Our vision and commitment to Oppelle has been solid and unwavering from the beginning. We have chosen our team with great care for their diverse individual styles, their wide range of experiences and expertise, and for their passion to help women grow & succeed in every facet of their life. We have every confidence that they will make your journey and ours an amazing and successful experience.

 Meet our Team

Paulette Rao, MCC

Paulette Rao is an executive coach, organizational consultant, trainer, and marketing expert. As principal of True North Resources, Paulette helps leaders enhance their individual performance, their team’s performance, and their company’s performance. She works with both senior and emerging leaders to create positive and profitable change.

As senior trainer for Results Coaching Systems, Paulette brings the benefits of brain-based coaching into business settings to transform the way leaders think, communicate, manage, and lead.

As an executive coach, the focus of Paulette’s work is on human potential, a critical component in developing leaders. In her work with senior and emerging leaders at Fortune 500 and smaller organizations, Paulette uses a variety of coaching methodologies, strategic planning tools, and assessments to support her clients in achieving results. While her work is ultimately guided by achieving results, it is Paulette’s passionate style and presence that truly resonates with clients. Her experience, knowledge, and natural talent for helping clients transform themselves provide the foundation from which she helps them create success on their own terms.

Paulette worked her way up from sales professional to senior executive during her 28 years in corporate America. At Marsh, the world’s largest risk management firm, Paulette was a member of the senior leadership team and a managing director. She was also one of the top 100 women leaders at the firm and an expert in the areas of leadership and marketing.

As a regional leader and sales coach, Paulette trained hundreds of marketing professionals to establish and develop significant relationships with their clients. Her personal career production consistently placed her in the top five percent for sales and client relationship management.

Paulette has also devoted much of her professional life to helping women develop the leadership skills they need to advance their careers.

As such, the National Association of Insurance Women recruited her to serve as their New York Chapter President in 2002. Paulette accepted the opportunity to lead and increased membership in the chapter by 20 percent during her term. Paulette served on their board of directors for a total of three years.

In 2002, Paulette was inducted into the YWCA’s New York Academy of Women Achievers in recognition of her transformational leadership ability.

Paulette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Brooklyn College and a certificate in Advanced Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is certified by New York University (NYU) as an Executive and Organizational Coach and is adjunct faculty member in NYU’s coaching certificate program. Paulette is also certified in a neuroscience-based coaching model through Results Coaching Systems and is an International Coach Federation Master Certified Coach.

Monica Spence, EL, CEC 

Monica Spence joins Oppelle as a Facilitator with over 15 years successful experience in the Product Marketing and Sales industry. With an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, and a Masters Degree in Marketing, from the University of Kansas, Monica achieved top sales awards from several Fortune 500 Companies such as Hallmark, Boston Scientific Corporation, Guidant Corporation, Johnson and Johnson, and BioLucent Inc.

Pursuing her entrepreneurial ambitions, in 2002 Monica founded a marketing management company, MD Management Solutions LLC, which offered a “turn-key” business model to dental and medical industry professionals looking to start their own practice.

Monica attributes her marketing success to being “passionate about people, their goals, their visions, their fears, and all the stuff that propels or hinders their lives.”

Monica gets her greatest joy by encouraging people to reach their full potential. Utilizing her vision of possibility, enthusiasm, and strength she is able to build awareness and growth in others. When others become discouraged or are reluctant to take risks, her attitude will provide the impetus to keep them moving.

Monica is a Certified Empowerment and Energy Leadership Coach. She received her double certification from IPEC Coaching and is a member of the International Coach Federation, and The New Jersey Professional Coaches Association.

She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and is an avid reader and strong supporter of personal growth. She continues to draw satisfaction from helping other professionals reach their goals in the most effective way possible.

