Dr. Dee, The Grief & Loss Expert™, is a nationally recognized authority in grief, leadership restoration, and transformational growth—trusted by entrepreneurs, executives, and faith leaders seeking to rise after seasons of pressure, purpose-fatigue, and hidden emotional weight. Through her proprietary signature frameworks, high-impact coaching programs, keynote speaking, books, and media platforms, she helps leaders turn pain into power, rebuilding their confidence, clarity, and capacity to lead with wisdom and emotional strength.

A seasoned executive leader, Certified Master Life, Grief & Executive Coach, Postsecondary Educator, and nationally recognized Grief Recovery Expert, Dr. Dee brings more than 30 years of experience across nonprofit leadership, government, academia, and ministry. Her deep expertise in trauma-informed practice, organizational strategy, and leadership development has made her a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, high-performing executives, mission-driven founders, faith-based leaders, and Fortune 500 teams.

Her proprietary frameworks—including the LifeQuake Framework™, G3 Framework™, and the FPS: Freedom Positioning System®—equip leaders to break through emotional barriers, navigate transition, and lead with authenticity, resilience, and spiritual clarity. She has developed trauma-informed SEL curricula, academic programs, and leadership training models that are used nationwide in universities, classrooms, and organizational leadership settings.

A prolific scholar and author, Dr. Dee has written eleven (11) books on healing, restoration, leadership, and grief—resources now used by educators, entrepreneurs, faith communities, and organizations committed to emotional wellness, purpose-driven leadership, and whole-life transformation.

As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Dr. Dee’s influence spans national stages. Her honors include the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (President Joseph Biden, 2023), TEDx Speaker, featured on the DocuSeries The Making of an Entrepreneur, recognition in Crain’s NY Notable Black Leaders and Executives (2024), PoliticsNY & AMNY Nonprofit Power Players (2023 & 2024), City & State Nonprofit Trailblazers 2024, Manhattan Power List 2024, Above & Beyond Gen X 2023, The Responsible 100 Award 2023, Fifty Over 50: Age Disrupters 2022, Queens Power Players 2024, and more. She holds dual doctorates: a Ph.D. in Philosophy (Walden University) and a Ph.D. in Religious Education (International Seminary).

Deeply rooted in her faith and community, Dr. Dee honors the legacy of her late parents, Rev. Robert and Bettye Brown, through her ministry, chaplaincy, civic involvement, and service on multiple educational and community boards. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, she embodies the union of scholarship, leadership, and spiritual restoration—guiding leaders to rise stronger, wiser, and whole.

My path to coaching was shaped by my own transformation. I know what it is like to keep pushing forward while wondering if the direction I'm going is aligned with my True Self. Things shifted when I learned to trust myself, take risks, and intentionally build a life that feels full and honest. I support my clients in doing the same, at their own pace, in ways that feel true to them.

Michael Gresham retired as Chief Wellness Officer for the Virginia State Police and is the former Chief Wellness Officer for the Virginia Beach Police Department. Michael has worked full and part time in law enforcement for city, county, and state level agencies as well as corporate leadership positions in risk management, safety and as a CEO.  He graduated #1 in his class at the Oklahoma Basic Police Academy and his experience includes director of training at a regional police academy and serving as the Chief Negotiator on the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.  Having gone through several critical incidents including the suicide of a SWAT teammate and friend he began his journey with resilience and mindfulness over 17 years ago and brings that real life experience to his current position. He is a Certified Cognitive Fitness Coach, A Certified Professional Life Coach and Certified in the Safe & Sound and Rest & Restore Protocols, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University, is a certified Police Officer and Instructor in Oklahoma (CLEET) and retains his peace officer status from Oklahoma as a Retired Officer.

I am a certified professional life coach who began mentoring others in college to support their growth and development. Through my 16 years as a social worker, I have had the opportunity to serve many people who wanted something different in life. As a leader, I have supported individuals with their career interest, confidence, and problem solving. I have experience facilitating organizational culture training with life changing concepts that when applied can enhance your personal and professional life. I have also coached groups of leaders through leadership coaching circles. I empower people to live authentic, purposeful lives and reach their full potential. 

I believe that an essential key to transformation is through empowering the spirit/heart within each of us! During sessions, we connect to “self-presence” (the inner core of our true energy) by use of guided meditation, followed by conversations to help identify those key reasons hindering that desired transformation: Knowledge is Empowering! 

