Kagen Leadership Associates
Ellen B. Kagen, MSW, PCC
Principal
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.
Ace Bulger
Associate Trainer
Ace is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations achieve their best. With over 25 years in education as a principal, coach, and teacher, Ace earned his coaching certification in 2000 and established a practice focused on personal and organizational transformation.
Following the loss of his daughter to suicide in 2012, Ace expanded his work to include mental well-being and suicide prevention, collaborating with organizations like the State of Washington Department of Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
In 2019, Ace joined Washington's Health Care Authority to manage a federal grant aimed at improving mental health services in schools and fostering therapeutic care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his team developed leadership and coaching programs to address mental health challenges and foster cross-agency collaboration.
Known for his enthusiasm, integrity, and insight, Ace's coaching style builds trust and fosters meaningful change. His mission is to "put windows in silos," aligning perspectives to create lasting impact.
Diane Michel
Associate Trainer
Diane Michel has over 35 years of experience serving children, families, and vulnerable populations through roles in government, private nonprofits, and as the CEO of her own businesses. She began her career in 1988 as an owner-operator of a family child care home and later worked as a case manager, trainer, and regional manager, mentoring child care providers and supporting families in need. In 2003, Diane joined the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide direct benefits to individuals and families, and in 2012 she returned to the child care field, ensuring safe and healthy environments for children statewide. Currently, Diane works with the Office of Children, Youth, and Families in Pennsylvania, combining her professional expertise with her personal commitment to supporting children, families and programs that support safety, permanency, and well-being. Outside of work, Diane is a "guardian grandma" to her granddaughter Amyra and participates in activities that support grandfamilies and other kinship caregivers. Since 2014, she has also pursued her passion for personal growth and wellness, working as a lifestyle coach, public speaker, and supporting others in their quest for overall fitness- body, mind and spirt.
Jasmine Martinez
Associate Trainer
Jasmine Martinez has extensive experience in behavioral health, working as a Behavioral Management Specialist, Milieu Counselor, and Program Director before becoming a Certified Peer Counselor. As a wife and mother of four, three of whom live with chronic illness, behavioral health challenges, and special needs, Jasmine has spent over a decade navigating and advocating within the behavioral health system. Currently, she serves as Assistant Director for A Common Voice | C.O.P.E. Project and as CLIP Administration Family Liaison, merging family voice with leadership expertise. She is an active member of the CLIP Parent Steering Committee and collaborates with families, system partners, and providers across Washington State. A co-valedictorian of the WA System of Care Kagen Leadership Fellowship, Jasmine applies Adaptive Leadership principles in both her personal and professional life.
Karen Kelly
Associate Trainer
Karen Kelly has been employed in the children's behavioral health field since April 2018 as the Project Director for Washington State Community Connectors, a statewide family-led non-profit dedicated to uniting WA State family leaders in this field to strengthen children, youth, families, and community partnerships. She is also a Coach Approach Associate, a Parent Consultant on the Children's Long-Term Inpatient Program (CLIP) Steering Committee, a certified Peer Counselor, is certified to train a number of national and state curriculums, and was honored to be the co-valedictorian of the WA State System of Care Kagen Leadership Fellowship Program. She comes into this work because of her lived experience in parenting a child with intense behavioral health care needs. Karen is the wife of one husband, the mother of four children, and a cancer survivor. Her passion is to help families find or strengthen their hope, see families collaborate with their system partners in supporting their journey to wellness, provide growth opportunities through trainings for both parents/caregivers and system partners, and help others recognize the need for genuine personal wellness in order to become their best selves. She loves to ask people "what does better look like to you?" and help them discover what tools they may need to move towards their own personal "better". She is excited to see where this wonderful life journey continues to take her and invites you to share your journey with her as well!
Mary Garrett Itin
Associate Trainer & Coach Mentor Transformation Facilitator
Mary Garrett coaches leaders in human services, non-profits, and education to strengthen their presence, energy, and resilience to lead in complex work environments with multiple, competing demands- partnering to tap into their confidence and development by connecting mind, body, and heart. Mary Garrett is a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Presence-Based Coach, and Associate Certified Coach with 30 years experience working in non-profits, education, and government. She provides 1:1, group, and team coaching as well as training, facilitation, and consulting. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a Master in Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Leadership from the University of Washington. Though out her life, Mary Garrett has dedicated herself to impacting her community as a volunteer. Being outdoors and maintaining a regular meditation, yoga, and exercise practices are central to her ability to remain present, centered, and joyful. Her true loves are her husband, son, two dogs, and her treasured extended family and friends who live throughout the United States.
Sharon Gentry
Associate Trainer
Sharon is known within her state as a wraparound expert and is frequently called upon to provide training, coaching and consulting to local agencies. She has presented at industry conferences and has been an active partner in preparation for Washington’s statewide system of care implementation. Sharon has taken an active role in developing her leadership team by embracing a coaching framework and shifting to an adaptive framework.
Mariana Antoniuk, M.Ed., ACC
Associate Trainer
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.
Anne Katona Linn, Ed.D.
Associate Trainer & Coach Mentor Transformation Facilitator
Anne Katona Linn, Ed.D., is an educational psychologist, coach and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 30 years of experience training and coaching in education, and human services. She leads Katona Linn Consulting and developed the Building Resilient Classrooms coaching program, guiding schools and communities to build trauma-informed, healing-centered systems. Anne helps leaders move from crisis response to resilience by integrating mental health, wellness, and adaptive leadership practices that create safe, supportive, and sustainable school, community, and organizational cultures.
Doris Arena, MPA
Associate Trainer
Doris holds a Master's of Public Administration Degree as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Penn State University. Doris has over 20 years of professional experience in Pennsylvania's children's public mental health system working at both the state and county levels. Currently, Ms. Arena is employed through the DHS Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the Transition Specialist focusing on issues related to youth and young adults transitioning to adulthood. Coaching and leadership development is area of passion for Ms. Arena. Her desire is to assist individuals and organizations in achieving transformation and system change through coaching and leadership development.
Jeanne Frantz
Associate Trainer
Jeanne Frantz has over 20 years of experience in human services and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. She has worked with children and families in clinical research and parenting programs at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Pennsylvania Hospital, where she led the revitalization of a community-based parenting support center and built a sustainable, locally recognized program. Jeanne holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a master's degree in Clinical Developmental Psychology from Bryn Mawr College. As a Coach Approach Associate, Jeanne has seen firsthand how capacity building and organizational change can start with a single coaching conversation. She is also the mother of two children, including a son with learning disabilities.
Lisa Snitzer, MSW
Associate Trainer & Coach Mentor Transformation Facilitator
Lisa has over 25 years' experience working in a variety of leadership positions in the nonprofit, human service field. She has provided leadership and direct operations management in a variety of programs, services, and settings in Southeastern Pa, including clinical programs, Juvenile Justice residential settings, and family peer support focused programs. Lisa has provided consultant leadership support to Family Run Organizations in Pennsylvania and in Maryland. Lisa has used her energy, passion and skills to help support programs and systems move towards trauma awareness, as well as becoming family and peer focused and driven. Workforce development and leadership coaching and training has been woven into her work throughout her career. Lisa is a PA Licensed Social Worker. She received her Bachelors from Temple University and Masters in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. Lisa is a psychotherapist and program director, and personal coach as well as a certified instructor for the Coach Approach for Adaptive Leadership and a Kagen Leadership Associate.
Rebecca Scott
Associate Trainer
Rebecca is a dedicated leadership coach with a strong commitment to empowering individuals living with chronic conditions to lead fulfilling, purposeful, and joyful lives. She recognizes the profound impact of meaningful dialogue, the importance of celebrating achievements, and the value of fully experiencing emotions. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a coaching certificate from Georgetown University. Additionally, she is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, with a keen interest in discussing the nuances and challenges associated with working across diverse backgrounds. Currently, Rebecca resides in Washington, DC with her husband and their cat, Petey.
Sherry Peters, MSW, ACSW
Associate Trainer & Coach Mentor Transformation Facilitator
With over four decades as a social worker in the behavioral health field in national, state, and local settings, Sherry Peters is currently an independent consultant. She is certified as an Instructor in the Coach Approach to Adaptive Leadership and completed training in Presence Based Coaching. Sherry is a senior consultant with the Association of Children's Residential & Community Services/Building Bridges Initiative (ACRC/BBI) and also serves as a trainer and subject matter expert with Pennsylvania's K-12 Threat Assessment and School Employee Safety and Security Training Projects. Sherry formerly served for 6 years as faculty at Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development as well as working for 21 years in Pennsylvania's Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Mark Durgin, ACC
National Coordinator
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.
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.
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.
Barb Putnam, MSW, LICSW, CMHS
Associate Trainer
Barb has been a leader in Washington States System of Care since 1987, advancing programs and policies across child-serving systems. Initially, she worked in the Community Mental Health System, designing and implementing wraparound services with the King County Interagency Staffing Team. Later, she moved to a statewide role as the Children's Long-Term Inpatient Coordinator. Barb shifted positions to become a supervisor in the Department of Children, Youth and Families, collaborating with colleagues in health, development, assessment, and education to focus on the mental health needs of children. With a keen focus on foster children and youth, Barb partnered with systems to design, create and implement programs that increase accessibility and appropriateness of services across the State. Training parents and professionals has been embedded in her work at every juncture. Barb leads with heart and integrity. She is tireless in her commitment to youth; she champions families and builds lasting connections. Barb is an Associate and a certified trainer in the Coach Approach for Adaptive Leadership through the Kagen Leadership Group. She is actively training throughout the State with a dynamic team of certified trainers that draws from HCA, DDA, DCYF, Parent Organizations, MH Provider Agencies, and Education.
Janice Schultz
Associate Trainer
As a dedicated parent of two now adult daughters, Janice has navigated the complexities of mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges that have impacted my family. For over a decade, Janice actively advocates for her daughter, collaborating with various Systems of Care, including educational, peer support, and medical networks across federal, state, and regional levels.
Through this journey, she became a Washington State Certified Peer Counselor and has achieved certifications in numerous relevant areas such as Crisis Awareness and Communication in Peer Support, 8
Dimensions of Wellness, and The Coach Approach to Adaptive Leadership. Janice was a contributor to several curriculums in the Peer and Family communities including the CPC Bridge Training, The new CPSS curriculum and the Juvenile Justice 101 program.
Additionally, Janice is a WA SOC Kagen Fellow and a CCIS-II Crisis Responder, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to support others in similar situations. Janice has worked as a Peer, Parent Partner, CPC trainer and testing proctor and served as the Executive Director of Washington State Community Connectors from 5 years. Janice is currently the Interim Executive Director of Guided Pathways Support for Youth and Families.
Jim Powell
Associate Trainer
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Jim has spent most of his career working as a Business Manager for Health & Human Service organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit. Jim enjoys working from the inside-out and assisting organizations to be thoughtful, efficient, as well as, effective in their business practices. Jim has a strong focus on organizational behavior as well as a love and dedication to the use and education of technological resources. As a Coach Approach associate Jim is able to draw upon his experiences in Business Management to navigate the world of inquiry, support and listening to understand.
Liz Venuto
Associate Trainer
Liz is a seasoned behavioral health leader with 15+ years of experience across government agencies, private-sector organizations, and direct‐service roles. With a commitment to transforming systems of care and amplifying the voices of those with lived experience, she has driven meaningful change through both policy and infrastructure development and strives to create supportive environments where everyone can thrive. Liz is known for her collaborative spirit, modeling coaching, and her unwavering dedication to shaping a more effective and compassionate behavioral health landscape. Liz has her Master of Social Work and currently serves as a supervisor in the Prenatal through 25 Behavioral Health Section at the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Shannon M. Fagan, MS
Associate Trainer & Coach Mentor Transformation Facilitator
Shannon has worked in both the public and private sectors to support children and families as they navigate confusing and at times difficult systems. Shannon was the first director of The Youth and Family Training Institute in Pennsylvania. After eight years of working for the Institute, Shannon was recruited to the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services where she served as the director of the Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health Services. Shannon used her time in state government to develop systemic, transformative changes designed to disrupt archaic mental health systems. In addition, to her work with Early Intervention and Technical Assistance (EITA) Shannon provides support to PA HEAL-a trauma project, The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force, and the PA Partnership's State Leadership and Management Team.
Valarie K. Oulds, J.D.
Associate Trainer
Valarie has over 25 years of experience in children's behavioral health policy, program development and system transformation to improve outcomes for children and youth with behavioral health, developmental disabilities and other complex needs. Valarie has been a leader in advancing best practices in children's system of care at the state and local levels, with a strong focus on expanding family member and youth leadership and peer workforce opportunities and has successfully managed several multi-million, multi-year state and federal grants in support of this work. She is currently the Senior County Administrator for Child and Family Services for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability Services. Valarie is also a Certified Coach Approach for Adaptive Leadership Trainer, and a trained professional leadership and life coach who is passionate about supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth. Valarie holds a B.S.W. in Social Work and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University.