President

Steve Matthews, ACC, MBA

Steve has been coaching people throughout his personal and professional life but only recently became an ICF certified coach with a focus on technology leaders. He has worked in sales and management for Sprint & Verizon supporting Fortune 500 companies, States, Municipalities, and Educational institutions. With his wife Robin he started The Life Coach Approach to help educate and coach others by applying the core competencies to everyday living. Serving on the Board is Steve's way of giving back and supporting others who are on a similar mission. When not in the office you will find him in the mountains; on a lake, river, or trail!

Email: president(at)icfsacramento.org

President Elect

Lisa Laughter, ACC, CPC

Introducing Lisa Laughter, an accomplished ICF ACC coach who is passionate about empowering individuals to lead joyful and intentional lives. With over 20 years of experience in higher education as a student services professional, Lisa has dedicated her career to supporting others on their personal and professional journeys.

As a dynamic speaker and coach, Lisa founded her own coaching and speaking business, where she partners with clients in a transformative process of self-discovery. Through her work, she emphasizes the importance of self-love, connection, and compassion, empowering individuals to embrace their true potential and live fulfilling lives.

With a captivating presence and a knack for connecting with audiences, Lisa is a sought-after speaker in various settings. Her engaging style and insightful messages resonate deeply, inspiring others to cultivate gratitude, find balance, and live with intention. She brings humor and authenticity to her presentations, creating an uplifting and memorable experience for her listeners.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Lisa finds joy in being a devoted soccer mom to her 15-year-old daughter. She also nurtures her love for the outdoors through activities like hiking and kayaking. In her leisure time, she immerses herself in reading, unleashes her creativity through dance and arts and crafts, and embraces personal growth experiences as a lifelong learner.

Lisa Laughter's vibrant energy, empathy, and expertise as a coach and speaker make her a beacon of inspiration. Her ability to connect with others, coupled with her passion for empowering individuals, has touched the lives of many, making her a trusted guide on the path to personal fulfillment and happiness.

Email: presidentelect(at)icfsacramento.org

Past President

Amy Shuman, PCC

Amy Shuman serves as the Workforce Development Director for the Division of Student Affairs at UC Davis. She is a Gallup certified Strengths coach, and a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. She leads workshops and coaches employees to help them maximize their potential. She is particularly passionate about leadership and empowering people to create a positive workplace culture. Amy has over a decade of human resources management experience and works with leadership on people management, communication, employee engagement and overall workplace climate. Amy believes we are all on a quest to become the best versions of ourselves, and that process takes time, reflection, feedback, practice and, of course, coaching!

Email: pastpresident(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Credentialing

Laurie Cozart, MCC, NLCP, MBA

Laurie Cozart, MBA, MCC, MCNLP is a Master Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and is in the top 1% of the coaching profession in the world. Laurie has over with 15,000 hours of professional and team coaching experience. For over 30 years Laurie led high performance, high value teams in the private sector and is the founder and CEO of Brain Squared Solutions Inc. an organization dedicated to leadership and management development, organizational effectiveness and professional coaching using brain-based strategies. Laurie has been an educator of leaders, managers, and coaches for over a decade and is the author of “Coaching Conversations”; Jetlaunch 2022. She is the Executive Director of The Mind2Lead Institute of Professional Coaching, she is on the faculty for the Professional Work and Life Coach Certificate Program at the University of California, Davis, and serves as faculty and coach for the Executive Leadership Program for the UC Davis Continued and Professional Development. Laurie is the Creator, Executive Director and instructor for Team Coaching for High-Value Results program at the University of California, Davis. She is Past-President of the International Coach Federation Sacramento Chapter, the winner of the “Outstanding Women Leaders in the Bay Area Award” Recipient of the UC Davis Dean’s “Outstanding Service Award, voted “Top 20 Coaches in Sacramento” and received an “Outstanding Service Award”; from the Striving Black Brothers organization. Laurie has been featured in CEO Today Magazine, More Magazine and Smart Money Magazine.

Email: director(at)icfsacramento.org

Director Strategic Partnerships

Gavan Ambrosini, PCC, MA

Gavan Ambrosini, MA PCC is principal and founder of the Ambrosini Consulting Group, a boutique consultancy specializing in leadership development and career management consulting. She is a mentor coach, certified coach supervisor, and a Gallup-certified strengths coach and instructor. She has 15+ years’ experience facilitating groups and coaching leaders from emerging high-potentials to C-Suite executives to help discover their authentic leadership style and voice. Gavan is passionate about connecting people and helping others find their unique brand of excellence while achieving mastery in their careers and life. A life-long volunteer, she enjoys giving back to the communities she is a part of.

Email: directorstrategicpartnerships(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of DEI

Maryam Ghadiri, ACC

I am a scientist, artist, storyteller, and coach. Utilizing my knowledge and experience as an academic professional and first-generation immigrant to the USA, I bring a lifetime of international experience and science-oriented approaches, and expertise to the coaching of high achievers. I partner with academic and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals to define meaningful life goals, find work-life balance, and cultivate fulfillment, creativity, and joy.

I combine superb organizational abilities with honed communication and leadership skills, allowing me to connect and work effectively with clients of all levels. I am an energetic personality and I bring an in-depth understanding of the coaching process, combining compassion with true active listening, empowering clients to set and achieve their professional and personal goals in life.

