Coaching | Consulting | Learning

About Us

Our Team

Bruce Kawahara, PCC, CPCC
BluOpal Co-Principal and Co-Founder

Clients say ...
"Bruce offers an objective third-party perspective; I can ask him virtually anything without worrying about being PC or making a career-limiting move."
Sr. Performance Specialist, Human Resources, Continental Western Insurance Co.

What Bruce likes best about his work:
"I like to shine a light on the parts of people's lives where they do not often look. These are places that are the foundations for passion, values, and fulfillment. Together we reflect these places upon the client's day-to-day challenges and frustrations and ask 'Why?' or 'Why not?' These seem like such simple questions, and yet they are not. These are the conversations we do not easily have by ourselves."

Bruce's proudest moment in coaching:
"I had a client who worked diligently to build a hefty database of customers in financial services yet felt unable to reach true success. He often spoke passionately about how he dedicated much of his free time in spiritual practice through his service of others. When I asked what was important about this, he said, "It's because I'm supposed to be the servant." I asked what the difference was between serving someone in need and serving someone in need of financial services. His eyes opened wide and he uttered, "There is no difference". Today his business has more than doubled because he honors his values by seeing himself as serving everyone."

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Credentials:

Michele Roden, PCC, CPCC
BluOpal Co-Principal and Co-Founder

Clients say ...
"Michele is a great listener, has tremendous insight, is able to capture the essence of what I am trying to say as I meander during our phone calls and give it back to me in fewer, more direct words; she keeps me on track to get the most for my personal and professional growth out of my sabbatical."
Executive Director, Affordable Housing.

What Michele likes best about her work:
"I love seeing people in the moments they recognize the best part of themselves. We all have greatness and shadow. It's easier for most to know the shadow- it's more challenging and more rewarding to own the best part of ourselves and make intentional choices from there!"

Michele's proudest moment in coaching:
"I was working with a high level executive who was bored and disillusioned with her organization. She planned an exit strategy, and upon realizing that finding the right next job may take months, she also considered how she needed to stay engaged during the search process. She discovered new ways to contribute and found renewed enthusiasm for her position. Today she remains engaged in her job 5 years after this coaching."

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Neeraj Bhagat, PCC, CPCC, PMP

Clients say ...
"Neeraj is one of the smartest people I know and he sees the world so differently from me. As a result, I gain amazing new insights almost every time we talk. I would readily add him to my management team so I can get him all day long!"
Vice President of Sales, Large Technology Company

What Neeraj likes best about his work:
Very simply, impacting how people experience life TODAY! We all have challenges with work, money, relationships, health, etc. And I find how we choose to engage with these challenges defines our experience, more so than the actual circumstances.

Neeraj's proudest moment in coaching:
My proudest moment was using coaching skills in a non-coaching situation. The leader of a 4-person management team asked for 30 minutes to address operational issues before we could start our scheduled meeting. I noticed the team was very demoralized, frustrated, and fighting with each other. By listening, asking a few key questions, and reflecting what I noticed, I helped the team leave two hours later inspired and unified. We got our work done and they hadn't realized it. And yet they knew something magical had just happened.

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Julie Colbrese, ACC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"Your coaching really helped me to realize that this was my problem and mine to fix. There will come a time, whether with a direct report or someone else, that this situation will present itself again. I'm going to continue to exercise my "impulse-to-react muscle" and lean in rather than try to get out. Thank you for listening and coaching me through this. Yesterday was my most uncomfortable meeting with you and most productive."
Sales Manager, Machinery Systems, Inc.

What Julie likes best about her work:
"It's extremely gratifying--and humbling--to be in an honest and trusting relationship with my clients and to have the opportunity to be a witness to their transformations in work and life."

Julie's proudest moment in coaching:
"I am committed to my client's learning. With that, I am willing to risk their comfort in service of their learning. When my client says I made him/her 'uncomfortable' (see above) AND they achieved a goal or accomplished something meaningful, that's fulfilling for me. I like working on that edge."

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Hanna Cooper, MPH, ACC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"Instead of giving me 'the answer,' Hanna asks the questions so I find my own solutions. By coaching with Hanna, I am finally resolving situations that have lingered unresolved for years, as I discover I have the capacity within me to change my current and future outcomes."
Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives Manager, Minnesota Department of Health

What Hanna likes best about her work:
"Helping fan the flames on a leader's own learning and growth, knowing that they will have even more significant positive impact in the world. Coaching leaders allows me to act in alignment with my own values while serving others."

Hanna's proudest moment in coaching:
"Repeatedly, it's in witnessing clients find and use their own unlimited inner wisdom and then making the critical shifts they desire from that place of knowing. When clients can ask themselves their own coaching questions, I know they've got it!"

