Our Team

The Your Clear Next Step Team is dedicated to making business better. We uphold our mission and are consistently looking for opportunities to better improve Your Clear Next Step and our clients. Take a second and get to know the wonderful people dedicated to helping you make work and life better.

Sinikka Waugh

Sinikka Waugh

Relentlessly positive trainer and coach committed to even better.

Haley McElhinney

Haley McElhinney

Passionate editor and publisher of The Even Better Podcast.
 
Missy Paxson

Missy Paxson

Operations lead helping you have an even better workday.

Allie Tubbs

Allie Tubbs

Sensational sales admin helping you have an even better workday.

Our Coaches, Partners, & Key Contributors

     = LinkedIn profile   |        = Blogs  |        = Podcasts

Kay Arvidson

Kay Arvidson

Partner

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

Paula Bell

Partner, Licensed IDI Administrator

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

Dick Hannasch

Partner

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 LeadershipOne of his goals is to outrun his younger daughter in a 5K race.  (He’s been close, finishing just one second behind.) 

       

Lynn Swanson

Lynn Swanson

Partner

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

Sinikka Waugh

Founder, Owner, Trainer, and Coach

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 57,000 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

Blair Wagner

Partner, Prosci-certified, ICF-certified, ORSC-trained team coach

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.

       

Ann Wright

Ann Wright

Partner, ACC - ICF credentialed Coach

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

Sheri Zevenbergen

Partner, YouMap® Certified Coach

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.