Passionate about crafting bold and
creative solutions for organizations
with a purpose.
BOxD is a BIPOC and woman owned and led management consulting firm that blends learning, strategy, and action to design better, faster, more scalable organizations grounded in empathy.
We are a values-driven and thoughtfully crafted team of multi-faceted individuals making a difference across the globe.
With a wide range of experience, skillsets, backgrounds, and residences, our team’s unique and nuanced knowledge is intentionally selected to help you navigate every step of your transformation journey.
Nenuca Syquia
CEO and Founder
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, LaunchDarkly, Seagen, Google
Current location:
Sunnyvale, California
Beyond BOxD:
Sustainable living, exploring in my camper van, and board member focused on developing civic leaders
Nenuca Syquia
CEO and Founder
Organizational effectiveness and HR practitioner specializing in organization design, team coaching, and executive facilitation
Nenuca is the CEO and Co-Founder of Better Organizations by Design (BOxD), a company that exists to make high growth, purpose driven companies less chaotic and more efficient. Nenuca’s career has been dedicated to helping companies reshape their culture with intention, one behavior at a time. She has driven positive transformations at companies of every size across many industries– software, biotech, fintech, education, and large multi-industry conglomerates. Nenuca currently holds masters degrees in both Industrial Labor Relations from Cornell, and in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco. She is a certified design thinking instructor with LUMA Institute.
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, LaunchDarkly, Seagen, Google
Current location:
Sunnyvale, California
Beyond BOxD:
Sustainable living, exploring in my camper van, and board member focused on developing civic leaders
Brett Wingo
Business Advisor, Partner
Companies I’ve made better:
Apple, Linksys, Cisco, Itonics, Tessolve, Zebra
Current location:
San Jose, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Family, travel, boating, hiking, reading and mentoring young leaders
Brett Wingo
Business Advisor and Partner
Veteran senior tech leader with over 30 years of experience specializing in business strategy, executive development, and team coaching
Brett is a transformational leader known for his ability to accelerate business potential, and has increased profit and growth substantially in every business he has led. After starting his career at Apple he enjoyed the start-up world for many years as a senior executive, finished with two acquisition exits, and later held multiple SVP and General Manager positions at Cisco. Through his broad understanding of leaders, organizations and markets he has improved businesses with annual revenues of over $4B and also led the transformation of Cisco’s $12B services business into a recurring revenue model built on cutting-edge customer success methodologies and modern software.
Companies I’ve made better:
Apple, Linksys, Cisco, Itonics, Tessolve, Zebra
Current location:
San Jose, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Family, travel, boating, hiking, reading and mentoring young leaders
Celeste Costa
VP Growth & Enablement
Companies I’ve made better:
SNI, First Line Strategy, Home Agent
Current location:
Roswell, GA
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, Work Out, Spend Time with Friends, Dog Walks
Celeste Costa
VP Growth & Enablement
Celeste is an experienced leader with a diverse background spanning multiple industries. Celeste’s area of expertise is in developing successful strategies that enhance efficiency and drive growth across the organization.
Celeste is a versatile and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in various industries in the B2B space. Before BOxD, she previously excelled in roles such as Sales and Marketing Director, Head of Operations, and Business Consultant.
Celeste is a skilled leader, adept at developing and implementing successful strategies that drive growth and enhance efficiency. In 2014, she moved from Brazil to the United States and now resides in Georgia with her husband and dog. Her entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her expertise in business development, makes her a valuable asset to any organization.
Companies I’ve made better:
Apple, Linksys, Cisco, Itonics, Tessolve, Zebra
Current location:
San Jose, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Family, travel, boating, hiking, reading and mentoring young leaders
Dina Fiorentino
Chief of Staff
Companies I’ve made better:
Apple, GTE Wireless, SAS Institute
Current location:
Apex, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, reading, 70’s music, gardening, family
Dina Fiorentino
Chief of Staff
Senior marketing and operations leader with over 30 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, team coaching, and leader development
Dina has enjoyed a long career in the technology industry helping companies like Apple and SAS improve productivity and accelerate growth. She has led large teams, built marketing organizations, developed high-performing teams, and most recently nurtured a passion for project management and business coaching. Dina serves as a volunteer mentor and coach to small businesses, nonprofit leaders, and young early-career professionals. She holds coaching certifications from both the Flow Coaching Federation and Transformation Academy.
Companies I’ve made better:
Apple, GTE Wireless, SAS Institute
Current location:
Apex, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, reading, 70’s music, gardening, family
Veronica Bruce
Director of Finance & Operations
Companies I’ve made better:
PwC, 10up, Groundspeed Analytics
Current location:
Bay Minette, Alabama
Beyond BOxD:
Bible-based ministry, time with my children, family and friends
Veronica Bruce
Director of Finance & Operations
Accounting expert with over 26 years of experience specializing in strategic operations and financial analysis
Veronica is a future-focused financial leader with over 26 years of experience honing advisory skills with Fortune 500 companies and startups. Her diverse industry experience spans telecommunications, non-profit, publishing, property management, construction services, government, and technology.Veronica is known for her keen attention to detail and an unparalleled ability to develop processes that increase organizational efficiency so that individuals and businesses can thrive in tandem. She holds a degree in Accounting from Missouri State University and a certification in Forensic Science from the University of Alabama.
Companies I’ve made better:
PwC, 10up, Groundspeed Analytics
Current location:
Bay Minette, Alabama
Beyond BOxD:
Bible-based ministry, time with my children, family and friends
Abby Coppock
Companies I’ve made better:
Nike, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, City of Portland, Edelman, Regence
Current location:
Portland, Oregon
Beyond BOxD:
Abstract painting, cooking and anything outdoors.
