The Center for Leadership Excellence

Whether you’re seeking personal leadership growth or wanting to elevate your entire organization, Solsten Institute provides the structure, strategy, and support for real transformation.

Meet the Team

A global collective of executive coaches and leadership strategists dedicated to developing extraordinary leaders.

We are present in North America (Headquarters), Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle-East.

Founder & CEO

Claudio Toyama, MA, PCC

Claudio Toyama is an international speaker, executive coach, and leadership strategist with more than two decades of experience developing leaders across 30+ countries. Known for helping organizations elevate talent quickly and sustainably, he blends human behavior, communication science, and practical tools that strengthen executive influence in high-stakes environments. He has supported leaders in Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, high-growth firms, and mission-driven organizations, consistently helping them build confidence, presence, and lasting impact.

A descendant of Samurai, Claudio was born and raised in Brazil and has lived in Japan, Italy, the UK, and the U.S. He has consulted in over 113 countries, giving him a uniquely global lens on leadership and culture. He is an ICF-PCC certified coach, an Adjunct Faculty member at Georgetown University's Institute for Transformational Leadership, and author of the best-selling book The Samurai Samba Vinci Way.

A lifelong learner, Claudio holds degrees in Business Administration, Marketing, Strategy, Communication Studies, and Interactive Multimedia, along with advanced certifications in Ontological and Generative Coaching. Outside of work, he is committed to bringing more beauty and passion into the world—and is easily distracted by ice cream, chocolate, and sushi (though not at the same time). He lives near Washington, D.C., with his daughter.

Learning and Development (L&D) Team

Michelle Montserrat Oliva, MBA, PCC

Head of Facilitation

Michelle Montserrat Oliva is an executive coach, facilitator, and leadership advisor with more than 15 years of experience supporting leaders and teams across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Her values-driven, strengths-based coaching approach is grounded in deep listening, curiosity, and strategic reflection—sparking meaningful insight and lasting growth.

Michelle has worked in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, building exceptional cultural agility and adaptability. She serves on the adjunct faculty of Georgetown University's leadership coaching program and supports executive education at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.

She is certified in the Leadership Circle Profile, TetraMap, and the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI), with additional experience in a broad suite of assessments. Earlier in her career, she held consulting and project leadership roles in international development, agriculture, media, energy, and financial services.

Michelle's decades-long mindfulness practice—now also as a trained teacher through UC Berkeley's MMTCP program—shapes her work with leaders, helping them cultivate compassion, presence, and resilience. A conservatory-trained musician and adventurer, she has logged more than 20,000 solo kilometers across Southern Africa. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Janet Ladd, PCC, SPHR

Head of Coaching

Janet Ladd is a leadership coach, workplace well-being practitioner, and clinical mental health counseling graduate student. With more than 20 years of experience in HR, business, and organizational consulting, she partners with leaders and teams to navigate burnout, stress, transitions, and complex challenges while supporting sustainable growth.

Janet holds an MS in Applied Behavioral Science from Johns Hopkins University, is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the ICF, and carries the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential. She also completed a Health & Wellness Coaching certification through an NBHWC-approved program.

Her work integrates mental health awareness, human performance, and leadership development. Known for her compassion, curiosity, and grounded presence, Janet creates spaces where growth feels accessible and safe. She helps leaders strengthen communication, increase resilience, and expand their leadership capacity with clarity and confidence.

Janet works across industries, helping individuals and organizations cultivate healthier, more effective workplaces where people and performance can thrive.

Senior Executive Coaches/ Facilitators

Annie Peguero, ACC

Senior Associate

Annie Peguero is an executive leadership coach dedicated to helping leaders transform fear into confidence and cultivate balance, clarity, and purpose. An adoptee, former federal law enforcement officer, and military spouse, Annie's journey through identity, upheaval, and reinvention fuels her mission to empower leaders to embrace resilience and authenticity. Her global background—including time spent in the U.S., Italy, and Japan—shapes the depth and compassion she brings to her work.

A Georgetown-trained coach, Annie is the creator of the B.R.A.V.E. Framework and founder of The Lion's Garden Academy, a neuroscience-based approach to leadership and personal growth. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Fear Alchemy. Annie holds a BS in Special Education, a Master's in Park Resources Management, multiple federal law enforcement certifications, and an executive leadership coaching certification.

