Leading Workplace Culture Consulting Experts 2025

I’m Daniel (He/Him), and I’m the Founder of The Courage Collective. My experience includes work in Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Tech, Consulting, Education, and the Nonprofit Sector. I care deeply about humanizing the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion conversation, bringing impactful ideas to life, and creating meaningful, memorable, and transformational experiences with & for others.

An impassioned Career Transition Coach who spent more than 20 years working in the recruitment industry and now dedicates my focus on helping my clients navigate important career decisions. When it comes to a person’s career, everyone has a unique need or challenge, therefore, I design a bespoke solution around my clients need, applying an approach that maybe a blend of advisor, consultant, coach, and or mentor. I have collaborated with clients across all industries and job levels, from youth to graduates to executive level, providing 1:1 Career Coaching, Outplacement Support and Career Skills Development workshops. My focus is to collaborate with my clients across the following key areas: Discover, develop a plan and guide on how to execute one’s plan, imparting knowledge, providing practical advice and the necessary tools to assist in aligning to the market expectations, making the individual aware of what to expect and how to prepare for the necessary career transition. “Helping one person might not change the world, but it can change the world for one person”. This quote resonates firmly within my values, where I strive to make a positive difference everywhere possible. In addition to running Career Management Consultancy, in January 2024 I was appointed as an International Career and Transition Coach for Africa, for IMPACT Group a global coaching firm providing relocation, outplacement and leadership development programmes, where I provide career consulting to relocating spouses as well as cross-cultural and integration/transition coaching for employees and their families.

Please remember that I'm not the expert in your life or work--you are. The nutshell: I'm an Anti-Burnout Coach, a Certified Career Coach, a Cross-Cultural Communication Coach, and an Executive Leadership Coach. I'm a farming village-born (Poland), city-raised (Brooklyn, NY, USA), and suburb-based (White Plains, NY, USA) coach who helps professionals get out of their own way, overcome excuses and fears, build out their skill sets, and thrive at work. Each client is different, because every situation is unique. Some clients come to me to polish their speaking skills, or overcome imposter syndrome and boost their confidence, or navigate challenging conversations with diverse stakeholders (peers, direct reports, bosses, clients, vendors--and beyond). As a former HR Learning & Development professional turned coach, my work focuses largely on developing empathetic-yet-assertive communication skills, building confidence and thoughtful leadership in the workplace, and career development. I have worked with clients on virtually all seven continents (minor caveat with Antarctica: my client was there briefly during our engagement, so I'm counting that), and I have had the pleasure of supporting professionals in nearly every industry imaginable (700+ clients). As an avid traveler I've had the great privilege of breaking bread with people in 36 countries, and that reminds me of how epic and diverse--and yet how small and similar--the world truly is.

Juan Luis Garrido is a DEI Project Consultant at Center Desk Consulting whose work bridges strategy, facilitation, and communication to help organizations design more equitable, human-centered experiences. In his current role, he supports nonprofit and corporate clients in deepening their diversity, equity, and inclusion commiments through participatory methods, co-created initiatives, and systems-level thinking. With a background that spans nonprofit leadership and social impact consulting, he is known for his ability to build trust across sectors and center lived experience in meaningful, actionable ways. Juan Luis holds a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University, where his graduate research explored the role of joy as a critical resource for practitioners in social change work. His work reflects a deep belief that joy, care, and imagination are not distractions from equity work, but vital components of its sustainability and impact.

Anu Mandapati is a nationally recognized expert in leadership, culture, and organizational transformation. As a Fractional Chief Culture & Talent Officer, master-certified coach, and trusted advisor to boards and executive teams, she helps mission-driven organizations build workplaces where culture, leadership, and performance thrive. Anu has led culture and talent initiatives across industries — from professional services firms like PwC, to financial institutions like Quicken Loans (now Rocket Companies), to federal agencies like FEMA, and nonprofits like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She partners with leaders navigating pivotal moments of change — including M&A, leadership transitions, cultural misalignment, and shifts in business strategy. Named a a Top 100 People Leader, Culture Pioneer, and Visionary in Inclusive Talent Leadership, her work has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Inc., HR Daily Advisor, and Yahoo. She also serves on the teaching staff of Harvard Extension School and the People and Culture Strategy Institute. Known for her strategic insight, human-first approach, and ability to spark courageous leadership, Anu helps executives and teams create cultures that not only perform — but endure. 🎤 Media-ready topics she covers: + Leading through organizational change and uncertainty + Building aligned, high-trust executive teams + Culture as a business driver + Influence without authority + The future of leadership is human

