2025 NOW Conference Coaches

Ming Chen

Nebula Coaching LLC, Executive & Career Coach

Ming is an Executive & Career Coach partnering with women of color executives who are looking to level up their leadership or leave the corporate world and gain agency and independence to be their own boss. She works with those at the intersection of race, gender, tech, and leadership.

She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and an accredited ICF coach (ACC), as well as a Women-in-Management Facilitator at the Stanford GSB (Graduate School of Business). Before becoming a CEO & Coach, she spent 20+ years in tech working in leadership roles in...

Mike Lorenzen

UC Davis, Student Development & Leadership Program Manager

Mike Lorenzen, EdD, MA, PCC, has nearly four decades of consulting, leading, and teaching experience ranging from Fortune 500 companies to Olympic team athletes and coaches to the highest levels of coaching and administration in the NCAA. In addition to providing leadership coaching, teaching about performance optimizing, and actively coaching in high stakes athletics environments, he provides career and transition coaching to military veterans and professional and amateur athletes.

Michele Smith

Better Possibilities LLC, CEO

Michele Smith is a skilled Executive and Leadership Coach with extensive experience coaching individuals at all organizational levels. With a background as a leader and change management consultant, she excels in team building, leadership development, and guiding leaders to align organizational strategies and goals. Michele’s expertise includes performance improvement, facilitation, and in-depth knowledge of healthcare, finance, and lean methodologies.

An International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC), certified Maxwell Leadership Team member...

Michael Sokolowski

US Navy, Chief Financial Officer

Michael Sokolowski is an executive coach and Co-Director for Strategic Alliances for the San Diego ICF Chapter. With over 20 years of leadership experience, he specializes in solution-focused coaching to help leaders and teams achieve clarity, focus, and measurable outcomes. Michael is a certified EQ-i 2.0 facilitator, ICF Professional Certified Coach, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas.

He has worked with diverse leaders from around the world and uses a listening approach to build strong connections. His...

Melanie Harris

Uphill Coaching, Coach

As a seasoned program management executive, mentor for 20+ years, and coach, I focus on supporting clients in career, leadership, or career advancement by tailoring support to establish clear objectives, overcome obstacles, and execute strategies for enduring strength.

Maryam Ghadiri

UC Davis, Learning and Organizational Development, Senior Organizational Development Consultant

Dr. Maryam Ghadiri is a seasoned leadership coach, organizational development consultant, and storyteller with over a decade of experience spanning the academic, non-profit, and start-up sectors. She collaborates with leaders, teams, and organizations to address their unique needs, helping them optimize leadership effectiveness, foster a positive work culture, and enhance employee engagement.

As a coach, Maryam brings a dynamic and personalized approach rooted in empathy, active listening, and evidence-based techniques. She empowers her clients...

Mark Darren Gregor

IN Development, Executive Coach / Principle

Mark's unique blend of intuitive insight and strategic acumen — couple with an unshakable belief in human potential — has had him become a trusted executive thought leader, coach, and consultant. Known for his direct, yet compassionate approach, he empowers leaders and teams to confront challenges head-on, navigate pivotal moments, and achieve breakthrough results. His leadership style founded in coaching best practices is designed to inspire clarity, confidence, and professional growth for individuals and teams. Mark has coached leaders at Stanford, Meta/Facebook, Yahoo, Realtor.com...

Margaret Roberts, EdD

University of the Pacific Director, Talent Development

With over 20 years of experience, I have coached more than 2,000 individuals, from college students to senior executives, guiding them through every stage of their career lifecycle. My coaching approach is conversational, collaborative, and rooted in positivity, empowering clients to explore their motivations, aspirations, and challenges while creating focused action plans. I am a Certified EQ Career Coach (The Academies, 2008) and hold a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education and Organizational Leadership from the University of the Pacific (2022).

I have worked with...

Madhavi Chimata

Live 2 Thrive Coaching, Coach Madhavi

Madhavi is a certified ADHD life coach (AACC) with a background in technology and over a decade of corporate experience in software development, analytics, and program management. She understands firsthand the challenges of balancing high-demand careers with personal growth, especially for professionals navigating ADHD or executive functioning struggles.

Madhavi’s coaching style is warm, collaborative, and practical. She partners with clients to build self-awareness, develop strategies that fit their unique workstyles, and create habits that stick. Her goal is to help...

Luanne Mullin

IFC, Life Coach

Luanne Mullin is a Retirement Counselor and has presented career and transition workshops for the past ten years. She is a certified 2Young2Retire and Encore Careers Facilitator. She serves on the Leadership Counsel of the Business Forum for the American Society on Aging and is a Strategic Advisor for The Transition Network, a national organization for professional women over 50. In addition, she is a member of the Emeritus Council at the College of Marin. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Gerontologists and has a Certificate in Gerontology from USC.

...