Monica resides with her husband and two daughters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Lois Davis, MA, CEC

Lois Davis is an educator and coach, dedicated to helping clients recognize their individual strengths and make strategic changes to get results. Throughout the coaching process, Lois’ clients experience growth and improvement in personal and professional areas, an increase in energy levels, awareness, and overall mental and physical health. Executives and professionals who have experienced the mastermind executive coaching process are able to optimize their personal, professional and business potential. Lois is especially passionate about helping professional women balance career and family life, bringing a greater sense of satisfaction to all areas. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and leaves clients feeling uplifted, motivated and powerful.

Lois holds a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor’s in Communications. She is a certified teacher in NY and NJ, as well as, a Certified Empowerment Coach. After teaching school for nearly 10 years, Lois and her husband Barry, moved from New York to New Jersey in 1994. While raising three children, she has worked in both the private and non-profit sector, serving in various leadership roles in her community.

Lois became a certified coach in 2005, through the Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching (iPEC) and started her own coaching business. Founder and President of A Balanced Mom Coaching and Training, Lois coaches individuals and groups, presents seminars, and facilitates a series of teleclasses. Topics have focused on life balance, change management, conflict, communication and parenting, Lois is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), New Jersey Professional Coaches Association (NJPCA) and Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

Lois feels there is nothing more powerful than a group of women working together: “Women with a common bond are eager to share their strategies, support and encourage opportunities for growth and rejoice in each other’s accomplishments. The combined energy is amazing; The possibilities are endless!”

Christina Genest, MA, CEC

Christina (Tina) M. Genest has enjoyed a variety of leadership roles as a nonprofit executive and volunteer chair of boards and committees of local chapters of the YWCA, Easter Seals, United Way, Legal Services Corporation, Chamber of Commerce and Public Relations Society of America. Early in her career she co-founded a first-of its-kind businesswomen’s network in New Hampshire. She also coordinated a community relations and corporate contributions program for a Fortune 500 company.

In 2000 Tina was elected to the Morris Plains (NJ) Board of Education and, as its president, led a successful building bond referendum campaign. Since Morris Plains students attend Morristown (NJ) High School, she was also appointed to represent the borough on the Morris School District Board of Education.

She is the Associate Director of the Corporate Communication Institute (CCI) established at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and soon to be associated with Baruch College/CUNY. Since CCI’s inception in 1999, Tina has administered the institute, organized professional development programs, including an international conference, managed membership, sponsorship, and partner relations, and coordinated marketing and communication efforts. She has taught college courses in public relations and administration and management.

Tina has completed extensive training in executive coaching and is a graduate of iPEC, the Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching. Her experience has led her to coach women in professional, entrepreneurial, and leadership roles. She relishes those opportunities in which women leaders join together to kindle transformation in homes, workplaces and communities. She brings to Oppelle her thirty years of experience in leadership, communications, and collaborative style management.

Tina holds a Master in International Administration from the School for International Training, a Master in Human Services Administration from Antioch New England Graduate School, and a M.A. in Corporate and Organizational Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her work, “Cultures, Organizations, and Philanthropy,” was published in Corporate Communications: An International Journal, Volume 10, Number 4, 2005. In 2004 her efforts with the Corporate Communication Institute garnered the Public Relations Society of America New Jersey Chapter Award of Excellence in Public Relations. And in 1998 she received the Volunteer of the Year Award and Commendation from the State of New Jersey, Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Tina nourishes her spirit by singing in her church choir and lives with her husband, David Kearns, in Morris Plains, NJ. She has three boys, ages 26 and twins, 21.

Susan Race, PCC

Susan Race is a professional certified coach, author, keynote speaker and seminar leader. She comes to Oppelle with many years of success in business. She is Founder of Coaching Connections, LLC and Personal Growth Systems. Susan envisions organizations that fully engage employees in and recognizes them for driving sustainable profits. Susan coaches business leaders to effectively lead and connect with all stakeholders, across-generational and organizational levels. She facilitates learning that compels people to excel. Individuals seek Susan’s guidance to define with certainty, clarity and conviction, their most compelling careers, goals, relationships and action plans to achieve life on their terms.

