Gautam Paul
Gautam Paul brings over two decades of international leadership experience across media, technology, and professional services. He has a proven track record of driving performance, transformation, and growth in volatile and complex corporate environments. Having revitalized underperforming teams, scaled high growth organizations, and led cross functional groups across the UK, India, and New Zealand, Gautam combines strong commercial acumen with deep insight into human motivation and leadership effectiveness. His coaching approach blends strategic clarity with practical execution, enabling senior leaders to strengthen their influence, navigate change with confidence, and build resilient, high performing teams. Gautam has advised executives in startups, established enterprises, and global firms, equipping them to align teams to strategy, manage competing stakeholder demands, and deliver measurable business impact in times of uncertainty. Known for driving growth through clarity and culture, Gautam has supported leadership teams to achieve breakthrough results by sharpening goals, strengthening communication, and embedding accountability. In one instance, he coached a stagnant leadership team to double their results within a year by focusing on mindset and collaboration rather than pressure alone. He has also guided leaders launching new ventures to assemble, mentor, and align high performing teams, enabling successful initiatives and strategic partnerships. His work consistently helps leaders turn complex challenges into opportunities for growth and impact. Across his engagements, Gautam emphasizes expanding leadership presence, deepening strategic focus, and unlocking individual potential to ensure sustained high performance and meaningful results.
James Pearson
James Pearson is an independent facilitator who helps public, corporate, and community teams work through complex, high-stakes challenges, especially when the way forward isn’t clear. With a background in IT, a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology, and over a decade of facilitation experience, James brings a unique mix of analytical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and practical delivery skills to his work. He specialises in process facilitation, co-design, and systems thinking, and has led cross-sector initiatives ranging from national freshwater regulations and biodiversity strategies to organisational redesign and digital transformation. After 13 years working in Aotearoa New Zealand, James is now based in the U.S. and brings a global perspective to his work across contexts and cultures. James thrives in messy, multi-stakeholder environments — the kind of work where strong relationships, creative thinking, and clarity of purpose make all the difference.
Julia Jackson
Julia Jackson brings over 20 years of experience working with world-class clients in fast-paced environments. She has led hundreds of leadership programs around the globe, in person and online. Julia specializes in talent development, organizational change, strategic program management and leadership coaching, engaging with a wide range of global organizations. She has a Technical MBA, paired with extensive experience in assessment-based solution partnership and a foundation in credentialed coaching. Her areas of focus in talent development include in-person and online program delivery of leadership strategy, communication, conflict management, team dynamics, trust building, career mobility, goal setting and performance review management. She is a master facilitator for the Procoach Certification program, which builds coaching skills for leaders to better engage with their teams and customers, improving productivity and accountability. Julia is a Wiley Partner and certified facilitator of the DiSC suite of assessments, including Workplace, Management, Sales, Productive Conflict, Agile EQ, Work of Leaders & Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team. Julia enjoys working with all employees, from new hires to the C-suite. She has built teams and managed the recruiting, hiring and training coaches and facilitators for large-scale global program delivery. Julia has run her own consulting firm for 14 years, which includes curriculum design and facilitation of leadership development programs for KPMG, Citrin Cooperman, FTI Consulting, Cracker Barrel and Comcast. Early in her career, Julia led technical teams with large-scale IT consulting projects for Accenture and ADP. She also led a division as a Program Director and Professor in academia. In 2020, she was designated the Master Teacher award at the University of Denver in their graduate Organizational Leadership program as a subject matter expert contributing to curriculum design and teaching as adjunct faculty. At her primary residence in Bozeman, Montana, Julia loves to support the local community by contributing time and talent to the Bozeman Professional Women’s nonprofit.
