Meet Our Team // Who We Are

Specialties

Planning and Organization, Project Management, Logistics Planning, Coaching and Development

Bio

Kelley Nicholson is the Director of Operations at JMReid Group, a leading performance improvement and development organization. She organizes and oversees the day-to-day operations of JMReid Group, ensuring operational efficiency, productivity and performance.

With over 14 years in the learning and development and professional services industries, Kelley brings expertise and a multitude of skills to JMReid Group. In addition to leading the inner workings of the company, she is a seasoned project manager with extensive experience leading and managing large-scale conferences and other training-related initiatives. Her approach to training, development and project management focuses on effective leadership, motivation, engagement and collaboration.

In her five years with JMReid Group, Kelley has accelerated the growth and development of the organization through planning, monitoring and optimizing the running of the day-to-day business. She also manages projects from inception to completion, performing varied roles and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction. Kelley specializes in complex projects with multiple stakeholders, deadlines and key milestones, leading multidisciplinary teams to success. Her experience within the industry includes:

• Partnering with company leadership to make decisions for operational activities and to set strategic goals
• Planning, monitoring and optimizing the day-to-day running of the business to ensure growth and proficiency
• Managing and overseeing of employees, including mentorship and career development
• Evaluating processes and procedures, making necessary adjustments to ensure company heath and efficiency
• Managing contracting and procurement processes
• Coordinating resource allocation, preparation and communication
• Overseeing client support processes, providing direction to enhancing client satisfaction
• Reviewing and tracking financial information to promote profitability
• Managing relationships with external partners and vendors
• Project scoping, including requirements gathering, concepting, project plan creation, staffing and budgeting
• Project managing, including stakeholder management, facilitator preparation, vendor management, execution and course assessment
• Owning project management best practices and standards
• Meeting and event planning, including event goals and themes, production elements, food and beverage selection, vendor management and transportation details

Kelley was previously a Manager in the Advisory Project Management and Implementation group at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the Learning and Development department, where she focused on onboarding, milestone and leadership conferences of 300 to 2,000+ participants. Kelley holds a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Masters in Counseling from DePaul University.

 Alex is a creative analytic with experience ranging from writing for architectural magazines to conducting ethnographic research for business solutions. At JMReid Group, she project manages and provides writing and editing help. She finds satisfaction in simplifying the complex and communicating new ideas. Her experience includes, 

• Organizing and managing data
• Solving problems to manage work flow
• Writing client facing copy and deliverables

Alex graduated Summa Cum Laude from DePaul University in 2016. At DePaul, she won an award for excellence in English as well as collaborated with her professors on multiple book writing projects.  Since her graduation, she has worn many hats including but not limited to Assistant Editor for a architectural industry magazine, social media manager for a subdivision of Cox Media Group, event coordinator for a non-profit, and a research associate for a ethnographic research firm. Her mixed bag of talents allows her to move through multiple types of industries and has given her the confidence to handle whatever is thrown at her. Alex is most excited to learn all she can from JMReid Group while contributing meaningful insights, problem solving, organizing, and having fun.

Steven currently teaches leadership and communications for Roche, TimeWarner, Motorola, Swiss Re and Nationstar. He has taught his own certificate program, Writing for Business, for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations for over four years. Since 2009, this program is also part of ExxonMobil’s professional development curriculum delivered worldwide.

His other programs include: The Leader’s Voice, The Fluent Listener, Project Management Meetings and Managing Organizational Culture. He is co-designer and facilitator of The Shift Group’s program SET, the Sustainable Entrepreneur Program.

As a practitioner of intercultural training and consulting methods, Steven has taught in India, Ukraine, China, South Africa, Chile, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, Egypt, K.L., Switzerland, Panama, Singapore, Mexico, Canada and the U.K. For DuPont Brazil, he served for 18 months as a faculty consultant to senior management in SÃo Paulo. In August 2005, Steven served on a select team for former Secretary Michael Chertoff in building the performance culture of the Department of Homeland Security.

Steven holds a master’s degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute in California. Born in Denver, and raised throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East, and after many years in New York City, Steven Hart makes his home in Chestnut Ridge, New York.

In her previous career as an actor, Corena’s job was to use the study of human behavior, communication and emotional intelligence to walk in other people’s shoes and make sure their views were convincingly conveyed to audiences. As a facilitator and coach her job is to make sure your views are convincingly conveyed to the audience of stakeholders, clients and colleagues that you need to influence and motivate on a daily basis.

