MEET THE MFI TEAM

It can be lonely at the top. And the higher you climb, the lonelier it can become.

You’ve worked so hard to get where you are today. But you might be feeling the stress that comes with enormous responsibility. It can be hard to find someone you trust. Pressure is high. The potential for failure is high. Some days it might feel like it’s too much. 

I get it. Let me be your sounding board.

Every executive needs a loyal, trusted partner. To uncover the blindspots. To help you see more strategically. To help you act more boldly.

Dean Newlund is the founder and CEO of Mission Facilitators International (MFI), a boutique training and development firm based out of Phoenix, Arizona, with the sole purpose of helping organizations become more connected to their purpose and their people.

Founded in 1992, MFI is home to more than a dozen professional coaches, trainers, and strategic planning facilitators. Unlike most other firms where consultants work with their clients, MFI members work as a team in facilitating growth for leaders and organizations.

Today, Mission Facilitators is a respected company, having worked with scores of Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and family-owned companies nationally and in 19 countries. Grounded in age-old wisdom, modern-day learning models, neuroscience, business acumen, and organizational development, their approach has helped companies increase sales, engagement, create high-performing teams, and cultivate leaders.

He has trained and facilitated teams in China, the UK, South America, the Middle East, India, Eastern Europe, and Indonesia. For years he had a weekly column on leadership at the Arizona Republic Newspaper. He’s authored dozens of articles and white papers and has presented on the TEDx stage in Bend, Oregon, in 2019. And he also has a popular podcast called The Business of Intuition.

Dean is grounded in these beliefs: that when we understand our purpose, acknowledge our truth, honor our intuition and forge real connections with others, we all have the power to transform our lives and the workplace. As each person cultivates new mindsets and new skills, the fabric of our society is gradually repaired.

Have you ever felt paralyzed by data analysis and the varying potential outcomes of any big decision? You must take decisive action, but lack the conviction you need to move forward with confidence and clarity. So you wait. You collect more data. You think of additional outcomes, both good and bad. Time passes. Your team waits with you.

There is a cost to inaction. 

Honing in on your intuitive decision-making skills can be a gamechanger. In fact, today’s strongest leaders all exercise their intuition regularly.

Joanne’s approach matches McKinsey and Company’s 10-year global study of senior knowledge workers that found employees who spend the most time trusting their intuition and experiencing the creative state of “flow” are up to five times more effective than their counterparts.

With advanced training in executive coaching, emotional intelligence, Joanne has worked with Microsoft, Boeing, Parker Aerospace, San Marco Unified School District, ExxonMobil, HonorHealth, Salt River Project, and Geiger-Cribbins.

Joanne has traveled worldwide and led or owned companies in healthcare, design, and home construction. She spends most of her time now in Bend, Oregon, or Phoenix, Arizona.

No one teaches us how to become a VP or SVP or CEO. It doesn’t matter how you got there, everyone fumbles through the first year to find their way, rewrite their brand, and fine tune their interpersonal relationships.

When things get tough, and they will, a growth mindset and laser-focused clarity on who you are is essential.

Manon brings thirty years’ experience as a psychotherapist and fifteen years as a coach to her clients. She specializes in working with the emotions and behaviors of individuals, leaders, teams and workplace cultures. She uses the fundamentals of Neuropsychology, Brief Solution Focused Coaching, and Cognitive Behavioral Coaching to assist individuals to create new perspectives to a problem and expand their problem-solving abilities.

As a coach, Manon is committed to working with individuals, leaders, groups and teams who seek to build trust, overcome communication barriers and enhance performance. She also assists them to increase team commitment and accountability, pay attention to results, and execute change. Her coaching strategies include the use of various assessment tools to increase personal self-awareness and self-knowledge.

She also has extensive experience in the field of Critical Incident Stress Management and trauma recovery. She has worked with many individuals and corporations where life-threatening situations such as workplace mishaps, accidental death, and armed robberies had occurred. In 1998, she was involved in supporting the search and rescue personnel of the Canadian Coast Guard during the Swissair disaster operation, and in 2001 witnesses/survivors to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Through these experiences, Manon has learned to support leaders as they face unusual levels of stress and crisis both in their businesses and their lives. As a facilitator, Manon has developed curriculum and delivered training programs for coaches and an online assessment tool to determine coaching capacity in clients. Manon holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Coaching from the International University of Professional Studies in Hawaii. She is a Certified Psychotherapist, a Certified Professional Coach with the International Coach Federation, a Board-Certified Coach from the Center for Credentialing and Education, and a Certified Career Management Coach from the Career Coach Academy. In addition, Manon is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Relational Life Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and BSFT (Brief Solution-Focused Therapy).