Azmiri Mian
Azmiri Mian is a dynamic facilitator, mental health and wellness coach, and leadership expert who thrives on empowering individuals and groups to achieve transformative outcomes. Rooted in a rich tapestry of global cultural experiences, Azmiri brings a unique perspective to her work, championing human connection and embracing diversity as the foundation of collaboration and growth. With a strong foundation as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Azmiri seamlessly integrates evidence-based strategies with innovative approaches such as Polyvagal Theory, somatic healing, and breathwork. Her expertise enables her to meet people where they are, guiding them through life’s complexities with empathy and clarity while fostering resilience and authentic connection. Guided by UFacilitate’s principles, Azmiri embodies the belief that “Relationships are the way.” She prioritizes creating safe, inclusive spaces where individuals and groups can navigate the “messy human stuff” with trust, vulnerability, and confidence. Her facilitation style is both compassionate and empowering, enabling participants to embrace their uniqueness and contribute meaningfully to shared goals. As a workshop leader, Azmiri excels in designing tailored group programs that inspire collaboration and transformation. Her signature offering, Reset Your Vagus Nerve and Live the Life You Want, empowers participants to build emotional regulation, resilience, and connection. Her ability to “nudge mountains” aligns with UFacilitate’s emphasis on sustainable change through small, consistent shifts, ensuring lasting impact for individuals and teams. Azmiri’s journey across Bangladesh, Greece, and Australia has cultivated a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and a commitment to fostering belonging. Her mission to help others “embrace their weird” reflects her belief in the power of authenticity and the value of every voice in creating innovative, inclusive solutions. Currently training as an internationally accredited Breathwork Facilitator, Azmiri is continuously expanding her toolkit to ensure her clients have access to cutting-edge modalities. Whether coaching individuals or facilitating groups, Azmiri’s approach is rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and an unwavering dedication to unlocking human potential. Azmiri Mian is a transformational guide who helps individuals and organizations achieve meaningful change by aligning purpose, connection, and action. Her work is a testament to the power of collaboration, resilience, and embracing the unique strengths that make us human.
Grishma Bista
Grishma Bista is a seasoned global health and development practitioner with 20 years of expertise in capacity building, leadership training, and program management across multiple international settings. With a strong background in areas like primary health, sexual and reproductive health, risk and governance, and financial accountability, Grishma has driven impactful reforms in diverse roles, including as Director of Integrated Care for North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network and Country Director for MSI Timor-Leste. In her roles with organizations such as MSI and CARE International, Grishma has provided high-impact training on topics such as strategic planning, leadership development, financial oversight, governance, and risk management. She has successfully coached senior leaders, fostering a culture of accountability and cohesive teamwork. Known for her ability to guide teams through complex transitions, including change management and organizational restructuring, Grishma is highly adept at empowering individuals and groups to drive results while meeting global compliance standards. With a hands-on approach, Grishma offers expertise in developing tailored learning programs and facilitating workshops that build technical, managerial, and leadership capabilities in health, not for profit, and development sectors. Fluent in Nepali, English, and Tetum, she brings both cultural fluency and multilingual communication skills to her facilitation work, making her an asset in diverse training settings.
Shiv Paul
Shiv Paul is a transformational leader with over 20 years of management consulting experience at McKinsey & Company and Adobe’s Professional Services group. As a strategist, his specialization in change management and in digital transformation focused aligning people, processes, culture, and structure to drive successful adoption and retention of digital, structural and organizational solutions. In addition to his corporate track record, Shiv is a TEDx speaker, and career volunteer where he provides his expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, and coaching to youth, community centers and initiatives, and to sports organizations such as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) where he serves, currently, as a strategic advisor to the executive board. He previously served as Vice Chair of the USTA’s National Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and Vice President of External Relations for the Federation of Gay Games. Shiv’s multifaceted background includes having lived in France, Italy, London. Mumbai and New York, and work as an actor, model, journalist, and fitness instructor. He is an ICF accredited Business and Life Coach (CTI), Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor (ISSA), and Meditation Practitioner—bringing a holistic approach to leadership, wellbeing, and personal growth.
