Board of Directors

Mamie Bittner, PCC, President 

For more than 25 years, Mamie served as a federal executive and senior advisor to dozens of agency leaders on Capitol Hill. She helped them manage complex challenges, maintain resilience during crises, and communicate about change and strategic planning initiatives. She learned that successful leadership requires a laser-like focus on purpose and people.

Mamie prepared leaders to testify at congressional hearings, produced White House special events, led presidential nominees through the Senate confirmation process and managed communications for a once-in-a-generation restoration of the U.S. Capitol Dome.

Credentials
Mamie received her coach certification through George Mason University’s Leadership Coaching for Organizational and Individual Well-Being Program, and holds a PCC certification through ICF. She has an MA in human development and counseling from George Washington University and a BA in political science from Fairfield University.

Coaching Focus
Mamie loves partnering with clients to accelerate their professional growth through coaching. Throughout her career, she has been an organizational culture geek with a passion for leadership development. It was a natural next step for her to launch an executive coaching practice after leaving public service.  She uses the insights gained through her leadership experiences to coach clients that span Fortune 500 companies, Congressional staff, agency executives and emerging leaders.

 "One of the most exciting things about coaching is that moment when a client’s awareness shifts and they experience clarity and the freedom to move forward with confidence."

Malva Daniel Reid, Ph.D., MA, PCC, President Elect
Malva is a seasoned executive who has worked in government, academia, and the private sector. Her career started in government before she moved to academia to work in a technical training program. Malva then became an executive with the railroad for 27 years, serving employees directly and developing a successful national drug and alcohol program which included peer prevention, training, coaching, and testing. She then moved back to higher education and presently serves as an Assistant Chief Academic Officer. Concurrently, Malva has been president of a coaching and consulting firm in the DC area for more than 20 years.  

Malva joined the ICF Metro DC Chapter in 2018 and has served on the Membership Committee, the 2020 CCC Program Committee, and as a co-chair of the 2022 Capital Coaches Conference. She is our President Elect and co-chair of the 2024 Capital Coaches Conference.  

Credentials
Malva graduated from the Co-Active Training Institute. She is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC). She holds an MA and PhD in Developmental Psychology from Howard University.

Coaching Focus
Malva’s coaching practice focuses on career, leadership, and executive coaching. Her “sweet spot” is helping people show up as their best selves at job interviews and in the workplace. She loves reading, traveling, and walking 10,000 steps a day. Her passion is giving back to the community.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with passion, compassion, humor and style.” Maya Angelou

Heather D. Horton, JD, LL.M., Secretary
Heather served in the Federal government for almost two decades before starting her coaching practice.  She formerly served as an Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel Trial Attorney, Associate Area Counsel, and Director of Headquarters Operations for the Small Business/Self-Employed Division.  Before her legal experience, Heather worked as a Tax Auditor and Credit Union Examiner.  She is currently the Founder/Principal of The H-Squared Group, LLC, a global grief coaching, recovery, and support practice.

Heather aspired to become a coach after working with several coaches while managing a group of attorneys. After completing her coaching certification, she joined ICF Metro DC in 2017.  Heather joined the ICF Metro DC Board in 2021, has  served as Treasurer, and currently serves as Secretary. 

Credentials
Heather graduated from CoachDiverisity Institute (CDI) and the Institute of Professional Grief Coaches.  She is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach (CPDC), and a Certified Grief Coach. Heather holds a BS in Accounting from Southern University and A&M College, a JD and Bachelor of Civil Law from Louisiana State University Law Center, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

Coaching Focus
Heather is a Grief and Well-Being Coach for Lawyers.  She empowers lawyers and law students to identify the root cause of their personal and professional challenges and learn how to manage their emotions so they can respond versus react to life events and circumstances.  She also works with law firms and law schools to create grief-informed, inclusive cultures of well-being. 

"Through coaching, I help reroute the trajectory of individual lives, empower communities and change the world by default while being a listening heart with ears."

Kate Lasso, ACC, Treasurer

Kate has a long history of working with human rights defenders and social justice advocates. In her work in the social justice sector, she has seen that often these dedicated individuals who advocate for a better world become burned out, frustrated and depleted over time. While completing Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching program, Kate realized that social justice leaders would benefit immensely from coaching, encouraging them to engage in their work from a place of centeredness and self-awareness. In March of 2023 Kate left her full-time work in organizational development and capacity building of nonprofit organizations to develop a consulting practice that also includes coaching, with an eye towards working with leaders in our communities seeking to make our world more resilient, more inclusive and more equitable.

 

Credentials

Kate is an International Coaching Federation-certified coach who completed the Leadership Coaching Certificate Program at Georgetown University. She is a certified practitioner of the Key Polarity Indicator and completed the Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program at Georgetown University. A long-time finance and operations professional, Kate brings non-profit budgeting, administrative, and financial oversight experience to her work in capacity building and organizational development. Kate holds a Ph.D. in Sociology, an M.A. in International Studies, and a B.A. in Economics. She has completed certificates in organizational consulting and change leadership, interpersonal skills for leaders, and human resources, and she is currently engaged in a mindfulness meditation teacher training program. In 2024 Kate will begin a one-year certification program for trauma-informed coaching.

 

Coaching Focus:

Kate is sensitive to the importance of providing coaching for social justice leaders and human rights defenders, both to enhance their capacity to engage in the work and also to show up better for themselves and each other. Her heart is with those who dream of a better world in which all of us thrive.

