Michelle “Mitch” Shepard - President

Mitch Shepard has worked in the wilderness of the outdoors and the wilderness of organizations - helping people reach the edge of their capacity and then to burst beyond it to new levels of influence, leadership and transformation. Mitch’s style combines a systems perspective with a focus on individual responsibility and action. Mitch uses an interactive approach combined with cutting edge organizational and leadership methods and tools. She uses this creative approach to help leaders and teams recognize the dynamics that both promote and hinder their success.

Mitch has coached and facilitated clients in many different industries including high-tech, airline, insurance, educational institutions, retail, banks, and resort hotels. Mitch has been in the field of leadership development for 15 years, beginning her career leading wilderness expeditions for executive teams and managers. Her years working for adventure based companies combined with her corporate experience, fuels her ability to help clients think quickly on their feet, focus on “team” to create success, and remain flexible in the face of ever changing conditions.

Mitch has worked with a wide range of groups at Microsoft as an executive coach, facilitator, consultant, and trainer. In addition to coaching leaders across various groups at Microsoft, Mitch has also been a sought after speaker, facilitated “Doing Leadership” programs at Microsoft, and Management Excellence Events. She is also experienced in administering and debriefing 360 assessments and tools that help individuals and teams build awareness and appreciate differences.

Mitch collaborates with clients to create vision, set goals and increase effectiveness. She helps clients understand the patterns at play in themselves and the organizational system around them, and guides them in broadening their awareness and effectiveness in navigating the many complex layers of business. Mitch is an action oriented coach who holds clients accountable to what they say they will do from an appreciative, supportive, and challenging perspective.

Mitch holds a bachelors degree in Business Economics and Accounting from UC Santa Barbara, and a MA in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University. In her spare time, she trains for triathlons, hikes, cooks, reads and seeks new places to travel. She lives in Seattle with her husband Brad and daughter, Addison.