Facilitators

President Natalie Anderson is an accomplished strategic executive with expertise in non-profit administration, board relations, compliance, branding, marketing/ public relations and fundraising. Her ability to work with diverse constituencies and motivate performance-driven teams has been instrumental in influencing workplace culture. Anderson has raised millions of dollars in healthcare, higher education, youth development and social services sectors throughout her career. She is an experienced leader whose proficiency in change management led to the sustainability and double-digit growth of several organizations, including the expansion of Daystar for Medically Fragile Infants, Inc. and Camp Stella Maris where she served as Executive Director. Anderson is proficient in master planning and construction management, crisis communications and employee engagement. She has an extensive portfolio of community service as board member and volunteer for a wide variety of organizations including: Flower City Habitat for Humanity, the Advertising Council of Rochester, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, The Children’s Agenda, Webster Comfort Care, POTTs and PANS at HOME and the Upstate New York Caregiving and Respite Coalition. Anderson holds a B.A. in Communication/Journalism from St. John Fisher College, a certificate in Crucial Conversations from VitalWork, and was a member of the Leadership Rochester Class of 2015. She will receive an M.S. in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College in May 2018. Anderson lives in Webster, NY with her husband, Mark and three children. She is an avid foodie, reader and runner.

Bringing 20+ years of experience in meeting facilitation, training, instructional design, coaching, and facilitating creative problem solving processes, Cathi Brese Doebler has a passion for learning. For 15 years, she has been a business consultant based in the Buffalo, NY area, and previously she was the Manager of Performance Development at Fiserv, a trainer at Remarketing Services of America (a subsidiary of Daimler-Chrysler), a trainer for a college, and an instructional designer for the Creative Education Foundation. 

Cathi is certified in the Workplace Big 5 Profile, MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator), CSI (Change Style Indicator), ISI (Influence Style Indicator), Firo-B, Organization Workshop, and 360 assessment tools. Her Master’s degree is in Corporate Communication, and she is a faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC.

Her work has included a wide variety of clients including, but not limited to, an international automaker, an international gas and electric company, an international
biopharmaceutical
company, a global healthcare services and products company, a technology corporation in the insurance industry, a national commercial real estate organization, a health care facility, a national women’s  organization, both local and national government services organizations, and various non-profit organizations.

Cathi’s specialties:

* Meeting Facilitation

* Training

* Instructional Design

Mike works with a variety of businesses, teams and executives, his passion for helping people and organizations is evident from the moment you have one conversation with him. Mike is bursting with energy and enthusiasm, leaving you with the feeling he will not sleep until your goals are achieved.
Over the years, Mike has supported organizations across five continents and received various accolades within the industry. Along with being a published author, he has created numerous programs and products that put his expertise into a physical, tangible form that can be used anytime, anywhere.

Areas of focus

• Organizational Capacity and Growth
• Leading through Complexity and Change
• Executive Team Development
• Executive Coaching
• Organization Design
• Solution-Focused Coaching & Facilitation
• TRIZ Inventive Problem Solving
• 360 Leadership Feedback
• Implementation of Strategy

Carm is the Vice President and co-founder of JFG. Her background is in the Creative Arts, having received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and working as a creative director for 15 years prior to founding JFG. Carm has worked on branding and marketing projects for companies – large and small – all over the world. She has also conducted focus groups, creative brainstorming and product naming sessions throughout North America and Europe.

Carm’s specialties:

* Brainstorming

* Focus Groups

* Naming

Caitlin Drago is the owner of Inspire Improv and Coaching. She provides workshops that focus on improving engagement and productivity by enhancing listening and communication skills, building trust and the team’s ability to deal with the unexpected in a positive, creative and collaborative way. With the unique background as both a certified coach and trained actor, Caitlin uses the principles behind improvisation as a primary platform for interactive learning, allowing participants to “try on” new skills in real time for an impactful learning experience.

Caitlin understands that getting up in front of colleagues and learning by doing improvisation can be intimidating. Through thoughtful program design and a knowledge of differing learning and communication styles, Caitlin creates a space where everyone can interact and learn, walking away knowing that they have concrete tools that can be applied directly to the workplace. She is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation and is also certified in the DISC assessment. Caitlin has worked within a variety of industries including healthcare, higher education, law and hospitality.

Caitlin’s specialties

• Communication and active listening skills
• Personal influence and interpersonal skills
• Building a culture of trust and creativity
• Conflict resolution
• Voice and movement for professionals
• Putting the DISC into action, learning to adapt our own communication style to communicate with others more effectively

Heide is a Senior Account Manager at JFG. Her background is in marketing communications, meeting facilitation, and brand development. Heide holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from Syracuse University and has completed training at The Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI). She has facilitated meetings for national and local companies, including Mattel, Walmart, John Deere, Uniland Development, and Windsong Radiology Group.

