Meet the Coach Academy family

Our mission and people

Meet the team and see our passion for coaching. Join us in our mission to change the world, one conversation at a time.

Nathalie Blais, Founder and CEO of Coach Academy

Founder Coach Academy | CEO

Nathalie Blais, MCC

Nathalie, Founder of Coach Academy, is passionate about crafting experiential programs that challenge assumptions and promote significant personal and professional growth.

Driven by a strong belief in coaching’s transformative power, she is a pivotal force reshaping how coaching is perceived and practiced. With a Master’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University and credentials as an ICF Master Certified Coach, Nathalie is on a mission to elevate coaching to the status of other regulated professions.

As a center of excellence for coaching, Nathalie is dedicated to building a global, exclusive community for professional coaches seeking to amplify their impact through connections and collaborations with the best Coaches in the world.

More about Nathalie

Meet Coach Academy

The best part about us is our team

Every cohort is led by ICF-credentialed faculty who coach for a living, not only teach. Here is who you will be learning from.

Kelly Wood

Kelly Wood, PCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Kelly Wood is a strengths-based life design coach and facilitator. She creates experiences that build awareness, spark momentum, and help people move forward. Her clients include Mount Royal University, University of Alberta, SoulFood, Campus Alberta Neuroscience, Ghost River Theatre, and Whitehorse’s Heart of Riverdale Community Centre. She has taught at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s Leadership Institute.

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Kelly holds a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies focused on Organization Coaching and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Coaching Practices from Royal Roads University. She is certified in Core Strengths and Emotional Intelligence 2.0.

Cate Baio

Cate Baio, PCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Cate Baio is a Professional Certified Coach with ICF. She also holds certifications as a Deep Transformational Coach, Mentor Coach, and Coach Supervisor. She helps individuals, leaders, and teams answer two questions: who do I want to be, and how do I want to show up.

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Cate started in the fitness industry, working as an instructor and supervisor to a large team. That work led her to coaching and a deeper calling to serve others. She is a Certified Daring Way and Dare to Lead Facilitator, bringing Dr. Brené Brown’s research into her work with individuals and groups. She grounds her practice in connection and growth, and creates space for the vulnerable work of transformation.

Sherry Matheson

Sherry Matheson, PCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Sherry Matheson is a strategic change specialist, consultant, and systems coach. She works with leaders, teams, and organizations, moving them from fear and frustration toward engagement, courage, and innovation. She brings 26 years of experience across corporate, legal, government, oil and gas, not-for-profit, engineering, and health and wellness settings.

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Sherry is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. She believes strong relationships are the foundation for everything else. She develops leaders who build cultures of innovation, grounded in self-awareness and collaboration. Sherry founded Empower the Truth.

Lisa Rotstein

Lisa Rotstein, PCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Lisa Rotstein is a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and senior teams. She brings over two decades of experience in strategic planning, leadership development, organizational design, and change management. Through her company, GSI Strategies, she partners with organizations across healthcare, social services, and government.

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Lisa is a certified Executive Coach with nonprofit board experience in governance and strategy. She combines empathy, insight, and strategic thinking to help leaders navigate complexity and drive meaningful transformation. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, entertaining friends and family, and walking with her husband and their dog.

Penny Kaplan

Penny Kaplan, MCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Penny Kaplan is an executive and career coach with over 30 years of experience across the private and not-for-profit sectors. She specializes in coaching women through significant life transitions. Her international practice spans the United States, Canada, Europe, Thailand, and New Zealand.

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Penny holds the ICF MCC credential along with certifications as an Executive Coach, Mentor Coach, ACC/PCC Assessor, Professional Career Coach, Interview Coach, and Sex, Love, and Relationship Coach. She also works with professionals and students in cybersecurity, IT, and electronic health records.

Penny moved from a career in the arts and cultural sectors into human development after her own life transitions inspired the shift. She now mentors women launching their own coaching businesses. Her philosophy centers on communication and heart, fostering a new generation of coaches who create lasting change one conversation at a time.

Michael Hagley

Michael Hagley, PCC

Facilitator & Mentor Coach

Michael Hagley is a Professional Certified Coach with over 30 years of experience across multinational, national, and start-up organizations in the UK, US, and Canada. He specializes in coaching executive leaders and teams, and facilitates leadership development at all levels.

