Communication and Change have always intrigued me. I have not only experienced much change in my own life, but have made the study of communication and change my life-long project. In bringing my personal experiences with communication, change, art, travel, and international living, I help leaders become virtuosos of effective conversations and lasting change. I help them understand, orchestrate, and enjoy transformative conversations. Leaders can harness the challenges and opportunities that change brings for innovation and growth.

For the past 25 years I have worked as a communication skills specialist. Time and again CEO's and upper managers have been amazed at how smoothly I help them navigate important transitions and safely conquer new terrain through the practice of dialogue. I insure that the entire organization—large or small— comes on board with needed changes, and that there is productive communication between all levels of management.

Conversations that transform. Photo by Ada Gonzalez

I use my expertise to open safe spaces for nurturing transformative conversations that facilitate change. As a result, stress, confusion, resistance, and conflict are minimized, while collaboration, energy, and creativity are harnessed for the co-creation of a sustainable future. I bring my rich personal experience with change and my professional knowledge and research about organizations to tackle blockages to productivity and breakdowns in dialogue.

Once a generative dialogue is established within a company, CEO's attest that productivity increases, their employees stick around, and their balance sheets show it. I have done this in more than 20 countries on 3 continents, thanks to my bi-lingual heritage, and have enabled thousands to make lasting changes in their lives and organizations.

I have a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, with an emphasis on dialogue, change processes and leadership development from Union Institute & University. I have taught Organizational Behavior for Concordia University and for the University of Phoenix. My Master is in Educational and Developmental Psychology, from Andrews University. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was trained in collaborative language systems at the Houston-Galveston Institute.

I enjoy writing for the public, and my articles have appeared in North American, Latin American, and European, publications including El Hispano News, South Bend Tribune, Adventist Review, El Centinela, Viva Mejor, Dinamica, Dialogue, Theologische Hochschule Friedensau, Proceedings of the Jornada Brasileira de Psicologia do Aconselhamiento Cristao, Proceedings of the First ICF Coaching Research Symposium, and several professional newsletters. I have authored manuals, courses, and workbooks that have been widely used. I am also the author of a forthcoming book on leading change through dialogue and collaboration.

In addition, my love for and compassion of people, cultures, groups and system dynamics, helps me grasp concepts, issue, connections and nuances of meaning that others often overlook. Combine these with an upbeat and positive personality and outlook on life, enthusiasm, high ethical standards, and ability to connect, support and encourage, and it is easy to see why people I work with trust me, and feel I bring them hope, value and practical knowledge that empowers them for change and growth.

When I'm not coaching people to change. . .

I like to juggle work, leisure, spirituality, fun, mind stretching pursuits, music, crafts, and friendships. Better yet if I can combine several of them at once! I love traveling anywhere, and by any means, sometimes with no place in particular as my destination. I especially enjoy spending time with my 2 adult sons and their loved ones (who have certainly challenged me to keep growing!).

Because I was born in an island, never far from the ocean, I get my best ideas and spend my best moments in life by the sea, lulled by the sound of the surf. If that is not feasible, any body of water would do for me. Maybe the combination of change and predictability found in the waves and waterways, together with the constancy and rhythm that carves change one small step at a time, help me to better think about and understand the process of change.

I strongly believe. . .

• you were born to change, and keep changing, for life!
• your brain is capable of learning and evolving all through the life cycle.
• you can succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
• you are worth more than most people believe. Knowing your value inspires you to change for the best.
• as a leader, it is imperative that you guide your organization in constantly rebuilding itself so that it can keep learning and changing according to the demands of the times.
• you need to understand change as a holistic process that encompasses mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
• you and your organization need to dream big, align your vision with your heart’s meaning system, and then take action toward your goals.
• change is easier in when you are open to dialogue and collaboration with others.

You can only change and grow if you face the truth. Simply put, this means to face what needs to be faced, see what needs to be seen, hear what needs to be heard, feel what needs to be felt, and do what needs to be done. No "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it. Works every time!

Change begins. . .

When you open your eyes to possibilities
When you feel the excitement of the new
When you dream fresh scenarios with bold visions
And then plan for the journey with foresight.

When you start taking action with strong purpose
When you take measured steps without dismay
When you dare to reach high for inspiration
When you learn and take risks, enjoying all!