Abby Coppock
Organizational transformation expert specializing in DEI consulting, leadership development, and facilitation
Abby helps leaders build creative, inclusive organizations where everyone can thrive. With over 17 years of cross-industry experience, Abby is an engaging facilitator who helps organizations clarify their strategy and values and put them into action. Equity and participatory design are at the center of her work, and she is mindful of how processes, incentives, and everyday behavior produce organizational outcomes. Her care for people is evident in the way she listens, reads non-verbal cues, and is inclusive of perspectives that are often overlooked. Abby started her career as a social worker, and has an MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.
Companies I’ve made better:
Nike, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, City of Portland, Edelman, Regence
Current location:
Portland, Oregon
Beyond BOxD:
Abstract painting, cooking and anything outdoors.
Alanna Levenson
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, RTKL, McCurdy Construction, BP, MGM
Current location:
Mexico
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, reading, cooking, growing my own food, yoga, hiking, spending time with friends and family, and staying up to date on world events.
Alanna Levenson
ICF PCC Credentialed Coach with over 15 years of experience in Professional Coaching, Team Coaching, Leadership Development and Small Business Coaching.
After a long career in tech sales, start-ups, corporate entertainment, non-profits, and CX, Alanna has embraced her life purpose in Coaching. With her business I Love My Life! Coaching and Consulting, she’s worked with 200+ individual clients, ran MasterMind groups, and worked with small business owners and entrepreneurs. At Cisco she facilitated over 200 workshops encompassing custom Team Coaching, the “Power of Teams” and Virtual Health Checks with teams across all organizations. Alanna holds multiple coaching certifications from HearthMath Institute, ORSC/CRR Global, GTCI, TMBC, and iPEC. She also has a HR Management Certificate from Cornell University ILR, and a PCC credential from ICF International.
Companies I’ve made better:
HI USA, Zuora, BWP, Google
Current location:
San Jose, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Watching full ballets on YouTube, keeping my daily streak in Duolingo
Alison Godfrey
Companies I’ve made better:
Concentric Advisors, Energetics Technologies, ENEA, SRI International
Current location:
Lubbock, Texas
Beyond BOxD:
Raising horses (competed in dressage and 3-day eventing) lived overseas (Rome is my favorite), my beloved grandkids
Alison Godfrey
Organizational effectiveness expert with 45 years experience in executive coaching, leader development, and culture transformation
Alison is a seasoned executive coach who has seen it all over her 45-year career as an entrepreneur and corporate C-suite executive, including founding and remaining as CEO for one of Bill Gates’ start-ups. She has founded and led international start-ups in fields ranging from healthcare, metallurgy, to condensed matter physics. As CEO of multiple global technology companies, she has developed and led teams of top physicists, electrochemists, and material scientists to build premier research laboratories and create successful cooperative research projects. Alison is a dynamic, goal-oriented change agent who is recognized for her effective communication and ability to cultivate partnerships across all lines of business. She holds a Certificate of Business Excellence from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, where she is also an Assistant Lecturer.
Companies I’ve made better:
Concentric Advisors, Energetics Technologies, ENEA, SRI International
Current location:
Lubbock, Texas
Beyond BOxD:
Raising horses (competed in dressage and 3-day eventing) lived overseas (Rome is my favorite), my beloved grandkids
Audia Wells
Companies I’ve made better:
LaunchDarkly, Optum Frontier Therapies, The Second City, Exegistics
Current location:
Chicago, Illinois
Beyond BOxD:
Traveling, spending time with loved ones, and experiencing new restaurants and intimate music venues
Audia Wells
Organizational effectiveness and HR practitioner specializing in JEDI solutions, mergers and acquisitions, and performance management systems
Audia is an experienced organizational effectiveness consultant who has led critical initiatives building HR functions, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, transforming performance management systems, and implementing D&I strategies. She has supported a wide range of clients from Fortune 500s to start-ups across nearly every industry: pharmaceuticals and healthcare, higher education, finance, non-profit, professional services, entertainment, and architecture/design. An engaging speaker and workshop facilitator, Audia has trained groups of 25 to 2000, and has helped leaders and teams clarify their vision and values to support their strategy. Audia holds master’s degrees in both International Development and in Organizational Behavior.
Companies I’ve made better:
LaunchDarkly, Optum Frontier Therapies, The Second City, Exegistics
Current location:
Chicago, Illinois
Beyond BOxD:
Traveling, spending time with loved ones, and experiencing new restaurants and intimate music venues
Bethany Schwartz
Companies I’ve made better:
Caterpillar, USAA, Rolls Royce, Salesforce, University of Chicago
Current location:
San Francisco Bay Area
Beyond BOxD:
Theatrical & Music Creator/Performer, Grandmothering, Travel, Community Development
Bethany Schwartz
Transformational coach and organization change leader specializing in facilitating complex personal and organizational change
Bethany’s extensive change leadership has achieved sustained success within multiple global industries. She believes that transformation, no matter how complex, begins with committed individuals who desire a more fulfilling and productive future. To that end, she joins forces with her clients to facilitate their envisioned success by building a trusting work relationship, agreeing on challenging goals, addressing related risks and obstacles, taking meaningful action, and celebrating their accomplishments. Bethany holds a Master of Community & Organizational Development from Loyola University of Chicago.
Companies I’ve made better:
Caterpillar, USAA, Rolls Royce, Salesforce, University of Chicago
Current location:
San Francisco Bay Area
Beyond BOxD:
Theatrical & Music Creator/Performer, Grandmothering, Travel, Community Development
Charyl Looper
Companies I’ve made better:
Intel, UPS, Google, Walmart, Oracle, Novartis, Procter & Gamble
Current location:
Portland, Oregon
Beyond BOxD:
Living the coastal life, hiking, museums, and travel.