This work includes:

• Executive presence and influencing others
• Public speaking
• Managing difficult conversations
• Developing effective ways to deliver feedback
• Recognizing and becoming deliberate about the behaviors that define you as a leader
• Relationship building
• Alignment with your company culture and managing your brand
• Time and energy management

Corena earned her coaching certification through The Columbia Executive Coaching Program and is certified by the International Coaching Federation. She has an MFA from Yale University, a BA in theater from Connecticut College and has done extensive coursework in psychology.

Learning programs under Matthew’s leadership have received external recognition by the Association of Professional Communication Consultants, Consulting.Com Magazine and Experience.com. Matthew has extensive international market experience, with a special knowledge of India, combining human capital program development with hands-on delivery and coaching. Matthew worked at The Executive Technique teaching executives best practices in oral delivery and gravitas with emphasis on coalition building, collaboration and leading cross-cultural teams.

Matthew is an executive coach for senior executives representing multiple industries and sectors. He is also an adjunct professor teaching courses in public speaking and critical thinking. He has an Ed.D. in Higher Education & Organizational Change from Benedictine University; M.A. in Higher Education Administration; B.A. in Communication from Washington State University (recipient of the W.S.U.  Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in broadcasting).

In her 20 plus years working with Fortune 500 clients, Sharie       has experienced first-hand that powerful learning yields     powerful business results. This fundamental truth has been the driving force of her work to date.

Throughout her career, Sharie has helped her clients achieve enhanced organizational performance by developing the leadership and behavioral talents of their most valuable assets – their people.

Sharie’s personal aim is to create relevance and resonance for her clients. She believes that there is nothing more powerful than when working professionals have those “ah-ha” moments of discovery that lead them to better work experiences and improved personal performance.

Her facilitation style can be described as a fine blend of vitality and business savvy, and here’s what some of her clients have said about her: “Her energy was contagious. I really enjoyed working with her”; “Extremely concise and well-spoken. She is one of the best communicators/instructors I have ever had through all 24 years of my educational experiences.”; “She is passionate about the learning event, and it is encouraging to see her just standing there. We all feel the energy”; “Sharie is extremely knowledgeable. [Our organization] can really benefit more from bringing her to the company. She is bright, personable, relatable and great!!”

Sharie has a master’s degree in Speech Communication, and as a facilitator and business consultant, she has worked with a variety of clients, from supervisor to C-suite, in a wide range of industries. Her areas of expertise include Behavioral Neuroscience & Neuroplasticity; Social & Emotional Intelligence/EQ; Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Transformational Leadership; Building Business Relationships; Communicating & Presenting Effectively; High Performance Teaming; Better Business Writing; Managing Change Effectively; Strategic Planning; and Performance Improvement. She is certified in SOCIAL STYLES, Lean Six Sigma, Managing Personal Growth, and Myers-Briggs (MBTI).

Outside of work, Sharie’s “joie de vivre” is her joy of “all things active”. She is a former competitive ice-skater and a former NCAA Division I school record holder for the triple jump. Since her days of intense competition are behind her, she enjoys recreational activities such as salsa dancing, hiking, and biking. In addition to being physically active, Sharie is active in her community seeking to maintain and protect its ecological and natural resources.

Expertise list:

• Behavioral Neuroscience & Neuroplasticity;
• Social & Emotional Intelligence/EQ;
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion;
• Transformational Leadership;
• Building Business Relationships;
• Communicating & Presenting Effectively;
• High Performance Teaming;
• Better Business Writing;
• Managing Change Effectively;
• Strategic Planning;
• Performance Improvement

His approach to experiential learning includes fusing relevant content with a people-first approach and being fully present. Areas of facilitation expertise include leadership, strategy deployment, change initiatives and diversity and inclusion. Prior to working with JMReid Group, Michael worked for two decades in operational and managerial roles developing keen insights for leading change through collaborative strategic alignment. He worked alongside executives to inspire transformation in organizational culture with focus on developing people and deliberately designed teams that earned national recognition. As an ardent advocate for quality, he helps leaders balance risk stemming from encouraging innovative behaviors with a measured approach to continuous improvement. It’s in this balance where learning needs often emerge.

As a life-long learner, Michael holds undergraduate degrees in education and psychology as well as master’s degrees in counseling and operations. Currently, he’s dedicated to integrating movement-based learning, applied neuroscience and vitality exercises into group experiences and coaching sessions to help participants better appreciate how core beliefs and behavior influence purpose.

Ashleigh Miller brings over 22 years of experience working in professional services organizations serving large multinational companies. She has spent time coaching teams around account management, growth strategies and sales and negotiation methodologies.

As a business leader she empowers others by motivating individuals to realize their unique strengths as a catalyst to personal success, enhanced team dynamics and organizational excellence.  With a passion for the human element within the business environment, Ashleigh facilitates workshops on the art of emotional intelligence in the market and workplace. She is a certified TRACOM SOCIAL STYLES facilitator and develops and delivers customized programs for small and enterprise companies. 