Bringing expertise from masterful coach training, executive human resources management, entrepreneurial ventures, teaching and personal experiences, Susan inspires clients and audiences to communicate effectively, operate as high performing teams, and take charge of their lives. She designs and conducts educational seminars and workshops that optimize performance, create inclusive, diverse cultures and build work and life readiness skills. Working with Susan increases confidence and self-esteem, while encouraging competence and courage to achieve optimal results.

Susan's professional experience includes executive business, personal, career, and transition coaching, executive human resources management, teaching/ training and entrepreneurial ventures. Susan instructs Montgomery County Community College’s course, “How to Start a Successful Woman-Owned Business” and facilitates the Montgomery County, PA Women’s Business Network. As a contributing coach in Atlanta-based Circle of Brilliance, she works with executives and business leaders on identifying and achieving personal and professional goals. Working with various departments in the State of New Jersey, Susan coaches executives to develop coaching skills, and facilitates workshops for the DOT “Mentoring Program”. Susan also mentors evolving coaches and is a Personal Coach Trainer for Coaching Certification Institute. Most recently, Susan joined Oppelle, as a highly trained and effective Facilitator for the metropolitan Philadelphia Region.

She earned her Professional Coach Certification from the International Coach Federation and completed formal coach training through Coach University and Coachville’s Graduate School of Coaching. Susan has a Masters degree in Human Behavior & Development from Drexel University; a Bachelors degree in Education and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. Susan is a certified facilitator for the Myers – Briggs Type Indicator, Harvard’s Program on Negotiations, Inscape’s DISC and behavioral assessment tools, Sterling Institute's "Supervising in a Changing Environment", and Achieve Global’s leadership programs. Susan serves on various boards and is active in numerous professional coaching, human resources, workforce development and business/education partnerships, committees, and organizations nationwide.

Susan has authored two books, "Succeeding in the Workplace" and “Job $ecurity 4 Life”, available nationwide.

Raised on Long Island, New York, Susan moved to Philadelphia in 1973 and fully adapted to the local area as ‘home’, currently residing in Exton, PA. To balance her busy professional life, Susan enjoys outdoor activities, gourmet cooking, jazz music, and a rousing game of tennis or Scrabble.

Lisa Kramer, MSW, PCC

Lisa Kramer is a professional coach, coach trainer, author and speaker. Her coaching practice concentrates on helping clients to gain greater fulfillment, balance and effectiveness in their business and personal lives. According to Lisa, simply wanting to make changes in your life is not enough. Once you are clear about your vision, and you are committed to working toward achieving it - the path to reaching your goals reveals itself with new opportunities and possibilities. As a coach, Lisa enjoys assisting her clients to clarify their vision and then to achieve it.

Lisa is on the faculty of the Institute for Life Coach Training. She also serves as a mentor-coach for newer coaches. She is the author of Coaching with Intention (2004) the first book in her Coaching Mastery series and Loving with Intention: A Guide for Relationship Coaching. Both books have been read by coaching professionals around the world.

Professional Experience

• Founder and President, Living with Intention LLC
• Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – International Coach Federation
• Certified Professional Coactive Coach (CPCC) - Graduate, Coaches Training Institute, San Rafael, CA
• Senior Faculty , Institute for Life Coach Training – trains professionals to become coaches
• Adjunct Faculty, Widener University School of Human Service Professions - since 1991, has taught graduate and undergraduate students and mentored faculty in their professional development

Professional Affiliations

• Philadelphia Area Coaches Alliance - Active member and past board member
• International Coach Federation – Member since 1999

Education

• Master's degree in social work, University of Pennsylvania
• Graduate coursework in human resource management, Widener University
• Certified Imago Relationship therapist, Institute for Relationship Therapy

Carrie Lee McClelland, MasterNLP

Carrie Lee combines her skills in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coaching, and Psychology with a vast background in broadcast communications, to bring a very unique blend of professionalism and comprehensive knowledge from the field of human thought and behavior to the Oppelle team.

