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MEET OUR COACHES
Amanda L. Smith
From barn to boardroom, as you might hear her reference, Dr. Amanda Lynne Smith believes that there are universal truths that reveal themselves both internally and externally when we cultivate curiosity, take risks, and seek a state of flow. These truths help to illuminate our path and better understand who we are and the gifts we have to give.
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At the intersections of executive leadership, a heart for paying it forward, and a life-long partnership with horses - Amanda finds great joy in helping others better understand the role that patience, perseverance, humility, strength, service and stewardship plays - as it relates to ones’ personal and professional pursuits.
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Dr. Smith is the founder of Pick Up The Lead and has over 20 years of experience developing people and teams while working in education management and executive leadership. As an industry expert within her field, she has held the role of Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice Provost and Chief Academic Officer while championing the personal and professional growth of her peers, team members and colleagues, as well as the general health and wellness of individuals internal and external to the organizations that she has worked for.
Amanda’s approach to all of the above has been shaped by her lived experiences and in particular her doctoral research on aesthetic practices for teaching and learning. Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver, a M.Ed. in Cross Cultural Studies in Education from National University, Fresno; and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fresno.
Rachel Jones
Rachel Jones is an innovative, impact-focused education leader with over fifteen years of experience dedicated to teaching, education management, curriculum development, academic coaching, and consulting. Rachel holds a Masters in Reading Education from Stetson University and a Bachelors/Reading Endorsement in Elementary Education from Purdue University. Over the course of her career, she has worked in PK12, higher education and private sector settings, positively impacting students through direct instruction, technology implementations, course development, and operational projects across in-person, virtual, and hybrid learning environments. She is currently the Vice President of Education and Impact at InPursuit, where she leverages her experience to support nonprofits, educational institutions and businesses in their pursuit of organizational excellence through a variety of consulting services.
Rachel's personal mantra, inspired by Simon Sinek, is "Find your why and pursue it." She holds this close to her heart, and like an affirmation, uses it to guide how she approaches all components of her career. In each unique partnership, she analyzes how she can support her clients to achieve tangible outcomes while making a true impact on their personal growth, organizations and communities as a whole. This is achieved through services such as fractional departmental support, leadership training, professional development, curriculum and instruction support...and more! Rachel prioritizes inclusivity, building mutual respect, producing quality work and achieving small, manageable goals while continuing to dream big! She places these values front and center with each unique relationship she cultivates.
To learn more about Rachel check out:
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The InPursuit Podcast (Find it anywhere you listen to your podcasts!)
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LinkedIn: Rachel Jones-https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-jones-8a139a13/
Randal Schober
Randal Schober is a tenured professor of management at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego where he teaches and mentors the concept of an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ and the importance of creating value in our lives both personally and professionally. Schober facilitates ideation and innovation workshops and is co-founder of ‘datachild’ whose aim is to study methods and design technologies that accelerate creative thinking. As a faith-based entrepreneur, he believes we all have unique & significant gifts to contribute to the world.
Schober consults in the innovation space specializing in validating new business ideas and building sustainable business models. As a coach and mentor, he helps individuals pursue lifelong passion projects and guides in their successful creation and execution. Schober has extensive experience in established businesses utilizing design sprints and building strategic plans to bring a new product or service to market.
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Website: randalschober.com
Sarahbeth Berk
Dr. Sarabeth Berk is the leading expert on hybrid professional identity, and a hybrid professional herself. She was featured in Forbes, and is a TEDx speaker and author of More Than My Title. Her hybrid title is Creative Disruptor because she works at the intersection of being an artist, researcher, educator, and designer. Through groundbreaking research, Sarabeth developed a one-of-a-kind approach that takes personal branding and career development to a whole new level. Today, she helps professionals discover and articulate their hybrid professional identity and unique value in the workforce. As a result, her clients feel more seen, empowered and confident, and teams recognize each other as more than their job titles, valuing the critical yet different roles of experts, generalists, and hybrids in the workforce.
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Sarabeth offers a cohort-based course on how to decode and brand your hybrid professional identity a few times per year and is available for speaking events, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
Learn more at www.morethanmytitle.com and watch her TEDx Talk: Are you a hybrid professional?, and buy her book on Amazon.