The changemakers of the world get shizz done. Stefanie Krievins & Co. does too.

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Stepping On Toes Since 2014

Meaningful change requires learning from new perspectives.

It’s not enough to say you want to grow in your career. Your actions as a leader or executive must create new results at work and with the people you lead. In order to do that, you must shift accountability across the entire team, not just leave it in the hands of your overachievers. That’s where Stefanie Krievins and her Pro Troublemaker collaborators come in.

This team works with Inc. 5000 companies, companies already on a Best Places to Work list, accounting firms, marketing consultants, mid-size nonprofits, IT Teams, and many other leaders and organizations who are looking to create lasting business or cultural change. There’s a Pro Troublemaker expert that can add change management and leadership insight to your expertise.

It’s time to add some more innovation, focus, and strategic direction to your work. The team below will make that happen.

About Stefanie Krievins, Executive Coach and Pro Troublemaker

Stefanie Krievins, Executive Coach and Pro Troublemaker

Hey there! I focus my coaching work on cultures that love their people, want them to stay, and want them to achieve inspiring results, too. If I can help you retain your best people (and that might even be you!) or solve a hairy business problem, that’s a win for everyone.

I’m a loud and proud Pro Troublemaker.

With a newly-minted master’s degree, I first set out to make a difference by working for a regional nonprofit as their one-person marketing department. I worked hard, messed up, and learned a lot. I managed volunteers and served as an internal consultant working through change management problems: creating a consistent brand experience across 7 separate, yet connected agencies; challenging the old ways of marketing during changing times; navigating the politics of a large bureaucracy; influencing Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation as a very young-looking Gen Xer.

I then finessed my way into a high-caliber HR consulting and leadership development company. I wrote job descriptions, crafted corporate training programs, developed compensation plans, recruited top-notch candidates, and updated performance management systems for companies from 15 to 1,500.

Later on, I translated that learning and development work into a national nonprofit, where I wrote and marketed Christian social justice training programs for a network of 40,000 volunteers and program graduates. As a mid-level leader in a small organization, I found the ever-changing priorities of the President confusing. My teammates came to me for focus and clarity. Because I’m a fast decision-maker, they also started pushing accountability and decision-making onto my plate.

They said they wanted change but were unwilling to put in the work to make it happen. I wanted to create change but all I was doing was creating resentment. I pushed too fast and too often.

So, in my mid-thirties, I decided to make a change to figure out where I fit in this world.

After working with a life coach, I learned 3 things about myself:

    • I have a vision for this world that I want to create and feel called to do it on my own.
    • I want to lead with influence and power, not play organizational politics. This whole “perception is reality” nonsense is just that, nonsense.
    • I have a strength that isn’t always appreciated: I say what everyone is thinking but no one will say aloud. Clearly I needed new communication tools and external coaches get to bring out the truth and authenticity in others through this strength.

In 2014, I became a trained coach through Erickson International’s solution-focused coaching program. I’ve built a company that provides tools for others feeling the same way I did way back then so they can define their vision, be a team player that works with trust and accountability, and can communicate with clarity and advocate for their own ideas.

I get to live my mission every day: guiding leaders and organizations toward clarity and focus so they can start innovating and growing again. Ultimately, so that they too can change their part of the world.

Stefanie Krievins & Co. also has its own team of corporate misfits who bring the Pro Troublemaking mindset to small, privately-held businesses across the United States. Our coaching faculty have been intentionally selected for their coaching expertise and industry and career experiences. Our coaching success team ensures that every client has a transformational experience.

A Pro Troublemaker leads himself/herself/themself through individual and organizational change with these skills:

    • Focus and adaptability
    • Strategic planning and execution with an eye toward the long-term mission and vision
    • Optimism and joy
    • Influence and charisma
    • Consistent process to build long-lasting results
    • Collaboration, team building, and individual strength building

Meet the Pro Troublemaker Faculty!

Nikki

Nikki spent a 20+ year career working in technology teams to deliver complex projects with direct and matrixed leadership. She understands complexity and loves to solve puzzles. When she works with clients who aren’t sure what they need, Nikki helps them to figure out where to go based on the clues they give her.

Nikki helps leaders and teams bounce back from setbacks, change and disappointment. Starting with gaining a clarity of vision and a common language to use to work better together, she supports the shifts necessary to move from setback to bounce back or bounce forward. She co-creates a plan of action to drive results and loves hearing the Aha that happens for her clients. Nikki says, “I believe dedicated people willing to make small shifts can accomplish huge things”.

Nikki’s Pro Troublemaker habits derive from her curious nature. She finds sharing ideas, setting a vision and working toward a goal energizing and rewarding. Clients will love Nikki’s use of metaphor and humor in their work together. Her clients are often surprised at how much can be accomplished in a short time. One client recently shared with Nikki that the new perspectives they get when working with her helps them to solve problems better and faster.

Nikki is a certified professional coach and holds a PCC credential from the International Coach Federation. She is also certified in Energy Leadership from iPEC and am a Certified DNA Behavior Consultant and earned a BA in Psychology and an MBA.

 

Deseri

Deseri works with top-level executives, directors, managers, and business owners to provide transformational coaching, team building support, and leadership development. Her goal is to genuinely connect with people and identify with them in an effort to improve both team and personal effectiveness. Deseri is an accredited facilitator of 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, certified in ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) certified and holds a certificate from the Coaching Clinic–Corporate Coach U and Predictive Index.  She has a bachelor’s degree in small business and entrepreneurship.