Additionally, Ashleigh is experienced at creating and convening networks of C-suite and executives from Fortune 100 companies for purposes of learning, sharing ideas and cultivating strong business connections. She specializes in building innovative programs to network peers facing similar challenges.

• Strategic relationship building and training
• Team development and leadership coaching
• Emotional intelligence (EQ) training    
• Business development
• Network creation
• Executive presence
• Program development
• Account planning and strategy

Oliver’s extensive sales and marketing experience included a 14 year career in the brewing industry where he helped lead the creation and development of the premium craft beer category in Canada’s most competitive beer market. Effective negotiation and solution selling skills were honed in the food service, hospitality and retail sectors and were factors critical to his success.

In addition to his business experience, Oliver continues to enjoy a parallel career in the performing arts. A professional opera singer and actor, Oliver brings to the classroom an energy and dynamism that effectively engages participants to think, discover and learn. Also, leveraging his university education in political theory, history and languages, Oliver applies classical methods to provoke thought, challenge assumptions and deepen context and understanding.

Oliver’s expertise includes leadership development, communication, sales training, presentation skills development, coaching and emotional intelligence training. Oliver is also a multi-lingual facilitator. His first language is German and he can also function in French and Italian. This has expanded his training ground to include much of Europe and other parts of the world.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Strategic Planning, Talent Development

In addition to being a Senior Consultant at JMReid Group, Denisha Jenkins is the Chief Executive Officer of Kardia Advisory Group, a niche management consultancy that focuses on cultivating inclusively diverse organizations.

She has spent most of her career improving systems and developing culturally responsive leaders within the education, healthcare and economic development industry. Her experience includes:

• Change Management
• Conscious Leadership
• Employee Relations
• Facilitation and Training
• Intercultural Communication and Mediation
• Implicit Bias in the Workplace
• Talent Acquisition and Retention
• Program Development and Evaluation
• Organizational Learning and Development
• Strategy Creation and Implementation

Within the private and social sector, Denisha is known for her uncanny ability to disarm, affirm, engage and equip leaders with the tools they need to efficiently navigate cultural differences and lead innovative teams. Prior to founding Kardia Advisory Group, Denisha decreased employee turnover by 35%, pioneered a multi-faceted partnership between MIT and Singapore University of Technology, managed civic projects on behalf of the US State Department and helped community leaders secure over 600K in grant funding to address disparate outcomes.

In addition to advising executives and coaching managers, Denisha has designed and implemented interactive learning experiences for various learners in the US and abroad. Denisha leverages her intersectional life experiences, mental health training and passion for learning to create spaces where people can thrive.

Denisha holds a masters in Intercultural Relations, Consulting and Management and a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Development.

Jeffry T. Burr is a Senior Facilitator at JMReid Group, a leading performance improvement and development organization. With over 30 years experience in the learning and development arena, Jeffry’s core expertise is in sales, sales management and sales enablement working with leading global organizations.

Jeffry has worked with Fortune 1000 companies, world-wide, across a variety of industries, from the C-Suite to the sales professional. Areas of expertise include sales process and strategy, sales skill development, management and coaching, leadership, and customer service development. He has successfully conducted workshops with cultural sensitivity and effectiveness on all seven continents.

“My role as learning facilitator is not to entertain but to skillfully guide the group and each individual participant through a rich learning methodology that enables awareness, discovery, and practice of relevant skills and content that will enhance the organizations and the individuals performance success.”

In addition to expert workshop facilitation, Jeffry’s background spans instructional design, workshop customization, process mapping and strategy development, international facilitator development and training implementation effectiveness.

Jeffry has earned a BA in Education/Human Development and an MA in Counseling Psychology/Organizational Development, both from Boston College, in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Olivia has helped clients navigate career bumps and experience turnaround moments at work. She has a huge heart, a winning smile and an enormous desire to help each person reach their potential.

Her schooling, which continues, includes:

• BA, Saint Mary’s College
• British American Drama Academy at Oxford University – Summer Fellowship
• BA, Governors State University
• MHS, Governors State University – expected graduation date, 2016

In addition to being a Senior Consultant at JMReid Group, Ray is also the founder of The Ingersoll Group, a published author, frequent radio show guest and host, as well as a sought-after public speaker.

Ray began his career within the telecommunications industry, eventually becoming the Director for National and Global Accounts for MCI and leading a sales and support team responsible for over a quarter of a billion dollars in annual revenue.

Ray’s work within the performance improvement industry began in the late 1990’s and since that time Ray and his teams have worked directly with the sales professionals and executives of nearly half of the US Fortune 500, including five of the ten largest sales organizations in the world.

