Partnering with you to solve problems and develop possibilities

Staff

Laura D. Scott (Director) has worked as a leadership coach and organizational development consultant for almost three decades, helping individuals and groups envision their desired future and develop the resources and structures that support that direction. She has a special interest in creating organizational excellence through optimizing people’s performance, creating both individuals and organizations that thrive. Laura is committed to helping leaders reach their full potential and learn how to foster thriving through strengths-based development--a lesson based in her own experience as a leader.

Her work is grounded in the knowledge and insights offered by the field of neuroscience; she facilitates personal and organizational change methods that work with, rather than against, the brain's natural functioning, turning client inspiration and intention into concrete results. She holds an MS in organizational development and an associate coaching certificate from the Neuroleadership Institute. Her independent consulting work is focused in the political arena with members of Congress and their staff, and her coaching practice is targeted to high performers who want to reach the next level.

Adrienne Hamcke Wicker (Associate Director) has been at the university since 1991. She received her master's degree and doctorate from the University of Maryland's college student affairs administration program. She believes that individuals and organizations are oriented toward success. Sometimes, however, bumps and detours impede progress. To help clients do their best work and live their best lives, Adrienne uses an array of approaches in her work, including positive psychology, neuroscience, and mind-body awareness. Applying her training in appreciative inquiry, engagement theory, brain-based coaching, and strengths-based leadership, Adrienne is proud to be one of the architects of the University’s Thriving Workplace Initiative. She also has expertise in quantitative and qualitative assessment practices, including survey design and analysis, focus group facilitation, and thematic analysis. Adrienne is also an affiliate associate faculty member in the College of Education.

Martha Baer (Consultant) has more than 35 years of experience at the university, working within academic affairs and student affairs. She has extensive experience designing strategic planning processes, facilitating employee engagement and team alignment, and strengthening interpersonal relationships. Martha brings an asset-based approach to her consultation work, focusing on how to build on an individual's or an organization's existing strengths. She draws on her educational background in counseling and leadership development, as well as her training in Appreciative Inquiry, Applied Positive Psychology, and CliftonStrengths. In addition to her work with CLOC, Martha facilitates workshops on conflict resolution with incarcerated adults.

Monette Austin Bailey (Consultant) joyfully brings to her practice at CLOC the cultural and institutional knowledge of working for nearly 20 years at her alma mater (Class of ‘89). She facilitates brainstorming sessions, staff retreats, strategic planning, and coaches individuals on strengths-based professional growth. She is working toward certification from Presence-Based Coaching®, a discipline that focuses on the whole person in service of individual development. Monette also earned a master's degree in management, with an emphasis on nonprofits and associations, from University of Maryland University College. An active UMD community member, she serves as the mentorship program coordinator for the Black Faculty Staff Association and an Incentive Awards Program mentor.

Willie Brown (Consultant) is a Gallup-Strengths Certified Coach. Willie brings his experience as a leader, mentor, and advisor to CLOC to assist in training our current and future managers and leaders of the University. He joined the University in 1992 and has spent most of his career at the University in director-level positions. In addition, he has served as the Chair of the University Senate and held leadership positions at the University System of Maryland level. Willie became a Gallup-Certified Strength Coach because he firmly believes leadership is a position that requires an awareness of your strengths and applying those strengths to empower the faculty, staff and students to do what they do best. To him, this is best accomplished through strengths-based leadership and development.

Katie Hershey Conlon (Consultant) Katie Hershey Conlon frames her approach to consulting, training, and leadership coaching with her expertise in positive organizational development, strengths-based leadership, and the science of well-being. She brings over 18 years of leadership, training, and facilitation experience to her work with CLOC. On-campus since 2005, Katie enjoys working with clients to develop leadership skills, set goals and track progress toward desired outcomes, manage organizational change, and find strategies that will help increase engagement and well-being for them and their team. She is trained in Appreciative Inquiry, CliftonStrengths, Fearless Conversations, and the Hay Group's ESCI 360 tool. She is a co-developer and facilitator for ThriveU, a skill building and coaching program for leaders, facilitates Fearless Conversations, Sharpen My Saw, CliftonStrengths, and Thrive Thursday sessions, and manages curriculum development for some of CLOC's signature programs. In addition to her work with CLOC, Katie teaches a 6-month certification program in applied positive psychology through The Flourishing Center. She holds a master's degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in counseling and personnel services from the University of Maryland.