Charyl Looper
Design Strategist specializing in information and learning design
Charyl is a seasoned design strategist with over 25 years of experience visualizing complex processes and systems for internal organizations, crafting service design tools with purposeful storytelling, and creating strategic programs at the enterprise level. Her career spans traditional communications graphics through e-learning and game design, strategic information design, and visual thinking facilitation. Charyl’s top priority is always to do the right thing for the end audience – even if it’s the least simple path. She uses her design superpowers to help leaders get the buy-in and participation they need to drive successful organizational transformations. Charyl has yet to meet a mess she didn’t enjoy unraveling, and is genuinely passionate about solving problems collaboratively.
Companies I’ve made better:
Splunk, DesignWorks
Current location:
Toronto, Ontario
Beyond BOxD:
Outdoors, adventure travel
Collene Burns
Companies I’ve made better:
usefully, Microsoft, Aramark, Seagen, Mutual Choices, Center Forward
Current location:
Rochester, New York
Beyond BOxD:
Choir enthusiast, coffee geek, and amateur competitive fencer (épée)
Collene Burns
Facilitation expert specializing in conflict resolution, executive coaching, and team training
Collene is an experienced facilitator who is known for her ability to solve business problems through the lens of human-centered design and change management. Working in high tech, healthcare, non-profit, higher education, and manufacturing, Collene developed techniques to spark innovation and promote collaboration in focused, facilitated settings. She supports high potential individuals and organizations with executive coaching and facilitation, and also provides conflict resolution services for workplaces and families. Collene holds an MBA from Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.
Companies I’ve made better:
usefully, Microsoft, Aramark, Seagen, Mutual Choices, Center Forward
Current location:
Rochester, New York
Beyond BOxD:
Choir enthusiast, coffee geek, and amateur competitive fencer (épée)
Don Neault
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, Verizon, ITSMF, CCI Systems, Genesys
Current location:
Tryon, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
ITSMF Board Member; active in USTA Tennis; Disney enthusiast
Don Neault
Seasoned senior executive with over 40 years of experience in leader development, team coaching, and JEDI consulting
Don has enjoyed a 40-year career spanning a number of Fortune 100 firms. He has led teams small and large, and is known for developing extraordinary teams and leaders with diverse backgrounds. Most recently, Don held multiple VP roles at Cisco for 18 years where he managed and delivered consulting, engineering, and professional services to a broad range of global market segments– including financial services, manufacturing, automotive, logistics, and retail. Don holds a masters degree in Computer and Information Systems from Northeastern University. He is also a credentialed coach with certifications from the Center for Coaching and the International Coaching Federation.
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, Verizon, ITSMF, CCI Systems, Genesys
Current location:
Tryon, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
ITSMF Board Member; active in USTA Tennis; Disney enthusiast
Emily Virgil
Companies I’ve made better:
IATSE, Global Maritime Forum, Nourish LA
Current location:
Healdsburg, California
Beyond BOxD:
Winemaking, cooking, cycling, and playing complex board games
Emily Virgil
Experienced entrepreneur and people strategy consultant specializing in research, startup advisory, and executive facilitation
Emily is a long-time entrepreneur, startup founder, and small business advocate with broad experience in food and beverage, production design, government, and non-profit management. Emily is known for her ability solve problems with systems thinking, and her deep commitment to identifying root causes of organizational pain by dint of her remarkable primary research skills. Over the past decade she has also grown her own business, Trail Marker Wine Co., and has helped other premium wineries develop winning growth strategies. Emily has an MBA from UCLA Anderson with a focus on Social Impact and Sustainability.
Companies I’ve made better:
IATSE, Global Maritime Forum, Nourish LA
Current location:
Healdsburg, California
Beyond BOxD:
Winemaking, cooking, cycling, and playing complex board games
Grace Nakar
Companies I’ve made better:
Wells Fargo, BWP, Splunk
Current location:
Maricopa, Arizona
Beyond BOxD:
Gardening, Zumba, water aerobics, singing in the chorale with my husband
Grace Nakar
Organizational development and HR leader specializing in JEDI consulting, talent development, and change management
Grace is a recognized HR leader who thrives on collaborative innovation. She has led numerous change initiatives to elevate organization-wide talent development in high tech and financial services companies, in both the US and Asia. Grace’s uses a “bridgehead” approach to organizational transformation, which introduces systemic change in a target area where the desired change can gain a secure foothold before spreading more widely. She is passionate about partnering with organizations that want to match DEI intentions with actions and impact. Grace holds an MA in Organizational Development & Leadership from Fielding Graduate University with research on the intersection of DEI and adult stages of meaning making.
Companies I’ve made better:
Wells Fargo, BWP, Splunk
Current location:
Maricopa, Arizona
Beyond BOxD:
Gardening, Zumba, water aerobics, singing in the chorale with my husband
Jenine Smith Jenkins
Companies I’ve made better:
Target, LaunchDarkly, PRIDE Industries, BWP
Current location:
Sacramento, California
Beyond BOxD:
I am raising a dinosaur expert and an up-and-coming performance artist
Jenine Smith Jenkins
Organizational effectiveness and HR practitioner specializing in executive facilitation, leader development, and JEDI consulting
Jenine is a decorated organizational effectiveness consultant with broad experience in HR and a special passion for leader development as well as justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. She has worked with family-owned businesses, non-profits and Fortune 100 companies, always with the mission of connecting women from diverse backgrounds with opportunity and a sense of belonging. Jenine’s approachable style, deep HR expertise, and keen understanding of human nature allow her to connect authentically with teams and leaders to improve organizational outcomes. Jenine has a coaching certification from both UC Davis and the International Coaching Federation.
