OUR TEAM

We started CORE Leadership with one goal in mind, to transform the next generation of leaders.

The CORE Program’s Selection Committee, Guest Faculty Members, and Supporters all share that vision.

LEAD FACULTY

Kristen and Hannah, Co-Founders of CORE Leadership LLC, serve as the Lead Faculty for all CORE programs and services.

Woman sitting on a rug in a cozy living room with a green sofa and colorful pillows. She is wearing a beige blouse and jeans, smiling at the camera, with a brick wall in the background.

Kristen Lessig-Schenerlein, MAPP, PCC, CPQC

Professional Coach, Mental Fitness Trainer, and Positive Psychology Practitioner
Kristen is the Founder of Koi Coaching and Consulting, LLC, dedicated to advancing the wellbeing, growth, and success of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Her leadership journey began with a transformational program similar to the one we offer today, which has profoundly shaped our approach. With nearly 20 years of experience, Kristen's background spans from founding and leading a prominent sports organization to working as a therapist and consulting with a diverse range of organizations, business leaders, and entrepreneurs on growth and transitions. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Kristen specializes in helping individuals gain self-awareness, harness their strengths, and achieve their desired changes with greater speed and confidence. She is also a member of Harvard's Institute of Coaching and a BetterUp Performance Coach. Kristen holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach and Mental Fitness Trainer (CPQC). Her passion lies in applying a strategic approach to wellbeing, aligning individual and organizational goals to foster long-term growth, wellbeing, and success.

Kristen holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation & Sports Management with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over 2 years of training through Coaches Training Alliance and Positive Intelligence and is both an International Coaching Federation Professionally Certified Coach and a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach. Kristen is a member of the International Coaches Federation, Harvard’s Institute of Coaching, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and is recognized as a Pioneer with Positive Intelligence. Additionally, she is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance and has a Certificate in Energy Medicine from the State College of Florida.

Kristen’s “why” for her work is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of self-discovery and the importance of creating supportive environments for growth. Her own journey began with a transformational program, which served as a model in the creation of The CORE Program.
Kristen's leadership development experiences are further enriched by her yoga teacher training which instilled in her a profound understanding of how effective support and holding space can facilitate deep self-exploration in others.
Kristen is driven by a passion for "leaving things better than she found them" and guiding others on their journey of self-discovery, so they too can uncover their true potential.
Through her work, she aims to empower individuals and organizations to achieve meaningful and lasting change, fostering growth and fulfillment by leveraging their innate strengths and capabilities, while ensuring wellbeing is a strategic priority.

Smiling woman in blue suit sitting against a concrete wall.

Hannah McGowan, Ed.M., C.A.S.

Corporate Trainer & Coach
Hannah is the Founder of Hannah McGowan Coaching LLC which provides custom talent development solutions to organizations facing engagement, retention, and productivity challenges. She started her career at a healthcare consulting firm, driving the onboarding, ongoing skill development, and career pathing of the sales department through over 20 innovative programs. She then became a licensed school counselor (parallel training to a Social Worker or LMHC) after earning both a Masters of Education and a Certificate of Advanced Studies from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After several years working in schools and nonprofits as a counselor and Program Director, Hannah started her own business with the mission to transform our next generation of leaders. Hannah McGowan Coaching LLC specializes in emerging leadership development, partnering with clients across industries to equip prospective, new, mid-level and senior managers with the skills they need to successfully execute on executive leadership’s vision and strategy. Her clients report having engaged, productive teams who are driven by results. Hannah is also a BetterUp Performance Coach and member of Harvard's Institute of Coaching.

Hannah holds a Masters of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Certificate of Advanced Studies from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelors of Arts in International Business and Spanish Studies from Boston College. She is a licensed school counselor (parallel training to a Social Worker or LMHC), and maintains an ethical commitment to the American School Counselor Association's Ethical Standards. She is trained in trauma-informed care, culturally humble practices, and building impactful, equitable training programs.
Hannah is also proficient in Spanish.