I’m Cristy Verdeja Zaldívar—a strategic communications and marketing leader with over 15 years of experience transforming how brands connect, grow, and lead. As CEO of Pointe Connect, I consult for companies across industries—from nimble startups to global Fortune 500s—offering high-level strategy rooted in clarity, creativity, and results. I specialize in diagnosing challenges, crafting messaging that resonates, and building marketing and communications frameworks that drive real business impact. Known for my sharp instincts and innovative thinking, I’m the person teams call when they need to elevate their brand, reset their approach, or navigate complexity with confidence. My expertise spans corporate communications, PR, digital strategy, crisis and issues management, and multicultural marketing. I’ve advised industry giants, led global campaigns, and built cross-functional teams that deliver. I’m a bilingual storyteller (English/Spanish + conversational French) with a global mindset and a deep belief in the power of connection. Whether I’m guiding an executive team or rolling up my sleeves with a small business owner, I bring vision, structure, and momentum to every engagement.

Expertise in: Career Coaching, Career Interest, LinkedIn Profiling, Career Coaching, Mid-Career Transition, Interview Preparation, Resume Review, Corporate workshops to empower professionals and teams to excel in their careers in Business Etiquette, Personal Grooming & Self Awareness In a Professional Environment, I am the founder of DiscoverU.in, (Launched in 2020) a career coaching platform where I have guided over 1500 clients, from fresh graduates to seasoned professionals, focusing on Career Change, Advancement, Women Returning to Work, and Mid & Late Career Transitions. With over 22 years of experience in Advertising, Ad Film Production, Operations, Aviation, Sales & Marketing, and Educational Counseling, I bring a diverse skill set to my coaching. I offer one-on-one sessions tailored to individual needs, and I also conduct workshops on grooming and personality development. My journey includes leading operations for a scuba diving company, spearheading sales and marketing for an online travel magazine in South Asia & the Middle East, and dedicating seven years to Early Childhood Education.

Marlene Chism works with executive leaders to build drama-free cultures that drive growth and reduce costly mistakes. An expert in conflict management, Marlene is known for getting to the root problem, simplifying the complex and increasing leadership clarity. As a coach, Marlene works with decision-makers, offering frameworks and tools to navigate complex conversations and increase accountability. As a seasoned facilitator and dynamic speaker, she brings executives and managers together to uncover blind spots, address the elephant in the room, and strengthen alignment. A recognized expert on the LinkedIn Learning platform, Marlene has produced six educational video series on high-stakes topics such as working with high conflict people, having difficult conversations, and anger management. She’s the author of four commercially published books. Her latest, From Conflict to Courage was nominated for an international award from GetAbstract. Marlene holds a bachelor’s in communications with a minor in psychology, and a master’s in human resources development. She’s an enhanced practitioner in Narrative Coaching.

My name is Steven Lowell, a Reverse Recruiter and Career Coach with Find My Profession. I am in my 50's, happily married, deal with Epilepsy, and managed to find jobs in 6 industries across 4 continents, as well as traveled the United States by bus to learn more about the people in the United States. I have been on this search to discover why I exist and the true meaning of success. I am a student of life. I know more than meets the eye. I am that guy in New York City, who always gets stopped by tourists to ask for directions, but you can also drop me in any country in the world and I will look like a local. I always help others. I was born and raised a NYC-native. I love people, diversity, honesty, loyalty, and learning. I am in an interracial marriage to my wife, Wendy, since 2007. And know everything about traveling, pizza, all things technology, writing, blogging, talent sourcing, resume writing, job searching, job boards, community management, customer service, hockey, golf, teaching, and talking to people from around the world. I am not your typical, rule-following person. My career has involved thinking outside the box, traveling, getting startups off the ground, and never turning down a really good challenge. Favorite Quote: "Things get better for everybody when they get better for everybody." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Ricci shares insights on the latest trends and best practices in marketing, LegalTech, strategy, and e-learning in various industry publications. His multifaceted experience allows him to discuss a broad range of topics, from both strategic and hands-on perspectives. Ricci is a seasoned marketing communications professional with over 20 years of experience helping people connect effectively with their audiences. He currently applies his expertise to learning technology and digital adoption strategy as part of the intellek.io team. Intellek provides robust and effective learning technology to support a diverse client base. Repeatedly named as the best LMS for law firms and legal professionals; alongside a broad eLearning content library, training and assessment creation tool, and a unique onboarding digital adoption platform.