Ray has assisted organizations such as AT&T, Google, Delta, Mazda and Pfizer in the procurement and retention of over $3 billion of revenue. Ray currently works with clients with locations in over 20 countries and has recently expanded his own footprint with locations in Canada, Australia and the UK.

Ray has served on various boards of trustees and directors, including currently serving on the Board of Advisors for the College of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tampa. He is also the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Merit.

Ray resides in Atlanta with his wife Catherine and two children, Caitlin and William.

Before becoming a trainer and coach 22 years ago, Maureen worked as a salesperson and account manager in two multinational companies: A.C. Nielsen and American Express respectively. She therefore brings a tangible sales experience to her trainings, as well as the know-how that comes from having worked within large organizations with a focus on brand image and service excellence. In combining her sales and training expertise, Maureen focuses on linking learning objectives with business goals.

Clients she has worked with include: Accenture, Achieve Breakthrough, American Express, Amgen Biotech Co, Apple, Avaya, Arcadis, Balloon, Banca Mediolanum, Bausch & Lomb, Belmond Hotels, Boehringer Inghelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Carlson Wagon-Lit Travel, Cisco, Coca-Cola, Covidien, Deutsche Bank, DuPont-Lycra Div., Elanco (Lilly), Eurasia, ExxonMobil, Farnell, Ferragamo, Flextronics, Hp & HpE, Hilti, IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Intel, Loro Piana, McAfee, Masterfoods, Merck, Microsoft, Nielsen, Nike, Pentair, Quest, Quintiles,  RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises), Roche, Rubicon, Skype, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Skype, St. Jude Medical, Swarovski, Symantec, Talend, Tiscali Digital Advertising, ViiV (Pfizer), Western Union.

Maureen’s main competency areas are:

Leadership – developing high performing individuals, facilitating leadership within conflict, fostering motivation and change management, creating awareness for women in business.

Sales training and communication – helping salespeople share subject matter expertise with higher level players (clients and/or internal management) to influence high level decisions so that the best outcome is generated.

Coaching – supporting learning and change for executives and managers.

Maureen’s professional qualifications also include Psychological and Counseling Studies. She is a certified trainer by the Italian Association of Trainers (A.I.F.). She is a native English and Italian speaker and is fluent in conversational French.

In her spare time Maureen enjoys being immersed in the countryside where she lives north of Rome, close to the regions of Umbria and Tuscany. She is involved in community work in her town both with the Musical Association and helping young people to be ready for work interviews and opportunities.

A special focus of his is the integration of human resource development with the business planning and organization development strategies for high performing enterprises. PC believes strongly in the experiential learning approach for long-lasting personal, team and corporate transformation.

Clients consult PC for design of customized learning as well as delivery of off-the-shelf learning solutions. It could be for a simple half day teambuilding program, a high level leadership development program or a complex strategic and business planning working session. He draws on his vast experience working with leaders, executives and teams from a diverse range of organizations and industries. His auditing and accountancy training developed his keen eye for details and discipline whilst his consulting experience has developed his leadership, communication and relational skills. His facilitation skills are highly appreciated as he is able to connect the dots in bridging theory to real world situations.

PC knows he needs to stay current and relevant in a constantly changing and challenging business environment. As such he invests a significant amount of time and money in learning and acquiring new skills and tools. PC is certified to use SYMLOG™. SYMLOG is an acronym for System for the Multi-level Observation of Groups originally developed by Professor Emeritus Robert Bales in Harvard University. PC also uses personality profiling tools such as DiSC™ and Facet5 where appropriate. As a global resource facilitator for GP Strategies, PC is also trained to run several client-specific programs across the regions covering leadership, team, performance, customer centricity and career development.

PC started his career with Coopers & Lybrand (present PwC). His 17 years of working experience with PwC ranged from auditing, insolvency, business turnaround, financial management to organizational change and performance management, learning and development. As such, PC had accumulated a reservoir of real life experiences, stories and anecdotes.

Ryan has led multi-year performance development engagements with Shell Energy, American Airlines, Emerson Process Management, SPX, Corning and National Instruments. He is frequently described by executive leadership as a change agent both through enhancing strategic direction and a commanding presence as a facilitator with demanding audiences in complex environments.

Ryan received his MBA from SMU’s Cox School of Business where he graduated as Salutatorian with Beta Gamma Sigma Honors. He received his bachelor of science from Indiana’s Kelley School of Business where he played men’s tennis and was recognized as an Academic All-American.

Ryan serves on the Board for the Dallas Light House for the Blind – a non-profit that employs 250 individuals affected by blindness and has been serving the Dallas community for 80 years.