Ms. McClelland is certified on the Masters level in both NLP and Advanced Hypnotherapy and holds a BA in Psychology. She has utilized these skills in her work with the Warren County, N.J. Domestic Abuse and Rape Crisis Center,;serving as their honorary spokesperson and SART rape victims advocate from 2001-2005.

Carrie Lee’s business, MasterNLP focuses on resolving womens issues, and she has been able to help many women through her dynamic seminars, workshops and presentations. Select topics include Healing and the Mind, Body Image and Eating Issues, Superwomen 101, and other leadership-oriented programs.

Prior to the development of MasterNLP, Ms. McClelland could be found on television in the New York City market as a traffic reporter on WCBS-2 and WNBC-4, and as a radio personality on numerous New York and New Jersey radio stations, such as WCBS 880, WBGO jazz 88, and NJ 101.5. Her communication skills were honed through” on the job” news writing experience for MetroSource (a national news source), news presentation, traffic reporting, and, occasionally, as disc jockey. Battling to be taken seriously in a male-dominated market, and interfacing with the CEOs of major broadcasting companies, Carrie Lee was encouraged to recognize her worth as a professional and learn to value self-advocacy in the face of very real gender-related challenges.

Carrie Lee’s endeavors outside of the professional realm include writing an NLP application for Homeland Security, an interest in Political Science, and a strong desire to utilize whatever skills and knowledge she possesses to comprehend and potentially decrease the prevalence of violence in the face of political and religious beliefs in highly affected areas.

Barbara A. Bell, MA

Barbara Bell joins Oppelle as a facilitator with over 25 years of successful experience in a myriad of roles in the corporate arena as well as experience as an organizational development consultant and executive coach.

Barbara began her business career as a broker for the Guy Carpenter subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies. In this role Barbara was recognized by her clients for outstanding client service, new business development and for bringing unique thinking to addressing client risk issues.

An opportunity to join Marsh, Inc. to lead the west coast division of a newly formed department was presented to Barbara. Looking for new challenges she accepted the position to implement a new business model responsible for the distribution of $150,000,000 of insurance premium. The deployment of this business model required extensive organizational re-definition including the re-engineering of internal processes and procedures and a shift in the corporate culture.

Recognized by Marsh for her strategic thinking and success in strategy implementation Barbara was offered and accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Global Broking Division of Marsh, Inc. In this role she worked closely with the Chairman of the division and significantly expanded her responsibilities. While in this position, Barbara developed and implemented a new joint venture strategy to re energize the work ethic and focus on an unprofitable business sector. By re-engineering the business process, customer service improved and operating expenses were reduced resulting in turning a -15% margin business in to a +5% margin business in less than one year. The joint venture was operating at a 25% margin after two years.

As a reflection of all her accomplishments, Barbara was recognized as one of the 100 Most Important Women in Insurance.

After deploying numerous strategies and participating in two significant mergers Barbara became interested in acquiring the academic underpinnings in change management and received a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development from Fielding Graduate University. Her passion for positive change and the impact change can have on both the group and the individual directed Barbara to pursue a credential in Executive and Organizational Coaching at New York University. Barbara now combines her business acumen with her knowledge of organizational development and executive coaching.

As an organizational development consultant Barbara works with all divisions of a company to implement its strategic vision crossing organizational boundaries, focusing on organizational effectiveness and operational excellence. Through coaching, Barbara works with executives and managers as they deal with the day-to-day challenges of leading and managing in a continually changing business environment.

Barbara currently resides in New York City with her husband Pete, four college age children and Quick, the family’s yellow lab. She currently serves on the Board of Camphill Soltane, an organization which supports young adults with disabilities.