Companies I’ve made better:
Target, LaunchDarkly, PRIDE Industries, BWP
Current location:
Sacramento, California
Beyond BOxD:
I am raising a dinosaur expert and an up-and-coming performance artist
Jennifer Green
Companies I’ve made better:
Keller Williams, Raley’s
Current location:
Placerville, California
Beyond BOxD:
Horseback riding
Jennifer Green
Organizational development expert specializing in total rewards, strategic workforce planning, and change management
Jennifer is a seasoned organizational development practitioner with over 20 years of deep experience in compensation, benefits, engagement and organizational transformation. She is known for her ability to design rewards systems that drive desired behaviors and high performance. Her career has spanned small to mid-size public and pre-IPO companies to Fortune 50 companies in the high tech, life sciences, and health insurance industries. Jennifer’s flexible, holistic, and people-first approach means that she has a special talent for leading clients through the change process, from preparation to sustainable implementation.
Companies I’ve made better:
Keller Williams, Raley’s
Current location:
Placerville, California
Beyond BOxD:
Horseback riding
Mark Leung
Companies I’ve made better:
Splunk, DesignWorks
Current location:
Toronto, Ontario
Beyond BOxD:
Outdoors, adventure travel
Mark Leung
Strategic innovation expert specializing in human-centered design, executive facilitation and leadership development
Mark is a corporate innovation practitioner who specializes in business design, strategy, and leadership development. He works with organizations to develop their internal innovation capabilities and catalyze new growth opportunities. Mark brings his engineering, business, and human-centered design expertise to every project. He is passionate about empowering individuals with innovation agency and helping organizations transform to win in their markets. As the former director of DesignWorks, the Business Design Lab at the Rotman School of Management, he taught thousands of business leaders how to innovate by design. Mark has an MBA from the University of Toronto with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Strategy.
Companies I’ve made better:
Splunk, DesignWorks
Current location:
Toronto, Ontario
Beyond BOxD:
Outdoors, adventure travel
Martin Jessen
Companies I’ve made better:
IBM, Schneider Electric, Myovant, BWP, Sanofi
Current location:
San Francisco, California
Beyond BOxD:
Surfing when the waves are not too big, engaging my teen daughters in dialogue.
Martin Jessen
Empty heading
Strategic HR expert specializing in workforce planning, people analytics, talent development, and organization design
Martin is an international HR leader with a proven track record of aligning business transformations, developing successful leaders, building effective teams, and shaping culture. His previous experience as an HR Business Partner and functional leader in companies like IBM and Schneider Electric have taken him to Germany, Denmark, England, France, and the United States.
Martin is passionate about enabling HR teams to build strategic capabilities so that they can drive innovative and impactful solutions globally. He has an MBA from Copenhagen Business School with a focus on HR.
Companies I’ve made better:
IBM, Schneider Electric, Myovant, BWP, Sanofi
Current location:
San Francisco, California
Beyond BOxD:
Surfing when the waves are not too big, engaging my teen daughters in dialogue, inviting myself over to Danoosh’s for croissants
Marty Jordan
Companies I’ve made better:
Blue Cross, Disney, Genentech, McKesson, Splunk, AAA
Current location:
San Mateo, California
Beyond BOxD:
Climate activist, outdoor enthusiast and yogi wanna-be
Marty Jordan
Organizational effectiveness expert specializing in organization design, people strategy, and change management
Marty is an accomplished and versatile senior leader with broad experience across a variety of industries and business functions. Her long career has been dedicated to creating productive workplaces where people are challenged, engaged, and encouraged to bring their best selves to work every day. Marty is known for her ability to envision and implement practical solutions to strategic business issues, and is as comfortable collaborating with a C-level executive as she is with first-line supervisors or frontline staff. She holds a masters degree in Organizational Development from Pepperdine University.
Companies I’ve made better:
Blue Cross, Disney, Genentech, McKesson, Splunk, AAA
Current location:
San Mateo, California
Beyond BOxD:
Climate activist, outdoor enthusiast and yogi wanna-be
Marybeth Gallagher
Companies I’ve made better:
Flatiron Construction, U.S. Steel, CHRA (Colorado Human Resources Assoc.
Current location:
Denver, CO
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, Nature, Yoga, Volleyball Coach
Marybeth Gallagher
Organizational effectiveness expert specializing in organization design, people strategy, and change management
Marybeth brings 20+ years’ of lived hands-on organizational design, leadership development, and talent management experience, He passion is to work with organizations to align their business and people & culture strategies and operationalize them. Having worked in global, for-profit organizations holding roles of increasing responsibility including C-Suite experience, Marybeth is able to work at all levels and bring thought-leadership and practical solutions.
Marybeth’s areas of expertise include Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Building Cohesive Teams, Leadership Development & Coaching, Change Management and Change Leadership Expertise
Marybeth holds an MBA and BA in Organizational Communications from Xavier University, a Certificate in Organizational Effectiveness from USC Marshall School of Business, and certifications in Integral Coaching and Enneagram Coaching, both recognized through the International Coaching Federation.
Companies I’ve made better:
Flatiron Construction, U.S. Steel, CHRA (Colorado Human Resources Assoc.
Current location:
Denver, CO
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, Nature, Yoga, Volleyball Coach.
Megan Elaine Hundley, Psy.D
Companies I’ve made better:
Cisco, Cultivate Consulting, Clemson, California State University System, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Hire Heroes, American Kennel Club
Current location:
Manchester, TN
Beyond BOxD:
Loves improv comedy, trains and shows nationally ranked competition obedience, tracking and scentwork dogs. She also loves to travel by air, land and sea.
Megan Elaine Hundley, Psy.D
Leadership development expert, executive and team coach.
Megan is passionate about making leaders, teams, and all people better both at work and in their personal lives. She’s been coaching since 2000 focusing on individuals, teams and executives.
Megan has worked with teams in financial services, bio-tech, technology and corporate services industries. Megan’s areas of expertise include conflict management, work and life integration, exploring and embracing choices, career transitions and creating followership.
