Our Team | the telos institute

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

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

Advisor

Amy Simmons

Advisor

Continuous learning and mindful risk taking are key priorities I embrace every day to help propel our organization and our clients toward excellence.

Executive Leadership Team

Mike Herzog

President & Chief Experience Officer

Mike Herzog

President & Chief Experience Officer

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.

Bob Drovdlic

Chief Client Relations Officer

Bob Drovdlic

Chief Client Relations Officer

I believe that greatness exists in each of us. Through curiosity and commitment, I partner with clients to catalyze growth and development for the betterment of self, relationships, and organizations.

Steve Cooke

Chief Administrative Officer

Steve Cooke

Chief Administrative Officer

I believe that being forthright and trustworthy are essential in creating a supportive environment that allows the business to be successful and by extension, our clients.

Client Relations

The client relations team focuses on nurturing client relationships. We seek to meet people where they are and identify how telos can be a catalyst for their desired forward progress. Working in collaboration with our talented, global panel of telos consultants, our focus is on understanding the ongoing objectives of each client and tailoring their support to deliver transformational change. We work with our clients to develop and support long-term, evolving relationships.

Karl Rishe

Director, Client Relations

Karl Rishe

Director, Client Relations

When you commit your word, your handshake, and your name, there is no greater promise you can provide to a person. When we honor a commitment, we honor our work, handshake and name.

Matt Mazur

Director, Client Relations

Matt Mazur

Director, Client Relations

My passion is to deliver meaningful experiences that move people and organizations forward through the careful curation of a curious and appreciative mindset.

Michele Ocasio

Client Delivery Manager

Michele Ocasio

Client Delivery Manager

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.

Lee Caplan

Client Ambassador Liaison

Lee Caplan

Client Ambassador Liaison

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"

Experience Design

The Experience Design team is charged with developing and curating uniquely tailored experiences to further our clients’ goals and objectives as well as new product development. This creative team of designers leverages their collective Organizational Development expertise to create individual, team and organizational impact.

Courtney Opalich

Designer, Experience Design

Courtney Opalich

Designer, Experience Design

I believe that life is an unending journey of learning. Curiosity brings about understanding. Every interaction and experience teaches us about ourselves, others, and our impact on the world.

Harry Pepper

Designer, Experience Design

Harry Pepper

Designer, Experience Design

I believe that compassionate support and nurturing is the most effective approach to help individuals and teams both discover and authentically express their unique strengths.

Jeannine Gury

Designer, Experience Design

Jeannine Gury

Designer, Experience Design

I believe that authentic connection, grounded in thoughtful consideration and genuine gratitude, creates opportunity to engage in a client’s unbounded possibility.

Jennifer Reitz

Designer, Experience Design

Jennifer Reitz

Designer, Experience Design

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.

Operations & Administration

Directs the administrative and operational duties of the telos institute to create the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness.

Michele Niehus

Director, Operations & Administration

Michele Niehus

Director, Operations & Administration

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.

Sinegugu Gasa

Director, the telos leadership foundation

Sinegugu Gasa

Director, the telos leadership foundation

When it comes to supporting young leaders in finding their purpose and path in life, I find that nurturing is the key to their success.

Quinn Zhanai

Analyst, Operations & Administration

Quinn Zhanai

Analyst, Operations & Administration

I strive to better myself and others by having a positive impact in all facets of life. Learning, growing, and expanding my view of what it means for each of us to be a human being drives my actions.

Andi Rupert

Coordinator, Operations & Administration

Andi Rupert

Coordinator, Operations & Administration

Nothing makes me feel more accomplished than taking care of the people around me in any way that I can. I enjoy being of help and support to others in their successes, that's my personal success, too

Ron Soeder

Development Manager, the telos leadership foundation

Ron Soeder

Development Manager, 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.