Ellen B. Kagen is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University and the founder of the Georgetown Leadership Academy, a national leadership learning and consultation effort for leading collaborative systems change for professionals, family and youth activists in the fields of human services, health and education. Ms. Kagen has successfully adapted the curriculum for non-profit organizations, Foundations, Universities, Child Welfare networks, state and community systems,  early stage professionals, families, non-profit Boards, the US-Afghan Women’s Council, and over 30 States and Communities across the country with topics such as Adaptive Leadership in Child Welfare, Advancing Cultural and Linguistic Competence, Reducing Health and Mental Health Disparities and Systems Change in Early Intervention. At the heart of Ms. Kagen’s work is a focus on innovation and breakthrough strategies. To support executives, Ms. Kagen and her colleagues created an innovative new coaching and consultation model called Transformation Facilitation which strengthens leadership effectiveness in reaching system and organizational goals. Ms. Kagen was a founding partner of Coach Approach Partners.  She holds an MSW in Social Strategy from the University of Maryland with additional training in Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Executive Coaching at Georgetown University receiving the highest level of ICF Certification. She is a proud Wexner Foundation Leadership Fellow and the co-author of two chapters in the “Leadership Equation”, entitled Leadership Function and Styles and The Work of Leadership in Systems Change published by Brooks. She and her husband David Waghelstein, live in Annapolis, MD and are involved in a variety of community and social change initiatives.

Mariana’s passion is empowering people with the tools and skills they need to thrive when facing complex challenges. 

Mariana is a certified Executive Coach in Leadership and Performance through Brown University. She holds a bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and a master's in Education with a concentration in Teacher Training from the Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil—one of the most respected universities in Latin America. Her specialties include Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and adaptive leadership.

Over the past 15 years, Mariana has held a variety of roles, which have given her deep experience in leadership and training. She served as the principal of a school supporting at-risk children and families in São Paulo, trained teachers in Mozambique, Africa, and worked as Director of Field and Community Development for an educational nonprofit serving African refugees in Tel Aviv, Israel. During her time in Israel, she deepened her expertise in working with volunteers and providing them with the support they needed.

Since relocating to the United States, Mariana has worked as a trainer, consultant, and faculty member with Na’aleh – The Hub for Leadership Learning in Baltimore, MD, and with Leadership Baltimore City.

Currently, Mariana is an associate at the Kagen Leadership Group, where she provides experiential training for leaders across the country. 

Mark B. Durgin, is a highly experienced coach dedicated to transforming organizations through strategic leadership. He partners with human service managers nationwide, empowering them to build trusting, collaborative teams and achieve meaningful impact without burnout.

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Mark's results-driven coaching approach is deeply informed by his extensive background, including successfully managing a $23M federal grant to improve behavioral health systems. A passionate advocate for adaptive leadership, he is a certified trainer who has equipped over 2,500 professionals with enhanced communication and systemic problem-solving skills. At Keystone Leadership Coaching, Mark designs customized programs that align client values with strategic goals, guiding leaders to unlock their full potential.

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An Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Mark's philosophy centers on person-centered service delivery. He explores clients' needs, wants, and goals to support their growth and empower them to create a desired future, a foundational element of his "Empowered Team Leadership Framework." He is also a sought-after speaker on coaching and leadership.