2024 NOW Conference Coaches

Krista Vaught (she/her)

Having served in various roles at large higher education institutions for the past ten 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...

Kristen Hecht (she/her)

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...

Kristin Griffith (she/her)

Certifications: Associate Certified Coach (ACC) - International Coaching Federation (ICF), Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) - Co-Active Training Institute.

I've been coaching individuals since 2020 and focus on helping people identify their professional and personal dreams and formulating a plan to achieve them. I specialize in coaching women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

My Background: I've worked in the Tech industry for 15+ years at companies including Meta, Intuit, Adobe, Netflix, and PayPal. MBA in Marketing, UCLA.

LaKedra Brown

As a highly sought-after Life Coach specializing in Work/Life Balance and Life Skills training, I’ve developed step-by-step coaching modules and curricula in various areas of counseling and human development. I conduct 1:1 sessions, small groups, and seminars both in person and virtually for both small and large companies. As a coach, I teach career counseling, diversity and inclusion, job skills analysis, conflict resolution, communication skills, and much more.

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Forensic Expert, and Case Manager, I provide contract services to the...

LaToia Burkley (she/her)

LaToia Burkley specializes in activating, educating, and elevating the voices of women professionals so that they can serve at their highest sense of self while gaining clarity along their career journey. LaToia is a goal-oriented, certified diversity coach, as well as a highly skilled, innovative, and energetic business professional. In her work with clients, she draws on her background in identifying, prioritizing, maximizing opportunities, and orchestrating solutions in the Human Resources and Business Operations space. As a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC), LaToia...

Laura Paradise (she/her)

Laura Paradise is a certified life coach who specializes in career transitions, interview skills and self-esteem. Laura was trained at CTI and the Strozzi Institute. She works holistically with her clients, using her background in somatic coaching to strengthen presence, awareness of body language and ability to build rapport with others. A former nonprofit fundraiser and lobbyist, Laura earned a reputation for her genuine demeanor, a natural gift for persuasion and ability to build unlikely coalitions. Her clients learn to shamelessly and authentically promote themselves while...

Laura Reid (she/her)

I approach professional development holistically, exploring how careers, relationships, health/wellness and personal passions fit together. I’m fascinated by stories: not just our history or our aspirations, but the stories we tell ourselves every day (consciously or unconsciously), and how they can influence professional advancement. As an International Coaching Federation ACC and Certified MentorCoach®, my approach synthesizes strengths-based coaching with positive psychology, and cultivates awareness around where people might be getting stuck. I partner with diverse clients from...

Laura Woody (she/her)

Laura Woody, LCSW, is the owner of Connections Coaching and Consulting LLC. Leaning on her 20 years of experience as a social worker, supervisor, and leader in the non-profit realm, Laura approaches coaching with empathy and humor, keeping a non-judgmental and supportive stance. Laura has a passion for supporting her clients from all walks of life in gaining insight and taking action even amongst the “brutiful” realities of life. Trained by the Co-Active Training Institute, Laura is skilled at supporting her clients in exploring their values, navigating relationships and change,...

Leland Franklin (he/him)

Leland is an ICF-Certified and Co-Active-Certified executive coach, builder, educator, and facilitator based in Silicon Valley. He partners with high performers who are looking to build an incredible career full of meaning and impact, without the burnout. He combines neuroscience, mindfulness, and behavioral psychology to help people refine their dreams and be accountable to taking action on those dreams. Leland incorporates his insights as a new father of a 1-year-old daughter, long-time martial artist, and accomplished skydiver with over 700 jumps and 3 world records. Leland earned...

Ling Ling Phung (she/her)

I guide people to move more consciously through life experiences.

I believe that you are whole, complete, and have all the wisdom within you. My job is to present you with inquiries to continuously realign you with the wise, loving, and truest part of yourself. I hold a safe space for inner exploration. We go to the root of each challenge to discover new ways of being, try new perspectives, and build new habits that lead to sustained transformation. My approach weaves in somatic and mindfulness practices and mental fitness training.

I have completed training with Co-...