Associates

Dr. Nicole Lipkin is an internationally recognized clinical and organizational psychologist, executive coach, keynote speaker, and the author of the two popular business books What Keeps Leaders Up At Night: Recognizing and Resolving Your Most Troubling Management Issues and Y In the Workplace: Managing the “Me First” Generation.

Nicole is the CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, a leadership development firm. Combining the science of human behavior with practical approaches to business and leadership, this firm is focused on helping companies, leaders, and teams improve management and leadership skills, strengthen the leadership pipeline and develop behaviors and practices that help build strong, powerful cultures. Some clients include Google, Visa, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Hearst International, Honda, Toyota, Wells Fargo, United HealthGroup, and Berkshire Hathaway. Nicole is also the founder of HeyKiddo, a company dedicated to building the leadership, social, and emotional skills of children and their grown-ups. Nicole is also the former owner of Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services, a large group psychology practice located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Nicole is a regular contributor to the broadcast community and has been featured on NPR, NBC, CBS, Fox Business News, Entreprenuer.com, BusinessInsider.com, New York Times Magazine and numerous other media outlets both nationally and internationally. She is a regular contributor to Forbes.com.

Nicole has a doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ). She is an adjunct faculty member at the industry-leading Center for Creative Leadership and is also a board-certified executive coach and ICF credentialed coach. She is an advisory board member of Tiny-G, a global network designed to provide information and security intelligence to businesses and government agencies. She is also an advisory board member of the Global Cyber Academy whose aim is to provide mass-scale ethical education for businesses and employees wishing to stay safe and experience well-being online. She is an advisory board member of Fearless Athletics, a CrossFit subsidiary for adults and children, based in Philadelphia.

Kayla is a highly skilled organizational psychologist, facilitator, and coach. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) from Georgia Southern University and her masters in clinical psychology (M.S.) and bachelors in psychology (B.S.) from Northwestern State University.

Kayla believes that with awareness and willingness, we have everything we need within us to manifest the changes that allow us to be our best selves and reach our potential. She also has a strong research and assessment background and is a well-published author, with publications in the fields of positive psychology, resiliency, and stress-related challenges.

In applying her unique set of interdisciplinary skills to workplace dynamics, she has delivered several seminars centered on professional authenticity and creating positive, person-centered environments that thrive. She has also worked in the non-profit sector on consultation projects that focus on understanding and building awareness around the importance of team cohesiveness at the executive management level. She also pioneered the development and implementation of stress management programs designed for higher education that increased the accessibility of resources and focused on finding effective solutions to managing stress and its negative impacts on functioning and daily living.

Interpersonally, Kayla is outgoing, warm, compassionate, engaged, quick-witted, innovative, and personable. She is easily and quickly able to establish a strong working alliance with others and prides herself on utilizing her authentic self and strengths to do so. She has been described by her colleagues as a “magnetic leader,” one who is able to intuitively identify areas for growth and adapt creative individualized solutions to fit the needs and goals of the team.

Shanika is a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) dual degree program at Widener University. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Guilford College.

Prior to returning to school, Shanika spent six years working in a role that intersected the fields of psychology and law. It was there that her passion for understanding how psychological processes and interventions could be utilized as a catalyst to promote growth and wellness in a variety of different professional settings was sparked.
Shanika takes her understanding of these interventions, assessment, leadership theories, and keen clinical skills to act as a change agent, motivating individuals and teams to new ways of thinking, by recommending solutions aimed at modifying behaviors and fostering growth at work.

In her work, Shanika utilizes her ability to build strong working relationships with her clients to encourage self-exploration, instill courage, and to utilize strengths to incite professional change. She has experience working with high potential leaders and leaders of various cultural backgrounds.

In her free time, Shanika can be found spending time with family and friends, taking mile-long walks at her local park, watching as many horror films as possible, and desperately trying to find her way out of an escape room.

Named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by The Daily Record for her professional achievement, community leadership, and mentoring, Dana understands the importance of performance and perseverance. Throughout a diversified career, she has partnered with others to create significant organizational value and build exceptional cultures. Dana has developed Board members and executives to manage change, improve organizational performance, and increase profitability. She has coached hundreds of professionals who are flourishing in their roles and impacting organizations and communities.

