2023 NOW Conference Coaches

Amy Shuman (she/her)

Amy Shuman serves as the Workforce Development Director for the Division of Student Affairs at UC Davis where she leads programs and coaches employees to help them maximize their potential. She is particularly passionate about leadership and empowering people to create a positive workplace culture. Amy has over a decade of human resources management experience and works with leadership on people management, communication, employee engagement, and overall workplace climate. Amy believes we are all on a quest to become the best versions of ourselves, and that process takes time,...

Vivan Padua (she/siya)

I am a Filipina ICF Professional Certified Coach and Financial Fitness Coach with 13 years and 2,500+ hours of experience, who uses a mindful, holistic, and healing approach in coaching to help People of Color achieve what they want in life, career, relationships, money, financial wellness, work/life balance and stress management. I am honored to partner with my clients as they walk in their journey to achieve their goals.

Srisesha Varikheti (he/him)

Srisesha is a national award-winning author. His book A.L.L.I.E.D - Accelerated Learning Lesson In Education Development has reached over 80,000 individuals, including teachers and students, with a rating of 4.5 on Amazon and Goodreads. With ACC certification, he has spent more than 3500+ hours providing coaching to not-for-profit leaders, teachers, and youth from the economically weaker section of society. Further, he has worked closely with the Indian government to implement his leadership coaching program for school leaders, which is now being implemented in 5 states in...

Yanira Guzman (she/her/ella)

As the founder of The Career Gem, a full-service career coaching business, I have over 15 years of guiding others to achieve their career aspirations. As a first-generation college graduate, I help ambitious Latinas position themselves for their next career role, resulting in increased income benefiting themselves, their families, and their communities.

With a background in nonprofit leadership development, customer-training for a top 50 Forbes tech company, complemented by 8+ years of teaching in California’s public elementary schools, in both urban and affluent...

Renee Patton (she/her)

I combine my 25 years of business and executive leadership experience in sales, marketing, and business development with my professional coaching capabilities to help individuals realize their personal and professional goals. I received my professional coaching certification in 2021 and am an ICF certified coach. Prior to launching my coaching business full-time, I led the Education and Healthcare Strategies for a Fortune 100 company.

Ravneet Kaur (she/her)

I am an ICF-PCC as well as CTI (Co-Active Training Institute) Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and an ORSCC (Organization Relationship Systems Certified Coach) from CRR Global.

It has always been fascinating for me to explore how the human mind works and how its vastness and depth lead to the birth of new possibilities.

Whether I’m working with individuals, partnerships or couples, leaders or teams, I’m always focused on awareness, growth, and development. I love to explore their unique strengths and challenges and work with them...

Rachel Lipton (she/her)

With a decade of experience as a consultant elevating organizational strategies and leadership development programs, Rachel partners with mission-driven leaders and teams to lead effectively from a place of confidence and strength for greater results. She helps teams see what is happening at the systems level (including staff, board, beneficiaries, donors/investors, and the larger community) and how they can address challenges collectively. Many of her clients are women of color leaders in the social impact sector.

A certified yoga teacher, Rachel is a Certified...

Rachel Light (she/her)

I have completed CTI training and am working on hours for the official certification. I work full-time for a software company where I'm responsible for training and coaching people leaders to make them successful in their roles. I have also served as a business partner to our global sales team helping them to achieve greatness. Prior to joining Cornerstone, I ran a recruiting company where I interviewed, coached, and placed applicants into roles that best matched their skills and desires.

Matt Wong

I graduated from New Ventures West Professional Coaching Certification. I have a background in program management at tech companies, focusing on creative production, and I currently coach part-time.

I focus on clients that are lost and looking for guidance on how to notice their depth of character and inner spark. Whether it's a career transition or an opportunity to grow within, I can help you notice what it is that makes you energized and engaged with the world around you. My approach is to focus on self-awareness first. Which means recognizing the pattern,...

Julie Staggs (she/her)

Julie is a skilled facilitator, speaker, and coach whose specialties include: individual and team leadership assessment and development, organizational change and culture, strategic planning, competency modeling, meeting facilitation, diversity/equity/inclusion, executive communications, and executive assessment and coaching.

Julie focuses on working with high potentials striving for greater impact and expanding their ability to influence the success of their organization. Her approach to development and coaching is practical, collaborative, and action-oriented,...