ABOUT OUR
MASTER FACILITATORS

As our Vice President of Learning Development & Delivery, it would be fair to say that Joe embodies what it means to be Fierce. He and his team of highly skilled professionals are responsible for ensuring that our Fierce Conversation models and all content are fully accessible and meaningful for our clients.

Joe has invested his 30+ year professional career in organizational and individual development aimed at advancing strategic initiatives and key business goals. His diverse leadership background in operations, organizational effectiveness, learning systems & design, and talent acquisition has provided him with keen insight into key aspects of businesses – large and small – including retail, health care, and finance.

One constant in Joe’s experience is achieving objectives by developing great talent. He has been a colleague, coach, and trusted confidante to co-workers from the front lines to the board room. Joe serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the school district in his community.

Born and raised in Maine where he takes full advantage of the terrain to run, hike, and kayak, he spent 3 years living in exile pursuing his undergraduate degree in Arizona before graduating from the University of Southern Maine. He and his wife live in Poland Spring, Maine.

Ellen is a seasoned researcher and practitioner of Organizational Psychology with 18 years of experience elevating the employee experience across the hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development lifecycles. She has championed employee engagement initiatives in both public and private sectors, providing leaders with tools and training to develop high-performing teams and improve retention. Ellen has contributed her expertise in organizations such as the California Public Utilities Commission, Allstate Research and Planning, Great Place to Work Institute, and the San Francisco Human Services Agency.

Prior to joining Fierce, Ellen served as the Performance Excellence Manager at Colorado College, where she integrated the Fierce Conversations training series into their professional development program for staff and faculty. She is a Certified DISC Practitioner giving her unique insight into human behavior and motivation to enhance communication and collaboration. Her Gallup Strengths coaching training further underscores her commitment to helping individuals and teams achieve their full potential.

Ellen holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Global Business and Psychology from the University of Redlands and a Master’s of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology from San Francisco State University. She also studied Chinese, International Business, and Applied Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Outside of work, Ellen enjoys playing badminton, tennis, and pickleball. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, three children, and dog, Puddle. Ellen’s dedication to empowering individuals and organizations exemplifies her passion for lasting positive change.

Kari Loken is an expert in leadership and talent development, people and culture strategy, and organizational effectiveness. As a consultant, coach, and facilitator, she empowers leaders to thrive, navigate change, lead diverse teams, and build healthy, high-performing organizations. With over 15 years of global experience in learning and organizational development, Kari has delivered impactful leadership and strategy programs across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.

Throughout her career, Kari has designed and led initiatives that enhance leadership skills, foster employee engagement, and achieve strategic business outcomes. She specializes in creating dynamic learning experiences that drive individual, team, and organizational growth.

Before joining Fierce, Kari served as an internal learning and organizational development consultant at a high-tech company, where she partnered with stakeholders to design solutions for current and future leadership needs. She facilitated workshops to strengthen team collaboration and performance and spearheaded global programs such as corporate new hire orientation and strategic leadership initiatives. Kari has also consulted for organizations like Great Place to Work, identifying exemplary organizational cultures, and Korn Ferry, conducting simulation-based assessments to develop and select key leaders.

Kari’s mission is to inspire curiosity and spark intrinsic motivation in others to achieve bold goals. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about improving relationships, fostering leadership capabilities, and helping individuals discover their authentic selves and define their impact in work and life.

Kari holds a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Family Studies from St. Olaf College. Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband and daughter. In her free time, she enjoys competitive tennis, hiking coastal trails, and sailing on the bay.

Chantell is an experienced Leadership and Executive Coach with over twenty years in Corporate Management. Her career has focused on helping leaders to think with intention, plan tenaciously and to execute boldly in the pursuit of their goals.

Chantell has worked in various roles to champion Leadership Development and DEI initiatives focused on providing leaders the tools and training to understand the dynamics of human behavior, improve decision-making, and increase engagement. She has worked as a entrepreneur and corporate leadership and HR professional in organizations such as N2ITIV LLC., Hancock Whitney Bank,Comerica Bank, Standard Federal, and Pennsylvania Life.

Chantell has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a Master of Arts Education/ Adult Education from University of Phoenix. She is a certified Fierce Inc. Master Facilitator / NLI Results Trained Coach (RTC) Brain-Based Coaching Certified / Certified Facilitator – DECIDE: The Neuroscience of Breaking Bias / Certified Facilitator – INCLUDE: The Neuroscience of Smarter Teams / Certified Facilitator – GROW: The Neuroscience of Growth / Predictive Index Certified Partner / TalentSmart Mastering Emotional Intelligence Level 1 Certified Trainer / Extended DISC Certified Trainer / CMOE Coaching Tips2 Certified Trainer/ NCI – NeuroChange practitioner. Through her use of powerful storytelling and brain-based learning techniques, Chantell has helped numerous individuals overcome limitations and unlock their full potential.

In addition to her professional expertise, Chantell is a proud military dependent and Navy mom who enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading books on leadership in her free time.