Meet The USA Coach Academy Team
A dedicated group of exceptional coaches and mentors who collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you to coaching success!
Founder & CEO
Nathalie Blais, MCC
Nathalie, Founder of Coach Academy, is devoted to designing immersive learning experiences that challenge conventional thinking and foster meaningful personal and professional development.
Driven by a strong belief in coaching’s transformative power, she plays a leading role in redefining the way coaching is understood and applied. Holding a Master’s in Psychology from Harvard University and recognized as an ICF Master Certified Coach, Nathalie is committed to advancing coaching to stand alongside other respected, regulated professions.
As a center of excellence for coaching, Nathalie is dedicated to building a global, exclusive community for professional coaches seeking to expand their reach by collaborating with top-tier coaching peers around the world.
The Best Part About Us Is Our Team
Kelly Wood, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Education: Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Focus on Organization Coaching, Graduate Certificate from Royal Roads University in Advanced Coaching Practices, Certified in Strengths Deployment Inventory, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 Certified Facilitator.
Coaching credentials: Professionally Certified Coach (PCC), Erickson Certified Life Coach, Neuro-linguistic Programming Master Practitioner
Specializes in: Kelly Wood is a strengths and solutions-based life design coach and facilitator. She designs experiences for individuals and teams that inspire, create and explore with outcomes of empowerment, awareness, awakenings and forward movement.
Clientele: Mount Royal University, University of Alberta, SoulFood, Campus Alberta Neuroscience, Ghost River Theatre, Whitehorse’s Heart of Riverdale Community Centre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity’s Leadership Institute (Faculty)
Cate Baio, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Coaching credentials: Professional Certified Coach, Certified Deep Transformational Coach, Certified Mentor Coach, and a Certified Coach Supervisor
Other certifications: Certified Daring Way™ and Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, working with individuals and groups to integrate the research and curriculum designed by Dr. Brené Brown.
Her passion: The journey of transformation. She supports individuals, leaders and teams to answer the question, “Who do I want to BE?” and “How do I want to SHOW UP?”
Her journey: Cate started her career as a fitness instructor, educator and supervisor, managing a large team of fitness professionals. She soon found her way to coaching, following a deeper KNOWING of how she was being called to serve others.
Her values: Cate is humbled to walk with her clients as they lean into the transformational process and she honors what a vulnerable and courageous process it is. She leans into her core values of connection and growth as she creates an environment that is full of discovery while nurturing one’s inner wisdom.
Penny Kaplan, MCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Coaching Credentials: ICF MCC, Certified Executive Coach, Mentor Coach, ACC/PCC Assessor, Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Interview Coach, Certified Sex, Love and Relationship Coach.
Experience: Penny is a USA-based coach with an international clientele spanning Canada, USA, Europe, Thailand and New Zealand. She has over 30 years of experience in profit and not-for-profit sectors and became interested in human development when she experienced her own life transitions. Penny works with women in life’s transitions, partnering with them to get their radiance and magnetism back, and is a mentor coach for women starting coaching businesses. Penny is also a Career Coach in the USA, working with a diverse population of professionals and students from all over the USA specializing in Tech programs, Cyber Security, IT and Electronic Health Records.
Her Journey: A career executive with experience in both profit and not-for-profit sectors, specializing in arts and culture, Penny has always had a knack for spotting and developing talent. Of all the types of positions she has held in industry, none intrigued her more than cultivating human growth and potential, which led her to an entrepreneurial journey into her own coaching practice.
Strengths and Values: Communication, intuition, practical wisdom, kindness, and compassion are the cornerstones of Penny’s coaching philosophy. Her values are rooted in making the world a better place through HEART. She is deeply passionate about cultivating a new generation of coaches who will use their unique talents and abilities to enrich their clients’ lives and contribute to a better world – one meaningful conversation at a time.
María Perez, PCC
Mentor Coach
Coaching Credentials: PCC Certified Executive Coach.
Experience: With over 20 years of leadership experience across advertising, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate, María brings a rich, cross-industry perspective to her work. She runs a private practice supporting everyone from Fortune 100 leaders to independent business owners and also mentors and facilitates through Coach Academy.
Her journey: María began her coaching work supporting individuals through emotional eating and personal transitions, later expanding into grief, couples, and executive coaching. Her path bridges leadership roles across multiple industries with a grounded, intuitive approach to personal and professional growth.
Her values: She believes in aligning identity with leadership, supporting growth rooted in presence, purpose, and connection. Known for her warmth, clarity, and humour, María sees meaningful change as beginning in the quietest moments.