A wellness advocate and lifelong learner, Annie guides leaders toward alignment and empowered decision-making on the other side of fear. She lives in Northern Virginia with her retired Marine husband and two daughters, thrives on outdoor adventures, embraces alcohol-free living, and is always ready for an impromptu kitchen dance party.

Dave Mell

Senior Associate

Dave Mell is an executive coach who leads with heart, connection, and a deep belief in every leader's capacity for meaningful transformation. Grounded in his own journey of reinvention, he helps clients challenge limiting beliefs, build empowered ways of being, and create bold, authentic outcomes. His calm, attuned presence allows leaders to explore both aspirations and obstacles with courage and clarity.

Dave is an engineer by training with more than twenty years of operational experience across startups and global enterprises. He has coached teams to breakthrough performance, guided founders through corporate accelerator programs, and served as a C-suite executive—giving him firsthand insight into the real-world pressures leaders face. His clients span software, finance, biotech, accounting, and related technical sectors.

His professional training includes certifications in the Mindshift Journey, Ontological Coaching, the Leadership Circle Profile, Trauma-Informed Coaching and Consulting, and Agile Software Development. Dave is widely respected as a trusted advisor who brings both technical expertise and emotional intelligence to leadership development, helping clients navigate complexity while staying grounded and aligned.

Deb Friedman, PCC

Senior Associate

Deb Friedman is an executive leadership coach and facilitator who helps leaders thrive in a rapidly evolving and complex world. With 20 years of experience navigating uncertainty—from her early service in the Peace Corps to senior roles in a Fortune 100 company—Deb brings global awareness, strategic thinking, and deep compassion to her work.

During her 15-year tenure at National Geographic, a Walt Disney Company, Deb served as a senior leader at the intersection of mission, learning, and business strategy. She designed and delivered transformational travel and experiential programs around the globe, growing the organization's travel brand tenfold.

A PCC-certified coach and graduate of Georgetown's Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Deb helps leaders expand their capacity to inspire and align teams through change. Clients describe her as an empathetic, inquisitive thought partner who supports and challenges them toward meaningful outcomes.

Her work is rooted in the belief that every person is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. She is passionate about helping leaders strengthen well-being, access inner resources, and lead with clarity and purpose. Deb is certified in the Leadership Circle Profile and Be Well Lead Well Pulse® and is experienced with EQ-i, DiSC, StrengthsFinder, and other tools.

Elza Baptista Filha, PCC

Senior Associate

Elza Baptista Filha is an executive coach, mentor, and organizational consultant with more than 40 years of professional experience across international, multicultural, and highly complex environments. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, Elza brings deep expertise in leadership development, career transitions, decision-making, and resilience—supporting leaders to navigate change with clarity, confidence, and strategic focus.

For the past decade, Elza has worked as an independent coach and mentor with global digital platforms and organizations, including John Mattone Global, CoachHub, Modern Health, Forton Group, Speexx, and Praditus. Her coaching supports leaders facing challenges such as leadership effectiveness, communication, team dynamics, stress management, burnout, and emotional regulation. She is also experienced in delivering team training in areas such as time management, assertiveness, decision-making, and communication skills.

Earlier in her career, Elza held senior administrative, HR, and training leadership roles within NATO and the European Commission in Brussels. As Training Manager at the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, she designed and implemented large-scale learning and career development programs for hundreds of staff. Her background also includes extensive experience in HR management, mentoring programs, security, and organizational governance.

Elza holds advanced certifications in executive, somatic, and mental health coaching, is a Master Certified Intelligent Leadership Coach through John Mattone Global, and is fluent in Portuguese, English, French, and Italian. Having lived and worked in Brazil, the U.S., Belgium, and Portugal, she brings a truly global perspective to her coaching and mentoring work.

Floyd Carlson, PCC

Senior Associate

Floyd Carlson brings more than 30 years of global leadership experience to his coaching practice, helping leaders create positive, lasting impact within their organizations. His background spans IT, corporate sales, crisis management, succession planning, operations, and leading PMO and change-management teams—giving him a broad and practical perspective on leadership in dynamic environments.

