Career Coaches

Rona Borre is a visionary leader with over 25 years of expertise in the recruitment and human capital industry. As the CEO and Founder of Instant Alliance, she has transformed the firm into a nationally acclaimed powerhouse, recognized for advising global companies on strategic talent acquisition and workforce planning. Under her dynamic leadership, Instant Alliance has consistently delivered elite talent that has fueled transformative growth across diverse industries. Her organization has successfully spearheaded large-scale, enterprise-wide recruiting programs, placing leaders who have been instrumental in driving innovation and shaping the future of their organizations. Rona's unparalleled ability to deliver innovative and impactful staffing solutions has earned her the trust of some of the world’s most influential companies.

Widely regarded as a thought leader in her field, Rona’s insights on workforce strategy and human capital innovation have been featured in leading media outlets, including Crain’s, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, CBS 2 Chicago, and CNN. As a sought-after speaker at industry events, she frequently shares her expertise on recruitment, leadership development, and emerging trends in talent management.

Rona is deeply committed to the advancement of women in business, actively mentoring women leaders through organizations such as the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDNC) and Chicago Innovation, where she fosters leadership potential and professional growth. Alongside her business success, Rona holds influential leadership roles in prestigious organizations like the Economic Club of Chicago, the Young Presidents Organization, and The Chicago Network, where she continues to shape the future of business and talent management.

In recognition of her significant contributions to the industry, Rona was recently honored as the Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine and named an Influential Woman in Business by The Business Ledger. Her passion for empowering women, coupled with her dedication to leadership and innovation in the human capital space, continues to shape the future of talent management.

Jennifer Howell, leadership consultant, international speaker and executive coach, empowers leaders, achievers and teams to elevate their performance and emotional intelligence with customized consulting, coaching and training services. Jennifer's clients have experienced career promotions, dramatic business growth, elevated team performance and greater influence. Jennifer integrates proven business strategies with first-hand expertise that she developed over 25 years working for and with early-stage, growth and Fortune 500 companies, including Accenture, State Street Corporation, Bank of America and the American Heart Association.

Jennifer was named a Top 20 Executive Coach in Dallas (#4) by Influence Digest. She has built masterminds for Fortune 500 executives (CMOs, CIOs, and digital executives), facilitated an award-winning mentor program for 180 professionals and raised millions for charitable causes. She is passionate about helping others succeed, and has mentored leaders for over two decades.

Forbes, Fortune's Broadsheet, Redbook Magazine, Everyday Health, Thrive Global, The Huffington Post, numerous podcasts and two books for professional women have highlighted Jennifer’s expertise. A lifelong learner and certified coach, Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics from Trinity University. She also earned graduate certificates from Cornell University and Southern Methodist University in change management and marketing, respectively. Jennifer will complete a masters in organizational leadership from Concordia University in 2022. Coaching certifications include EQi-2.0, EQ 360, Team Coaching and Group Coaching.

When Jennifer isn't serving her clients, she volunteers her time with 4word as a mentor for professional women. You will also find her exploring Dallas, Texas with friends and her sweet dog, Max.

You can reach Jennifer via her website, Spark-eq.com,, or at jhowell@spark-eq.com. 

Christina is a coach with Blue Door Partners, a company that works with leaders to step into their next level of development. Christina specializes in executive presence, group dynamics, and identifying verbal and nonverbal communication patterns while helping leaders become aware of their impact. Through her more than 15 years of experience in leadership and as a facilitator, she has helped multiple leaders and teams develop skills that support rapid growth. Christina also specializes in group dynamics and leads team building workshops. Christina’s previous experience included leadership roles where she led companies and teams in developing systems that support rapid growth.

Nancy Medoff is a global persuasion and influence expert who teaches professionals how to communicate their value when the stakes are high. More clients, faster promotions, the unicorn job, persuasive presentations, resources or simply help in being recognized for key contributions. Using advanced persuasion principles, Nancy’s keynotes, coaching and workshops have taken her across three continents and combine practical management and authenticity with proven techniques to win the attention of the people who matter and be more powerful in any room. An indoor cycle enthusiast and two-time marathoner, Nancy views life as an ongoing journey to pursue one’s passions and pay it forward. She lives these beliefs every day by empowering women to step into their strengths, own their authenticity and thrive at work. Nancy offers one on one career strategy sessions and can be reached via her website www.athenawise.com, LinkedIn or by scheduling a free clarity call here.