Her passion: Helping high-achieving professionals and teams build clarity, confidence, and emotional resilience while creating a space that’s both strategic and deeply human.
Roula Eid, PCC
Mentor Coach
Coaching credentials: ACC/PCC Mentor Coach, Certified Executive and Team Coach, PCC Marker Assessor Certificate holder.
Experience: Over 25 years of experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
Her years of experience in multi-sector managerial positions have equipped her to work with diverse leaders and teams in navigating change, reducing conflict, enhancing communication, and strengthening alignment.
Her journey: Roula started her career as a Salesperson in a European Franchise and is now the CEO of an American Franchise!
She owns a company for Coaching, Training, and Mentoring in Canada and the MENA region called TEAM IN MOTION.
She also had her own TV Show in the MENA region called “If You Want” and the main mission of this show was to make people realize that all that they need is within them— so if they want to grow, they must start to explore their inner self.
Her strengths: One of her strengths is about meeting clients where they are and moving them toward actionable goals.
Her accessible approach, positive attitude, and creativity foster trust and create safe environments that help clients lean into new territory and build new awareness.
Sandra Woloschuk, PCC
Mentor Coach
Education: Masters in Adult Education, Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Certified DiSC Facilitator, Certified in Change Management (Prosci) and Project Management (Prince2)
Coaching credentials: PCC, Certified Executive Coach (CEC), ICF PCC Marker training program
Experience: 25 years
Specializes in: Leadership Coaching and Peer Coaching
Her passion: Supporting leaders to help people and organizations thrive through change.
Sandra is a life-long learner herself. And as an experienced mentor coach, her mission is to help students and coaches successfully navigate their learning journey.
A believer in the humanistic approach of encouragement, Sandra opts to use a calm and non-directive coaching style.
Sandra continues to focus on helping individuals achieve not just their learning goals but also their career aspirations, and their life goals.
Sherry Matheson, PCC
Learning Leader & Mentor Coach
Coaching credentials: Professional Certified Coach, Innovative, Collaborative & Strategic Change Specialist, Consultant and Systems Coach
Her experience: Sherry is the founder of Empower the Truth. She brings 26 years of experience working in and with executives, directors, managers & teams in various settings—corporate, legal, government, oil & gas, not-for-profit, engineering, health & wellness & collaborative team leadership development to her coaching, facilitating & consulting services.
Her passion: Coaching leaders, teams, and social systems, moving them from fear and frustration to being more engaged, courageous and innovative.
Leading innovation requires a different kind of leader: a leader who is anchored in the awareness of their being as a leader; a leader who creates an environment where others are willing and able to collaborate and; a leader who is conscious and intentional of roles and responsibilities in leading collaboratively.
Her values: Sherry believes the key is focusing on relationships. Through her work and in her collaborations, she has experienced that if the relationship isn’t right, nothing is right. Sherry develops leaders & teams who create organizational cultures that innovate, driving new ideas, new ventures & creative impactful collaborations.
Kristin O’Leary
Senior Bookkeeper
On the team since: February 2022
Education: AEC in Finance
Experience: Over 18 years of experience in accounting. Kristin’s experience ranges from payroll to credit management and has handled the books for a range of companies—from small to medium-sized businesses. She has also worked for manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies.
Her journey: Kristin’s knowledge and passion for numbers started back in high school and continued through University.
She is now completing her BBA in Accounting, with the goal of earning her CPA designation. She has a strong desire to learn and excel at solving problems.
Jessica Derksen
Admissions Coach
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Psychology, Certified Health and Life Coach, currently completing Executive Coaching Certification with Coach Academy.
Experience: Deeply passionate about fostering meaningful connections and guiding individuals to unlock their potential.
Past Clientele: (Include examples if available or keep this section focused on her areas of impact.)
Her Passion: Helping others recognize their strengths and create a life they truly love.
Jessica Derksen has always been driven by a desire to serve, engage in impactful conversations, and witness the transformative journeys of those she coaches. Her commitment to personal and professional growth fuels her work as she continues to expand her skills in executive coaching.
Pedro Fernandez
Admissions Coach
Education: Graduate of Coach Academy.
Coaching credentials: Actively pursuing ICF certification.
Experience: Pedro has over two decades of experience helping some of Canada’s largest professional services firms open new markets and connect with new audiences. He joined Coach Academy as an Admissions Coach to apply his talents toward more meaningful service.
His passion: A musician himself, Pedro works with artists looking to unlock deeper levels of their own creativity, as well as with business owners and solopreneurs in the introverted and highly sensitive persons (HSPs) space who want to implement results-driven yet energetically-aligned marketing plans. His path to coaching is guided by his belief that as empowered individuals, we can accomplish much more together than we can on our own. He is passionate about helping people craft lives of meaning, significance, and rewarding service.