Hannah lives for lightbulb moments - those "aha!" moments when something finally clicks for someone. These are most powerful when they don't simply connect the dots, but foster a sense of self-agency. Hannah's "why" is therefore centered on empowerment. She is passionate about equipping leaders with the tools, clarity, and strengths that they need to move forward.
Hannah believes in simplicity. The challenges we face at work do not always require complex, multi-pronged approaches - but instead, straightforward connections between humans. And this begins with self-awareness. She is on a mission to make all workplaces empowering spaces.

The CORE Program SELECTION COMMITTEE

These esteemed leaders conduct interviews with applicants for The CORE Program to understand the applicant’s leadership transformation goals and to gauge their commitment to the journey.

Dawn Graber

CONSULTANT & EXECUTIVE COACH
Dawn Yoder Graber is a senior organizational development consultant and executive coach through Design Group International. She holds certifications as an Advanced Process Consultant; an International Coach Federation Associate Coach; and in Women in Leadership. She has a master's in education and is equipped to facilitate and deliver applied learning for organizations targeting their unique needs. She is a frequent facilitator and speaker at international conferences and workshops alike. She is a MyGrow Associate (focusing on EQ development), a trained Integrative Enneagram practitioner, and a Positive Intelligence Coach. She is featured in the Women to KNOW Tampa 2025 edition.
Erin McLeod

PRESIDENT & CEO
Erin leads Senior Friendship Centers, a regional nonprofit with a $20+M annual budget serving seniors since 1973 with healthy and supportive aging services and programs, and an army of volunteers. Erin earned her degree in PR and public speaking from the University of Florida. Career experience includes consulting, healthcare, hospitality, and nonprofit, and since 2004, focusing solely on all things aging. An active community member, she currently serves on multiple boards locally and statewide. She is board chair for HCA Doctor’s Hospital, a member of FPRA, board member of Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, and president-elect of Florida Council on Aging.
Marrie Neumer

ASSOCIATE VP OF DEVELOPMENT
Marrie Neumer is an accomplished leader with over four decades of experience in higher education administration and non-profit fundraising. Currently serving as the Associate Vice President at the University of South Florida Foundation, Sarasota Manatee campus, Marrie has a proven track record in developing comprehensive advancement strategies and managing major gift prospects. Previously, Marrie held key positions at Cornell University, where they significantly increased funding and led successful capital campaigns. Marrie holds a Master of Science from Springfield College and a Bachelor of Arts from The College of Wooster. Marrie is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and actively participates in various professional and volunteer activities. She is a 2024 alumna of Sarasota Leadership and currently serves on their Leadership Alumni committee.
Mark Gordon

MANAGING EDITOR
Mark Gordon is the Managing Editor of the Business Observer. Mark has been with the Business Observer since 2005. He has written about companies, development, entrepreneurs and how government intersects with business, among other topics. He currently oversees the paper’s coverage from Tampa to Naples, in print and online, overseeing a staff of reporters and photographers, in addition to writing stories. He has written a biweekly leadership column, Leadership Matters, since 2021 in the Business Observer. And in 2023 he began hosting a weekly podcast for the Business Observer, From the Corner Office. The Business Observer is part of the Observer Media Group, which publishes six weekly newspapers across Florida and was founded in 1995. Started in 1997 as the Gulf Coast Business Review, the Business Observer is the leading provider and most authoritative source of business and economic information affecting the Gulf Coast from Polk to Collier counties. It is published in print each Friday, with a daily email newsletter. Prior to the Business Observer, Mark worked for daily newspapers in upstate New York, suburban Philadelphia and Jacksonville. He lives in east Manatee County with his wife, Elyse, and their 16-year-old son, Aaron.
Laurel Lynch