Megan holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from California Southern University, an MBA in Finance from Thunderbird School of Global Management, an MA in Education from Clemson University focused on Adult Learning and undergraduate degrees in German & Political Science from Furman University.
Companies I’ve made better:
Buckingham Wealth Partners
Current location:
Toronto, Canada
Beyond BOxD:
Trying healthy new recipes, all things fitness, yoga, pilates, and playing “Just Dance” with my kids
Mehreen Khan
Companies I’ve made better:
Buckingham Wealth Partners
Current location:
Toronto, Canada
Beyond BOxD:
Trying healthy new recipes, all things fitness, yoga, pilates, and playing “Just Dance” with my kids
Mehreen Khan
HR and Communications professional specializing in organizational psychology, respect and civility in the workplace, leader development, and JEDI
Mehreen is a talented HR and communications professional with broad experience in the field of human resources. She started her career at Ontario Tech University and Durham Regional Police, where she developed a virtual onboarding program and developed comprehensive people manager resources for leaders. Most recently she has provided her HR expertise to a rapidly growing utility-based company, working closely with their global leadership to shape culture with intention. She is passionate about organizational culture and behavior, and is an experienced speaker and presenter on the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Currently Mehreen is a working toward her second HR graduate certification at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Companies I’ve made better:
Buckingham Wealth Partners
Current location:
Toronto, Canada
Beyond BOxD:
Trying healthy new recipes, all things fitness, yoga, pilates, and playing “Just Dance” with my kids
Melanie Jones
Companies I’ve made better:
BIoMarin, Genentech, Invitae, KIOXIA America, Robert Gregory Partners
Current location:
San Francisco, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Non-profit Founder, Board Member, volunteer with a focus on child development, Travel, Ballet, SF Giants Baseball, Hiking, Skiing. anything outdoors.
Melanie Jones
Learning and organization development and change management expert. Experience in leader development, JEDI & wellbeing programs, facilitation and individual and team coaching.
Melanie has worked in a variety of Fortune 500 companies globally in business-to-business arenas and in the non-profit sector developing leaders. She has worked in industries such as Biotech, Telecom, Education, Health Care, Fashion and Technology. Melanie has served as a coach to senior leaders and teams ensuring their development directly impacts the business while building a healthy culture and facilitated leadership forums that provided a new lens to effectively navigate in the workplace to ensure positive change. Melanie Founded a non-profit for children, called Speak To Children where she traveled the globe teaching children and training teachers how to deliver the program. Melanie earned her MS in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco School of Management. Melanie received her Integral Coaching Certification from New Ventures West. Compassion Cultivation Training from the Stanford School of Medicine, Mediation Competencies Training, Leadership Emotional Intelligence Awareness, Dare to Lead™ Certification • Brené Brown, Facilitating Coaching Circles Certification • Coaching Circles, E-Learning and Instructional Design Certification • Association for Talent Development (ATD)
Companies I’ve made better:
Buckingham Wealth Partners
Current location:
Toronto, Canada
Beyond BOxD:
Trying healthy new recipes, all things fitness, yoga, pilates, and playing “Just Dance” with my kids
Peiman Amoukhteh
Companies I’ve made better:
HPE, Microsoft, NetApp, VMware, Seagate, BWP
Current location:
Laguna Niguel, California
Beyond BOxD:
Cooking and wine enthusiast
Peiman Amoukhteh
Data scientist with over 20 years of experience specializing in big data analytics, research and discovery
Peiman is a decorated data scientist with over 20 years of experience using predictive modeling, data mining, simulation development, and data visualization to solve complex business problems for leading high technology companies. He started his career as a reliability and quality engineer for Solectron (now Flextronics), and later became the head of their Advanced Technology Group. He also held senior executive roles at Qtron Corp. and Comtel Electronics, and later founded a quality management software company, S2i2. Peiman holds a master’s degree in Physics and has also been awarded SBA Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern California.
Companies I’ve made better:
HPE, Microsoft, NetApp, VMware, Seagate, BWP
Current location:
Laguna Niguel, California
Beyond BOxD:
Cooking and wine enthusiast
Renee Niemi
Companies I’ve made better:
Logitech, Google, Santa Clara University, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship,Columbia University
Current location:
Almaden Valley of San Jose, CA
Beyond BOxD:
Family, golf, writing a cookbook
Renee Niemi
Expert in creating high performing teams that operate at the intersection of both business and innovation.
Renee earned a reputation for fixing and growing businesses by delivering amazing products and customer experiences for some of the best companies in technology, such as Plantronics, Google, and Logitech. She is one of the first-ever Chief Product Officers and is known for creating and building high-performing teams that deliver results.
She served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Logitech’s Smart Home Division; General Manager and Global Director for Google’s Chrome and Android for Work and Education, and Plantronics’ Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer. Renee also held executive positions at Danger, Inc., Visto Corp. and Xircom.
Renee currently chairs the Santa Clara University School of Engineering Advisory Board and holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School and a Venture Partner at Mighty Capital.
Companies I’ve made better:
HPE, Microsoft, NetApp, VMware, Seagate, BWP
Current location:
Laguna Niguel, California
Beyond BOxD:
Cooking and wine enthusiast
Sabeena Ghazi
Companies I’ve made better:
Logitech, Google, Santa Clara University, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship,Columbia University
Current location:
Chicago, IL
Beyond BOxD:
An avid traveller, loves classic art, loves to hike, cook & host family gatherings.
Sabeena Ghazi
Organizational effectiveness consultant with over 20 + years of experience, specializing in improving team cohesiveness, workflow processes through equitable practices, coaching and leadership development.
Sabeena is a results-driven and solution-focused consultant. She has 20+ years of successfully delivering exceptional results by forging strong partnerships to achieve growth targets, build high-performance teams, and optimize customer success and initiatives across organizations.