Birgit Hermann
Birgit Hermann is a social impact professional who has navigated international landscapes, leading organizations and teams through complex challenges and transformations. She is a senior leader and former country director with over 20 years of experience spanning 20+ countries, bringing a unique blend of strategic insight, cultural fluency, and leadership acumen to every endeavor. Since 2015, her main base has been Timor-Leste. As an accredited leadership coach with both ICF and EMCC, she specializes in guiding individuals and teams towards their full potential, fostering leadership, and driving sustainable, inclusive change. Her expertise extends across three key areas: Recognized as a Global Peace Fellow (Rotary) and Positive Peace Activator (IEP), she is deeply passionate about empowering changemakers. Throughout her career, she has championed a locally-led, human-rights-based approach to development, working closely with community-led, non-government, government, and corporate organizations. She advocates for participatory approaches and collaborative leadership, fostering environments where everyone can contribute their unique strengths towards a common goal.
Michelle Helman
Michelle Helman (she/her/ella) is committed to transforming the way people solve complex problems by integrating a trauma-informed and equity-centered data justice approach that results in improved social trust, peace, and health outcomes. For over twenty years, Michelle has worked with global leaders across public and private sectors to design, facilitate, and evaluate community-driven change strategies on projects such as supporting the Colombian peace process, public health education initiatives in Nicaragua, a US-nationwide Climate Science Adaptation initiative, and Community Safety & Violence Prevention efforts in Portland, Oregon. Michelle is a trained mediator, Rotary Peace Fellow, and Center for Public Service Senior Fellow who holds a MA in Peace and Conflict Studies and BA in Anthropology. She is bilingual in English and Spanish which she learned through serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Perú. [more info. Here: https://www.michellehelman.com/speaking.html]
Colin Skelton
Having worked and traveled extensively around the world, Colin Skelton draws inspiration from diverse cultures. Consequently, he has adopted a hybrid approach to his creative work. After being based in Bergen, Norway, for over twelve years and traveling extensively from there, Colin returned to South Africa in 2006. Colin is an experienced facilitator rooted in anthropological theater-making traditions. He guides teams and individuals through experiential learning processes that unlock creativity and foster innovation capacity. With storytelling as a common thread, he facilitates connections through playful and purposeful methods to unveil new perspectives, ignite creative intelligence, and nurture imagination. In his storytelling work, Colin trains leaders and organizations to develop strategic storytelling skills for impactful communications. He also facilitates narrative capacity for business change contexts and human-centered design initiatives. As a design thinking practitioner, Colin employs activated and experiential methods to connect people, ideas, and insights, helping clients build richer possibilities for innovation and collaboration. Combining embodiment practices and applied theater techniques, Colin enhances design flow, extends intelligence, and offers unconventional processes that complement conventional methods. In his work as an embodiment coach, he brings practical and impactful tools to help individuals effectively manage stress, regulate emotions, align with purpose, cultivate leadership presence, and tap into activated creative states. Guiding leaders on their journey toward optimal presence is a core focus of his work. Colin is a TEDx and public speaker with a growing portfolio of inspirational experiential talks. Colin thrives in both virtual and in-person contexts, adapting to meet his clients’ needs with a flexible and collaborative approach.
Rizwaan Akhtar
Rizwaan Akhtar is a facilitator, trainer, and civic leadership development professional with over fifteen years of experience helping individuals unlock their potential to create positive social change and foster inclusive communities. He is the Senior Director of Learning, Development, & Inclusion at Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) where he designs experiences that support leaders to engage politically and build more just and liberatory systems. Based in Chicago, Rizwaan is a Board Member of the Chicago Community Bond Fund and a former Local School Council member of Reilly Elementary School. Before LEE, he led an international team at World Learning, overseeing an initiative that trained over 2,500 young people in civic leadership and peacebuilding efforts in Iraq and the U.S. His expertise includes dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, cross-cultural communication, and people management. Rizwaan is a Fellow of the American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute, is proficient in Arabic, Spanish, and Urdu, and holds an Executive Nonprofit Management Certificate from Georgetown University, an M.A. in International Education from the SIT Graduate Institute, and a B.A. in Psychology and Middle East Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.