A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF, Floyd is also a Certified Neurotransformational Coach, Tiny Habits Certified Coach, and author of Conscious Leadership in Action. Known for his grounded, strategic presence, he supports leaders in strengthening emotional intelligence, navigating complexity, and building high-performing teams.

Floyd holds a Master's in Management Information Systems from Bowie State University and a Bachelor's in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. He maintains an impressive portfolio of certifications, including ORSC, Hogan, HBDI, Caliper, Leadership Circle Profile, Gottman Seven Principles, and the Key Polarity Indicator.

A dedicated endurance athlete, Floyd has completed 23 marathons and brings that same discipline and intentionality to supporting leaders in expanding their capacity and achieving meaningful results.

Kelley Sanabria, ACC

Senior Associate

Kelley Sanabria is a leadership consultant, facilitator, and speaker who helps leaders and organizations navigate complexity, competing demands, and high-stakes tension with clarity, courage, and humanity. As the founder of Blue Morpho, Kelley partners with leaders who are balancing seemingly opposing demands—care and accountability, decisiveness and inclusion, performance and well-being—without collapsing into either/or thinking.

Her work is grounded in polarity thinking, leadership development, and systems awareness. Kelley helps individuals and teams recognize when challenges are not problems to be solved, but ongoing tensions to be managed thoughtfully over time. Through this lens, leaders build greater capacity to respond with discernment, adaptability, and steadiness—especially in moments of pressure or uncertainty.

Kelley brings particular expertise in supporting women leaders to strengthen assertiveness, voice, and influence as essential leadership capabilities. She is known for creating spaces where leaders can engage honestly with difficult conversations, surface unspoken dynamics, and translate insight into meaningful action.

With experience across nonprofit, corporate, and public-sector environments, Kelley is valued for her thoughtful presence, practical perspective, and ability to turn tension into learning. She partners with organizations through facilitation, assessments, and speaking engagements that deepen leadership effectiveness while honoring both results and well-being.

Kristen Scott, PCC

Senior Associate

Kristen Scott is an executive coach committed to helping leaders unlock their full potential and overcome the barriers that stand in their way. Blending empathy with practical tools, she guides clients toward greater clarity, resilience, and forward momentum.

An ICF-PCC certified coach, Kristen is a Sr. Talent Manager at Kohler Co. and founder of Centered Energy Leadership. She is also a former United States Air Force Captain, where she served as a missile launch officer with top-secret clearance—experience that shaped her calm, focused approach to high-pressure decision-making.

Kristen earned her BS in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire and her MBA from Central Michigan University before completing her coaching certification through Georgetown University's Institute for Transformational Leadership.

Based in Ipswich, MA, she coaches leaders around the world. Clients value her authenticity, warmth, and ability to integrate both head and heart into her coaching. She is a beach lover and devoted parent who brings curiosity, optimism, and grounded presence to every client relationship.

Leah Kedar, MCC

Senior Associate

Leah Kedar is a Master Certified Coach (MCC), executive coach, author, and TEDx speaker who brings deep presence, compassion, and rigor to leadership development. An ICF Advanced Certified Mentor Coach (ACMC), Leah is known for coaching the whole person—honoring the full humanity of each client while supporting meaningful, sustainable change at the personal, professional, and organizational levels.

Leah is a two-time recipient of the ICF Prism Award for Coaching Excellence for her work with the National Institutes of Health and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Her coaching approach is ontological and integral, supporting leaders to deepen self-awareness, clarify what matters most, and design strategies that align who they are with how they lead. Clients work with Leah to navigate complexity, strengthen leadership presence, and move forward with intention and integrity.

In 2022, Leah delivered her TEDx talk, "The Listening Cup," for the Veterans Administration Health Services annual meeting. The talk draws on decades of learning about the transformative power of listening and how it creates the conditions for trust, healing, and meaningful change.

Marc Stoecker, ACC, CPCC

Senior Associate

Marc Stoecker is a resilience and life coach, facilitator, and life experience designer who helps professionals—particularly those in midlife—navigate change with clarity, confidence, and purpose. With more than two decades of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors, Marc brings a grounded, practical perspective to supporting individuals and teams through career transitions, leadership growth, and mental fitness challenges.