Heide’s specialties:

* Brainstorming

* Focus Groups

* Naming

* Meeting Facilitation

Dr. Roger Firestien has taught more people to lead the creative process than anyone else in the world.

• By applying Roger’s work in creativity:
• Clorox solved a 77-year-old problem in 15 minutes;
  General Motors came up with a $1.50 solution that saved the company $50,000 a week;
• Mead Paper developed a world-class line of products and saved $500,000 a year;
• The Los Angeles Times set their vision for the future;
• Western New York developed strategies that were incorporated into a plan that was awarded One Billion dollars for economic development.

Called “The Gold Standard” of creativity training by his clients, he has presented programs in creativity to over 600 organizations nationally and internationally ranging from major fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, universities, associations and churches.

Dr. Firestien is the Senior Faculty member at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY Buffalo State and President of Innovation Resources, Inc.

Roger is the author and co-author of five books. His expert views on creativity have been reported in “Fast Company” and “The New York Times.”

When Roger is not traveling, he lives in Buffalo, New York, and regularly works cattle on the SK Hereford Ranch near Medina, New York.

I came to the Buffalo area from Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island, in 1971 on a full scholarship to attend the University at Buffalo ,where I received a BS in Management Science, with minors in Music and Engineering. In 1979 I opened Top Shelf Music, a shop specializing in used and vintage guitars along with factory authorized warranty service for all of the major brands. Four years later it was voted best music store in Buffalo in a reader’s pole in Guitar World Magazine. At that time I had at least 30 local competitors. Over my 35 years in business, I originated and produced 10 Buffalo Friendship Guitar Shows, attracting dealers and attendees from as far away as Japan and Australia, concurrently started a wholesale import/export company called Air Guitars as an outlet for guitar related products of my design, and was commissioned by national publication, 20th Century Guitar, to write a monthly column called “Oddball Guitars”. I did 180 or so pieces for them, many of which were translated and republished in Germany’s Gitarre&Bass magazine. I was a staff musician for Buffalo based BCMK Records, giving me the opportunity to play and record with some of the area’s finest. I had the honor of being on the bill with acts like Weather Report and Herbie Hancock, and the privilege of playing and recording with Grammy nominated artist Ani DiFranco. In 2004, I was honored by induction into the Buffalo Musician’s Hall Of Fame.

My survival as an independent businessman was based on my ability to solve problems, reinvent myself, make the best use of my resources, and minimize my errors. For advice I looked to mentors who inspired me. Everybody who worked for me over the years was given a copy of Dale Carnegie’s “How To Win Friends And Influence People”. I also admire guys like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett (to whom I gifted a uke and received a nice hand penned thank you note in return) Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, and Alan Greenspan. Reading as much as I could of what these giants offered gave me the tools to achieve the modest success that I enjoyed.

Scott’s specialties:

• Small business basics
• Avoiding pitfalls in business
• How to run a great small business

Dr. Drew Marsherall teaches at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business in their innovative First Year Integrated Core program. Drew specializes in team dynamics with a focus on conflict management. He helps team members develop communication skills necessary to be effective in a variety of workplace environments. Drew is passionate about personal effectiveness, and helps his students refine their time management skills through values-based decision making.

Drew speaks on best strategies for communicating with Millennial employees and helping them become effective members of your team, time management, and how to align your organization’s mission with values-based decision making. He focuses on creating engaging sessions with practical applications. Drew holds an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College. His research focuses on how emerging adults from the Millennial Generation communicate through social media. 

Drew’s specialties:

* Conflict Management

* Millennial Communications

* Time Management

Tricia is co-owner of Marsherall Partners LLC, she consults with small businesses on social media strategies. Tricia knows many small business owners understand they need a social media presence, but may not have the experience or time to manage their own accounts. She works with small business owners to develop custom strategies to help them achieve their goals.

Tricia also has management experience in the non-profit sector. She previously managed a $56M foundation, and has extensive experience with operations, fundraising and event planning. Tricia can train your team with strategies for streamlining operations, developing fundraising plans, communicating with donors, board relations, and how to manage and optimize your multi-generational team. Additionally, Tricia is very passionate about developing young women as leaders in the workplace. She helps organizations empower young women to grow their skills.

Tricia holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Rochester, a program dedicated to developing community leaders. She was a nominee for the Ten Under 10 award at her alma mater; an award that recognizes the career success of alumni and the commitment to serving the community.

Tricia’s specialties:

* Social Media Strategies

* Fundraising Planning

* Young Women Leadership

Jack is the President and co-founder of JFG.   His background is in Writing & Marketing, having received a Bachelor’s degree in English & Economics and working in a variety of writing, advertising and marketing positions in the 15 years prior to founding JFG.  Jack has conducted focus groups, product testing and training sessions, creative brainstorming and product naming sessions for a wide range of companies throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Jack’s specialties:

* Brainstorming

* Focus Groups

* Naming

* Product Testing

Gerard is Department Chair and Professor at the International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State; a unique academic department that has offered a Master of Science degree in creativity since 1975. Gerard has written more than 60 articles, chapters and books.