Living in New York City my entire life (over 50 years), have afforded me a vast wealth of experiences when it comes to overcoming obstacles, many extreme at times. The one thing that stands out, whether I was triumphant or learned a hard lesson, was those inner conversations I had with myself that empowered me to keep moving. Please notice that I said “moving”. Sometimes you must move backwards, sideways and even circular before moving forward. The key is to keep moving until you figure it out-do not remain stuck.  This somewhat survival instinct could have resulted from growing up in an urban area having to make sense of losing teenage friends to violent deaths, or becoming a young single Mother of a son having to figure out “how” to ensure he becomes that Man he would need to be to succeed in life, or could it have come from succeeding in a science-related career where not many women of color were represented at the time. I could continue with many other scenarios but the gist is that no matter what stood in front of me, at my lowest points, I called upon my inner spirit (heart/soul/energy which ever you prefer) for help and guidance. As I reflect, I could also share how it took discernment-which comes with connecting the mind-to heart-to soul. This comes from just spending time alone in quiet and stillness-asking yourself those questions and allowing/accepting the response of your true self. This is not always easy, and that is where my coaching gifts can help.

Energy can only transform from one state to another, it cannot be created or destroyed-scientifically proven, I have actually done experiments in the laboratory to prove this! With this fact, we all have the ability to transform our personal energetic state from “this” to “that”--making the choice of what you wish “that” to be. It is my sole belief that God has given us freewill to choose. Having this mindset, along with my yoga practice and teachings, I am able to align myself appropriately to empower my spirit for this energetic transformation--because the strength we all have comes from within! That is the basis of the Life Coaching approach, YOU ALREADY HAVE ALL THAT YOU NEED INSIDE OF YOU!  I have found techniques or additives to help get me through the rough patches, for example, Zumba dance workouts! When I am facing something difficult that I know must be done but I feel frozen with fear-I dance! The joyous melody from the sounds, along with body movement is a great example of how energy can transform you; mentally, physically and emotionally. This was MY answer to MYSELF--with coaching, we can find yours! 

Dan Pogue is an accomplished executive coach, educator, and leadership development consultant with more than three decades of experience spanning higher education, the U.S. Air Force, and corporate leadership. He holds master’s degrees in business management & leadership development and information technology management from Webster University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in business – Human Resource Management from Southern Nazarene University.
 

A retired U.S. Air Force senior officer and former Director of Aeronautical Routes, Mr. Pogue brings extensive expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and program management. He has managed global operations, developed military aviation training programs exceeding $150 million in scope, and led award-winning teams in complex, high-stakes environments. He is also a former Director of Administrative Services for Edison State College, responsible for financial, security, IT, and campus operations.
 

As Founder and CEO of Thriving Leaders Group, LLC, Dan partners with executives and teams across Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to advance leadership competencies, organizational effectiveness, and strategic growth. His client portfolio includes Chick-fil-A, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, city agencies, and healthcare organizations. He is especially skilled in executive coaching, business consulting, and curriculum development, with a proven record of helping individuals and organizations achieve transformative results.
 

Dan is committed to the advancement of the coaching profession. He currently serves as President of the International Coach Federation (ICF), San Antonio Chapter, and is a member of the Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School. Daniel’s teaching interests focus on leadership development, emotional intelligence, organizational effectiveness, strategic management, and professional growth.
 

He is certified as an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Master Certified Financial Coach (MCFC), CLCI Master Certified Professional Coach (MCPC), EQ-i 2.0/EQ-i 360 professional, Lean Six Sigma White Belt, and Covey Leadership Institute Facilitator. He has been honored with membership in Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business and the National Honor Society.
 

Dan’s work is guided by the values of impact, authenticity, grit, and relationships. He resides in Houston, Texas.

Addiction, abandonment, neglect, suicide attempts, foster care, and abuse were all my normal by the age of nine. By 14, my mother had overdosed, I hated my Dad, and bounced from home to home. The desperation of wanting to feel loved, seen, accepted, protected, and safe had me married by 19, a mom by 20, and divorced by 21. For years I repeated cycles, loved unhealthy attachments, and was an expert at codependency and hyper independence. In what I remember as my first real therapy session in my mid-twenties, my therapist asked me what made me happy outside of my child, and I didn't have a clue. I feared being alone, was unhappy, and felt like bad things just kept happening to me. Until age 29, I lived my life on autopilot, and my distorted thinking and emotions had absolute control. Another failed relationship while being pregnant with my second child would become my catalyst for change and seeking the help I needed to do the work and change my life.