Rear Admiral June Ryan is a motivational speaker, success trainer and coach drawing upon her 35 years of military service, two formal certification in the Success Principles - Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want To Be®, by Jack Canfield, co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul®, and certification as a Barrett Values Centre Consultant®.

Along with other thought-leaders from around the world, she is also a contributing author to the Jack Canfield book “Breakthrough Success” that reached Best Seller status on Amazon (#11 in the Direct Marketing and #72 in the Sales and Selling categories on the day of release). Her chapter, “Energize Your Inner P.O.W.E.R,” will help readers gain similar success in their endeavors.

During her career, Admiral Ryan was a trailblazer, achieving many historical firsts for women – including the first enlisted woman in the Coast Guard to rise to the rank of Rear Admiral.

She served in a wide variety of leadership roles including five command positions; two aboard Coast Guard cutters, three regional units ashore. She served as the Chief of Staff of Coast Guard Pacific Area, an area that encompasses 6 of the 7 continents, 71 countries, and more than 74 million miles of ocean from U. S. Western States to Asia and from the Arctic to Antarctica.

Prior to her retirement in October 2017, June served as the Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District (Great Lakes Region) area of responsibility that spanned 8 states and a 1,500-mile international maritime border.

Rear Admiral Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from the University of South Florida.

Her personal military awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Award, two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legion of Merits, and six Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals among many others.

When not speaking or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband of more than 30 years, their 16-year-old daughter, Aisling and dog Lucy.

You can reach June via her website, juneryan.com.

Courtney A. Seard is an executive coach who has worked with a diverse range of companies and individuals such as professional athletes, entertainers in film and music, and executives at corporate giants such as Microsoft and Zappos. Courtney Courtney is an expert in many fields, such as accelerated business and career development, life transformation, communication, financial freedom, and health and wellness. From a treacherous childhood, to a near fatal biking accident, the story of her life is astounding and inspiring; illustrating how hard work and determination can always overcome great obstacles.

You can reach Courtney via her website, CourtneySeard.com, or at courtney@courtneyseard.com.

Rachel Vandenberg coaches travel, marketing and business leaders and partners with them to activate their leadership competencies and reach PEAK performance. Rachel became a coach after a multi-million dollar expansion of her hotel, restaurant and attractions business and discovering her passion for organizational and leadership development. Her coaching practice is built upon her coaching certification from Coach U and hands on experience as a business owner and travel professional. As a coach, Rachel engages clients with leadership development practices that have been incubated in real-world business and leadership application through her own company. Rachel also sits on the board of her local destination marketing organization and founded a professional development retreat for women in travel. Outside of her career, she is a mom of three and loves to be in the woods on a bike or skis. Learn more at https://www.peakinspiringtransformation.com/why-we-exist.html.

Quendrida loves leadership! She has been in executive retail positions and leading teams for over 24 years. Her experience ranges from Target Corp. as a buyer, a director of loss prevention, and store operations senior director to a regional vice president with Ross Stores. She recently has taken on a new adventure in hospitality and real estate with WeWork as a territory vice president. Quendrida’s passion for people inspired her to launch Quendrida Whitmore Coaching and Consulting. Where, as Coach Quen, she has helped leaders and organizations transform their futures over the last six years. Quendrida has a passion for building great teams that drive excellent results. Additionally, she enjoys helping individuals accomplish personal goals that are life changing. Coach Quen excels in building trust among groups to create a cohesive team along with authentically believing in development for all, including herself. Persistently, she has driven her personal and professional growth. A few examples, she received her master’s in business administration and is a certified coach earning her CPCC from Co-Active Training Institute. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California with a focus on Organizational Change and Leadership.

You can reach Quendrida via her website, CoachQuen.com, or at quendrida@me.com.