Through Prism of Purpose Coaching and Training, Marc blends strategic coaching with creative, embodied approaches to development. His work integrates storytelling, movement, and Positive Intelligence® practices to help clients reconnect with what matters most, strengthen resilience, and design intentional next chapters in their personal and professional lives. Marc's workshops and coaching experiences are known for sparking insight that leads to meaningful action—particularly for leaders who are ready to pause, reflect, and reimagine how they want to live and lead.

Marc creates thoughtful, engaging spaces where clients can explore identity, purpose, and possibility while building the mindset and skills needed to move forward with momentum. His approach supports leaders in developing clarity amidst uncertainty and confidence in times of transition.

Marc holds credentials as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through the Co-Active Training Institute, and is a Positive Intelligence (PQ) Certified Coach. He brings warmth, creativity, and steady presence to every coaching partnership.

Nancy Martin, PCC

Senior Associate

Nancy Martin is an executive coach, facilitator, and leadership advisor whose work helps individuals, teams, and organizations lead with clarity, confidence, and consistency—no matter their role or level. Known for guiding clients from confusion to clarity and from intimidation to authentic connection, Nancy helps leaders strengthen decision-making, improve communication, and show up with grounded confidence in high-stakes environments.

Nancy's clients value her ability to quickly identify barriers and illuminate the path forward. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Coaching strategies, ontological coaching methodologies, 20 years of management experience, and a suite of proven assessments and tools to help leaders break through patterns that limit their effectiveness. Through her practical, whole-person approach, clients learn to increase productivity, communicate more effectively, reduce stress, and navigate leadership transitions with greater ease and presence.

Her coaching supports leaders seeking to build their confidence, elevate team performance, transition into new roles, and create healthier work–life balance.

Nancy received her coach training from the Newfield Network and is certified in DiSC, The Five Behaviors, and World Purpose Forum. She holds the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation. A former professional dancer, she brings the discipline, presence, and embodied wisdom of the stage into her coaching. Her insights are featured in her international #1 best-selling book Dance Your Way to an Empowered Self: 4 Elements to Achieve Shining Confidence.

Rafael García Monroy, MBA, PCC

Senior Associate

Rafael García Monroy is a leadership consultant, executive coach, and facilitator specializing in ontological and generative coaching. Since 2012, he has supported leaders and teams across industries—including financial services, healthcare, mining, manufacturing, energy, technology, aerospace, and education—to expand their leadership capacity and create meaningful new results.

Rafael is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF and former President of the ICF Mexico Charter Chapter. His earlier career includes leadership roles in Europe and North America, including Program Director at an international business school in Barcelona, a management role at a multinational holding group in Andorra, and Vice President in Global Leadership Development at Goldman Sachs in London.

He holds engineering and PhD-level training in Telematic Engineering, an International MBA from Barcelona, and advanced certifications in leadership agility, ontological coaching, generative coaching, somatic leadership, and NLP.

With extensive cultural and linguistic immersion across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Rafael helps leaders design their desired future and build the internal and external capacity to achieve it. His work centers on the principle that awareness creates choice—and choice creates new realities.

Regina Lescura, PCC

Senior Associate

Regina Lescura is a leadership development professional and executive coach with more than 20 years of global experience in marketing, brand strategy, and talent development. She has built a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical industry, holding leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson and Bayer across Latin America and the United States. In these roles, Regina led high-performing teams, accelerated strategic growth, and supported complex organizational transformations in highly competitive, regulated environments.

Regina brings together deep business acumen and leadership expertise to help executives and organizations strengthen influence, elevate leadership capability, and deliver sustainable results. Her coaching supports leaders navigating strategic career transitions, increasing executive presence, and building the confidence required to lead through change.

An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Positive Intelligence coach, Regina works with senior leaders and high-potential talent to clarify direction, align strengths, and translate insight into decisive action. She also serves as a career coach and facilitator at LHH, where she supports leaders in career clarity, positioning, and leadership readiness during moments of transition.

Regina is the author of Coragem para Ir Além: Um Guia Prático para Mulheres no Mundo Corporativo, a practical guide for women navigating leadership and career challenges in corporate environments. Through her coaching, writing, and facilitation, Regina is committed to developing leaders who combine strategic impact with authenticity, resilience, and purpose.