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Michael focuses on helping clients show up fully aware and make intentional choices about how they lead themselves and others. He is certified to deliver the Hogan Leadership Forecast Suite, Leadership Circle Profile, EQi-2.0, Emergenetics, and Core Strengths assessments. He holds a Master’s in Management Sciences and an MBA in Marketing.

Roula Eid

Roula Eid, PCC

Mentor Coach

Roula Eid is a Certified Executive and Team Coach with over 25 years of experience across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. She started her career as a salesperson in a European franchise and rose to become CEO of an American franchise. One of her strengths is meeting clients where they are and moving them toward actionable goals.

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Roula owns Team in Motion, a coaching, training, and mentoring company serving Canada and the MENA region. Her accessible approach and creativity build trust and help clients navigate change, reduce conflict, and strengthen alignment. She is an ACC/PCC Mentor Coach and PCC Marker Assessor. Roula hosted her own TV show in the MENA region, “If You Want,” built on the idea that everything people need to grow starts within.

Sandra Woloschuk

Sandra Woloschuk, PCC

Mentor Coach

Sandra Woloschuk helps leaders and organizations thrive through change. Her passion for coaching grew from a deep interest in supporting people through transitions, and her approach is calm, humanistic, and non-directive. With 25 years of experience in adult education, she focuses on helping adult learners reach their learning, career, and life goals.

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Sandra specializes in leadership coaching and peer coaching. She is a Certified Executive Coach and holds the PCC credential from the International Coach Federation, along with completion of the ICF PCC Marker training program. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and is certified in change management (Prosci), project management (Prince2), and DiSC facilitation.

Laurence Anthony

Laurence Anthony, PCC

Facilitator

Laurence Anthony is a performance activator and strategist who empowers leaders and teams to achieve elite results. Bringing unmatched depth and energy to every stage and boardroom, he specializes in crisis management, modern leadership, and setting high-impact performance standards. As the founder of Go Further Coaching, a global practice established in 2023, he is trusted by powerhouse organizations—including United Airlines—as well as top-tier athletes, founders, military officials, and C-suite executives navigating high-stakes environments.

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Laurence brings decades of diverse experience spanning entertainment, corporate leadership, hospitality, non-profit work, and former professional acting. Before founding his practice, he spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland as a strategist and crisis manager for clients across finance, retail, and political sectors, forming the foundation for his work in human performance.

Jessica Derksen

Jessica Derksen

Facilitator

Jessica Derksen is a certified health and life coach who thrives on connecting with people and helping them unlock their potential. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Psychology and has always been driven by a deep desire to be of service through meaningful connection and impactful conversation.

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Jessica finds joy in watching others recognize their strengths, pursue their goals, and build a life they love. She is currently completing her executive coaching certification with Coach Academy, continuing to expand her skills as she guides others toward personal and professional fulfillment.

Behind the programs

Admissions, support and operations

The people you speak to before you enroll, and the ones who keep everything running once you do.

Kristin O’Leary

Kristin O’Leary

Senior Bookkeeper

Kristin O’Leary joined Coach Academy in February 2022 as Senior Bookkeeper. She brings over 18 years of accounting experience across manufacturing, distribution, and retail, with expertise ranging from payroll to credit management. She has handled the books end to end for small and medium size businesses.

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Kristin’s passion for numbers started in high school and carried through Cegep and university. She completed her AEC in Finance and is continuing her studies toward a BBA in Accounting, with the ultimate goal of earning her CPA designation. She brings a strong desire to learn and solve problems to everything she does.

Lauren Bunton

Lauren Bunton

Admissions Coach

Lauren Bunton works with creative entrepreneurs deeply engaged in their work, whether through artistic expression, innovative thinking, or the communities they build. She helps them align their values, strengths, and creative energy with intentional practices that lead to meaningful, lasting growth.

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Lauren’s path to coaching was shaped by years of experience in strategic coordination, executive leadership, and event production. She has worked alongside artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to bring complex ideas to life, always with an eye toward clarity, connection, and impact. As a coach, she holds space with presence, curiosity, and care, grounded in a reflective, ethical practice built on ongoing learning and deep listening.

