Meet Our Coaches

Jeff is the Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Communication at Midwestern University's College of Veterinary Medicine and the founder of Gifted Leaders. He is recognized as the first veterinarian in the United States to obtain an International Coaching Federation credential. He is a husband, father, cat parent, and avid road cyclist who values uniqueness, lightheartedness, wholeness, and justice.

Bill is uniquely qualified as a board-certified coach, career advisor, mental fitness advocate and mentor with 40 years of experience in clinical practice. He is an ABVP diplomate, has managed large hospital teams and brings in-depth experience to his coaching practice. Bill is committed to your professional success and developing mental resilience in all areas of your life.

Michelle is a certified facilitator of Everything DiSC®, the Working Genius®, The Leadership Challenge®, and a Chief Question Officer. She uses a combination of these tools in her coaching sessions. If you are in career transition or want to improve your wellbeing, communication, and leadership skills, coaching from Michelle at LeadYourShip can help.

Co-creating (r)Evolutionary change in Veterinary Medicine through the integration of 28+ years of skills, training, and lived experience in the veterinary industry, and ICF certified coaching. Specializations in trauma-informed coaching, physician development coaching, professional quality of life coaching. TILT 365 Master Agility Coach. Practicing Living Wholeheartedly, Authentically & Intentionally.

25+ years of Veterinary Clinical Experience, including management. 5 years ICF Certified Professional Coach. Outdoor enthusiast who likes to combine coaching with outdoor activities if possible, especially hiking. I believe in the healing and therapeutic aspects of getting outside and into nature.

30+ years clinical experience, founded the Scottsdale Cat Clinic, coaching training and certification at the Co-Active Training Institute, adjunct professor at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine coaching students in the communications program, Forest Bathing Guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

With 35 years of clinical experience (ER & GP), I'm one of the rare few DVM/Certified Positive Intelligence Coaches in the United States. And I deliver the only RACE-approved mental fitness training program for vet med! Bounce back fast from stressful days at work. Stop over-functioning, and optimize your quality of life with superior resilience skills. I've been in the trenches, and survived... I can help you do it too.

As a seasoned Credentialed Veterinary Technician and Positive Change Agent with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, I blend my veterinary experience, positive psychology education, and coaching skills to help you thrive both personally and professionally.

Dr. Jennifer Edwards knows what it’s like to lead when the pressure is real and everything you try seems to make no difference. As a former veterinary practice owner, she’s lived the sleepless nights, the overwhelm, and the frustration of not knowing why leading feels this hard. She works with capable, credentialed leaders hitting the same walls: communication that goes sideways, team dynamics that won’t budge, exhaustion that doesn’t resolve with sleep. Through evidence-based coaching, transformational training, and her proprietary framework, The CORE Element™, Jennifer helps clients understand the internal dynamics driving it all — so they finally know what’s actually been in the way, and how to lead differently. She is an ICF-credentialed coach, Professional Speaker, and co-host of dvm360’s The Resilient Vet podcast.

Dr. Sonja Olson is a compassionate, informed catalyst supporting transformative thriving for veterinary professionals. With over 25 years of experienced as an emergency clinician and 10 years as a veterinary wellness educator, speaker, writer, her professional passion is integrating clinical experience, neuroscience, and mindfulness into the creation of practical strategies for managing stress, achieving balance, and fostering emotional well-being for individuals and team.

I work with veterinarians and veterinary leaders responsible for people and performance who want clarity and measurable results. The work starts with internal leadership: how you think, decide, communicate, and function under pressure. From there performance improves. Grounded in Co-Active coaching, I hold people as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. I bring your strengths into awareness so they can be used with intention. Concomitantly, blind spots, if identified, are addressed to sustain momentum. Sessions drive decisions and action. Improvement happens with your hard work and accountability between sessions. I bring four decades of veterinary practice, ownership, corporate executive leadership that translates insight into practical tools that deliver results.

Melanie is a veterinarian, strategist, and executive coach who works with leaders in veterinary medicine to drive clarity, alignment, and momentum. With an MBA in Sustainable Commerce, a project management designation, and certifications in career, conflict, and business coaching, she brings a practical, systems-level approach to complex leadership and organizational challenges. She partners with executives, practice owners, and emerging leaders to navigate strategic decisions, scale teams, and build resilient, high-performing organizations — without the overwhelm. From bold career transitions to business growth and leadership development, her focus is on creating momentum that lasts. Melanie works with clients who are ready to move forward with clarity and confidence.

I help dedicated women veterinary practice owners go from being exhausted and overwhelmed to balanced and confident so that they can build extraordinary practices and create the life that made them choose ownership in the first place. As a coach and consultant with over 30 years of industry experience, including independent practice ownership and corporate leadership, I bring an honest, pragmatic approach to the realities of managing people and running a successful business.

With nearly 30 years in veterinary practice, I have held every role except veterinarian, giving me deep insight into the realities of practice life. I support both individuals and teams and specialize in 1:1 coaching, helping professionals break through what holds them back, leverage their strengths, and show up with authenticity, confidence, and impact in their work and lives.

Gigi Tsontos, LCSW, LSCSW, MPA, PCC, is a multifaceted professional who excels as a communications coach, consultant, and clinical therapist. Gigi's diverse background encompasses a wealth of experience and expertise across various domains. Her focus in veterinary medicine has been team dynamics and leadership development.

Clara Pelton, RVT, CVPM, CAP, is a leadership coach, veterinary practice consultant, and experienced healthcare leader with more than 20 years in the veterinary profession. Combining Co-Active coaching, Enneagram expertise, and real-world leadership experience, Clara helps individuals and teams strengthen self-awareness, communication, and leadership effectiveness. Her approach empowers people to lead with authenticity, navigate change with confidence, and create healthier, more engaged workplace cultures. Clara is passionate about developing leaders who inspire growth, foster connection, and drive meaningful results in both their professional and personal lives.