Dr. Whitney Sherman Newcomb, PhD, ACC, ACTC, NBC-HWC  is a highly influential leader with deep-rooted experience across large public research institutions and the diverse P-20 landscape. Possessing a comprehensive understanding of culture and values, she brings extensive experience in leadership and faculty development, consistently driving sustainable change. Whitney has served the fields of education and leadership education for 30 years. Dr. Newcomb is a tenured Professor of Educational Leadership at VCU, Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, and has served as the Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development in a School of Education as well as the Interim Chair of a Department of Teaching and Learning. 

Whitney is an ICF certified executive leadership and team coach, a certified Global Strengths coach and a LEGO Serious Play certified facilitator. Dr. Newcomb is certified to administer and interpret the following leadership development assessments: EQI 2.0/360; CPI 260; MBTI Step I and II; Everything DiSC; and FIRO-B. She is the founder of Rooted to Rise Leadership Coaching and Consulting. Dr. Newcomb is skilled in coaching and leadership development areas that include: team assessments and profiles; unlocking team talent; resolving conflict; team member engagement; gratitude and well-being; vision planning; stress management and mindfulness; utilizing assessments to clarify strengths; career well-being; work-life balance; utilizing appreciative inquiry to build teams; facilitating peak performance; and navigating career transitions.

Fred Gatty is an executive coach and leadership scholar-practitioner whose work centers on emotional intelligence, organizational change, and the everyday practice of leading people well. As founder and principal consultant of Gatts Consulting, Fred partners with senior leaders, high-potential managers, and emerging professionals navigating the moments that most test their capability, whether that's a first leadership role, a difficult stakeholder relationship, or a season of organizational change. Fred's coaching is grounded in research as much as practice. He holds certifications in the EQ-i 2.0® and EQ 360® assessments and is also a certified Prosci® Change Management Practitioner. He developed the DARE Coaching Model, an evidence-based framework integrating communication research and organizational psychology, refined through engagements with leaders across sectors and industries.

His articles through the Forbes Coaches Council have reached more than 42,000 readers, and his podcast, The Leadership Code, continues that mission in conversation, closing the gap between leadership theory and the moments that matter most in everyday practice. That influence has earned him recognition beyond his immediate community. Thinkers360 has named Fred among their Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Careers in 2026, Top 50 in Coaching in 2024, Top 10 in Careers in 2024, and Top 25 in Coaching in 2023. Dr. Gatty is a proud alumnus of the VCU School of Education's Ed.D. in Leadership program.

Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt is a transformative education leader whose 30-year career spans the classroom, school administration, district leadership, and national governance, giving her a unique vantage point as an executive coach. As Superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools, Dr. Kay-Wyatt led a diverse urban district serving 16,300 students. She brings expertise in strategic planning, talent development, organizational leadership, and equity-centered practice, skills forged through the most complex demands of the superintendency.

A distinguished speaker, panelist, and presenter at national and regional conferences, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has shaped conversations across education leadership, policy, equity, and innovation. A Past President and Board Chair of ASCD and former ISTE Board Member, she has guided executive teams and shaped governance for organizations. Her current affiliations include Chiefs for Change, Women Leading Ed, CoSN EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory, the Google GSV Fellowship (Mentor), and the Virginia School Boards Association Taskforce for Students and Schools in Challenging Environments.Among her recognitions are the AASA National PTA Family Engagement Changemaker Award, VASS Region IV Superintendent of the Year, Virginia PTA Power Partner of the Year, and NSPRA Superintendent to Watch. As a VCU alumna and Ed.D. graduate, Dr. Kay-Wyatt is deeply invested in developing the next generation of education leaders, helping them build clarity, confidence, and conviction to lead with purpose and lasting impact. Dr. Kay-Wyatt is working toward ICF ACC certification.

Dr. Jenna Lenhardt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at VCU with nearly two decades of experience navigating the complexities of higher education, organizational change, and community engagement. As a coach, Jenna draws on her extensive background in enrollment management, strategic recruitment, and program development to help leaders build scalable infrastructures and lead cross-functional teams with confidence. Jenna’s coaching philosophy is grounded in a strengths-based, justice-oriented approach. She specializes in supporting students, faculty, and organizational leaders as they navigate transitions, lead for equity, and implement sustainable organizational change. Having worked across diverse contexts—from community colleges to international institutions in Croatia and the UAE—Jenna brings a global perspective to her work with First-Generation learners, military-affiliated students, and adult professionals. She is particularly passionate about helping leaders translate vision into action through applied learning and inclusive design. Whether working with a student exploring their career path or an executive leading a diverse team, Jenna provides a collaborative, reflective space to foster individual empowerment and community impact. Dr. Lenhardt is a certified Global Strengths Coach.

With a distinguished career in higher education, Dr. Jean Bailey brings deep expertise in academic leadership, faculty development, and coaching to support faculty professionals across all stages of their careers. As a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, she has spent her career advancing teaching excellence, mentoring faculty, and shaping programs that foster meaningful growth and impact. Her work spans faculty affairs, leadership development, and medical education research, with a strong focus on helping individuals and organizations thrive in complex, evolving environments. She has designed and facilitated numerous programs on teaching and learning, medical education scholarship, leadership, and career development, drawing on principles of adult learning and evidence-based educational practices. With coaching certifications focused in Appreciative Inquiry and Higher Education/Academic Health Centers, Dr. Bailey takes a strengths-based, possibility-oriented approach to coaching. She partners with clients to identify what works well, amplify their unique capabilities, and co-create pathways toward professional fulfillment and wellbeing. Her coaching is grounded in a holistic view of success—one that integrates career advancement with purpose, connection, and sustainable wellbeing. Whether working with early-career faculty, established leaders, or those navigating transition, she is committed to creating supportive, reflective spaces that empower individuals to grow, lead authentically, and make meaningful contributions to their fields.