About Us
Theresa and Kate have long served in leadership positions in school systems and international social justice organizations. Some of the best of that work was coaching those new to leadership and helping experienced leaders take their work to a higher level. In our consulting, we work with leadership to assess current status of their organizations and help them and their teams determine areas of focus and a path to greater success. Our tagline says it all – we are committed to engaging potential and empowering transformation everywhere we work!
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Theresa West, EdD, PCC |
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Theresa West brings extensive leadership coaching experience, a unique sense of fun, and a track record of turning around public schools to her coaching, consulting and professional development practice. Applying the wisdom gained from experience, she inspires educators to reach new leadership heights and positively impact student achievement.
Her goal in recent years has been to support school leaders in their efforts to provide students with a limitless future. By building on the positive and listening to leaders and their teams, she helps build creative and welcoming cultures with a focus on student learning. Before turning to external coaching and consulting with Doherty West, Theresa served as principal of two schools and central office director in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Theresa’s coaching clients also include association, technology, finance and global non-profit leaders. She loves working with aspiring leaders, supporting them in achieving their hopes and dreams.
Theresa earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Virginia Tech and a leadership coaching certificate from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. She holds National Principal's Mentor Certification through NAESP. She is a Professional Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coach Federation.
On a Personal Note
One of ten children, Theresa lived overseas with her family for most of her childhood, which led to her interest in bilingual education and love of travel. Theresa is married to Mark West and has two grown children, Victor and Donny. It is her great hope that they will one day produce grandchildren. She and Mark are world travelers, often joining friends on adventures far and wide. An inveterate political junkie, Theresa invests long hours in reading and watching political analysis. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and a good laugh.
Publications and Presentations
Creating a Culture for Learning, co-authored with Paula Rutherford et al
The Role of Mentors in the Development of School Principals, Dissertation
AFT Professional Development Conference keynote address “An Active Learning Approach to Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners.”
VAESP Conference presentation “Difficult Conversations”
Learning Forward Conference “Leading the Learning in Turnaround Schools”
Las Cruces Creating a Culture for Learning® Summit featured speaker
Mentoring in the 21st Century® Institute for the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools, 3-day workshop
Her goal in recent years has been to support school leaders in their efforts to provide students with a limitless future. By building on the positive and listening to leaders and their teams, she helps build creative and welcoming cultures with a focus on student learning. Before turning to external coaching and consulting with Doherty West, Theresa served as principal of two schools and central office director in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Theresa’s coaching clients also include association, technology, finance and global non-profit leaders. She loves working with aspiring leaders, supporting them in achieving their hopes and dreams.
Theresa earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Virginia Tech and a leadership coaching certificate from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. She holds National Principal's Mentor Certification through NAESP. She is a Professional Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coach Federation.
On a Personal Note
One of ten children, Theresa lived overseas with her family for most of her childhood, which led to her interest in bilingual education and love of travel. Theresa is married to Mark West and has two grown children, Victor and Donny. It is her great hope that they will one day produce grandchildren. She and Mark are world travelers, often joining friends on adventures far and wide. An inveterate political junkie, Theresa invests long hours in reading and watching political analysis. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and a good laugh.
Publications and Presentations
Creating a Culture for Learning, co-authored with Paula Rutherford et al
The Role of Mentors in the Development of School Principals, Dissertation
AFT Professional Development Conference keynote address “An Active Learning Approach to Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners.”
VAESP Conference presentation “Difficult Conversations”
Learning Forward Conference “Leading the Learning in Turnaround Schools”
Las Cruces Creating a Culture for Learning® Summit featured speaker
Mentoring in the 21st Century® Institute for the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools, 3-day workshop
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Kate Doherty, MEd, MSOD, ACC
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Kate Doherty is a Georgetown-trained executive coach and organization development practitioner with extensive international non-profit leadership experience. A fierce believer in people’s ability to become what they aspire to be, and an experienced change management professional, she has helped leaders, staff and organizations in the health, education, and local and global social justice arenas develop a vision for the future and improve their individual and organizational effectiveness.
Two areas of particular interest to Kate are supporting and aligning leadership with organizational mission, vision and values - particularly during times of change - and coaching people stepping up into big, challenging jobs or through other significant transitions. Immediately before shifting to external coaching and consulting with Doherty West, Kate spent two years as the internal lead on a major transformational change process.
Kate holds master’s degrees in training and development and organization development and a leadership coaching certificate from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. She is an Associate Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coach Federation.
On a Personal Note
If roots lend direction as well as stability, it makes sense that Kate thrives on close connection with others, spending time near the water, and working to make the world a better place. Born into a large and loving union family, she learned from the example of activist parents, who also thoughtfully provided her with best-friend siblings. Their shared adventures living in Latin America taught her to love learning and welcome new experiences. The proud mother of three adult sons, Kate lives in Annapolis, MD. She enjoys camping, canoeing, yoga, travel, theater, music and books, and loves the outdoors, tea, writing and her three brilliant grandchildren.
Two areas of particular interest to Kate are supporting and aligning leadership with organizational mission, vision and values - particularly during times of change - and coaching people stepping up into big, challenging jobs or through other significant transitions. Immediately before shifting to external coaching and consulting with Doherty West, Kate spent two years as the internal lead on a major transformational change process.
Kate holds master’s degrees in training and development and organization development and a leadership coaching certificate from Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. She is an Associate Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coach Federation.
On a Personal Note
If roots lend direction as well as stability, it makes sense that Kate thrives on close connection with others, spending time near the water, and working to make the world a better place. Born into a large and loving union family, she learned from the example of activist parents, who also thoughtfully provided her with best-friend siblings. Their shared adventures living in Latin America taught her to love learning and welcome new experiences. The proud mother of three adult sons, Kate lives in Annapolis, MD. She enjoys camping, canoeing, yoga, travel, theater, music and books, and loves the outdoors, tea, writing and her three brilliant grandchildren.
Our Network
Theresa and Kate draw on a network of excellent coaches, facilitators, consultants and subject matter experts for work on larger projects.
What People Say About Us
The work [Theresa] does with principals is confidential – however, I know she has provided expert coaching to new principals experiencing difficult personnel, staffing, building maintenance, and community issues… The results are outstanding – all six of the principals have had a very successful first year. Five were nominated by their school and community for “First Year Principal of the Year” awards. I think every one of the new principals would credit their time with Theresa as a significant factor in their success. - Assistant Superintendent
Kate is a talented coach. Over our time working together, she has skillfully combined her abilities to challenge my thinking as well as give me the space to see possibilities I hadn't seen before. Her years of experience in complex and diverse settings made me feel both understood and supported as she helped me address questions for how to lead my next phase most effectively and to create my vision ahead, while uncovering things that were holding me back from my full potential. – President and Founding Partner
Kate has the ability to create a calm space for her clients to engage in creative problem solving. With skill, compassion and good common sense, Kate helps her clients access their own wisdom and experience to find solutions that are authentic to themselves and their unique working environment. – Senior Communications Consultant
Kate is a talented coach. Over our time working together, she has skillfully combined her abilities to challenge my thinking as well as give me the space to see possibilities I hadn't seen before. Her years of experience in complex and diverse settings made me feel both understood and supported as she helped me address questions for how to lead my next phase most effectively and to create my vision ahead, while uncovering things that were holding me back from my full potential. – President and Founding Partner
Kate has the ability to create a calm space for her clients to engage in creative problem solving. With skill, compassion and good common sense, Kate helps her clients access their own wisdom and experience to find solutions that are authentic to themselves and their unique working environment. – Senior Communications Consultant