Abbey L.W. Crowley (Consultant) Abby Crowley has had a 40+ year career in education and professional development, serving as a teacher, Principal, trainer, leadership coach, curriculum developer (including on-line course development), School Board member, and college professor. She received her undergraduate degree in special education from Boston University and her Masters and Doctoral Degrees in education administration from Catholic University of America. Her work is rooted in principles of adult learning, universal design, and strengths based professional development. Abby is an instructor with ThriveU, a skill building and coaching program for managers, and does Clifton Strengths coaching with individuals and teams.

Laura Nichols (Consultant) formally joined CLOC in 2012 after having supported the center as a consultant since 1999. She has worked with numerous campus departments, conducted focus groups, and facilitated retreats. Laura is certified as a Myers-Briggs practitioner. She is also trained in appreciative inquiry, CliftonStrengths and Fearless Conversations. Laura enjoys working with individuals and groups to reach personal and institutional goals. She is also a CLOC Sharpen My Saw facilitator and a trained mediator. Laura is the former chair of the President's Commission on Women's Issues. She has co-taught a course on Intergroup Dialogue and Gender in the Workplace. She is a co-author of CLOC's 2005 report on campus climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty and staff. Laura has also served as the academic advisor to students majoring in women's studies since 1994; she came to campus in 1987.

Sophie Oberstein (Consultant) is an author, coach, consultant, and adjunct faculty member. In these roles, she works with individuals and groups across the country who are seeking increased effectiveness and satisfaction at work, and those exploring their power to bring fulfillment and joy to their lives. She’s been in the field of learning and organizational development for over 20 years at public and private organizations, including Weight Watchers North America, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the City of Redwood City, California, and Citibank, N.A Sophie is on the faculty of the NYU School of Professional Studies, Leadership and Human Capital Management Department where she developed and conducts the fundamentals course in the learning design certificate program. Her books, 10 Steps to Successful Coaching (2nd edition, April 2020) and Beyond Free Coffee & Donuts: Marketing Training and Development (2003) are available from ATD Press, with a third title, Troubleshooting for Trainers, scheduled for publication in October 2020. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a past president of the Association for Talent Development (ATD)’s Greater Philadelphia chapter.

John Robinette (Consultant) John brings over 20-years of project management and leadership experience to CLOC. On-campus since 2009 and with CLOC since 2013, John works with clients to develop excellence in leadership and high-functioning teams. In 2018, John is certified as a CliftonStrengths coach, trained in Fierce Conversations and the Hay Group's ESCI 360 tool. John enjoys working with individuals and teams on how to leverage their unique talents to accomplish great things. John also works with groups on strategic planning, coaches individuals, and delivers CLOC signature programs like Sharpen My Saw and Fearless Conversations, among others. John earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in management science from Virginia Tech.

Theresa Smith (Program Administrative Specialist) has close to three decades of experience in the administrative field at Maryland with 10 of those years at CLOC. With her extensive knowledge of the campus and the university system, she keeps the office running smoothly and creates goodwill for the Center for Leadership & Organizational Change (CLOC) university-wide. She acts as the office business manager, taking care of the financials, scheduling meetings, and providing logistics for the larger cross-campus training programs. She also provides critical support to the consultants in their work with clients. Theresa is also a goodwill ambassador for the Thriving Workplace Initiative and is often the person who answers your questions or helps to direct you via the TWI help-line.

Monique Stevens (Consultant) is an experienced organization development consultant, facilitator, and coach with an extensive background in leading organizational initiatives that maximize individual, team, and organization performance. While new to UMD, she has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of settings (federal government, financial, transportation, private sector, defense). She offers an insightful, practical and results-oriented approach to solving complex organizational challenges. Monique has provided team-based organization development interventions, leadership development, strategic and operational planning, and directional support for large-scale organizational change initiatives. Monique’s ability to quickly grasp the unique nature and characteristics of an organizational system allows her to quickly engage key stakeholders, clarify desired outcomes, develop realistic action plans, and achieve measurable results. Monique holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Organization Development. She is also a certified Leadership Coach.

Aynsley Toews (Consultant) Aynsley brings over 20 years of project management and training program development to CLOC. She has had the privilege of working on campus since 2012 and has connected with people in every division. Aynsley facilitates a variety of programs at CLOC including CliftonStrengths, Fearless Conversations, and Sharpen My Saw. She is the co-developer and project team lead for ThriveU - a skill building and coaching program for leaders. Aynsley has experience in community engagement through deliberative democracy methods with a variety of populations including rural communities, Aboriginal peoples, students, and municipalities. Her background in community-based social marketing (CBSM) has led to the creation of successful change management programs in Canada and the United States, including at the University of Maryland.