Manon currently resides in Ontario, Canada.

Have you ever solved a problem with your team, only to experience the same issue just a few months later? 

You’ve spent time and resources addressing and curing the symptom. Meetings, emails, plus investments in consultants and new systems.

But you’re right back to where you started. 

It’s time to reframe and solve your team’s most persistent problems.

By addressing your team’s root problems, whether it be fear of rejection, imposter syndrome, vulnerability and trust, or the debilitating unknowns, I will help you find:

Relief. It can be solved. 

Excitement. What we do together is dynamic.

Momentum. You will have the tools you need to move forward.

Bringing over 20 years of experience as a coach, educator, and facilitator, Chris Larson, VP of Client Learning and Development for Mission Facilitators International, works with organizations to provide customized engagements that elevate their leaders’ and teams’ capacities to create meaningful impact. Chris’s specialty is with STEM industry professionals. He has worked with hundreds of teams and individuals through partnerships with over 140 organizations in the high-tech, chemical, bioscience, healthcare, academic, and government sectors.

Chris is a skilled and knowledgeable facilitator with real-world experience. Leveraging his background in talent management, social cognitive neuroscience, leadership development, and adult learning, he takes an integrated approach to help clients.

Chris began his career as an industrial research and development chemist, held director-level positions in two research universities, and holds a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Oregon. He has dedicated the past 15 years to examining and facilitating leadership and professional development and holds a certificate in neuroscience from the NeuroLeadership Institute.

Change is not usually comfortable. Having an objective partner who listens, provides new insight, and moves you forward, is valuable in creating change.

Many coaches work exclusively on a linear level, and the results may not be long-lasting. 

Let’s shift your perspective by challenging your beliefs and assumptions, for sustainable change and growth.

Susan Klein has been coaching and training executives and leaders for over 32 years. She was one of the first 20 coaches in the world to be awarded the Master Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. Susan calls on her extensive background in sales and sales management, having worked in broadcasting and advertising as a sales executive and regional sales manager.

Susan works with executives, managers, business owners, and physician leaders, to deepen their leadership competencies in a thought-provoking process that supports them in achieving their organization and personal goals with sustainable, high-impact results.

Susan is also an adjunct professor at Nova Southeast University, University of Miami and University of Texas/Dallas, where she teaches Coaching Competencies, Coaching Skills for Leaders and Emotional Intelligence in the workplace- with a coach approach.

Todd’s years of practice as a counselor and coach have provided expertise in facilitating change from an empowering and affirming stance. These divergent professional identities are linked by his creative approach to facilitation and leadership, informed by his training in design thinking and his experience in developing coursework and award-winning programs that have provided effective service for thousands of individuals. Todd believes in maximizing one’s life experience and creating workplaces that foster employee engagement, yielding greater productivity and fulfillment.

As a licensed professional counselor, Todd training and licensure enable him to utilize a variety of assessment instruments that may offer clients additional insights and perspectives. Todd has leveraged his skill set beyond the standard scope of counseling practice to better facilitate enhanced human functioning. His approach to individual and group work as a coach is fundamentally empowering, grounded in Motivational Interviewing, solution-focused modalities, and positive psychology, which helps clients identify and build upon their values and strengths.

Todd’s original research involves studies on motivation, well-being and goal accomplishment. He has developed and facilitated undergraduate and graduate courses in addition to training programs for professional continuing education and paraprofessional audiences. He has also designed multiple coaching initiatives, training hundreds of coaches into programs where they currently serve thousands of clients annually.

Todd holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University. He is a licensed professional counselor with training in assessment, wellness counseling, personality testing, human development, adult learning, and motivational theory. He currently resides in Corvallis, OR.

Melissa oversees all operational functions at Mission Facilitators  including finance, project management and process improvement. She has extensive experience developing and implementing operational processes across multiple disciplines, including marketing, administrative support, accounting, human resources, and real estate sales.

Melissa is a quality-focused professional with solid interpersonal skills who can communicate and contribute as a team player and interface with professionals on all levels. She is a highly motivated, passionate, analytical, articulate, and high-level communicator.

Jane’s career as a business and leadership development coach is a natural evolution of 25 years’ experience in sales, operations, marketing, and management. In her first career as CEO and owner of a $5M Corporate Travel Management company, she intimately experienced the multitude of challenges in the lives of people in leadership positions. During this time, her personal accomplishments included negotiating and implementing buy-out/merger of several smaller agencies for 35% increase in profits, developing two international wholesale operations for specialty markets, being founder and first President of Houston Executive Women In Travel, and acknowledged in the top ten list of Travel Agencies for three years by the Houston Business Journal.