Sabeena is adept at developing and executing comprehensive strategies to enhance sales processes and revenue streams. She is also skilled in stakeholder oversight, change management, and talent development and is proficient in utilizing expertise in change management to revitalize declining businesses into profitable enterprises. Sabeena is committed to fostering an inclusive culture and achieving outstanding outcomes for clients through personalized coaching and leader mentorship.
Sabeena brings a strong skills set which includes analytical approaches, keen problem-solving abilities, focused communication and interpersonal skills. She’s a fan of change management frameworks, such as Adkar, Kotter’s 8, and Lewin’s CAT’s while customizing solutions to precisely address the unique requirements of clients and situations.
Companies I’ve made better:
Logitech, Google, Santa Clara University, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship,Columbia University
Current location:
Chicago, IL
Beyond BOxD:
An avid traveller, loves classic art, loves to hike, cook & host family gatherings.
Seema Gururaj
Companies I’ve made better:
Intuit, Microsoft, Twilio, Roche Diagnostics, Dell EMC, Equinix
Current location:
Mountain View, California
Beyond BOxD:
Watching the Amazing Race and K-Dramas
Seema Gururaj
Organizational effectiveness expert specializing in JEDI consulting, leadership development, and change management
Seema is a decorated executive who is passionate about reshaping the future of the workplace through the lens of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. A technologist by training, she brings over 20 years of unique experience building inclusive workplace cultures and contributing to global gender equity. Seema has deep expertise in launching new programs, building new ventures from the ground up, and scaling initiatives. Her original leadership training content empowers leaders to use inclusive frameworks that foster ethical and equitable organizations. Seema is a frequent media contributor and is the co-author of the recently published book, Amplify! Expert Insights on Growing Your Presence, Influence, and Recognition in the Tech Industry. She holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from Syracuse University.
Companies I’ve made better:
Intuit, Microsoft, Twilio, Roche Diagnostics, Dell EMC, Equinix
Current location:
Mountain View, California
Beyond BOxD:
Watching the Amazing Race and K-Dramas
Tekla Hoehn
Companies I’ve made better:
Adobe, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. Government
Current location:
Portland, Oregon
Beyond BOxD:
Coffee, camping, and karaoke
Tekla Hoehn
Communications expert specializing in content design, organizational transformation, and leadership training
Tekla has more than 20 years of experience leading complex, global projects for high profile organizations. A versatile communications professional, she balances strategic perspective with a practical, people-centered approach to transform the way organizations develop leaders. Tekla has proven success with a wide range of clients from charitable foundations to government, software, finance, and healthcare. She is a strong team influencer known for her creativity, exceptional standards, and positive, collaborative style. Tekla uses simple, human language to build strong, connected, and empathetic campaigns. She has a History degree and Secondary Teaching Certificate from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Companies I’ve made better:
Adobe, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Current location:
Portland, Oregon
Beyond BOxD:
Skiing, swimming
Tim Shea
Companies I’ve made better:
GE, Honeywell, Lockheed, Invensys
Current location:
New York, New York
Beyond BOxD:
Fixing things, working with stone, singing opera
Tim Shea
Facilitation expert with over 20 years of experience specializing in leadership training and organizational development
Over the past few decades, Tim’s mission has been to amplify the inherent greatness in people. He has worked globally with thousands of Fortune 500 leaders from the C-suite to the factory floor, helping them create breakthroughs in mindset and performance. Tim’s engaging approach enables his clients to explore the boundaries of their comfort zone toward self-discovery. He has worked extensively in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, finance, government and military, technology, professional services, insurance, and manufacturing. Tim holds an MA in Theater from Rutgers University and has certifications in Organization Design, Emotional Intelligence, Executive Coaching, Positive Psychology, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
Companies I’ve made better:
GE, Honeywell, Lockheed, Invensys
Current location:
New York, New York
Beyond BOxD:
Fixing things, working with stone, singing opera
Zachary Burns
Companies I’ve made better:
BWP, University of San Francisco
Current location:
Chicago, Illinois
Beyond BOxD:
Puzzles, discovering new music
Zachary Burns
Behavioral psychologist specializing in organizational development, team effectiveness, and managerial decision making
Zach works at the intersection of psychology and business to drive positive transformations for leaders, teams and organizations. He leverages expertise on human cognition to help organizations bridge the gap between ideal and actual behaviors, guiding leaders to shape culture with intention. Zach currently teaches at the University of San Francisco School of Management and previously taught at Kellogg School of Management. His research has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Journal of Experimental Psychology, and has appeared in The New York Times, Slate, Hidden Brain, and MTV. Zach has an MBA and PhD from Booth School of Business in Managerial and Organizational Behavior.
Companies I’ve made better:
BWP, University of San Francisco
Current location:
Chicago, Illinois
Beyond BOxD:
Puzzles, discovering new music
Zahra Abdullah
Companies I’ve made better:
McKinsey, BetterUp, Hazel & Collins Associates, Sanofi
Current location:
Mississauga, Ontario
Beyond BOxD:
Coaching leaders on managing change, career transitions, and inclusive leadership
Zahra Abdullah
Global change management expert specializing in organization design, leader development, and JEDI consulting
Zahra is an accomplished leader with over 18 years of global experience as a change management advisor at top consulting firms like McKinsey & Co. She is adept at navigating complex cultural differences, and was notably the first woman to become an associate partner at Elixir, a McKinsey-owned Saudi consultancy. Zahra brings a depth of insight into managing multicultural task forces, and has successfully led national transformation programs across various sectors including healthcare, education, financial, non-profits, and government services. Her life’s work is to help leaders and their teams embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Zahra holds an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School, and is also an ICF certified executive coach.