Sonya Atkinson, PCC, Board Member
Sonya is a dedicated educator, coach, facilitator, and mentor coach with over 20 years of experience working in education with the last 12 years working as both an internal and external coach.  She operates her own coaching practice, and privately contracts year-round as a coach trainer with three separate ICF-sanctioned coaching programs. Sonya joined the ICF Metro DC Board in 2024 and chairs the chapter's Learning & Development Committee. She also co-facilitates the Coaching Dojo, an opportunity for coaches to engage in practice coaching with the benefit of peer and Mentor Coach support.

Credentials
Sonya completed her inaugural coaching training with JST Coaching & Training. She has pursued continuing education in coaching training in the areas of Learning & Attention Disorders, ADHD & Executive Function Deficits, Neurodiversities, Emotional Intelligence, Positive Intelligence, Positive Psychology, Attachment Styles, and the Enneagram of Personality. Sonya holds a PCC coaching credential with the International Coaching Federation and works diligently to maintain that credential. 

Coaching Focus

Sonya has her own private coaching, facilitation, and mentor coaching business which specializes in Personal Development Coaching.  She focuses on helping individuals understand the why beneath the habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that keep them stuck in life and no longer serve them.

Maureen Gallen, PCC, Board Member
Maureen discovered her passion for coaching in support of her decades long role in senior management in the Federal Government.  Now, Maureen provides coaching from the outside in, to help executives sort through organizational cultures and environmental shifts.  She comes prepared with an MS in Executive Leadership, and leverages the tools of somatic coaching to help clients identify fears that are driving decision-making and notice when they are out of alignment with their personal core values. Maureen chairs the Board Committee on Membership.

Credentials
Maureen earned a coaching certification from the Coach Training Institute (CTI). She is also a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), and is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC).  Additional training includes Somatic Experience, multiple Emotional Intelligence Assessment Certifications and Leadership Circle Profile Certification. 

Coaching Focus
Maureen's major focus now is in bringing personal growth, encouragement and empowerment to women leaders.  She especially enjoys helping women find their authentic leadership style and voice.

Jennifer Lukas, ACC, BCC, Board Member
Jennifer has been coaching for over seven years and is committed to helping federal employees manage their careers. Having earned a Master's of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University, Jennifer is passionate about applying theories of psychology to coaching as a means of facilitating transformational change. She is also committed to guiding coaches through the difficult process of making a referral to a licensed mental health professional, a topic she facilitated for the Capital Coaches Conference. As a coach, Jennifer leverages the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, the Arbinger Outward Mindset tool, Saboteur Assessment and Wheel of Life.An expert in curriculum design and delivery, Jennifer has managed learning and development programs for federal agencies. Jennifer’s has been involved with the Pro Bono Committee and Professional Development Committee, and now chairs the Pro Bono Committee.

Credentials
Jennifer earned her coaching credentials through the Co-active Training Institute (CTI). She is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach (ACC) and Center for Credential & Education (CCE)Board Certified Coach (BCC).

Coaching Focus
Jennifer's coaching practice is focused on federal employees. She enjoys helping clients at all levels of their federal career feel more fulfilled and focused.

L'Lorenzo Seabrook, PCC, Board Member
L’Lorenzo’s background includes nearly three decades of military service. In 2012, a close friend told L’Lorenzo his skills was complementary to that of a coach. Shortly thereafter, L’Lorenzo started his coaching journey and has provided extensive services across multiple federal agencies where he is routinely asked to provide continuous services because of his impact. L’Lorenzo joined the ICF Metro DC Chapter in 2013 and has twice served on the Capital Coaches Conference committee. He now serves as chair of the Communications Committee.

Credentials
L’Lorenzo is a graduate of George Mason’s Leadership Coaching Program, Team Coaching International Team coaching programs, and Newfield Network Foundation of Ontological Coaching programs. He holds a graduate degree in business and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education focusing on leadership. He is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Coaching Focus
L ’Lorenzo’s primary coaching focus is Executive leadership coaching. He also specializes in training facilitation and team coaching.

L’Lorenzo believes everyone has an opportunity to be the best version of themselves and strives to positively impact each person at the human level.

Marlo Thomas Watson, CDP, PCC, CGTC, Board Member
Marlo is a naturally curious individual who has always had a passion for learning and personal growth. Her interests afforded her a very broad and diverse resume: Facilitator, Trainer, Teacher, Senior Recruiter, Non-profit Executive, and Public Relations Manager. Prior to starting The Marlo Companies in 2015, Marlo realized the common denominator in her career was her passion for learning and supporting others in transforming to their ideal selves.  Marlo sought to be a credentialed coach as the foundation for supporting others, ensuring credibility and satisfying her personal passion of supporting others. Calling herself an extroverted-introvert, Marlo loves to work behind the scenes to support others. Marlo joined Metro DC ICF chapter and immediately became involved; this is her community. She currently chairs the Chapter's Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

Credentials
Marlo earned her coaching certification from Coach’s Training Institute (CTI), Diversity Coach Certificate from Coach Diversity Institute. She is credentialed through the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a Credentialed Global Team Coach.

Coaching Focus
Marlo partners with individuals, organizations and teams to realign, build cohesion, define/redefine culture, and celebrate difference.

Marlo is known for saying “People are the key to the culture and leaders are key to the climate of an organization. With the proper leadership, structure, and support, People can transform organizations to realize amazing results.”