2024 NOW Conference Coaches

Karye Wells (she/her)

Karye Wells, M. Ed, ACC is a Certified Executive Leadership Coach from UC Berkeley’s esteemed BECI program at the Haas School of Business and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). With two decades steeped in education and leadership development, Karye has spent the past 7 years providing 1:1 and group coaching to ignite the potential of leaders across diverse industries and backgrounds. Her coaching philosophy isn't just about hitting milestones; it's a holistic journey towards unleashing your inner leader, fostering resilience, and propelling you towards audacious goals with...

Katherine Abad (she/her)

UCSB, Talent Acquisition Supervisor

As a proud Communication alumna with over a decade at UC Santa Barbara, I serve as Talent Acquisition Supervisor in HR, leading a team of three recruiters. With experience in coaching and program development, I’ve helped individuals across diverse departments grow their careers. I am passionate about creating inclusive spaces, advocating for transgender individuals in the non-profit sector, and guiding teams on progressive policies.

My coaching approach focuses on empowering individuals through connection and actionable career development plans. I incorporate...

Katherine Lee (she/her)

Dr. Katherine In-Young Lee is a Higher Ed Coach & Career Strategist. She is the Founder of Rise with Clarity, a coaching and consulting business for women of color faculty in higher education, and host of the Rise with Clarity Podcast. As a former musician and trained ethnographer, Katherine is adept at deep listening and observation. She brings these skills together with her coaching practice and her 11 years of experience in higher education as a former tenured professor in the University of California system. She is ICF-certified as an Associate Certified Coach. She received a...

Katie Kanowsky (she/her)

I specialize in reducing stress and boosting well-being through a blend of cognitive science and creative coaching techniques. With over a decade of experience and a PCC credential, I offer a nurturing and engaging coaching style that encourages personal exploration and practical skill development.

With my foundational coach training at UC Davis in 2014 and nearly 3000 coaching hours, I bring extensive experience to my coaching practice. My educational background in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from the University of the Pacific adds a strategic perspective....

Kelly Scullin

CiTiZEN+SEEKER Coaching and Consulting, Founder and Coach

Kelly Scullin isn’t here to sugarcoat your journey—she’s here to revolutionize it. As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Kelly brings 20+ years of experience helping leaders, dreamers, and doers turn self-awareness into meaningful action.

Honesty, curiosity, and accountability thrive here — her coaching is fast-paced, challenging, and transformative. Drawing on her background as a former People and Culture executive, Kelly knows how to get to the root of what’s holding you back—whether it’s fear, perfectionism, or...

Kimberly Hale (she/her)

Higher education is unlike any other employment setting. I enjoy supporting academics and professionals who navigate the complexities of this setting through a range of question-based tools and resources. I attended a higher education-focused ICF accredited coach training program, and am well on my way to acquiring my ACC certification. I am fluent in American Sign Language as well as English.

Kris Downing (she/her)

I spent my career in the leadership development field, working for a 501-c-3 educational, non-profit institution as a marketer, strategic planner, and facilitator. In 2020, I left the organization to be a coach, earning my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification from the International Coach Federation. In addition to my private practice, I have coaching affiliations with the Center for Creative Leadership, Sounding Board, and Mastery Squared.

My coach philosophy is “challenge and cherish” which simply means that I work hard to create a safe, caring environment for the...

Krista Kusuma (she/her)

Krista Dahl Kusuma is a coach, mentor, consultant, president, and founder at Experience First Consulting, which she founded to nurture the potential of leaders at all levels, creating purposeful transformation. She has helped hundreds of people multiply their talent, work smarter not harder, and lead more intentional and fulfilling lives. Her work is featured in numerous publications, including "Come, Stay, Learn, Play: A Guide to Making the Museum Experience" (by Andrea Gallagher Nalls), and she has presented at a number of national conferences. She is a Co-Active Trained Coach and...

Krista Vaught

Frontier Design, Principal Advisor, Employee Experience

Having served in various roles at large higher education institutions for the past 11 years, Krista is passionate about supporting higher education staff in figuring out what’s next in an intentional way. In coaching, Krista combines a blend of life design, strengths, and mindfulness approaches. She has made several pivots on her own career journey, including roles in journalism, law, executive support, academic programs, compliance, and learning and development, and she enjoys continually exploring ways to enhance meaning and fulfillment. Krista is passionate about creating learning...

Kristen Hecht

Kristen Hecht LLC, Coach, Consultant, & Capacity-Builder

Kristen Hecht has 15+ years of experience in leadership development consulting, coaching, and workshop facilitation. She has provided organizational, team-based, and one-on one services to non-profit organizations, private foundations, membership associations, and academic institutions.

Kristen’s coaching approach supports coachees to create a more fulfilling and purposeful life, achieve more balance, move from feeling stuck to embracing possibility, work through emotionally charged issues, receive accountability on action commitments, and experience transformative and lasting...