Companies I’ve made better:
McKinsey, BetterUp, Hazel & Collins Associates, Sanofi
Current location:
Mississauga, Ontario
Beyond BOxD:
Coaching leaders on managing change, career transitions, and inclusive leadership
Ann Gillian Galban
Companies I’ve made better:
Triple J Guam, Attivo Partners LLC, Scrubbed.Net LLC
Current location:
Pampanga, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Family, travel, binge watching, food trips
Ann Gillian Galban
Financial Operations Consultant
Administrative professional specializing in bookkeeping and accounting services
Ann is an accomplished CPA who has been supporting a diverse range of clients remotely for nearly 10 years. She has worked with a companies large and small supporting CFOs, solopreneurs, large companies, and most recently an accounting firm in San Francisco where she worked with venture capital funded startup clients to keep their business operations running smoothly. Ann is passionate about helping her clients optimize their financial processes so that the leaders she supports can focus on business and growth.
Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Holy Angel University, one of the largest schools in the central region of Luzon, Philippines.
Companies I’ve made better:
Triple J Guam, Attivo Partners LLC, Scrubbed.Net LLC
Current location:
Pampanga, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Family, travel, binge watching, food trips
Barb Anthony
Companies I’ve made better:
SAS Institute, Towers Watson
Current location:
Raleigh, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
I enjoy motorcycle trips and playing pickleball (a combo of ping-pong, tennis and badminton)
Barb Anthony
Marketing Director
Organizational Effectiveness and Development expert with over 30 years of experience in marketing and management
Barb has enjoyed a long and diverse career as a marketer, coach, mentor, and trainer. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping individuals and teams forge a path between where they are and where they want to be. Her nickname is “feedback whisperer,” since candid communication is one of her core values. Her achievements include standing up a first-ever marketing enablement program, leadership coaching, and career mentoring. Barb holds training certifications with Crucial Learning (Crucial Conversations) and TalentSmartEQ (Mastering Emotional Intelligence), and is an accredited business coach via FLOW Coaching Institute.
Companies I’ve made better:
SAS Institute, Towers Watson
Current location:
Raleigh, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
I enjoy motorcycle trips and playing pickleball (a combo of ping-pong, tennis and badminton)
Chidima Okorie
Companies I’ve made better:
BLCK VC, Northwestern University
Current location:
Chicago, IL
Beyond BOxD:
Avid runner, loves sewing and travelling internationally
Chidima Okorie
Program Manager
Results-driven program management professional with a wealth of experience in strategic implementation to drive organizational growth and achieve business goals.
Chidima Okorie is a program management professional, adept at strategic implementation and aligning program goals with organizational objectives. Her expertise in project management, collaboration, and communication significantly boosts team performance and process efficiency. With a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a PMP® certification, Chidima combines deep analytical insights with solid project management skills, making her a pivotal asset in achieving targeted business outcomes.
Companies I’ve made better:
BLCK VC, Northwestern University
Current location:
Chicago, IL
Beyond BOxD:
Avid runner, loves sewing and travelling internationally
Glaiza Reogo
Companies I’ve made better:
Empowereign, Beauty Elements Ventures
Current location:
Laguna, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
I love calatheas and scented candles
Glaiza Reogo
Systems and Data Manager
Information systems expert specializing in strategic operations, data architecture, and process implementation
Glaiza has worn many hats since she joined BOxD, including project manager, administrative wizard, and a general tamer of moving parts. Her current role at BOxD is to keep our internal systems running smoothly and our information architecture organized and up to date. Glaiza’s career has been dedicated to providing operational support to coaches and consultants who embody authentic leadership and manage others with heart. Glaiza has both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines.
Companies I’ve made better:
Empowereign, Beauty Elements Ventures
Current location:
Laguna, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
I love calatheas and scented candles
Julev Ajeto
Companies I’ve made better:
Evolve Branding Ltd., Rainfactory Inc.
Current location:
Caraga, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Love to try and experiment a lot of codes from Github repositories. Playing Street Basketball is one of my favorite past time.
Julev Ajeto
Senior Web Developer & Designer
Website designer specializing in brand marketing, graphic design, web development, and SEO
Julev is a well-rounded web developer and web designer who is passionate about elevating the great user experience for others. He designs, develops, and builds web applications with a focus on creating intuitive interfaces which are meaningful to users. Julev also believes that great design results when understanding the needs of users, their goals, and their journey through the interface. Julev has designed and developed personal blogs, e-commerce websites, small businesses, local organizations and non-profits. Julev is committed to meeting and exceeding expectations through consistent communication and professional work ethics.
Companies I’ve made better:
Evolve Branding Ltd., Rainfactory Inc.
Current location:
Caraga, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Love to try and experiment a lot of codes from Github repositories. Playing Street Basketball is one of my favorite past time.
Ken Bland
Companies I’ve made better:
SAS Institute, Sanofi
Current location:
Garner, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
Acapella singing, broadcasting, SPCA volunteering
Ken Bland
Program Manager
Project manager with over 30 years of experience specializing in event design and executive facilitation
Ken has spent over three decades as a program manager and team leader in the software industry. He has led and designed both small strategic executive events and large multi-million dollar conferences. Ken has served clients from a wide range of industries, domestic and international. His core expertise lies in taking concepts and building plans to convert vision into reality. Ken’s passion is centered around making a difference in the lives of young people. He actively holds several leadership roles with youth-based organizations that focus on leadership development and historically underserved children.
Companies I’ve made better:
SAS Institute, Sanofi
Current location:
Garner, North Carolina
Beyond BOxD:
Acapella singing, broadcasting, SPCA volunteering
Lina Martinez
Companies I’ve made better:
Shapiro Negotiations Institute, GlobalTranz
Current location:
Columbia
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, animal community service, reading, long walks, and a big foodie!
