Designing Your Life Certified Coaches
MARYLAND
Tom Ward
Recognized life and leadership coach, consultant, and facilitator. HBS-trained former CEO with more than three decades of experience across various industries and organization types – Fortune 500, entrepreneurial, academic, and military. My goal is to help my clients learn and grow - into the people they aspire to be, for themselves, their families, friends and colleagues, and the causes they hold dear. I believe we all have an inner knowing and the wherewithal to find our way. I partner with clients to dream and grow into their dreams.
Tessa W McKenzie
Tessa W. McKenzie is a Life Design Educator for the Social Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and employs her experience in training, nonprofit capacity building, and branding through her private practice (Envisage Vocation Creation). Tessa partners with organizations including the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society (IAES) to promote disease awareness and support warriors of chronic illness through ``resilience`` education. In her spare time, Tessa has taught English to speakers of other languages and is a licensed foster parent.
Setu van Lare-Hodges
As a Career and Life Design Coach at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Setu keeps equity and inclusion at the center of her coaching work with graduate students. She is passionate about empowering her clients to evaluate where they are and what they want to do next. Setu has lived and worked in West and North Africa, Latin America and the United States. In addition to her coaching practice, Setu serves on the Board of the Friends of Rockville Civic Ballet, an organization committed to making the art of ballet accessible to all.
Smiti Nathan
Smiti Nathan is an educator, archaeologist, facilitator, researcher, and parent to an active toddler. The thread in all her work is understanding people - in the past, present, and future - to make an impact. Design justice and equity frameworks are a core component of her practice. In addition, she loves to infuse interdisciplinary research in her work (e.g., sustainability, UX, anthropology, etc.). Her life design practice primarily consists of facilitating workshops for small groups.
Sunny Chen
Sunny leverages her 18-year experience in HR consulting, talent development, and career coaching to empower clients across diverse industries. By optimizing talent strategies and employee engagement and cultivating high-potential individuals for senior leadership, Sunny has established herself in facilitating c-suite communication within top international companies worldwide. Having personally encountered and overcome mid-career challenges, Sunny was inspired to extend her expertise to others seeking professional and personal growth as a career and life consultant, empowering clients with work-life redesign coaching and career development plans. Beyond her corporate engagements, Sunny is a dedicated volunteer coach for the Wedu Women Leadership Program, actively contributing to UNESCO's mission of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Sunny’s unique experience living and working across Asia, the United States, and Africa has enriched her global perspective, enabling her to connect with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and tailor solutions to their specific needs. With a value-driven consulting approach to work-life integration, her insightful eyes can discern the hidden potential in individuals and organizations alike, guiding clients through challenges and achieving their aspirations.
