Our Team

Materials marvel to help you have an even better workday.

After a successful career in Business Analysis at Mutual of Omaha, Judy has started to write her next chapter as a coach, speaker, trainer, and mentor. Judy is thrilled to launch The Human Aspect of the BA Toolkit, a virtual webinar coaching series for BAs as part of this next chapter. Judy is dedicated to helping BAs, from all industries and companies, accelerate their careers.

Kay’s career has focused on leading change. Her background includes project management, business analysis, training, website development, and marketing eCommerce applications for state and local governments. She has also dedicated her time and skills to coaching individuals through career changes for more than 20 years. Kay earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and received an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Paula Bell is the CEO of Paula A Bell Consulting, LLC for 20 years. She is a coach, consultant, speaker, and author with expertise in the areas of: business analysis, project management, leadership, diversity, equity & Inclusion, career development and self development. Paula’s desire is to inspire, motivate and encourage others, through a structured journey of self reflection and awareness as a catalyst for unlimited success. Paula is a Certified Business Analyst, Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Life Purpose Coach, Certified Goal Success Coach, Certified Happiness Coach, Certified Career Development Coach, Certified Diversity & Inclusion Manager Coach, Licensed Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator, and Forrester Customer Experience (CX) Champion.

Dick Hannasch coaches you to become “You, better”, whether you aim to be a better leader or teammate, improve working relationships, reach career goals, or something else.  He is open and non-judgmental but doesn’t let you off the hook.  With over 35 years of experience growing talent, Dick has coached people from all continents except Antarctica, in the fields of financial services, IT, health care, agribusiness, entertainment, government, manufacturing, and more.  Also, he helps people grow professionally and personally via science-based assessments from Hogan Assessments, Marshall Goldsmith, Korn Ferry, and the Center for Creative Leadership.  One of his goals is to outrun his younger daughter in a 5K race.  (He’s been close, finishing just one second behind.) 

Missy is a passionate life coach that believes her spiritual calling is to help people live their best life. She has dealt with her own personal struggles throughout life & has experienced firsthand how to transform those difficulties into positive learnings within her own life story. Missy is a certified Master Life & Master Mindset Coach, and she has been a Business Analyst for nearly two decades across multiple companies, facilitating and coordinating all manners of meetings, projects, and navigating precarious situations time and time again. She is an expert in Agile, and was elected as a lead analyst multiple times throughout her career. Missy and her husband Mike live in Indianola, Iowa with their children and grandchildren.

Barb Ranck is a Certified Life and Leadership Coach and Trainer, with a 25+ year career supporting leaders and individuals in corporate environments of all sizes. Barb is dedicated to educating and coaching motivated individuals to apply self-awareness, empathy, and strengths in a way that maximizes their personal and professional potential. Barb works with both leaders and individuals who are driven, responsible, and competent, but aren’t getting the outcomes they really want. Barb’s clients are looking for tools and support to find a way forward that is right for them. Through her own personal journey of self-discovery and maximizing professional and personal energy, Barb has now made it her life’s mission to help others achieve better outcomes within their current circumstances.

Lynn has over 25 years of professional experience, as well as an MBA degree. Holding positions including internal consultant, trainer, business analyst, project manager and chief of staff (sales operations) have provided a solid background in discovering and leveraging strengths and skills. Lynn draws upon her experience and skills to discover areas she had never anticipated. She has been enjoying gig economy opportunities and also finds her groove in collaborating with other musicians.

Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Blair Wagner is a business consultant and leadership coach with mastery in change management, leadership development, and organizational development. Blair is a Prosci-certified change practitioner, an ICF-certified leadership coach, and an ORSC-trained team coach. With 20+ years of project management and organizational effectiveness experience, she is a passionate advocate for strong, healthy leadership teams with mastery in evaluating business needs, creating smart strategies, and collaboratively implementing change. Blair founded the International Coach Federation, Iowa Chapter, and is a leader in the coaching community.

Gary Walljasper brings more than 20 years of strategic human resources consulting experience to The Carlson Group, LLC and Your Clear Next Step. His professional career has included multiple management and leadership roles involving extensive advisory work and partnership with middle and senior management. Areas of focus have included leadership development/effectiveness, strategic talent management, human capital planning, individual and organization development, strategic recruitment/retention, team dynamics, career planning, M&A integration, work-life focus, and employee engagement. Known for his leadership development and coaching, Gary has presented at several conferences on a wide range of strategic initiatives, including talent and leadership development, human capital planning, and learning transfer. His diverse background of capabilities include: HR Executive, Corporate Trainer/Facilitator, Leadership Coach, and a Leader of People.

Melissa Worrel-Johnson is an acknowledged catalyst in partnering with her clients for their growth, elevating identified leadership skills and abilities, and supporting each client to achieve their desired goals. As an entrepreneur, facilitator, coach, trainer, speaker and small business owner, Melissa is known as a driven, fast-paced go-getter, with a get it done attitude. Melissa holds her MBA, is an ICF PCC Credentialed Coach and BS from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Melissa lives with her husband Alan and their two pups, Olive and Charley in Iowa.

Ann Wright believes people are an organization’s most valuable asset. Ann partners with businesses by investing in their team members and creating a culture where everyone works together and embraces the talent within each organization. Ann is a PCC – ICF Credentialed Coach and specializes in Leadership and Team Coaching. She is an Educator, Author, and Inspirational Speaker. Ann earned her BS degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and MA in Business Leadership through Upper Iowa University. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the areas of leadership, management, and training and is comfortable asking tough questions with kindness and compassion.

Sheri Zevenbergen, PQ Coach & YouMap® Certified Coach, helps individuals & teams unlock their true potential by developing & applying self-awareness. She began in public accounting, then moved into various leadership roles in the financial services industry, focused primarily on operations & global project delivery.  After 20-plus years in the corporate world, Sheri pursued her passion for coaching & founded The DASH Mindset. The dash is your adventure between birth & death, & Sheri encourages & equips you to live it in an authentic & meaningful way. She’s a self-professed travel junkie who loves to experience new cultures & meet new people. When she’s not traveling, she lives near Alburnett, Iowa with her husband & their 9 & 12-year-old boys, & her stepson & daughter-in-law live just a couple hours away.