Navigate Forward welcomes four new team members this spring, including Dan Wegner, the first practice lead for our flagship Executive Transition Services offering, and Jill Aleshire, our first full-time COO. Experienced CHRO and leadership coach Brad Thomas joins us as Executive Consultant and Alecia Nelson as Office Administrator.
2022 was the strongest year ever in our 15-year history
Our expansion comes amid a significant increase in demand for our comprehensive and highly personalized career services for senior leaders. In 2023, first quarter revenues and new client engagements were up 140 percent compared to the same time period last year. 2022 was the strongest year ever in Navigate Forward’s fifteen year history.
Growing Appreciation for Value of Peer-to-Peer Coaching
CEO Anne Sample attributes company growth to the value of Navigate Forward’s peer-to-peer consulting model, combined with our exclusive focus on executives. We pair each leader with a tenured career coach who guides them through a proven discovery, planning and activation process to achieve their goals, with no time limits on our services.
Our powerhouse team expands to 22 experienced career coaches
“More companies now realize that C-Suite and VP-level leaders get more benefit from our structured, personal approach than from a one-size-fits-all online model,” Sample said.
She added, “We’re happy to see more organizations recognizing our value, whether it’s helping to reward and retain key talent through board service, or to create smooth leadership transitions with legacy planning or outplacement.”
New Hires Add Capacity, Extend Geographic Reach
All four new hires add capacity that will enable Navigate Forward to continue our global delivery of career services.
Meet Dan Wegner
Dan Wegner joins us as Vice President of Executive Transition Services. In this newly created role, Wegner will work directly with C-Suite and VP-level leaders to achieve their ideal career opportunity, and to help our organization scale efficiently. He’ll welcome and onboard new clients, carefully matching each individual with the optimal consultant for their communication style and career goals.
Passionate about empowering others and driving business performance, Wegner brings significant executive coaching and career development experience, including corporate leadership roles in human resources and heading regional services for a national outplacement firm. He is based in Boulder, Colorado.
“Navigate Forward’s methodology, their focus on executives and their exceptional client service all drew me to the organization,” Wegner said. “It’s an ideal match to my personal ethos around excellence, and I’m proud to be part of this very talented team.”
Sample added, “We’re excited to apply Dan’s thought leadership, experience and vision across our Executive Transition Services practice. Dan is adept at coaching leaders through job transition and will be a tremendous asset to Navigate Forward.”
Meet Brad Thomas
Brad Thomas, our newest Executive Consultant, expands our powerhouse team to 22 career coaches. Prior to joining Navigate Forward, Thomas served as CHRO at five public companies and founded his leadership consulting firm in 2008. He is well-known and respected as a catalyst and coach who helps accelerate board, CEO and executive team performance.
At Navigate Forward, he will guide senior leaders as they navigate career transition, prepare for board roles or plan for retirement. Thomas is based in Arlington, Virginia.
“I have a great appreciation for how hard C-Suite leaders work for their organizations; it’s rewarding to me to support them through their own career transitions, helping them find the right fit of company and culture,” Thomas said.
Meet Jill Aleshire and Alecia Nelson
Jill Aleshire, COO, and Alecia Nelson, Office Administrator, will work from our Minneapolis, Minnesota, headquarters. Both will help us develop the infrastructure, systems and processes to keep our business running smoothly.
Aleshire excels at managing complex projects and leading business transformation. She has successfully led large-scale projects at a number of diverse organizations, from Coffee & Bagel Brands to 3M and Thrivent Financial.
Nelson, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, worked previously in administrative roles at financial services, healthcare and non-profit organizations.
We’re happy to see more organizations recognizing the value of our structured, personal approach
“With this team in place, we’re well-positioned to help companies of all sizes as they support their executives,” Sample said. “We’re pleased at the momentum that continues to build, especially with great word-of-mouth and referrals from our executive clients and alumni.”