Ritesh Seth, CEO and Co-founder of Empathy Employer, is a business leader and Organizational Culture Strategist. With over 15 years of experience guiding cross-functional teams across Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized businesses, and startups, Ritesh combines his business acumen with a passion for human resources to drive organizational excellence and employee well-being. Holding a Bachelor's in Marketing from Concord University and an MBA from Virginia Tech, Ritesh specializes in business strategy, employer branding, marketing, human resources, and leadership development. He is passionate about developing inclusive workplaces, leveraging data-driven insights to build positive organizational cultures that foster both employee satisfaction and business success. As the driving force behind Empathy Employer, Ritesh works at the intersection of business strategy and HR, developing innovative tools to assess and cultivate organizational empathy. He firmly believes that empathy is the bridge connecting people, purpose, and performance. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Ritesh continues to champion the idea that in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, empathy isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a crucial driver of innovation, employee satisfaction, and sustainable success.

I’ve always been seen as “the strong one.” The high-achieving woman who figures it out. Leads well. Performs well. Keeps going. But after two C-sections, postpartum depression, and the quiet grief that comes when life doesn’t follow the plan, you stop. You question. You sit in limbo between who you were and who you’re becoming. That limbo is where I do my work. I’m a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Coach and the creator of Sacred Self-Leadership™, a method for high-achieving mothers who are navigating the emotional weight of birth trauma, unexpected diagnoses, or identity shifts. I help them find their way back to their voice, clarity, and leadership, without performance masks or mom guilt. Through my V.O.I.C.E.™ Method, I guide women to become deeply self-led. Not by bypassing their emotions, but by honoring them. My work lives at the intersection of emotional precision, spiritual depth, and grounded leadership. The mothers I work with often appear successful on paper, but inside? They’re holding grief no one sees. They’re leading families, teams, and businesses while carrying invisible emotional loads. I teach them how to lead themselves first. That’s where true power begins. What makes my approach different is that I don’t separate motherhood from leadership. I don’t separate birth stories from business stories. I see them as a sacred thread, and I help women integrate their personal evolution into how they show up in the world. I speak and write on: - Emotional clarity in leadership - The unspoken grief of high-functioning motherhood - Decision-making for women in emotional limbo - Identity evolution after unexpected life events - The future of feminine leadership is rooted in story, not struggle My mission is to normalize emotional permission in motherhood, not as a soft skill, but as a leadership asset. When a mother learns how to lead herself again, she doesn’t just heal, she changes how she leads everything. This is the work I wish I had. Now it’s the work I’m honored to lead.

Herjeet holds an MBA, BSc in Business & Management, and a Graduate Diploma in HRM. He is also an ICF-Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Global Career Development Coach (GCDF), and a Certified Behavioral & Career Consultant (CBCC), as well as a Mentor & and ACTA Trainer His expertise lies in Career Coaching, Mentoring, Training, Conducting Job Interviews, Employee Relations, and Mediation. He also provides consultation on Human Resource best practices; HR policies and programs. Herjeet has coached more than 1500 Professionals to advance in their careers. He has also helped 175 companies beef up their HR competencies and has advised and helped 350 individuals in settling their workplace disputes and grievances. Herjeet has also coached, trained, and mentored more than 25 career coaches increasing their competencies and deepening their domain knowledge. Here are some of the workshops and coaching he conducts: Corporate Workshops: • Leader as a Coach for Managers/Leaders • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion • Employer Branding • Building Trust • Managing Work-Life Balance • Conducting Effective Performance Appraisals • Conducting Effective Ethical Interviews: Workshop for Hiring Managers Career Preparatory Workshops: • Writing an Impactful Resume • Acing your Job Interview • LinkedIn Optimization • Successfully Navigating the Workplace • What to look out for in Your Employment Contract • Career Planning Coaching: • Providing Group and 1-on-1 coaching for middle/senior managers

Mark MacDonald is a seasoned strategist and creative with 4 decades of expertise in powerful Branding and Marketing Communication based on reliable research. He's the go-to guide for effective church communication, branding, and logos. As a bestselling author, engaging speaker, and founder of BeKnownforSomething.com, Mark empowers church leaders to communicate with impact.

I’m a fractional process improvement consultant and senior business analyst, helping organisations simplify complexity, improve operational efficiency, and deliver smarter services. My work focuses on aligning people, processes, and systems with strategic goals across various sectors, including financial services, travel, media, higher education, and public services. I support transformation through process improvement, operational readiness, stakeholder engagement, business architecture techniques and emerging AI-driven opportunities. I combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, developing clear process designs, business requirements and governance frameworks that teams can actually use. My style is pragmatic, collaborative, and outcome-focused, adapting methods such as Agile, Waterfall, Lean Six Sigma, and Design Thinking to real-world challenges. Available for commentary, collaborations or conversations on operational transformation, AI-readiness, and the future of work — with a particular focus on process, governance and change.