Throughout her career, Dr. Denise Preusser has coached hundreds of individuals in organizations ranging from small family businesses to international corporations.
She focuses on techniques that help her clients enhance leadership skills, build authentic relationships, and bring mindfulness into everyday interactions. Before starting Agler Consulting, she had the privilege of serving as a counselor for 21 years. Dr. Preusser holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Systems and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development.
Upon completing the Leadership through Emotional Intelligence training at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Preusser became certified to administer the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI). This tool provides a 360-degree review of competence in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management. Denise is also a certified Appreciative Inquiry facilitator.
To further support this work, she completed the Mindfulness for Professionals program through Duke University’s Integrative Medicine Center and has pursued certifications in Add Heart Facilitation, Yoga, and Reiki.
Dr. Preusser currently teaches as an adjunct in Franciscan University's MBA program, Walsh University’s MBA program, and the Master of Engineering Technical Management (METM) program at Texas A&M. She was formerly an adjunct professor at John Carroll University.
Well-respected in her field, she was chosen to present five times at the Ohio Counseling Association annual meeting, twice at the American Counseling Association annual meeting, and led a session for the Business Week CFO Conference.
Dr. Preusser finds great joy in helping clients by facilitating training, conducting focus groups, and reporting her findings. A lifelong learner, she believes man’s humanity to man ultimately moves the world.
After I completed my graduate degree in counseling at Iona College in 1984, my goal became applying these skills to coaching situations in business and corporate environments. I was fortunate enough to get an entry level job with IBM which evolved into positions in international assignments and employee & leadership development. The international assignment’s role supported executives and managers who were living and working in Japan, APG, and EMEA countries. This experience gave me insight into the demands of corporate leadership and the ability to distinguish the behaviors displayed by both successful and derailed executives.
When I first met Dan Goleman in 1995, I was working at the New York Times as a senior HR internal consultant supporting the business side of the newspaper in the advertising sales, production, and circulation departments. After reading his book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, I was so convinced of Goleman's link between high emotional intelligence and effective leadership that I wanted to find a way to integrate his concepts into leadership development at the Times.
Next, I received certifications in several emotional intelligence assessments, including the ECI, MSCEIT and ESCI, but by far the most effective instrument has been the Emotional Quotient Inventory, the EQ-i. With over two decades of experience using the EQ-i for leadership and executive development, I am still discovering new ways to apply it to pre-hiring, talent development, and inclusive leadership.
I established E. I. Assessments, LLC, in 2007 after leaving the Times with the objective of building and applying emotional intelligence measurements and concepts to individual, team and organizational development initiatives. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working in a wide range of industries and professions. Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, I have gathered EQ-i data which shows on emotional intelligence shift in the workforce. In the fall of 2021, I was invited to be a guest lecturer with Texas A&M University’s Master of Engineering Technical Management program. Part of this graduate program is focused on developing emotional intelligence skills in leadership.
As an executive coach and human capital professional, Noushin thrives in leading and managing large-scale change projects, partnering with both senior executives and technical and functional teams to drive effectiveness.
Noushin brings a depth of understanding to the role of thought in addressing complex systems challenges. She helps executives engage in clear thinking, build psychological agility, and improve presence to ensure effective collaboration and innovative business solutions. Noushin has worked on changing initiatives requiring the design of training and leadership development programs, scaling and operationalizing coaching deployment, and developing agile solutions within a wide range of corporate environments.
Noushin earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Communication from California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Master’s in Public Health from UCLA, a Master’s in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University.
Dr. Nelymar Reyes is a psychologist, executive coach, and educator with over 13 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, transforming how leaders lead by starting from within. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology with a focus on Teaching, Consulting, and Research, and is certified in Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0, EQ 360, and EIDI), Executive Coaching (London Image Institute), Mindfulness and multiple Social Emotional Learning programs.
Dr. Reyes is known for her warm, insightful, and intentional approach to personal and professional growth. She is the Founder and Director of Tangerine Therapy and Consulting Group, a thriving practice in Puerto Rico offering psychological services, neurofeedback, and consulting. The practice also includes an educational division that provides academic coaching, educational therapy, and executive functioning support, with a strong emphasis on integrating mindfulness and social emotional learning into its services.
Through her work, she has supported hundreds of professionals, including school leaders, healthcare administrators, educators, and executives in developing the mindset and skillset to lead with clarity, authenticity, and emotional agility.
Dr. Reyes believes that growth is not linear. It is a dynamic process that begins with self-awareness and the courage to be uncomfortable at times. Her coaching philosophy centers on progress over perfection, meeting each client where they are and helping them take intentional steps forward.
She is the creator of the NRD Framework, a model designed to enhance self-awareness and decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. Whether navigating conflict, leading through change, or engaging in high-stakes conversations, her clients learn how to stay grounded, relational, and forward-moving. As she teaches, “Great leaders start with inner clarity and extend that clarity outward.”
Dr. Reyes is the co-author of Leading with Emotional Intelligence: A Practical Guide for Personal Growth (2024) and is currently writing two new books, one on her signature NRD Framework and another on Managing Teams with Emotional Intelligence. She has also served for three years as a Personal Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Coach at Texas A&M University.
