We Are Professionals United in a Common Cause: Change
For most organizations, implementing real change can be a daunting task. People naturally resist change because it requires doing things differently from what they’re used to. Their comfortable routine is threatened or disrupted, as they’re forced to confront the unknown. So, the change is met with suspicion and fear.
The partners of The Change Agents understand this completely. That is why we approach change for organizations so differently than other consultancies.
Drawing on our diverse professional backgrounds, we strive to understand the “human aspect” of an organization from a variety of angles. We then leverage those findings into meaningful change via people, versus the typical pathways of business or the balance sheet.
Our clients find it refreshingly different. Not to mention highly effective. And you will too.
Our Leadership Team
Elizabeth Martin
Elizabeth Wills
Melody Bolen
FOUNDING PARTNER
Elizabeth Martin, JD, PhD
With over 25 years of effective executive leadership, our “legal eagle” partner Elizabeth Martin is a woman on a mission to overcome obstacles to assist people and organizations to grow and excel.
As Senior Vice President of a large Fortune 500 company, Elizabeth has overseen large and diverse capabilities charged with the development and implementation of ideas and experience-based solutions. Her role has ensured the maximizing of clients’ goals and delivering sustainable impact for the people and communities they serve.
A trusted advisor in leading turnaround businesses and high-growth organizations, Elizabeth has her PhD in Cultural Psychology, a Juris Doctor and holds a BSBA in Economics and Finance. An avid lover of all things art, she’s still working on becoming the ballerina pirate she dreamed of being as a little girl. Elizabeth is a native Texan who now makes her home in Washington DC by way of Santa Fe and Fort Worth.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Elizabeth Wills, MCM
Music is at the heart of partner Elizabeth Wills’ passion. But far from being just a professional recording artist and performing songwriter, this Elizabeth is also an established communications and marketing professional with an extensive track record of experience and success.
As the Chief Communications Officer for The Change Agents, she manages all messaging for both our group and our clients. She worked with marketing and branding firms in Austin, Texas, doing a lot of that same work for over 10 years.
After running her own music company with over two dozen staff members for nearly 30 years, Elizabeth got her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Texas at Arlington. She had so much fun she went on to the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, getting her Master’s degree in Communication Management. Along the way she’s lived in New York City, Aspen, Austin and Fort Worth, Texas.
Elizabeth understands that change and fear of the unknown often paralyzes people into stillness. But she’s confident that the calm, assured approach of The Change Agents can inspire real shifts in the way people and organizations manage change. As she likes to tell the musicians in her band, “If I’m not nervous, you shouldn’t be either. We’ve got this.”
FOUNDING PARTNER
Melody Bolen
Managed care expert Melody Bolen is a proven leader in a variety of operational settings, earning outstanding industry ratings for employee engagement and retention. Melody has overseen diverse teams for a Fortune 500 company across the business to drive improvements and achieve the overall mission. In this capacity, she has led the design and implementation of award-winning health care programs from the ground up. She was often called upon to evaluate and overhaul key business operations that required improvement. She is dedicated to drawing out the best in teams resulting in long-term solutions for the health of the business.
Originally a Marriage and Family Therapist, her career has always primarily focused on helping people. And it’s this rich trove of human experience that makes her so valuable in helping our Change Agents’ clients evolve and grow. Whether providing therapeutic treatment programming for multiple non-profits, implementing innovative behavioral health care programs in communities to serve vulnerable communities as a small business owner, or bringing partners together for a common goal in a large corporation, Melody is, first and foremost, all about people.
When she’s not helping others, Melody enjoys all things Los Angeles – from its diverse dining choices to its music, museums, beaches, and nearby mountains. It all goes hand-in-hand with her devotion to supporting community programs and helping businesses become happier, healthier, and more successful. Is it any wonder she’s a Change Agent?
CONSULTING PARTNER
Diana McWilliams
CONSULTING PARTNER
Beverly Hughes
CONSULTING PARTNER
Dr. Penny Armstrong
CONSULTING PARTNER
Lisa Pounders
CONSULTING PARTNER
Diana McWilliams
With a master’s in public administration, Diana excels at creating operational change that is impactful, sustainable and strategic. She employs an intuitive approach that reflects and recognizes the uniqueness and complexities of each organization’s culture and community to bring about lasting solutions.
Born in Washington, DC, she has called Delaware, Santa Fe, State College and now Philadelphia home while enjoying the outdoors, and cultural treasures in each location, including the Rocky statue and Gritty.
CONSULTING PARTNER
Beverly Hughes
Beverly’s background in arts administration, coaching, and a successful career with a Fortune 500 corporation, provide vital skillsets to support a variety of needs that clients may have.