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Meade Dickerson, MCC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"Meade, has an amazing spirit that's booming with a sense of pure aliveness. I wanted to have some of his spirit move me to the next level of my own journey, and he did just that. What does Buzz Lightyear say in the movie Toy Story? 'To infinity and beyond!' That's Meade. That's me. Man, we're awesome!"
Management Consultant, Communications

What Meade likes best about his work:
"Knowing that the work I do is what I am here for in the world. It is my true calling, and I feel lucky and blessed to have found it at such a young age. Coaching is who I am. How cool is it that I get to do the work that I love and get paid for it?!"

Meade's proudest moment in coaching:
"When a client told me that due to the work I had done with her, I had helped save her life. This client had gone through a horrific bout of cancer treatments while trying to change her life and her career. Our work together allowed her to move through the transition and heal with empowerment and grace."

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Wendy Gutin, PCC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"More than a sounding board or a conscience, Wendy takes you to the places you're most afraid of but need to go. I'm truly amazing and delighted at the ground we've covered since working together, and when I think about what I'm most grateful for, Wendy immediately comes to mind."
VP Corporate Marketing and Communications

What Wendy likes best about her work:
"I love that I get to champion people to be their best selves, whether through individual coaching, their being a participant in a course I've led, or being someone I've supervised or mentored. I love having people wake up to and embrace their potential and their dreams!"

Wendy's proudest moment in coaching:
"Several come to mind, but one of them is when I coached a woman who had worked for WorldCom to start her own consulting company and move across the country. She created an entirely new life and new career, in a new location, and felt self-confident, creative, and fully alive for probably the first time in her life."

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Credentials:

Bonnie K. Hill, PCC, CPCC, MSW

Clients say ...
"I am struck by the immensity of the gift you have given me, even during the moments even when I questioned everything. Thank you for the huge part you played in getting me to this moment today. A huge THANK YOU for your strong, intuitive coaching, Bonnie."
President, Solopreneur, Web Design

What Bonnie likes best about her work:
"I feel totally alive and thrilled about my work when I see clients recognize that they have choice in their lives and then actually choose to do something new, different, or what they previously thought of as 'hard' or 'impossible.' My work is all about creating and uncovering possibilities; I see them and it's fantastic when they see them too!"

Bonnie's proudest moment in coaching:
"[A client] felt that our coaching relationship had enough trust and safety to bring up something that was very hard and uncomfortable for her and had the courage to be honest, forthright and willing to have a difficult conversation. For me, this was a powerfully clear example of how creating a safe and courageous coaching relationship really works."

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Debra J. Josephson, PCC, CPCC, RN, BSN

Clients say ...
"I will be forever grateful for the thought-provoking questions you asked me. The 'a-ha' moments are too numerous to count but each one was valuable in helping me to find my way."
VP Human Resources, Manufacturing

What Debra likes best about her work:
"It is an absolute honor to observe the awakenings that people have in and about their lives. To watch people experience more joy, fulfillment and authenticity is an amazing process and contributes bit by bit to improving our human community."

Debra's proudest moment in coaching:
"I'm proud of when a client realized that the pain of living life 'asleep' was greater than the fear of making a fundamental change. This change shook her old belief system of putting everyone else and their needs ahead of what she wanted and needed. She started 'living life out loud' and has not looked back since."

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Credentials:

Tamara Keefe, M Ed.

Clients say ...
"Tamara Keefe has influenced my life more than I could have ever hoped for. When I partnered with her as my coach I was working in Corporate America, but badly wanting to break away and start my own business. I have enjoyed "playing my music" for three years now, and I will forever be grateful for her help."
Professional Speaker, Trainer, Author

What Tamara likes best about her work:
"I love the miraculous nature of this work. Dreams come true. Obstacles are overcome. Relationships are healed. Businesses are born. Lives improve. Productivity increases. Anything is possible!"

Tamara's proudest moment in coaching:
"I felt a tremendous sense of gratitude and pride on the night we launched the Live Love campaign. Through the support of my family, friends and my own coach I was able to live fully into that dream. I feel that same sense of gratitude and pride when someone I am coaching realizes that anything is possible and goes for it!"

Specialties:

Credentials:

• Leadership,
• Organizational development and
• Customer relationship building from the NTL Institute

Madelyn Roche, ACC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"Coaching with Madelyn was an unforgettable experience. She helped me to develop the self-esteem and confidence I needed to move forward in my life."
Sales Associate, PriceWaterhouseCooper.

What Madelyn likes best about her work:
Helping people achieve powerful, life-enhancing breakthroughs in their personal and professional lives.

Madelyn's proudest moment in coaching:
Helping a client to overcome personal and self-confidence barriers so that she was finally able to write the book she had dreamed about writing for years.