Dr. Puccio is an accomplished speaker and consultant; he has worked with major corporations, universities, and numerous school districts.  He has delivered creativity workshops and presentations across the United States and in more than 20 different countries.

Gerard holds a Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Manchester, England.

Gerard’s specialties:

* Creative Problem Solving

* Meeting Evolution

* Teambuilding

* Strategic Planning

Pamela is a trainer, consultant and coach specializing in Creative Problem Solving and Innovation. Using a scientifically-proven innovation process, she has worked with manufacturing companies, universities, schools and not-for profit institutions, both locally and as far away as Beijing, China.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership and is certified to deliver FourSight: The Breakthrough-Thinking Profile, an assessment that helps individuals and teams maximize their creative potential.  Pamela has also co-authored several articles for the Association of Talent Development management blog and contributed a chapter to Why Study Creativity (Fox & Fox) from ICSC Press. Her consulting business, Imagine &, is based in Williamsville, NY.

Pamela’s specialties:

* Creative Problem Solving

* Brainstorming

* Teambuilding

Rick is a business coach, facilitator and speaker. After spending over 30 years in various sales and marketing positions at two Fortune 1,000 companies and up until 2007 with International Imaging Inc. as Senior VP Marketing and New Business Development, Rick followed his passion and became a small business coach.

He loves learning, sharing the learning and creative problem solving. He leverages those passions to teach and coach small business owners and their teams to challenge long held beliefs about how to build and grow a profitable business – one that does not rely on the owner “to work”.

He has found that lack of follow-up and execution are the root of all the problems that hold businesses back. Using the Leadership Matrix Process he developed, he helps them build the habits and document the plans to ensure accountability and execution on all levels.

He has presented to audiences of small business owners around North America and has engaged with over 75 small businesses over the last 9 years.

Rick’s specialties:

* Leadership Training

* Strategic Planning

* Sales Training

Jim is an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience in brand management, strategic marketing, creativity, sales and business management. He earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Michigan State University and MS in Creative Studies from SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, New York.

Jim is a Reactor for the University of Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, a Certified Entrepreneurial Operating System Implementer, adjunct faculty at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College and holds certifications in VIEW, KEYS, LPI, FourSight and SOQ.

Jim’s specialties:

* Creative Problem Solving

* Teambuilding

* Meeting Evolution

* Focus Groups

Pamela is a trainer, consultant and coach specializing in Creative Problem Solving and Innovation. Using a scientifically-proven innovation process, she has worked with manufacturing companies, universities, schools and not-for profit institutions, both locally and as far away as Beijing, China.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership and is certified to deliver FourSight: The Breakthrough-Thinking Profile, an assessment that helps individuals and teams maximize their creative potential.  Pamela has also co-authored several articles for the Association of Talent Development management blog and contributed a chapter to Why Study Creativity (Fox & Fox) from ICSC Press. Her consulting business, Imagine &, is based in Williamsville, NY.

Pamela’s specialties:

* Creative Problem Solving

* Brainstorming

* Teambuilding

Rick is a business coach, facilitator and speaker. After spending over 30 years in various sales and marketing positions at two Fortune 1,000 companies and up until 2007 with International Imaging Inc. as Senior VP Marketing and New Business Development, Rick followed his passion and became a small business coach.

He loves learning, sharing the learning and creative problem solving. He leverages those passions to teach and coach small business owners and their teams to challenge long held beliefs about how to build and grow a profitable business – one that does not rely on the owner “to work”.

He has found that lack of follow-up and execution are the root of all the problems that hold businesses back. Using the Leadership Matrix Process he developed, he helps them build the habits and document the plans to ensure accountability and execution on all levels.

He has presented to audiences of small business owners around North America and has engaged with over 75 small businesses over the last 9 years.

Rick’s specialties:

* Leadership Training

* Strategic Planning

* Sales Training

Jim is an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience in brand management, strategic marketing, creativity, sales and business management. He earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Michigan State University and MS in Creative Studies from SUNY Buffalo State, Buffalo, New York.

Jim is a Reactor for the University of Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, a Certified Entrepreneurial Operating System Implementer, adjunct faculty at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College and holds certifications in VIEW, KEYS, LPI, FourSight and SOQ.

Jim’s specialties:

* Creative Problem Solving

* Teambuilding

* Meeting Evolution

* Focus Groups

Are you a business or life coach, or do you have experience running creative problem solving or brainstorming sessions or team building exercises? Give us a call – you can join our growing list of facilitators.