RETIRED PRESIDENT & CEO
Laurel Lynch is the recently retired President and CEO of HOPE Family Services, Manatee County’s State-certified domestic violence service provider. Over the 27 years Laurel led HOPE, she expanded services to ensure survivors received comprehensive and excellent service from an exceptional team of dedicated staff members, moved the organization from operating in the ‘red’ to an $4M+ organization with a positive bottom line and was key in the creation of a state-of-the-art compound, which houses all direct services (shelter, counseling and a specialized children’s program, 24 hour helpline, etc.). Thanks to her leadership, everyone at HOPE understands, it is the balance of mission and money that makes HOPE the award-winning program it is! Laurel’s passion for advocacy started in 1985 when she first volunteered for a local center after ending a brief marriage to an abusive partner. In 1986 she became a staff member and returned to school to finish her bachelor’s degree. Today, Laurel has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). While enjoying retirement and traveling with her husband of 25 years; Norm Hale, she still volunteers two days a week at the State Attorney’s Office in Bradenton to help victims and survivors of domestic violence negotiate the criminal justice system.

The CORE Program GUEST FACULTY

These expert practitioners facilitate interactive training sessions during monthly onsites of The CORE Program - engaging participants in a diversity of perspectives and experiences.

Kristen Theisen

FOUNDER & CEO
Kristen Theisen, CFRE, is a dynamic leadership development consultant, communications strategist, and philanthropic advocate dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals in reaching their goals. As the Founder and CEO of Amplify Connections Consulting, she specializes in leadership training, strategic messaging, and fundraising strategies that promote engagement, strengthen teams, and accelerate growth.
As a trusted communications strategist, philanthropic advocate, and leadership development expert, she is passionate about amplifying voices and delivering transformative impact through creativity, dedication, and integrity. A licensed practitioner of Insights® Discovery, Kristen delivers leadership workshops that equip executives, teams, and organizations with the self-awareness and communication skills necessary to improve collaboration, enhance productivity, and foster a culture of success. She believes that effective leadership begins with understanding individual strengths and leveraging them to build cohesive, high-performing teams.
With more than 20 years of experience spanning global corporations, media, and mission-driven organizations, Kristen has a passion for amplifying voices and driving impact with creativity, dedication, and integrity. She has led award-winning marketing and fundraising initiatives, crafted compelling narratives to inspire action, and shared leadership development programs to empower individuals.
Kristen’s impact has been widely recognized, earning a Silver “Addy” Award with a video production partner, for excellence in communications, a WEDU “Be More” Award for innovation in donor engagement, and leadership roles in professional associations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and a Certified Facilitator through AFP, further demonstrating her commitment to professional development and industry best practices.
Originally from a suburb of Cleveland, OH, Kristen relocated to Southwest Florida in 2005. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at home with her husband, two teenage boys, and rescue pup.
Greg Wood

COACH & EXECUTIVE
Greg Wood brings over 20 years of leadership and teamwork development. As a nonprofit executive and head rowing coach for middle school through adult athletes, he has had positive impacts on thousands of athletes and leaders around the world. Greg is a class of 2022 Leadership Sarasota graduate and currently serves on the alumni committee and is active in several organizations in Sarasota.
Michael Corley

FOUNDER & CEO
Michael facilitates strategic discussions designed to harness the collective wisdom of a group for making decisions and taking action. Since founding The Corley Company, LLC in 2009, Michael has worked as a nonprofit leadership consultant working with the boards of directors and CEOs/EDs of funders and agencies on strategy, governance, alignment, and leadership. His podcast, I501cYou – The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members, is intended to help people understand the roles, responsibilities, obligations and opportunities of serving on a nonprofit board. Prior to founding The Corley Company, Michael's held positions of President/COO and CFO for a 200+ employee professional employer organization, a practice administrator to a 25-physician pediatric group, and VP, Marketing for a health technology company. Michael has served on nonprofit boards as the Board Chair, Treasurer, Governance Chair, and Finance Chair. Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and his Executive MBA from USF-Tampa. Michael is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Florida. Michael currently lives in Sarasota, FL with his wife Stacey with whom he has two adult sons. You can learn more about him at thecorleycompany.com and linkedin.com/in/michaelpcorley.