The past ten years of inner work and growth have been life changing. I now radiant love, joy, trust, and an overall excitement for life that is seen and felt in how I show up and the work I do. I have a deep sense of gratitude for my past experiences and healing journey. It all led me to understanding my gifts and finding my purpose. Those gifts and purpose led me to you.

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I became a Master Certified Life Coach to help you become the author of your story. No matter your past or what your present circumstances look like your life can become whatever you intentional create it to be. My goal is not for to get through but GROW through challenges and change. You already have in you what you need; I'm here to guide you to your truth.

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Life has so much to offer you, and you are capable of more than you know so let's cultivate what's possible.

Anita D Russell, MEd

PITTSBURGH’S PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION EXPERT AND EMPOWERMENT ACTIVIST

I am the Founder/CEO of The Place to SOAR, a social enterprise dedicated to cultivating change through daily growth, personal transformation, and accountability for the purpose of unveiling human potential. 

My voice is unmistakable: strategic, empowering, and unshakably rooted in truth. As a personal transformation expert and empowerment activist I fuse faith, intellect, and firebrand leadership to ignite personal transformation, community engagement, and cooperative economics. I don’t just build rapport and facilitate workshops, I build movements —personal, transformational, organizational, and community focused. Whether it’s life coaching, feminine wisdom, or cooperative economics, I turn  ideas into actionable blueprints wrapped in vibrant design and soul-deep reflection. 

My career and life experiences span multiple disciplines, including pharmaceutical R&D, corporate learning and development, leadership development, instructional design, Equity Diversity Inclusion, nonprofit consulting, and cooperative economics.

Business Portfolio

• Private Coaching. Growth from within: Recognizing that you have to know yourself from the inside out to achieve daily growth and personal transformation. Together we cultivate change through the 4-step appreciative coaching process: discover, dream, design, and destiny.
• Self-Directed Coaching Lab. The essence of self-directed coaching lies in empowering individuals to be the architects of their own growth and development. By providing professionals with the freedom to choose when and how they learn, this approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and self-discovery.
• 10-Week Antiracism Incubator. An experience of (a) critical self-reflection; (b) increases awareness of self in a racialized society, and (c) personal transformation towards antiracism activation and social change.
• 12-Month Reimagine We Empowerment Lab. Coming in 1Q 2026, this experiential certificate program connects personal empowerment, community engagement, and cooperative economics.

Facilitator Porfolio

• Ujamaa Collective (Community Engagement Circle)
• Facilitator, Greenwood Plan Artist Think Tank
• On Call Facilitator, Center for Creative Leadership
• Antiracism Cohort Facilitator, The Forbes Fund

Leadership Portfolio

• Member of the Ujamaa Collective, a catalyst to advance cultural, artistic and entrepreneurial exchange through cooperative economics.
• Member of OMA Pittsburgh Mind Body Spirit Center, dedicated to holistic education for the well-being of self, family, and community
• VP Media Relations the Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Branch of ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History).
• Creator/Host of InflexionPoint Podcast on The Transformation Network, where personal transformation and accountability impact social change. 

Author Portfolio: SOAR Book Boutique

• Voices of the 21st Century International Bestsellers (2023, 2021, 2019)
• Cultivating Change from the Inside Out: The Power of Being Human (2021)
• I Wanna See Laney’s House: A Sibling Story (2019)

Relevant Articles

Anita D Russell, Bridging the Gap Between We and Me

I love people. I love to accompany people on the myriad of journeys that encompass what it means to live life. I am bi-vocational, working as a leader in a large bank while serving as a licensed and ordained minister in the Protestant church. In that role, I counsel and guide people in multiple areas. I love helping people discover their true potential, empowering them to take the steps they identify to live in the fullness of that potential. 

For over 20 years, I thrived in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of film production, as well as in sales, business development, and management. I know firsthand what it’s like to work and live in demanding, competitive environments where burnout, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion are the unspoken norm. 

That lived experience, combined with my training as a Master Certified Professional Coach, gives me the unique ability to guide clients out of emotional fatigue and into a grounded, empowered way of living.