Deseri began coaching and leadership development work in 2004. Prior to that, she spent nearly 20 years in Corporate America, where she gained invaluable insight into the value of building relationships in the business world. She worked in International Business Development for Langham Transport Services for over 13 years and in operations and sales for Roadway Express for over 5 years. Her Pro Troublemaker skill is straight talk: “I won’t step over much. I make direct requests. I give straight advice and I expect your best.”

Deseri is a multi-sport adventure racer/endurance athlete and has completed seven marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2000 and 2002.

 

Tedra

As a career and leadership development coach and expert, Dr. Tedra helps people be the best of who they have been called to be. She equips her clients with the tools and strategies that help guide them, as they take the consistent actions needed, to get to where they desire to be.

She uses her 20+ years of experience working and leading in business, higher education, and nonprofits to change the way women engage as leaders. She understands the importance of women’s voices being.

Dr. Tedra holds 2 degrees from University of Georgia, making her a Double Dawg of UGA; plus an MPA from the University of West Georgia. Additionally, she holds an Advanced Certification in Communication with True Colors International and is a certified John Maxwell Team member. When she is not empowering others, she is spending time with her husband and 2 wonderful and talented children.

Kathy

For more than 25 years, Kathy has helped organizations adjust their actions for maximum positive social impact. To that end, she has assisted nonprofit and for-profit organizations in defining, developing, and delivering superior services and philanthropic initiatives. To date, Kathy has worked with numerous nonprofits and corporations across the Midwest.

A skilled facilitator and business strategist, Kathy currently serves as the Indianapolis Chapter Chair of the Women’s Presidents’ Organization. She is also a faculty member in The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Graduate Program. She’s also a highly sought-after speaker on B-corp certification and corporate responsibility.

When asked what makes her a Pro Troublemaker, Kathy says, “I am a curious person that enjoys looking for creative solutions. I also enjoy being ‘in the trenches’ with clients. It’s frequently lonely at the top and leaders are expected to know everything.”

Scott

Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience as a COO and CEO, Scott helps Gen X leaders who are successful yet dissatisfied with the uncertainty of where their life and business is headed. He concentrates on helping owners of small to midsize companies create clarity and design a comprehensive life and business plan. He helps not only with strategy but secures solid traction through an iterative approach. Scott’s clients are reaching new heights and accomplishing much more than they ever thought possible.

As a Pro Troublemaker, Scott focuses on creating clarity first, helping clients to reveal their many options when they might normally feel backed into a corner. Clients will find that Scott is genuinely interested in what they do, is committed to closing the gap between “where they are” and “where they want to be,” and that his goal is to create a fun and engaging experience during the important work of coaching.

Scott is a Certified through ILCT (Institute of Life Coach Training) and is proud of working with his long-term clients. One of his clients is on their second 5-year life plan and he loves to be there to witness their positive growth. He is also extremely proud of his husband, father, and “Pop Pop” to his grandkids. He loves to play piano, work on spreadsheets, and explore coffee shops.

Every problem has a solution. Put yourself on our calendar to start the conversation with a strategy call.

Meet the Coaching Success Team!

Lea

Lea Lea is the glue that holds all operations together, supporting Stefanie and the faculty to ensure every client has a seamless and transformational experience through scheduling, onboarding, assessments, and learning tools.

She has this amazing ability to solve operational puzzles and always finds a way to not accept, “That’s not possible.” And turns it into “Here’s how we’re going to tackle this.” After becoming a trained pastry chef, she led a custom pastry shop and managed large-scale catering events. Because she loves to learn, she also has a certificate in HR management.

Lea says this about our clients, “Small business leaders make things happen. They just get things done. Checking items off a to-do list is my favorite thing to do. I like to help others cross things off their to-do list as well.” In her free time, you’ll find her whipping up homemade chocolate chip cookies in less than 20 minutes.

 

Megan

Megan is our Marketing Coordinator. She coordinates and executes marketing plans for the team to help spread the Pro Troublemaker message far and wide — particularly working with event planners and podcast hosts for Stefanie to share our work.

Megan has previously worked in a variety of industries including nonprofits and sales. Her experience has gained her the insight to connect with our fellow Pro Troublemakers who are searching for ways to deliver meaningful change. She enjoys research and improving processes and is eager to educate leaders on the tools we provide for self leadership, team leadership, individual change, and organizational change. She wants to see all those we connect with have greater success professionally and personally.

Megan is the proud mom of three littles and enjoys doing DIY home improvements. Ask her about her handmade built-in bookcase!

Jess

Jess is the Coaching Success Manager for Stefanie Krievins & Co. Her role is to work as a liaison between our faculty team and the clients to ensure everyone has the best experience possible!

She started her career in research but found that being part of a management team is where she truly shines. She has managed a research facility with 30 direct reports and grown her skill set through direct experience and gaining her MBA along the way to help broaden her horizons as a leader. She then moved into financial services as an executive assistant who helped her executive manage over 100 teams of financial advisors with a total of 240 direct reports. Through her varying fields of experience, she has worked with many different management and coaching styles. She hopes to bring her experience and energy to her new role helping our clients celebrate growth and success in more enjoyable and sustainable ways.

Jess spends her off work hours with her husband and baby girl, fitting in horseback riding and weightlifting where this season of life allows it!

Why You Shouldn’t Reach Out

Stefanie Krievins and her team know the Pro Troublemaker mindset isn’t for everyone and that’s okay! You may not want to reach out if you:

    • think the reason you can’t succeed is someone else’s fault and aren’t willing to look in the mirror.
    • want to blame the past more than design your future.
    • think there’s only one way to be successful
    • don’t want to believe you’re a badass.
    • aren’t curious about next-level growth.
    • think you can just continue doing what you’ve been doing but somehow get the success you deserve.

As executive coaches we don’t believe any of that either. We’re here to support your next-level success!