Dana’s extensive corporate experience and empathy provide her with multiple lenses to appreciate and support her clients’ aspirations. She helps leaders sharpen their own resilience and agility by bringing her deep listening skills and rich business background to the coaching relationship. Dana has seen companies from the perspective of operating businesses and private equity/venture capital as well as throughout full economic cycles. She has also acquired new businesses, liquidated a company, and sold two publicly traded organizations in back-to-back transactions.

Since 2006, Dana has led HR and other functions for publicly traded companies (CapitalSource, American Capital, Hannon Armstrong), focusing on advancing culture, strategy, and organizational development. Additionally, she led human resources at subsidiaries of Constellation Energy and Sylvan Learning Systems and worked in various positions domestically and overseas for Citicorp earlier in her career.

As a member of its Executive Committee, 1st Vice Chair, and Board Governance and Nominating Committee Chair, Dana is currently serving her third term on the Board of Directors of The Y in Central Maryland, a mission-driven, charitable organization dedicated to developing the full potential of every individual through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In 2021, she led a Board Development project for theatreWashington, and now she sits on its full Board.

Dana is also a public speaker and has been featured in or contributed to publications such as Smart CEO Magazine, Employee Benefits News, The Washington Post, and Washington Business Journal.

Michelle has coached and trained leaders and teams for more than 20 years. She is the founder of the Emerging Executive Leadership Program, the Authentic Leadership Summit, serves on the leadership board of the Building Goodness Foundation and the VA Chamber Small Business Advisory Board. Her areas of expertise include Executive, Leadership and High Potential Coaching. In 2011, Michelle served as a panelist for the World Coaching Conference.

Michelle has worked with notable leaders from The Federal Reserve Bank, Morgan Keegan, Capital One, the University of Virginia, Darden Business School, Coty International, Boringer Illiam, Battelle, General Dynamics, LexisNexis, and the City of Charlottesville, to name a few. Michelle has also been a key note speaker for notables such as Virginia Government Finance Officers Association, National Organization of Rheumatology Managers, Virginia Recreation and Park Society, and SHRM.

Michelle is a certified coach and the author of three leadership books, Stand Out, Dare to Make A Difference, and Bottom Line as well as a thought-leadership contributor to several blogs/publications including: Thought Leaders, Lead Change and Leadership Courseware.

Michelle is committed to helping leaders identify their motivations, drives, values and principles to help them better understand who they are as Leaders. She helps clients uncover why they behave and respond the way they do, and how they can go from “good to great” in leading their teams and organizations. Ultimately, she motivates clients to set and achieve their highest goals. Her down to earth approach, strategic business sense, and interpersonal relationship skills put people at ease and inspire her clients to gain the most from their coaching and training! This combination of attributes challenges and motivates leaders to achieve their highest goals.

Michelle is married to Steven Braden and proud mother to Anthony, Erica, Josh, and her golden retriever Levi. She enjoys running, hiking, camping, cooking, and enjoying meaningful conversations with family and friends. Michelle has lived in 10 states and can easily adapt to any culture.

Chikwere Obi Amachi has a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) and a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Widener University. He is also a certified Pennsylvania school psychologist. Obi’s strong background in psychological and needs assessment, data and organizational analysis and intervention implementation has allowed him to aid leaders and teams in various settings.

He has consulted to leaders and teams in various industries including education, community mental health, healthcare, and fine dining. Throughout his career, Obi has worked with young leaders across the country. These leaders have ranged from young professionals to junior high students. His consultation and leadership engagements have included such topics as: effective decision-making, team development, strategy development, effective leadership, and workplace dynamics.

His overall philosophy on effective leader and team development hinges on thorough formal and informal assessment. Obi is able to meticulously review data, determine the areas of need, and develop data driven interventions. These data driven interventions have helped various clients manage change in order to meet strategic goals and obtain results. His psychological training has honed his ability to foster trusting relationships with key stakeholders within an organization. Additionally, his training allows him to provide clients with feedback that has allowed them to understand and implement change at both an individual and group level.

