICF accredited MentorCoach, LLC and Martin Seligman’s Authentic Happiness Coaching Program.
Carmen’s internationally based executive clientele have come from a wide variety of sectors including government, Fortune 100 companies, tech startups, and academia. Her coaching approach is informed by the intersection of Positive Psychology/Positive Intelligence, Leadership Theory and Neuroscience. She holds numerous certifications in coaching and assessments including, the DISC-R, Leadership Circle Profile 360, Winslow Personality Profile, ICF Master Certified Coach, Certified MentorCoach, Certified Authentic Happiness Coach, Global Team Institute Foundations Certified Coach. She is also a member of the International Coach Federation and Forbes Coaches Council.
Finally, Carmen is the mother of three amazing adult daughters and a lover of languages. She has had the opportunity of using some of those languages while living abroad as one of the original “digital nomads”, Carmen authored books on the subject of location independent living and founded a web-community on the subject in 2006. She currently resides in Austin, TX.
Administrative Staff
Burke Norwood has received recognition for achievement and academic excellence. Instructors routinely reference his leadership qualities, intellectual depth, and exceptional judgement. His ongoing participation in community service projects and local productions have lead to his selection for the National Youth Leadership Forum/Explore STEM at Occidental College in California, where he worked with peers to create and encode operational vehicles that could be used by colonists on Mars. After graduating high school he will be pursuing his dream for the future and working towards becoming a graphic designer. He edited some of the video presentations for Kathy and Mary Ann for the Rise Up Symposium and continues to assist in creative, graphics, and production for Coaches {R}evolution™.
Autumn Hood is a seasoned marketing professional with over two decades of experience in custom building omnichannel campaigns and user-friendly websites. Working closely with clients such as coaches and educational institutions to professional speakers, Autumn’s company, Hunter Marketing Group, services a wide range of brand development, website management, search engine optimization, and marketing needs across social and search engine platforms. As technical support for Coaches {R}evolution™ she provides her experience to the various individuals across platforms and mediums used to enhance the brand, ensuring smooth operations.
In Memoriam
Dr. Deepa Awal MCC
Dr. Deepa Awal was an educator and coach with her own practice specializing in discerning the fundamental ways in which our ‘way of being’ supports or hinders our dreams and goals. What began as an interest in Vedanta and personal growth has grown into what is now her contribution and legacy in the world – transformational work with individuals and groups. Starting her career in the corporate world with developing executives, Deepa had her own practice specializing in coaching women and leaders with cross cultural backgrounds. Her personal experience as an immigrant from India informed her coaching with cross-cultural coaching clients. She spoke fluent English and Hindi, lived in Philadelphia and is survived by two daughters. She taught meditation practices, yoga, centering skills and coached graduate students at Universities to develop leadership skills and build self-confidence. As an educator, she instructed and mentored professionals with a desire to develop coaching skills both at Fielding University (Faculty) and Newfield Network (Program Coach).