Lina Martinez
Assistant to the CEO and VP of Growth & Enablement
An innovative Executive Administrator adept in marketing and lead generation strategies
A dedicated professional, holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business. With a passion for aiding company growth through innovative strategies, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. As an Executive Administrator, she seamlessly integrates her expertise in marketing and lead generation, consistently driving impactful results. Lina’s proactive approach and keen eye for innovation distinguish her in her field, allowing her to effectively navigate complex challenges and deliver exceptional outcomes. With a commitment to professionalism and excellence, she continues to make significant contributions to the success and advancement of the organizations she joins.
Companies I’ve made better:
Shapiro Negotiations Institute, GlobalTranz
Current location:
Columbia
Beyond BOxD:
Travel, animal community service, reading, long walks, and a big foodie!
Malvin Esguerra
Companies I’ve made better:
Analog Devices, Bayer, Vizcarra Pharmaceuticals
Current location:
Manila, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Exploring the city on my bike, basketball and video game geek, DJing and scratching
Malvin Esguerra
Designer
Creative design expert specializing in video animation, print and digital media, and professional business reports
Malvin is a well-rounded creative design leader with over 15 years of experience helping companies elevate their branding and presentation. Malvin works collaboratively with clients to arrive at a shared design language so that they can envision and implement an ideal future state together. His work sits at the intersection of humans and technology, and his passion is to design innovative strategies to solve complex business challenges. Malvin has earned a Lean Six Sigma Yellow belt, which means he is able to combine multimedia design expertise, creative direction, and operational strategy to help his clients build a competitive advantage.
Companies I’ve made better:
Analog Devices, Bayer, Vizcarra Pharmaceuticals
Current location:
Manila, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Exploring the city on my bike, basketball and video game geek, DJing and scratching
Mark Delgado
Companies I’ve made better:
Bayer, Armscor Global
Current location:
Manila, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Outdoor fitness, NFTs
Mark Delgado
Designer
Visual design expert specializing in graphic design, art direction, and gamification
Mark is a visual designer and 3D artist with nearly a decade of experience in graphic design, art direction, and gamification. He has extensive experience consulting for the video game industry, where he has planned and executed strategic design initiatives that elevate successful marketing campaigns. His work has supported a diverse range of companies in the healthcare, professional services, tech, e-commerce and logistics industries. Mark has a degree in Computer Science with a focus on Game Design and Development.
Companies I’ve made better:
Bayer, Armscor Global
Current location:
Manila, Philippines
Beyond BOxD:
Outdoor fitness, NFTs
Rebecca Sinel
Companies I’ve made better:
The Walters Art Museum, Shapiro Negotiations Institute
Current location:
Baltimore, Maryland
Beyond BOxD:
Skiing, tennis, travel to new places
Rebecca Sinel
Program Manager
An experienced program manager, collaborative leader, and educator with nearly 20 years of experience.
Rebecca brings her skills in project management, change management, process improvement, and strategic planning to her work with clients. She focuses on improving efficiency, communication, and collaboration to plan and execute successful projects. As the Manager of Family Programs at Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, she led, trained, and mentored a team of educators that served 30,000 children and adults annually. Rebecca collaborated with numerous community partners and arts organizations to provide art activities to 10,000 children during the COVID pandemic.
Rebecca has held a variety of volunteer roles, and is currently an Ambassador for Baltimore Hunger Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating weekend childhood hunger. Rebecca received a B.A. in Art History and certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.S.Ed. in Leadership in Museum Education from Bank Street College. She completed the Bowe Fellowship in Global Business at the World Trade Center Institute and the monday.com work management certification.
Companies I’ve made better:
The Walters Art Museum, Shapiro Negotiations Institute
Current location:
Baltimore, Maryland
Beyond BOxD:
Skiing, tennis, travel to new places
To create long-lasting change,
it must be systemically driven and
created for everyone.
Companies rooted in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), where all people are welcomed and feel included, are the ones who outperform competitors and thrive. On every project we touch, we apply a JEDI lens to ensure we’re truly building comprehensive and sustainable systems that allow change to take root and flourish.
What is JEDI?
Justice
and systems that create
inequality
Equity
solutions for the people
experiencing unequal
access to opportunities
Diversity
acknowledging the full
range of differences
Inclusion
for all and creating
a sense of belonging
We’re driven by the idea that
work
should make people’s lives
richer
and improve their
well-being.
We believe work should be fun.
We’re driven by the idea that work
should make people’s lives richer
and improve their well-being.
We believe work should be fun.
Working with BOxD is different than your typical firm.
People First
of your people are front and
center as we face challenges
and chart the course to
success.
Independence Focused
you, not to be a crutch. We
design solutions that allow you
to be successful far after our
work is done.
Cost Efficient
Your hard-earned money is used
on what matters most: the right
team of experts that
complement and support your
company’s unique journey.
Explore our thinking.
The Myth of Leadership Styles: Leading with Compassion and Adaptability
Have you ever wondered if there's one "right" way to lead? I’m sure you’ve read many think pieces on the “best” leadership styles, from the authoritarian to the collaborative. While these frameworks can offer valuable insights, it's crucial to remember that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all game. You must adapt your leadership style based on the situation.
New Beginnings: How We Grow and Change Together
When it comes to change, stories and narratives play a starring role in the success of the change. As leaders we have to be more than the decision makers of the change; we have to be storytellers who enable our people to see what's possible and how we'll get there together. This article outlines the 4 critical steps you should take as leaders to shepherd your people through change.
Decisions, Decisions: Leadership and Making Decisions on High Performing Teams
In the world of high-performing teams, decisions are the fuel that drives progress. But making the right decision isn't just about picking a direction; it’s about charting a course that drives the team towards success. Let’s dig into decision-making and its role in performance, change management, inclusion and equity, and culture.
Ready to Talk Now?