Outside of coaching, Lauren stays close to her own creative process through piano, sewing, and writing, practices that keep her rooted in curiosity, discipline, and discovery. At Coach Academy, she supports future and established coaches in finding the program and path that fits who they are and who they’re becoming.

Marian Yansen

Marian Yansen

Student Success Manager

Marian Yansen joined Coach Academy in February 2021 as Customer Experience Coordinator. She believes that while we may not remember every person we’ve met or every meal we’ve eaten, we always remember the experiences that shaped us. As Student Success Manager, her goal is to make every experience unforgettable.

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Marian brings over 10 years of customer support and hospitality expertise. Her passion for bridging the gap between organizations and the people they serve led her to pursue a Public Relations Certificate after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from McGill University.

Christopher Sherman

Christopher Sherman

Brand Strategy

Christopher Sherman is a brand marketing strategist, creative director, art director, photographer, and videographer with over 20 years of experience. He has collaborated with established brands and emerging companies across industries, merging business strategy, aesthetic intuition, and cultural curiosity to deliver solutions that work across platforms.

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Christopher’s work is evocative and driven by a distinct perspective, partnering with visionary founders, innovative companies, and bold agencies, all grounded in respect and kindness. His clients include Hudson’s Bay Company, Indigo, Interview Magazine, Saint Laurent, Wall Street Journal, COS, Matty Matheson, Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, Audemars Piguet, Brother Vellies, Penguin Random House, Lionsgate Entertainment, Dries Van Noten, and Reebok, among others.

Jordan Koruntoff

Jordan Koruntoff

Community Growth & Engagement Lead

Jordan Koruntoff brings a unique and dynamic perspective to the world of professional coaching. With over a decade of experience in the gaming industry as both a Game Designer and Community Manager, he has mastered the art of bridging the gap between developers and consumers, building a deep understanding of what drives human connection.

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Jordan now channels that expertise into expanding the reach and impact of Coach Academy. His focus is on nurturing a thriving, inclusive ecosystem where every community member feels supported and empowered. As the brand grows, Jordan ensures the community stays connected and inspired at every step.

Eric Arsenault

Eric Arsenault

Fractional CFO

Eric Arsenault is a graduate of the Royal Military College and dedicated 23 years of service to the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 2012, he founded his first company specializing in residential and commercial renovations. Three years later, he acquired a disaster restoration business and grew it from 7 to over 45 employees.

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In 2022, Eric passed the reins to a new owner to focus on personal goals and values, purchasing a farm and building a Commercial Maple Syrup Operation with approximately 5,500 taps. Today, he divides his time across three ventures: advising and mentoring the leadership team of his former company, managing his maple syrup operation, and serving as Fractional CFO and Strategic Advisor to Coach Academy’s CEO and founder. Eric’s daily goal is simple: to make a difference in the lives of the people he encounters, living with purpose and challenging others to grow, lead, and inspire.

Stacie Baillie

Stacie Baillie, ACC

Admissions Coach

Stacie Baillie has always valued human connection and believes coaching brings her values and passions together like nothing else. After more than 25 years helping professionals, leaders, and teams navigate change, build meaningful relationships, and achieve success, she joined Coach Academy as an Admissions Coach to help aspiring coaches begin their own transformational journeys.

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Stacie earned her Executive Coach Certificate through Coach Academy in May 2026 and her Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation in July 2026. She is also a Certified Makeup Artist and is pursuing credentials with the Association of Image Consultants International. This blend of corporate experience, professional coaching, image consulting, and makeup artistry helps her guide people to build confidence from the inside out.

Outside of work, Stacie enjoys reading, cooking healthy meals for her family, walking her dogs, and relaxing in the hot tub. She’s always happy to swap book recommendations over coffee.

Why Coach Academy

Ivy League of coach training

Your journey to becoming an internationally certified coach starts today.

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Join a thriving community of global coaches. Become ICF certified from the comfort of your home.

Speak with an Admissions Coach

Tell us where you are and what you want to build. An advisor will point you to the program that fits, or tell you if none of them do.

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If you already know which program you want, send your application and admissions will take it from there.

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Still deciding? The program overview lists dates, hours and fees for every program.