Bridging clinical insight with real-world strategy, Dr. Reyes empowers leaders to overcome internal roadblocks and show up with character, confidence, and compassion. Her work is rooted in a lasting vision of equipping individuals and future generations with the tools, language, and courage to lead themselves and others with purpose.
Sara Zoghi is pursuing medical education at Texas A&M University. She has been conducting research in the domain of psychology and neuroscience of leadership and coaching. Her passion is to coach people in the medical field to help them deal with stress more effectively. Sara is a very mindful, thoughtful individual, she was trained under Dr. Kristin Neff, a renowned expert in self-compassion and Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Sara finished her BS in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin.
She specializes in coaching for doctors, physicians, and healthcare professionals. With rich expertise in the healthcare environment, Sara coaches enable healthcare leaders to build relationships, develop winning strategies, and create meaningful change. Her methods, customized for individual goals, are rooted in solid research on how humans are wired to learn and change, and behaviors needed to drive lasting transformation in complex environments and shifting conditions.
Sara can help you develop the skills and strategies to thrive in the healthcare industry. This type of transformational coaching creates an environment where the client builds a new skill set and greater capacity to achieve the desired results. Whether you’re a clinician or business leader, our coaching will unlock your potential and magnify your impact as a healthcare leader.
Lara is a gifted medical student with a passion for personal development, psychological safety utilizing emotional intelligence. She got her undergraduate degree in science from the University of Texas at Austin. Lara has been involved in supporting people with major life challenges throughout her college years. In addition to practicing medicine, Lara is very passionate about coaching the next generation of woman leaders.
Lara specializes in coaching for doctors, physicians, and healthcare professionals. With rich expertise in the healthcare environment, Lara coaches enable healthcare leaders to build relationships, develop winning strategies, and create meaningful change.
Her methods, customized for individual goals, are rooted in solid research on how humans are wired to learn and change, and behaviors needed to drive lasting transformation in complex environments and shifting conditions. Lara can help you develop the skills and strategies to thrive in the healthcare industry.
Denise Sherrod serves as the Chief of Automation at Occidental Petroleum. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing the company's strategic vision for industrial control and automation technology. She manages a team of the company’s top engineers to execute strategic projects and introduce innovative solutions.
Denise also teaches Persuasive Communications in the Master of Engineering Technical Management program at Texas A&M University. In this role, she assists students in enhancing their communication skills by developing and delivering compelling presentations.
"My mission is to draw upon two decades of experience managing technical teams to inspire individuals, nurture potential, and foster environments where personal and professional growth thrive. Over the years, I have witnessed how technical expertise alone is not enough to drive sustainable success—authentic leadership lies in cultivating emotional intelligence, building trust, and strengthening collaboration.
As a coach, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of their emotions and relationships with clarity and confidence. I strive to create safe, supportive spaces where people can explore their inner strengths, overcome obstacles, and embrace their unique abilities. My goal is to empower individuals to lead with empathy, communicate authentically, and connect with others on a deeper level, thereby fostering harmony within both teams and organizations.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, emotional intelligence is not just a skill but a necessity, and I am passionate about bridging this gap. I aim to empower others to align their personal and professional aspirations, creating impactful leaders who can navigate change, resolve conflicts, and inspire excellence in those around them. Through this mission, I seek to contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and resilient future for individuals, teams, and communities."
Steven is a leadership coach who helps ambitious leaders shift gears, act boldly, and accelerate into more senior roles.
With 30 years in the U.S. Navy, Steven led teams of up to 2,200 in high-pressure, high-performance environments. That experience shaped his practical and people-centered approach to leadership: clear communication, adaptive strategy, and leading with presence.
He now works with leaders across technology, engineering, manufacturing, software, energy, and media—helping them strengthen executive presence, communicate with clarity, navigate internal politics, and balance ambition with personal fulfillment.
Steven holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and is certified in EQ-i 2.0, DISC, the Energy Leadership Index (ELI), and Physical Intelligence Coaching.
A vintage race car driver and mechanic, Steven also draws leadership lessons from the track—where precision, preparation, and mindset make the difference.
He’s known for helping high-potential leaders grow with confidence while staying grounded in what matters most.
Karrie Burns is a leadership and development coach who helps motivated professionals become more confident, capable, and self-aware leaders.
She believes most people fall short of their leadership potential not from lack of ability, but because they’re unaware of what’s actually holding them back—or how to fully leverage their unique strengths. Karrie helps clients build emotional intelligence so they can lead themselves—and others—more effectively.
Her approach to development is grounded in the science of behavior change, with the belief that leadership is developed through deliberate, emotionally relevant, repeatable practice. In doing so, leaders transform not just how they lead—but who they are.
Karrie’s diverse career includes work with the Department of Defense in Germany, political fundraising in Washington, D.C., and executive leadership development at General Electric. She has led programs across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, partnering with companies like Boeing, Procter & Gamble, 3M, and IBM.
She holds certifications in EQ-i 2.0, business coaching, and experiential facilitated learning. Karrie trained at GE’s Crotonville Management Institute in Influential Leadership and Innovation and has co-authored two books: Empathetic Leadership: How to Build Trust and Drive Results and Leading with Emotional Intelligence.
Karrie believes the most effective leaders connect, communicate, and elevate those around them—and that kind of leadership starts from within. Because the most important person you’ll ever learn to lead is yourself. When you're ready to embrace that challenge, Karrie is here to help.