Lauren Bunton
Admissions Coach
Experience: Lauren’s path to coaching has been shaped by years of experience in strategic coordination, executive leadership, and event production. She’s worked alongside artists, educators, and entrepreneurs to bring complex ideas to life—always with an eye toward clarity, connection, and impact.
Her journey: Lauren works with creative entrepreneurs who are deeply engaged in their work—whether through artistic expression, innovative thinking, or the communities they cultivate. She supports them in aligning their values, strengths, and creative energy with intentional practices that lead to meaningful, lasting growth.
Her values: As a coach, Lauren holds space with presence, curiosity, and care. She’s committed to a reflective, ethical practice grounded in ongoing learning and deep listening.
Her passion: Lauren stays close to her own creative process through piano, sewing, and writing—practices that keep her rooted in curiosity, discipline, and discovery. Whether she’s creating space for a coaching conversation or stitching meaning into a handmade gift, she’s guided by the same intention: to create to connect. At Coach Academy, Lauren supports both future and established coaches in finding the program and path that best fits who they are and who they’re becoming.
Marian Yansen
Student Success Manager
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology & Political Science from McGill University.
Other certifications: Public Relations
Experience: Over 10 years of customer support & hospitality expertise.
Her journey: Marian joined our team in February 2021. As the Customer Experience Coordinator, her goal is to ensure that every experience will be unforgettable.
Her values: She is a firm believer that in life we may not remember the people we’ve met, the food we’ve eaten or the music we’ve danced to. But we will always remember the experiences.
Her passion: Bridging the gap between the organization and clients.
Eric Arsenault
Fractional CFO
Experience: Eric is a seasoned leader with over two decades of service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, followed by a successful entrepreneurial career. In 2012, he founded a residential and commercial renovation company, and three years later acquired a disaster restoration business, growing it from 7 employees to over 45. In 2022, he transitioned the company to new ownership to pursue personal goals, launching a 5,500-tap commercial maple syrup operation that blends nature, tradition, and innovation. Today, he divides his time between advising and mentoring the leadership team of his former company, managing and expanding his maple syrup business, and serving as Fractional CFO and Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Founder of USA Coach Academy.
Education: Eric is a graduate of the Royal Military College, where he built the leadership, discipline, and strategic thinking skills that continue to guide his professional and entrepreneurial success.
Past Clientele: Eric’s leadership and advisory experience spans industries including disaster restoration, residential and commercial construction, agriculture, and professional education, with significant contributions to USA Coach Academy’s growth in the global coaching industry.
His Passion: Eric is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those he works with, living each day with purpose and inspiring others to grow, lead, and achieve their goals.
Brandon Cuthbertson
Fractional CMO
Experience: With over a decade of experience in the digital marketing industry, Brandon has driven growth for top North American brands. He has built a proven track record of delivering measurable results at leading digital marketing and web design agencies before founding his own firm, PassionRoute Marketing. As a Fractional CMO, he provides strategic guidance, development, and execution across all aspects of USA Coach Academy’s marketing strategy — from web design and email marketing to social media advertising and SEM/PPC campaigns.
Education: Brandon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Capilano University, where he developed a strong foundation in marketing, business strategy, and leadership.
Past Clientele: Brandon’s work spans an impressive roster of brands, including Canadian Tire, Vitamix, Virgin Mobile, and GoHealth Urgent Care.
His Passion: Brandon is passionate about creating marketing strategies that not only drive results but also empower organizations to confidently navigate the digital landscape. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, and spending quality time with his family.
Christopher Sherman
Brand Strategy
Experience: Christopher Sherman is a brand marketing strategist, creative director, art director, photographer, and videographer. With over 20 years of experience, he has collaborated with established brands and emerging companies across various industries.
Passion: Christopher skillfully merges business strategy, aesthetic intuition, cultural curiosity, and big-picture thinking to deliver smart solutions that excel across platforms. His work is evocative and driven by a unique perspective; partnering with visionary founders, innovative companies, and bold agencies, all while grounded in respect and kindness.
Past Clientele: Hudson’s Bay Company, Indigo, Interview Magazine, Saint Laurent, Wall Street Journal, COS, Matty Matheson, Vogue, Saks Fifth Avenue, Audemars Piguet, Brother Vellies, Penguin Random House, Lionsgate Entertainment, Dries Van Noten, Reebok, and more.
Become a Certified Coach
Your journey to becoming an internationally certified coach starts today.