As a corporate manager in a high-profile, dynamic information technology company, she had key roles in C-level Sales, Finance, and Administrative Management including direct responsibility for the P&L, supply chain involvement, and regional operational efficiencies. She managed cross-functional teams and a multi-million-dollar budget to achieve results and grow revenue – all with a customer-centric focus. For six years Beverly also coached the company’s business partners in a 14-state area, to position themselves more competitively, tune their sales strategy, and improve profitability. She is certified in world-renowned Malcolm Baldrige and Lean Six Sigma work improvement processes.
As an Empowerment Coach, Beverly is certified in Evidence-Based Coaching practices, and now helps individuals and organizations navigate change to improve results. Her business background comes into play in the organizational domain, where she facilitates communication, clarity, goal achievement, shifting of fixed thinking patterns, and broadening perspectives to help organizations grow, adapt and thrive. Her work is collaborative and customized for each client, and she is committed, with a deep desire to help others realize their visions.
Beverly loves to travel, be in nature, do meditative yoga and gather with friends and family in her beloved Santa Fe, NM.
CONSULTING PARTNER
Dr. Penny Armstrong
Dr. Penny Armstrong brings over thirty years of professional experience in school leadership and change initiatives. She is a leader in the fields of emotional wellness and human development and is a board-certified Life and Wellness Coach. She holds specialist certifications in personal and organizational change along with added certifications in Sexual and Gender Justice and Simplicity Parenting. As a career educator, public speaker and Life Coach, she provides support and guidance in the areas of personal growth, parenting and family dynamics, and sustainable organizational change.
While earning her doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University, Dr. Armstrong worked in both elementary and secondary public school administration including two years working in an alternative high school serving inner-city youth and young adults. Her Dissertation was completed in 1999. This research was later re-written for public distribution and was published by Rowman and Littlefield in 2008. The book, What Teachers Can Expect in Reform, is available through commercial distribution websites and used in graduate-level instruction. She was a contributing author to The Value of Academic Discourse, published by Rowman and Littlefield in 2015.
In recent years, Dr. Armstrong has expanded her school leadership to include workshops in support of schools and classroom teachers. She is a certified regional trainer for S’Cool Moves and provides teacher workshops on classroom management, management strategies and administrative support in Colorado and Texas.
Her ongoing interest in helping people and the skills she acquired as a therapist can be applied to any system.
CONSULTING PARTNER
Lisa Pounders
Author. Teacher. Researcher. Manager. Painter. Our Change Agent consulting partner Lisa A. Pounders is all these things, and more. Her complex and diverse career journey has prepared her very well to be an indispensable resource for virtually any Change Agent client.
Currently working as a Community Programs Manager, Adjunct Faculty member, research assistant, and private personal mentor, Pounders has extensive experience in a wide range of endeavors. She has been published in several scholarly journals, has made numerous conference presentations on subjects ranging from psychology to art, and has been an instructor for several courses at two graduate programs.
Pounders holds a BA in Computer Science, and a Master’s degree in Humanities. What’s more, she recently received her PhD in Depth Psychology.
An avid nature lover and hiker, she’s also obsessed with knitting and yarn. Pounders can often be found during the evening listening to an audio book while looping yarn into something new to wear. She makes her home in Las Alamos, NM.
CONSULTING PARTNER
Ricardo Aponte
CONSULTING PARTNER
Roberto Aponte
A desire to contribute to healthier and more humane ways of working and conducting business inspired Roberto to join forces with The Change Agents. His experience and skills as a visionary consultant and inspirational leader were an ideal match for the goals of our organization.
Roberto began his professional career producing large corporate events, where he gained valuable experience working with organizations across a wide variety of industries. Upon earning his master’s in business, he transitioned to organizational development consulting and professional coaching. This blended career focus has provided Roberto the opportunity to help organizations and their people elevate and function at a higher level.
A nature lover who enjoys hiking as well as yoga and meditation, Roberto is now right where he wants to be professionally – at the forefront of a business that creates more human-centered workplaces, where people are as important as the bottom line.
Roberto is originally from the East Coast. But he heard the mountains calling and now happily resides in Santa Fe.
Recognizing the Role of the Individual
What Makes Us Different
Determination
At our core we are problem solvers. We look at everything from interpersonal dynamics to the numbers to devise creative solutions to any issues a company is facing. Our mission is to answer the questions you have and identify the ones you haven’t considered.
Individualization
We know one size does not fit all. Whether you are looking for succession planning, DEI training, strategy, or any other solution, we develop a customized plan to fit your needs. Your needs require the thoughtful approach and response we provide.
Empathy
Work flourishes when completed as a healthy team. By approaching our clients’ problems from the human angle, we can pinpoint areas of strength and stress. Leading with empathy, we help our clients build more resilient teams.
Interested in Learning More?
Tell us a little about your organization and the type of change you believe is needed. We will reply as soon as possible.
Or Contact Us Now
512-534-5510
Elizabeth.wills@thechangeagents.us