Jane is a graduate of Coach University, the premier training and development organization in the coaching profession, is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) from the International Coach Federation and completed her Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science through The Leadership Institute of Seattle, within the track designed for Coaching and Consulting in Organizations. Her undergraduate work was in psychology and business at Memphis State University and the University of Houston.

Additionally, Jane has certifications and delivery expertise in several diagnostic and assessment instruments including Target Training International’s Suite of assessments and the Hogan Leadership Suite.

In addition to executive coaching, her professional experience includes developing global diversity & inclusion organizational strategies, as well as designing and teaching a variety of leadership programs in global mindset, women’s leadership, intercultural competence, virtual team performance, inclusive leadership and diversity – notably gender awareness, generational differences, physical ability, and sexual orientation.

Karine’s coaching and teaching philosophy is inspired by Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Her approach is reflective, pragmatic and action oriented, and she thrives to customize every intervention to her client’s specific needs, style and goals.

She is certified in a number of leadership assessments, namely the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory), the GMI (Global Mindset Inventory) and the LVI (Leadership Versatility Index). She is also certified to deliver the GenderSpeak Workshops (The Heim Group).

Her clients include Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, Apache, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Harley-Davidson, Sara Lee, Essilor, Tyco and Merck. She is a member of Thunderbird Educators Network and Duke Global Learning Resource Network.

A consummate global citizen, Karine is French by passport, has lived in France, England, Spain and The Netherlands, and currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two dogs.

In order to inspire action and build your team, the message you share, whether on a stage or in a boardroom, must have a powerful, focused point of view. Without it, you risk a lost opportunity. 

What is your one big thing? Let’s define it, together.

Joanne offers her clients all the skills and experience she gained in her 20 year career as a marketing and sales executive. She finds her bliss in helping teams and leaders grow, communicate and achieve. She facilitates team building and communications workshops with organizations interested in developing a true competitive advantage. She also works one-on-one with leaders who want to communicate in a way that brings about real change. Some of her recent clients include: Central Oregon Community College, Deschutes Brewery, AmeriCorps VISTA, NAVIS, HydroFlask, TEDxBend and the Deschutes Land Trust.

Joanne graduated from UCLA with an Economics degree and began her career in residential property management. After her next stop in corporate recruiting, she went back to school, earning her MBA from UC Davis, emphasizing marketing and market research. She then landed a position in product development at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. She enjoyed 17 years at Schwab in a variety of positions, most recently as Chief of Staff to the President of Schwab Institutional, and as National Vice President of the Schwab Advisor Network.

Eric has worked with the world’s leading multi-national hospitality chains, and independent lodging consortia. Client projects involve all aspects of the Service-Profit chain with a focus on people delivering exceptional guest experiences to drive bottom-line results by developing their financial and business acumen alongside their practical operational skill set. Successful projects help executive teams partner with C-level executives to deliver owner’s priorities. Past clients include: Disney, Hyatt, Four Seasons, RItz-Carlton, Marriott, IHG, Swiss Leading Hotels, Travel Oregon, 18 Global, Regent Cruise Lines, Evergreen Aviation and several luxury independent properties including members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Leading Hotels of the World.

Eric has travel all over the world and is known to facilitate dynamic, learn-by-doing workshops and consistently get high rating in post workshop surveys.

Drawing on 25 years of leadership experience, Chris remains passionate about developing people and helping them find their purpose and their potential so they will be their best. With encouragement, education, and empowering skills, he provides opportunities for leadership and organizational development

Moving forward and leading with change from the inside out, Chris continues to help various Boards, executives, leaders, and teams. He uses a collaborative approach with companies and people to help them determine their vision and then identify a plan to help them achieve goal-oriented results for their professional and personal lives. His areas of expertise include communication, organizational development, organizational change, succession planning, individual/team coaching, team-building, leadership development, leadership retreats, and recruitment of leadership.

To influence these countless leaders, he uses various skills that include active listening, observing, accountability, integrity, problem-solving, forward-thinking, and motivation. These and more assist in leadership and organizational development that provide needed results for the customer and community.

Chris holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, teaches his passion at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix Arizona and is a speaker-coach in the TEDx community.

Neysa joined Mission Facilitators in 2016 and leads event planning, scheduling and travel. She also advances sales and marketing by supporting and distributing The Business of Intuition Podcast. Neysa’s excellent communication, coordination, and customer service skills are the glue that holds many parts of Mission Facilitators International together.

She also has a background as a licensed Realtor and skills in re-engineering, banking, credit, travel, and contact centers.