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Paul (Paolo) Scoglio, MSW, LICSW, CPCC

Clients say ...
"I coached with Paul off and on a couple different times for 2-3 years and then again for under a year. I grew personally, in my awareness and understanding of my impact in my personal life, in all aspects of my life ... my impact in the world and how I show up ... he helped me to be more powerful and full and complete."
COO/CFO Coach Training Industry

What Paul likes best about his work:
"I love the people I meet and the depth of connection they offer on the journey they share with me. Far more than seeing their accomplishments, it is the connections and the discoveries that fulfill me the most."

Paul's proudest moment in coaching:
"My proudest moment occurred when I referred a client to a job that was perfect for her. Through the experience of couples' coaching, she and her husband rejuvenated their marriage and she agreed to her husband's desire to relocate even though she had to quit her job. She struggled for two years to find a satisfying position. Finally I referred her to a great job that she landed. It was a perfect fit for her experience, talents, need for community, and interest in serving others. It reignited her own transformational growth. "

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Andrea Sigetich, MCC, CPCC

Clients say ...
"I ran across a quote today that describes my experience after working with Andrea all these years. 'No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself.' [Thomas Mann] I have changed ever since I recognized myself as the person I want to become."
Director, FedEx Ground

What Andrea likes best about her work:
"I adore turning on the light switch. I love the a-ha moments of insight, when clients see the patterns and their meanings. I love being allowed to see intimately into another's heart and soul, and — having been granted the permission to challenge — assist them in seeing their best selves."

Andrea's proudest moment in coaching:
"There is a shift — an almost audible, but certainly tangible shift — when a client truly 'gets' that they are magnificent. He suddenly crosses a barrier ... His self-confidence at this point, and his willingness to continue on his path, whatever the risks, challenges, or fears, make the coaching screech to a halt. He is done. Hallelujah!"

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Kristine Steinberg, CPBA, CPVA

Clients say ...
"I found Kristine to quickly zero in on my situation and provide invaluable coaching at a critical moment in my career. In a short time, she was able to assess where I was, and analyzing my strengths and weakness, she coached me on how best to present myself."
Nursing Director, Massachusetts General Hospital

What Kristine likes best about her work:
"The moment of 'awakening' inspires me beyond words. I experience a sense of great humility and honor as a witness to this awakening. All the effort that goes into coaching culminates in that moment and this is what I love most about what I do."

Kristine's proudest moment in coaching:
"When a client awakens to the truth in themselves and in that truth they discover the power to break a pattern/habit/barrier and follow their dream. These dreams range from going back to school to pursue innate talents/passions to ending alienating behavior in order to become a leader that people want to work with and emulate."

Specialties:

Credentials:

• DISC^TM
• Workplace Motivators^TM
• Myers Briggs^TM
• Strong Interest Inventory^TM

Melanie Vick, MOL, cWC

Clients say ...
"Melanie Vick's presenting style held my attention and kept me engaged in her topic. I was quickly able to apply what I learned from her to take the necessary steps to improve my life and have the courage to go for it. She also made it easy for the more shy personalities to ask questions and participate in the discussion."
Entrepreneur, Marion, Iowa

What Melanie likes best about her work:
"Let's face it, life is messy. And mine has been no exception. Through coaching, I have the privilege of guiding my clients through their own challenges bringing them out on the other side and achieving things they once thought impossible. That is way cool. And, knowing that I wouldn't be half as effective had I not endured and overcome my own adversities is what makes it even cooler."

Melanie's proudest moment in coaching:
"One of my proudest moments in coaching was when I received positive feedback from my client about the result he had achieved with his team. He went so far as to forward emails from his team describing the incredible turnaround they had seen in his leadership style and competence. The amazing power of reflection never ceases to amaze me. Coaching provides leaders with an "amped up" approach to reflection and action. I love that."

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JoAnne Weimer Schram

Clients say ...
We couldn't do half the job we do at BluOpal without Jo's organization and structural help. She's great at making sure our clients are well taken care of! Bruce & Michele, BluOpal Consulting Jo is the Virtual Administrator for BluOpal. She excels at providing high quality administrative services with dedication, commitment and confidentiality.

What Jo likes best about her business:
"Working as a team with my clients as they achieve their vision, goals and objectives while, at the same time, accomplishing my professional goals.

Having my own business offers lifestyle flexibility and the opportunity to 'break out of the box' and try new methods; always challenging and exciting. One of my favorite quotes (author unknown) is Women who Behave rarely make History...I believe that quite nicely sums up my business motivation and management style."

Jo's proudest moment in her work:
"My proudest moment is when I started my business in 1998 and finalized my initial ten clients. International entrepreneurs and small businesses continue to recognize the efficiency and cost savings provided by virtual assistants, and I am proud to be associated with an industry on the upswing."

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