Our Team
CLARITY. VISION. LEADERSHIP.
“The success of our organization is directly related to the quality and character of those involved”
– Rick Simmons, chief executive officer
Co-Founders
Rick Simmons
chief executive officer
My view on helping individuals, teams, and organizations is shaped by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words: What lies behind us and what lies before us are but tiny matters as compared to what lies within us.
Amy Simmons
chief experience officer
Continuous learning and mindful risk taking are key priorities I embrace every day to help propel our organization and our clients toward excellence.
Client Relations
The client relations team seeks to meet clients where they are and identify how telos can be a catalyst for their desired forward progress. We work with our clients to develop and support long-term, evolving relationships.
Lee Caplan
chief relationship officer
I believe that you can only live forward and that the best is always yet to come. As my favorite singer-songwriter John Mellencamp sings, “save some time to dream, cause your dreams could save us all"
Angela Forster
director, client relations
I live commitment by taking time to connect with others and together building a relationship that is built on trust. I live commitment by doing what I say I will, letting my actions back up my words.
Henry Slyker
director, client relations
Helping others succeed is an important part of service. It's amazing to think that 100 years from today, someone may be living a better life because of something I helped a client improve today.
Kathy Lentner
director, brand experience
I am curious about the power of questions and always challenge myself to ask the better question to help those I work with get to the most useful insight.
Richard McClellan
director, client partnerships
One thing I love doing more than almost anything else is helping people figure out what they want, then how to get there.
Jennifer Scerbo
coordinator, client relations
Quite simply, I strive for excellence in every task I complete, every interaction I have, and every platform we utilize.
Consulting Services
The consulting services team focuses on nurturing client relationships. Working in collaboration with our talented panel of global telos consultants, our focus is on understanding the objectives of each client and tailoring their support to deliver transformational change.
Wendy Blaszak
chief consulting officer
Commitment for me is a true dedication to our values and philosophy...to become your partner and advocate in the path to further greatness.
Kim Paik
director, consulting services
I love supporting others’ success. Whether it is helping my kids, or working with a colleague or client, I am passionate about personal and professional development.
Bob Schultek
director, consulting services
Every person is a source of energy, with an exceptional set of gifts to contribute, and the potential to leverage their unique perspective, insight, and experience to make a difference.
David Somoo
director, consulting services
I believe that having a growth mindset allows for constant learning and discovery and inspires me to develop more trusting and more collaborative relationships with colleagues and clients alike.
Jennifer Tomasch
coordinator, consulting services
As telos' consulting services coordinator, my commitment to the telos consultant panel is of the utmost importance.
Experience Design
The experience design team is charged with developing and curating uniquely tailored experiences to further our clients’ goals and objectives. This creative team of designers leverages their collective Organizational Development expertise to create individual, team and organizational impact.
Mike Herzog
director, experience design
For me, curiosity is one of the highest virtues. It opens so many doors. Better solutions. Deeper connection. Reduced suffering. The world would be a better place if we were all more curious.
Maria Stevens
director, experience design
I believe nurturing is the foundation for inspiring others to greatness both personally and professionally. Nurturing is how I show those around me that I believe in them and their potential.
Amanda Noel
experience designer
Each person has unique experiences and perspectives. Understanding your needs is an integral part of designing your experiences. Through thoughtful questions I intentionally design custom experiences.
Harry Pepper
experience designer
I believe that compassionate support and nurturing is the most effective way to help leaders to discover their unique strengths.
Jennifer Reitz
experience designer
I believe that curiosity is the foundation of true exploration. When we show up with genuine care and curiosity, we open to possibility and create space for who or what wants to emerge.
Jeannine Gury
coordinator, experience design
I believe that authentic connection, grounded in thoughtful consideration and genuine gratitude, creates opportunity to engage in a client’s unbounded possibility.
Janelle Mainiero
coordinator, experience design
I find immense joy when I can support others towards their chosen successes and towards their extraordinary feats.
Michele Ocasio
coordinator, experience design
I take tremendous pride in striving for excellence in every aspect of my role at telos. It is personally gratifying to know that my work has a positive impact on both colleagues and clients.
Bishop Reid
coordinator, experience design
I work to hold space for others to open up about what is real and authentic to them. I find when I commit to practices that allow me to nurture myself, I have more space to do it for others.
Operations
Michele Niehus
director, operations
It is important to me to encourage those I work with to be the best version of themselves. To not be afraid of opportunity that presents itself or to make their own opportunity where none exists.
Ron Soeder
director, the telos leadership foundation
I have been fortunate to see the value of nurturing demonstrated by caring adults like those who support the telos leadership foundation to benefit and nurture youth.
strategic advisors
Our strategic advisors serve as trusted sources for advice, guidance, and counsel to the telos institute’s co-founders and leadership team.
Bryan Segedi
strategic advisor
I am gratified to be associated with telos, which consistently asks and strives to answer the challenging questions, aggressively makes investments and truly cares about achieving industry outcomes.
Al Weiss
strategic advisor
telos reminds me of my days at Disney. Long term commitment to people and strategic partners. Pursuit of excellence in everything we do and nurturing people to their highest level of achievement.