Ryoka Teramachi

Senior Associate

Ryoka Teramachi is an ontological coach and DEI practitioner dedicated to creating inclusive, empowering environments where individuals feel seen, valued, and able to thrive. Trained through Newfield's ICF-accredited program, she integrates coaching methodologies with her graduate studies in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership at Tufts University.

Originally from Tokyo, Ryoka has lived in Beppu, London, and now Boston, giving her a global lens and deep appreciation for cultural nuance. Her HR and organizational development background includes coaching individuals across sectors and supporting NGO professionals, including those from Save the Children.

Having traveled to 33 countries, Ryoka brings cultural sensitivity, embodied learning, and a strong commitment to equity to every client relationship. She blends DEI principles with coaching-based approaches to help clients embrace authenticity, navigate transitions, and strengthen their well-being.

She is passionate about building communities where belonging fuels performance, connection, and positive change.

Sofia Borodulina, PCC

Senior Associate

Sofia Borodulina is an executive coach committed to developing emotionally intelligent, high-impact leaders. She partners with global organizations, startups, and institutions to cultivate leaders who listen deeply, communicate with clarity, and inspire their teams.

An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Sofia has designed and delivered leadership programs for Harvard Business School, UNICEF, Microsoft, and the Oman Investment Authority. Her workshops consistently receive exceptional ratings, including a 95 NPS and 4.8/5 participant score.

Sofia studied at Harvard Business School, Georgetown University, and Cornell University and holds advanced certifications in Hogan Assessments, the Reiss Motivation Profile, MBTI Step I & II, and EQ-i/EQ360. She is also certified in Search Inside Yourself and #IamRemarkable.

Born in Ukraine and raised in Germany, Sofia has lived in six countries across four continents. Now residing in Abu Dhabi, she brings a rich multicultural perspective to her work, helping leaders navigate global challenges with authenticity, agility, and confidence.

Steve Whearty, PCC

Senior Associate

Steve Whearty is an executive coach and leadership development specialist with more than 30 years of experience across the U.S. Navy, federal government, and private sector. His lifelong commitment to service, learning, and human development led him to coaching, where he helps leaders build the awareness, strategies, and behaviors that support meaningful personal and organizational effectiveness.

Steve partners with clients to uncover hidden assumptions and patterns that may be limiting their success. Through reflection, experiential learning, and supportive challenge, he helps leaders tap into their strengths and create actionable pathways toward their goals. Clients describe him as a deeply present, judgment-free listener who synthesizes complexity and guides them to their own insights and solutions.

Relatable, grounded, and known for his sense of humor, Steve creates a safe space for exploration and growth. When he's not coaching, he enjoys weightlifting and oil painting. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife.

Tatiana Pires Trivellato

Senior Associate

Tatiana Pires Trivellato is an executive coach, leadership mentor, and organizational development facilitator with extensive experience supporting emerging and senior leaders in large, complex organizations. Her work spans public and private institutions in Brazil, where she is known for combining strategic thinking, human-centered leadership, and evidence-based coaching methodologies to drive sustainable performance and cultural transformation.

Tatiana has partnered with organizations such as São Paulo Metro, Caixa Econômica Federal, HPE Automotores do Brasil, Sebrae, and Banco da Amazônia, delivering executive coaching, mentoring programs, and leadership development initiatives. Her areas of focus include leadership presence, change management, talent development, mental fitness, and women’s leadership.

An ICF-certified executive coach, Tatiana holds advanced training in Organizational Executive Coaching, Positive Intelligence, Co-Development, and mentoring methodologies. She earned a Master’s degree in Business Innovation and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration.

Earlier in her career, she co-founded and scaled a healthcare business, leading people management and organizational practices—experience that continues to inform her practical, systems-oriented approach.

In addition to her client work, Tatiana has served in leadership and mentoring roles with the International Coaching Federation and social impact organizations, reflecting her deep commitment to developing leaders who create meaningful, lasting impact.

Will Jenkins

Senior Associate

Will Jenkins is a leadership advisor, executive coach, and strategist who has spent more than two decades helping leaders across sectors understand how they can contribute to building a more inclusive and effective future.

Will has served in senior executive roles within the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Congress.

As a person with a disability, Will brings a deeply personal commitment to expanding access, healthcare, and opportunity.

Developing extraordinary leaders across the globe.