Sherry Bakhtian, PhD

Executive Coach & Facilitator

Sherry is a certified and accredited professional coach and certified EQ-i 2.0 facilitator. She makes meaningful connections with her coaching clients by helping them come up with their own recipe for desired behavior change using resilience, purpose, and self-compassion. Sherry has a PhD in Pharmaceutics with 12 years of experience in the corporate world first as a scientist, and then as department head for L’Oréal USA (R&D). She has worked with leaders and emerging leaders in the technical and scientific space to align their goals with the vision and mission of the organization to obtain concrete business results.

Robin DeRogatis

Executive Coach & Consultant

Robin is a senior human resources executive with over 30 years of broad corporate and consulting experience in the areas of human resources management, leadership development, executive coaching, strategic organization effectiveness, design and change.  Robin’s career has spanned human resources executive positions in the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries and consultant at several large human resources consulting firms. Robin holds a BA in mathematics from Shippensburg University, and an MBA from Rutgers University.  She resides in West Chester, PA.

Chris Giangrasso

Executive Coach

Chris is a former CHRO with more than 35 years of experience working in senior human resources and communications roles in complex environments across an array of industry sectors, including manufacturing, consumer goods, managed services, and distribution. Known for his strategic approach to human capital and communications challenges, he had consistent success in providing innovative, practical interventions that produced measurable results.

Chris’ expertise comes from his results-oriented and creative approach to the many people challenges that often come with organizational change and growth.  He has a long track record of success in enhancing individual effectiveness and efficiency knowing what it takes to “stand out” in the present while also building a career that will both flourish and sustain into the future.

Chris is an ICF-certified executive coach and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s University and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology from Temple University.   He has taught in both the undergraduate and graduate programs in the business school at Villanova University as an adjunct professor and currently serves as an advisor to several non-profit boards. 

Suzanne Hoffman

Event Manager

Suzanne plans and manages all logistics and hospitality for Thrive’s on-site leadership programs and Women of Influence networking events. Her attention to detail and ability to create a unique atmosphere conducive to the comfort and learning of Thrive clients is remarkable. Suzanne makes it look easy, but we think she is pure magic. She brings a broad background of experience with local Philadelphia area organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Suzanne holds a Master of Science in Business concentrated in Marketing & Leadership Development from Rosemont College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University. 

Nancy Lauby

Executive Coach

Nancy is a catalyst for change at the individual, team, and organization levels. She combines her real-world practicality from 25+ years working in global corporations with her knowledge and certification in various leadership and personality assessments. She has coached leaders at all levels and is known for providing relevant feedback to spark insight and change. Nancy has led large-scale organization transformations and culture change and designed and managed enterprise-wide talent practices. Nancy's first career was as a psychologist before moving into industry, holding roles in talent and leadership development, and human resources. She has a Bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College, a Master's degree in Psychology from Temple University, and a Master's degree in Human Resources Leadership from Rutgers University.

Margaret Smith

Executive Coach

Margaret Smith is a coach, business economist, and author. She is passionate about systems thinking and helping individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their highest potential. She is open-minded, curious, and humble. She listens well and is a wonderful collaborator, helping the teams she serves find better answers. Margaret also helps clients build financial acumen and use self-awareness to develop positive habits. 

She is a Certified Integral Coach, an authorized Enneagram Teacher, and a Certified Financial Planner. Margaret received her PhD in Business Economics from Harvard and her BA/MA from Yale. For over a decade, she was an adjunct professor at the Drucker Business School in Claremont, Claremont McKenna College, and was an economics professor at Pomona College. Originally from New York, she now lives with her husband, Professor Gary Smith, in Newport Beach, CA.

Angela Steel

Executive Coach

Angela is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and consultant with 25 years of corporate research and development experience.  She brings strategic, creative, and collaborative strategies that maximize engagement and value for each leader and executive team. She creates impact by revealing key strengths, complementary skills, and opportunities for driving enhanced communication, engagement, trust, and performance.

Angela has held a variety of research, clinical, training, and development roles at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals over a 25-year career.  She trained as a scientist with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Glasgow, UK, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Cambridge University, UK, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Immaculata University, PA. She is also a Board member and former Board Chair of ArtWell, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization.

Noel Valenza

Operations Manager

Noel ensures the successful delivery of a wide range of projects. Her energetic style, exceptional client focus, and upbeat outlook keep everyone moving in the right direction. Noel brings over 8 years of experience in the recruiting industry where she led her teams to professionally develop and exceed revenue growth year after year. She has a BA focused in Sociology from Elon University.

Beverly Williams

Executive Coach & Facilitator

Beverly is a certified, experienced executive coach and facilitator who excels at connecting and creating the trust needed to get leaders and teams unstuck and to inspire transformations. She brings a unique combination of competence, caring, tenacity, and flexibility, whether one-on-one or in front of a large group. Her expertise in working with high potentials and mid-level to senior leaders goes hand-in-hand with her background as a financial services leader. Beverly holds a BS in Public Affairs from Lincoln University and is a certified EQ-i 2.0 facilitator.