Email: directordei(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Finance

Carrie Chown, ACC

Carrie Chown is a Certified Professional Life, Health and Wellness Coach, an ICF Associate Certified Coach, and a Reiki Master Practitioner. She is an ICF member, affiliated with the Sacramento ICF chapter, and a member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals. She received her foundational and advanced coach training through The Life Purpose Institute in San Diego. Carrie has a private coaching and Reiki practice, working with clients in person and remotely, and also works as a Mental Health Coach for Lyra Health. Her additional experience includes three years with Wells Fargo Bank, six years as a project manager for a construction company, and nine years as an executive assistant with UC Davis.

Email: directorfinance(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Communications

Rebecca Lachona, ACC

Rebecca Lachona is an experienced talent development consultant and coach who lives to empower individuals and groups to achieve their full potential. Rebecca has over 8 years of experience in organizational learning and talent development, over 10 years of experience in leadership and healthcare, over 14 years of applied knowledge of psychology, adult learning theory, instructional design, facilitation, design thinking, organizational effectiveness and personal wellness practices. She began her journey to achieve professional coaching certification in 2020, and is currently a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Rebecca’s desire to serve on the Sacramento ICF Board is based on her continued interest in learning and honing her coaching cra while fostering supportive relationships within the Sacramento coaching community.

Email: directorcommunications(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Membership

Angela Lindley, MS, ACC

Angela Lindley completed her UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Coaching for Life and Work Certificate in 2017. In addition to her private practice, Lindley Coaching Services in Davis, CA, Angela provides mental-health wellness coaching at Lyra Health in Burlingame, CA. She was drawn to coaching as a way to help others see their great potential and use that insight to propel themselves forward and live more meaningful, impactful lives. She approaches each client with a sense of empathy and curiosity, trusting them to be the experts in their own lives, and knowing that their potential for success already resides within. She views her role as a creator of a safe space for clients to experiment, broaden their thinking and truly come to believe in their own potential. She draws on her UC Davis training as well as Lyra’s model of cognitive behavioral coaching to provide appropriate support for their needs. Angela’s interest in service on the ICF Sacramento board is driven by a desire to broaden her work within the coaching profession, both to strengthen the Chapter’s reach to other potential members and create a meaningful experience for current members, as well as to bring the potential of coaching to the lives of more people in the Sacramento area. She truly believes in the great work that coaches do and in the profession’s potential to create good within the broader society. Outside her role as a coach, she is the social media manager for Continuing and Professional Education at UC Davis, which also places her in a unique position to serve as a bridge between the Chapter and the UC Davis certificate program. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring all that California’s natural beauty provides. She also loves to knit, quilt and spend time with her husband and 11-year-old daughter.

Email: directormembership(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Programs

Katie Kanowsky

Katie Kanowsky is a dynamic educator, business consultant, and focus coach. She combines her expertise as a coach and cognitive scientist to help clients find their strengths and passion, then integrates them to create the life and work they love. Her passion is to help children and teens in the public education system learn to harness this information in their formative years instead of after having chosen a life path. Her mission is to create a sustainable psychological support system within the public education system that serves all individuals at the school site, helping them grow into their unique potential. She earned her BS in Organizational Behavior and Leadership at the University of the Pacific, completed coach training through University California, Davis, and holds multiple certifications in the coaching field, including Values2Wellbeing, HeartMath, and Sovereign Mind.

Email: directorprogramdevelopment(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Administration/Secretary

Heidi Glunz, PCC

Heidi Glunz is the CFO of Brain Squared Solutions and the managing partner of Science2Wellbeing. Heidi is also a certified Project Management Professional, with over 15 years of leadership and management experience in the Nuclear Industry. She holds a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Utah.

Before becoming a coach, Heidi worked as a project manager for multiple engineering firms including Idaho National Laboratory and NuScale Power. As a project manager, she has been responsible for $40 million plus projects, leading teams of over 500 people. These projects taught her that great leadership is the key to successful project execution, and that successful project execution includes team engagement and job satisfaction at all levels. She is passionate about helping leaders understand, and effectively communicate their mission, vision and values to those they lead in order to achieve “unachievable” milestones.

Heidi dedicated herself to the coaching and training profession to help leaders develop the skills they need to succeed. She is a leadership development instructor for Brain Squared Solutions, and the University of California at Davis Extension, as well as a leadership, values and financial coach with a Professional Coach Certification from the International Coaching Federation.

Email: directoradministration(at)icfsacramento.org

Director of Special Events         

Tara Brennan, ACC 

As an Events Director with over 25 years of experience, I know the power of creating an event where people can network, learn, and bond as a community. As the Special Events Director for the Sacramento Chapter my intentions are to support our current members while also working on recruiting new members to join thru engaging events that connect, teach and bond us as a community of like-minded people serving others.

I'm a Certified Co-Active Coach having received my credential through the Coaches Training Institute in 2007 and an ICF ACC. I am also a certified yoga teacher, therapeutic horseback riding instructor, a StrengthsFinders “Activator” and lover of big dogs and small cats. As the creator of Empassioned Living Now, a personal development coaching program, and Art from the Heart, process painting, and creativity workshops, I have offered over 20 years of coaching through various modalities, always with the goal of empowering others.

I created Empassioned Living Now and Art from the Heart over 17 years ago while in the middle of a major career/life transition from a successful career in the music business as a Marketing and Events Director. I love creating marketing campaigns and events that are creative, engaging, and unforgettable.

Email: directorspecialevents(at)icfsacramento.org