Kelly Lockwood Primus, Chief Executive Officer for Leading NOW oversees the strategy, research development and solutions focus to help our clients reach their global diversity goals.

As Vice President of Client Solutions, Alison brings over three decades of cross-industry business experience to Leading NOW, where she leads efforts to acquire and delight new clients and partners. A change and leadership expert, Alison’s strengths are simplifying complex issues, building relationships, and collaborating with clients to bring their change aspirations to life.

Diane Coffey Chaput joins the Leading Women team as Vice President, Communications & Engagement and brings with her more than 20 years of public relations and brand-building experience.

Erin Defoyd, Director of Strategic Client Solutions for Leading Women partners with organizations and leaders to reach their talent, inclusion and diversity goals.

Frank Lewski, a senior consultant with Leading Women, is an experienced Leadership and Organization Development consultant, coach and facilitator/educator.

Gretchen Sussman is responsible for developing and implementing the commercial strategies for Leading NOW and its divisions Leading Women, Leading Forward, Gender Dynamics Institute and the Center of Diversity & Inclusion.

Karen Lazowski is Leading NOW’s Director of Client Programs, working in tandem with the business development team, and acting as the day-to-day client liaison to manage program delivery for the Leading Forward and Leading Women brands.

Kathy Nelligan, Manager, Finance & Business Operations, joined Leading Women in 2019 after spending over 20 years in the banking industry. After leaving banking behind, Kathy’s entrepreneurial spirit took hold and she started her own business working in Estate Management.

Linda Newton, senior consultant is a specialist in leadership development, culture change, and the strategic use of community relations and diversity.

Michelle is the founder of Advancing Women, an enterprise providing research and advisory services on equality, inclusion and gender diversity.

Nicole Gionet joins Leading Women from Alcatel-Lucent where she was Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) based in Paris, France.

Patty is an accomplished global human resources professional who has held roles as an HR Business Partner, and as an Organizational Development Consultant.

Samantha Furbush Taraskiewicz is the Director of Operations for Leading NOW, LLC.

Tim Kemp, senior consultant, is a global expert on diversity and gender dynamics with over 32 years of experience as a Learning and Development specialist.

Tomi Berry, senior consultant, has an extensive background in management development, leadership education, diversity, hospitality/customer service, food safety, branding, presentation skills, safety leadership, coaching and teambuilding.

Dr. Usha Pillai, senior consultant, is a specialist in strategy, critical thinking, change management, outsourcing, and project/program management.

Vanessa Phipps, a Senior Consultant with Leading Women, has over twenty years of successful executive and management development learning facilitation.