Obi is a member of the Society of Consulting Psychologists, The American Psychological Association, the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, and Teach for America.

Evelyn Maldonado is an accomplished, bilingual (Spanish) hands-on, resourceful, high-energy, well-respected human resources professional with over 25 years of experience in employee relations, labor relations (union and union avoidance), organizational development, recruiting/staffing, compensation/benefits design and administration, training, and human resources compliance.

She has comprehensive knowledge in employment law, investigative practices, negotiation strategies, policy and program design, immigration compliance/administration, performance management, conflict resolution, contract (union) negotiations, as well as union avoidance experience. She also consults with company owners and senior management to create business and succession plans related to organizational restructuring, management-initiated terminations, and/or redeployment of employees.

Throughout her career, Evelyn supported both large companies and entrepreneur organizations in varying industries, including government contracting. She worked for companies such as IBM, Citigroup, SAP, and Marriott International, and has experience supporting multiple locations/facilities both in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. She has a Bachelors in Human Resources Administration and a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Employment and Labor Law. Evelyn is also an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Kelly has spent her 15+ year career helping organizations and individuals kick ass and become better versions of themselves. Coaching, training, recruiting – you name it, she’s done it, and in a variety of industries ranging from advertising to behavioral health to tourism and beyond. She’s a secret weapon for combatting employee engagement challenges and guiding individuals to achieve their dreams in all areas of their lives.

From supporting new managers in their journeys from uncertain supervisors to rock star bosses, to helping lost newbies zero in on what they want from their careers to enabling leaders to be more self-aware in their management styles, she’s done it all.

Kelly is certified by the International Coach Federation and a regular contributor at sites like Fairygodboss, Career Contessa, Workology & The Muse. Kelly is also one of the co-founders of DisruptHR Philadelphia. When she’s not pushing to make people and organizations better, Kelly spends most of her time marathoning Netflix programming with her mutt, Dexter.

Matt has a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his career in the world of online satire, writing for Fierce.com, an ezine that reviewed other websites and parodied pop culture. A collection of the website reviews and parody pieces were subsequently published as a book – “Fierce.com: The Exclusive Book for Web Elitists” – by 4 Walls /8 Windows publishing.

He worked as a copywriter for Precision Entertainment and ADM productions and was the newsletter manager for The Annenberg Foundation.

Matt’s main passion is comedy, which he pursues as a stand-up and writer. In 2016, Matt joined the Equilibria team as the marketing/social media manager to further the Equilibria brand.

Jennifer Berzok, an attorney, political strategist, and public policy advocate, brings a unique perspective to her work in health care and disability policy. As the mother of a twenty-year-old son with autism, her personal experiences have shaped her professional journey. Jennifer’s career includes roles as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill and as the Director of Government Relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

Since her son was diagnosed with autism at age 2, Jennifer has become deeply involved in the disability community.  She served as Chair of the Parent Advisory Group to the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities, where she advised leaders of more than 70 schools serving 3,000 across Maryland on strategies to serve individuals with disabilities and their families more effectively.

Jennifer chaired the Board of Directors of the Ivymount Corporation, which for 55 years has created nationally recognized programs and partnerships for people with autism and special needs.  She was also a member of the Task Force for Main Street, an inclusive, community-centered residential development, the first of its kind in the Washington Metropolitan area, where 25% of the apartments are designated for adults with disabilities.

Throughout her various roles, Jennifer has demonstrated a collaborative approach to her advocacy work. She has worked closely with lawmakers, educators, entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals with lived experience to ensure the meaningful inclusion of neurodiverse individuals in all aspects of the community.

As her son enters the world of adult services, Jennifer has shifted her focus to the employment sector, where companies and organizations are beginning to recognize the benefits of including neurodiverse employees in the workplace.

Jennifer graduated from Georgetown University’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program in June 2023.  LEND is an interdisciplinary training program focused on strengthening local services and support for people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan.