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Leadership Coaches

Chuck Stoner
Dr. Charles R. (Chuck) Stoner Read profile

Dr. Chuck Stoner is a Professor of Management at Bradley University. A dynamic and engaging speaker and facilitator, Chuck works with a variety of businesses and organizations throughout the country, specializing in leadership, interpersonal dynamics, and organizational change. He has authored eight books and over 50 refereed articles and papers. His most recent books, A Life in Balance: Finding Meaning in a Chaotic World and The Adversity Challenge: How Successful Leaders Bounce Back from Setbacks are currently in bookstores.

Jack Russell
Jack Russell Read profile

Jack is the Executive Director of the Theresa S. Falcon Executive MBA in Leadership program at Bradley University. He is a "Certified Professional Co-Active Coach" specializing in executive and life coaching for EDC. Previously, he was founder and President of Ja-Bo, Inc., a multi-unit KFC franchise, and was also President of Philippi-Hagenbuch, a heavy equipment manufacturer. Past responsibilities have included overseas assignments with diverse experiences in management, training, personnel and consulting. Jack holds a B.S. from the University of Montana, a C.P.C.C. from The Coaches Training Institute and is a registered member of The International Coach Federation.

Bob Farquhar
Robert O. Farquhar Read profile

Robert O. Farquhar is the founder of Developing Church Leaders. From 1986-2006 he served as Executive Director of The Leadership Development Center, Foster College of Business Administration, Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Since his retirement from Bradley, he assists pastors and their leadership teams enhance their leadership effectiveness. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bradley University and a master’s degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Wisconsin. Bob began his career teaching junior high science. He worked for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals from 1967 to 1977. From 1977 to 1986 he managed employee training and education at the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, WI. His area of interest and expertise includes executive leadership coaching, team building, and performance appraisal training. Bob and his wife Ginger have two adult children, Jeff and Susan, and eight grandchildren.

Nancy Affolter
Nancy M. Affolter Read profile

Nancy is Vice President, COO of Behavioral Health Advantages, Inc. (BHA) and BHA Poland, Z 00 as well as Assistant Administrator for Advantage Behavioral Health, (ABH) the EAP provider for OSF Healthcare System. She also serves as Senior Instructor and assists in the design and delivery of custom programs for the Executive Development Center at Bradley University, is an Adjunct Faculty Member and Feedback Specialist for the Center for Creative Leadership, and Adjunct Faculty for the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University.

Her consultation and training activities focus on the human factor at work—the development of highly effective leaders, teams and organizations. She has worked with a wide variety of organizations—including over 200 Fortune 500 companies—in fields ranging from heavy industry to consulting, banking, insurance, healthcare and religion, locally, throughout the United States, and in Eastern Europe and Russia. A graduate of Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Organizational Development, Nancy has received advanced training in Mediation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and holds multiple certifications in the use of organizational development tools from the Center for Creative Leadership, the Association for Psychological Type, the SYMLOG Institute, and the Management Development Institute at Eckerd College.

Jennifer Robin
Jennifer Robin Read profile

Jennifer Robin is a Professor in the Foster College of Business at Bradley University. She teaches in undergraduate, MBA, and executive programs in the areas of leadership, organizational culture, and human resources management. She has coauthored two books, one entitled The Great Workplace: How to Build It, How to Keep It, and Why It Matters released in January, 2011 and A Life in Balance: Finding Meaning in a Chaotic World.  Her many research interests include the importance of values and stories to organizational culture, and the behaviors required by leaders to build trust in their organizations.

Jennifer is also a Research Fellow and an Adjunct Consultant at Great Place to Work® Institute. A former Senior Consultant with the Institute, she led the Advisory Practice, helping senior leaders integrate their organization’s culture with its strategy and aligning efforts to be a great workplace.  Jennifer has experience in diverse industries such as manufacturing, biotechnology, information technology, professional services, and healthcare.

Jennifer holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee and undergraduate degrees in both Human Resource Management and Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She is also an affiliate of several professional organizations including the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the American Management Association, and the American Psychological Association. In her spare time, Jennifer can be found on hiking trails, in airports, or writing in coffee shops.

Tom Bower
Thomas Bower Read profile

Tom Bower holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. President of Bower Communications, he is an executive coach, facilitator and management consultant for businesses and individuals. Tom Bower consults with an emphasis on personal leadership, performance-based methods, and communications. Tom’s introspection and sense of humor come alive in his essays and speaking engagements. He served in the U.S. Air Force with assignments in Libya and France. Tom has participated in leadership, consultation and volunteer roles for numerous regional boards and civic organizations. He was board member and president of the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association.

Valerie Arnett
Valerie Arnett Read profile

Valerie Arnett received a B.S. in Social Services, and an M.A. in Counseling/Human Development from Bradley University. In addition to her work as a Feedback Coach, she has worked as an EAP (Employee Assistance Professional) in organizations such as CAT, Inc., conducting Wellness Programs.

Cindy Fleming
Cynthia Fleming Read profile

Cindy Fleming holds an MBA degree from Bradley University. President and founder of VisionShift, she is a management consultant, executive coach, and trainer for businesses and individuals. Cindy specializes in sales consulting, communication, conflict resolution and personal leadership. She has over twenty years of experience in sales, procurement and management and is passionate about sharing her knowledge. With her unique style, outgoing personality, and blunt edginess, Cindy is one to inspire dramatic change in individuals and corporations.

Ken Harding
Ken Harding Read profile

Ken Harding has been with Bradley University since 1994. As the Director of Campus and Community Testing, he provides services to students, individuals and employers in the areas of career assessment and planning, and employment testing. He has extensive experience in measuring and understanding individuals’ personal characteristics that affect job performance. With a wide range of clients, he has assessed candidates for positions ranging from accountant to zookeeper. Ken has graduate degrees from Illinois State University (I/O Psychology) and Purdue University (Human Resources Management). He is an elected trustee of Tremont, Illinois, which he feels is one of the outstanding small towns in Illinois. As chair of the finance committee, he has primary responsibilities for developing the community’s budget and property tax levy. Ken and his wife Lori have three daughters in primary and middle school.

Sandy Helms Bury
Sandra Helms Bury Read profile

Sandy has provided feedback coaching services for the Executive Development Center since 2003. She is the Executive Director of Computing Services at Bradley University, having served in a variety of technical and managerial roles in that department for nearly two decades. Prior to coming to Bradley, Sandy worked as a Systems Consultant for AT&T on a national account team. Sandy holds degrees in Business Administration, Psychology, and Leadership in Human Service Administration.

Ginny Kich
Ginny Kich Read profile

Ginny serves as the Manager of Behavioral Health. A graduate of Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education and counseling, Ginny holds certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors and is a Senior Certified Addictions Counselor. In addition Ginny has completed the training to provide Mediation and Arbitration services through the University of Wisconsin. In addition to over 25 years of clinical experience, she has held administrative positions for the past 23 years and serves as the Clinical Supervisor for senior level professional staff. She provides consultation and training services for corporations through the state focusing on the human factor at work including the development of highly effective leaders, teams and organizations. Ginny also provides services as a feedback specialist for the Executive Development Center at Bradley University and for Center for Creative Leadership and has certifications for the use of specialized instruments in the organizational development field. Ginny serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association and is the past Chairman of the Drug Free Workplace Committee for the Peoria Chamber of Commerce.

Claire Maquet
Claire Maquet Read profile

Claire has a bachelor’s degree in political science/ education from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in counseling from Illinois State University. For many years she helped run a small business, and for the past l5 years she has been working at Behavioral Health Advantages in Peoria as a counselor, trainer, and divorce mediator. Claire has been a feedback specialist for the past 10 years with the Executive Development Center at Bradley University.

Pat Poertner
Pat Poertner Read profile

Patricia A. Poertner completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Master of Arts Degree in Human Development Counseling from Bradley University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Additionally, she is a certified leadership feedback specialist for the Executive Development Center at Bradley University. Prior to joining the mental health profession, Ms. Poertner was a Corporate Human Resources Manager at Caterpillar, Inc. where she oversaw world-wide human resources operations, developed and implemented validated employee selection and assessment functions, served on advisory boards for Education to Employment, and presented at conferences throughout the Midwest. Her research studies have been published by the American Psychological Association, the Midwestern Psychological Association, and the Illinois Counseling Association.

Todd Popham
Todd Popham Read profile

Todd is the President and CEO of Popham & Associates, a firm specializing in coaching, strategy and organizational development, and leadership training.  Prior to his current role, Todd enjoyed a 32 year career with State Farm Insurance including leadership roles in human resources, information technology, operations, strategy, and business development in seven U.S. locations.  He earned his Executive MBA from Bradley University and was recognized by faculty as the Outstanding MBA Student. 

Todd specializes in coaching senior leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly changing marketplace, particularly the need for strategic perspective, interpersonal skills, leading through transitions, and creating a high-performing work environment.  He believes coaching is a relationship built on trust, self-discovery, and personal accountability.       

Jill Wachholz
Jill Wachholz Read profile

Jill Wachholz is a seasoned executive coach and facilitator who guides leaders and teams toward greater awareness, focus and effectiveness. Jill specializes in working with driven leaders who want to grow. They may be transitioning or expanding their role, seeking to build more productive or collaborative relationships, determined to improve leadership presence and presentation skills, or motivated to lead innovation or change more effectively.

Jill has worked with mid to senior-level leaders in the US and abroad spanning a wide range of industries including hospitality, health care, media and professional services. She was a manager, coach and facilitator at the Center for Creative Leadership and adjunct faculty at Northwestern University. Prior, Jill produced communication programs (PR, live events, video, advertising) for clients including CBS and Walt Disney Studios.