Testimonials

“Caren facilitated an all-day retreat for our senior executive team at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. Caren's focus for our day was on strengths-based leadership at both the individual and team level. Caren's approach encouraged our team to authentically engage. Although an established team, we learned so much about each other and ourselves.

Caren's exercises evoked a high level of transparency and vulnerability from the team. It pushed us forward in our efforts to build cohesion and trust as we endeavor to wrangle scarce resources to accomplish very ambitious goals for our organization. In our fast-paced environment, it's extremely difficult to commit an entire day to our development, but the team was unanimous that it was time well-spent. We emerged from the day feeling energized and united. And we had a lot of fun.

Caren is knowledgeable, flexible, and has real experience as a leader who faced the same challenges as our team. We plan to continue to partner with Caren in our high priority investment in our leadership team. Thank you, Caren!”

- Todd Jorgensen, Chief of Staff, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

“Caren has been a fantastic executive coach to me. She's able to quickly size up what is happening and offer valuable outside, objective perspective on a situation that you can't see because you're either too close to the situation or she can see what's in your blind spots. She's incredibly responsive and supportive. I have recommended her to others and continue to do so.”

- Patty Laushman, Senior Sales Development Rep, Extractable

“It is rare that you come across a passionate strength coach like Caren. I had the pleasure of meeting Caren at a staff retreat. Caren’s facilitation was empowering, organized, and highly efficient. Personally, her expertise in strength training has allowed me as anindividual to conquer my challenges and view them from a different lens. I was particularly impressed with her ability to strategize and overcome any hurdle effortlessly. That skill is hard to come by, however it seemed to come perfectly natural to her. Any client or individual would be lucky to have her as a consultant.”

- Nada Darwish, Relational Organizing Coordinator at Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Action Fund

“Caren recently volunteered her day to facilitate a board retreat for the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center (CJDC). Caren's expert facilitation allowed our board to organize our goals around the central mission of the non-profit and to design our sustainable next steps for our organization. Caren was patient, clear, and thoughtful in her facilitation. Without her guidance, the process would have taken us much longer and would have been far less fruitful. I highly recommend hiring Caren to lead your next management meeting or board retreat. I only wish we could have her at every meeting.”

- Hannah Siegel Proff, Founding Partner at Proff Law, LLC

“I have worked with Caren to help develop my team, manage employees, and increase cohesion and effectiveness among senior managers. Caren is passionate about her work and has repeatedly proven herself an extremely competent coach and consultant. Caren’s professional and personable demeanor makes her easy to work with in any setting. I highly recommend working with Caren to develop a strengths-based management strategy for teams at all levels.”

- Tony Gheradini, Deputy Director, Office of Behavioral Health at Colorado Department of Human Services

“As the former Executive Director of the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel,  an independent state agency within the Colorado Judicial Branch, I have worked with Caren and Leaf Consulting, LLC for more than eight years.  Caren has provided Strength’s assessments, coaching, mentoring and team facilitation.  All these scopes of work have incrementally helped the progress of the office’s leaders and team members at every level.

I particularly appreciate Caren’s ability to target services based on the needs of the organization.  Caren has provided excellent partnership that supported the agency’s developmental and fiscal growth for almost a decade. She has been a partner since we were an 11-person office through our growth to a strong and diverse group of nearly 40 FTE. Helping us understand ourselves and each other has allowed for productive problem- solving and system improvement.  Most recently Caren guided us through a change management process resulting in an improved organizational structure.

Most importantly, as an executive director, I value Caren as a thinking partner.  Her experience as a leader within state government provides an understanding and credibility that is unique. There are times when a leader needs an objective and supportive ear and shoulder. Caren is an excellent coach and mentor who listens and provides strategic and valuable feedback.”

-Lindy Frolich, Former Executive Director
Colorado Office of Alternate Defense Counsel