You deserve a workplace where your full brilliance is on display. 

Claim your talents, gifts, & passions.
Mix in your curiosity and critical mind.
Show up - lit up - as the #boss you are. 

...And bring your team along for the ride.

Women in higher ed are overworked 
and undervalued.

You're tired of being busy and talking about how busy you are. You're ready for meaningful work that lights you up, energizes your team, and helps you talk about the real changes you're making on your campus.

Get off that squeaky hamster wheel and spend more time feeling joyful and accomplished at work.

Find the Coaching, Workshops, and Resource You Need >

We're here to Light You Up

Carole Chabries, PhD

While earning my PhD in English Literature I fled a nasty environment and vowed never to be a tenure track faculty member. I moved straight into administration instead. Out of the frying pan into the fire, right? Not really. I love higher ed admin, and have spent more than 25 years in faculty development, program design and development, and leadership roles. But honestly? My favorite thing is still teaching. Tacos are a close second.

Debbie Okerlund

When I became a nonprofit Executive Director I learned to wear many hats. Now I use my 25 years’ experience and work as a leader, trainer, coach, facilitator, and Jill-of-all-trades to prepare leaders and their teams to develop and use their own ‘agility tool box.’ I love helping leaders hone their communication & coaching skills, and listening is my personal superpower! Learn more about me at leadwithagility.com

Jayne Sommers, PhD

When I was first exposed to Tema Okun’s description of white supremacist culture I had an identity crisis. Perfectionism? Hi. Sense of urgency? Literally always. Only one right way? Correct. Mine. Either/or thinking? My favorite. Power hoarding? Yup - could I admit my “control freak” tendencies were actually something else? Fear of open conflict? I love me some Minnesota niceness.

I now understand how hard I have to fight against the white supremacist conditioning that means I will undoubtedly show up as racist at some point(s) in my relationships with Black Women, which requires me to actively recognize and interrupt my life-long conditioning. 

“Carole has a strong focus on developing others, encouraging strategic thinking and promoting success through goal setting, reflection, and developing a strong vision for success. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Carole Chabries. She is a fantastic leader and mentor who I have been proud to call a colleague for many years.”

- Nicole Schwensow

“Carole’s performance reviews of myself along with our regular 1:1 meetings helped me better understand my strengths, to fairly evaluate myself, and to set effective and meaningful goals. The things that Carole helped me understand about myself and the example she set as a leader helped me develop my own leadership style that is both true to myself and applicable to the roles that I have filled since.”

- Andy Doran

“Carole is a collaborative and adaptable leader who builds partnerships with a ‘what’s possible’ mindset. She has a personable and thoughtful approach to people relatively new to their leadership role. She can teach and inspire while putting people at ease, and is gifted in asking insightful questions and then listening with curiosity to understand.”

- Debbie Okerlund

“Carole’s mentoring was instrumental in guiding me through the most difficult professional challenge I faced in my career. In a small group setting, her approach “deep-dives” into values-driven leadership creating safe space for critical conversations.”

- Tina Olson

Our Guiding Principles

Create Joy

We don’t do “slog.” If it drags you down, delegate it to someone who enjoys it, revise it to make it better, or maybe even drop it altogether. 

Choose Purpose

Hustle-culture, we see you and smash you. In our world we do the things that matter, and crush ‘em while we’re at it.

Embrace Curiosity

Why insist on gatekeeping and knowing stuff, when there’s a beautiful world out there to learn from? Smart is awesome. Curious is even better.

Lift Each Other

We're your biggest fan, smarty-pants. We’re here to help you shine.

Women's Leadership

Support For Your Team