Our Team.

D. Marlene Thomas (PCC) is the esteemed President and CEO of Thomas Management Consulting (TMC), a distinguished woman-owned firm that excels in providing strategic consulting and coaching to a diverse range of clients including federal, state, and private sector organizations. With over 25 years of experience as a former Senior Executive Service leader, Marlene brings a of knowledge in managing complex systems. Her expertise lies in leadership and executive development, career transition, and team effectiveness, making her an invaluable asset to organizations seeking to enhance their operational success. At TMC, Marlene is committed to empowering leaders and teams to reach their potential.

Michelle M. Lopez is an executive and systemic team coach who helps emerging and experienced leaders move from insight to authentic action. She is President and Founder of Next Gen Latinos, LLC, which she launched in 2016 after nearly three decades in higher education. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Certified Executive Coach (CEC), she also serves on the faculty of Peter Hawkins' Team Development Essentials programme within the systemic team coaching community. Based in Buda, Texas, Michelle is a passionate advocate for developing the next generation of leaders and helping each client live a great story.

Daniela Aneva (MCC, EIA, EISA, ACTC) is an executive coach, supervisor, and mentor with nearly 25 years of global leadership experience, including senior roles as COO and VP. Recognized as one of North America’s “40 under 40 Leaders,” she holds master’s degrees in Human Resource Management and Psychology and integrates methods such as CBT, Schema Therapy, and EMDR into her practice. 

Daniela is a best selling author of Schemas in leadership and How to become a coaching supervisor and coach mentor. 

Aneva's director of coach accreditation and coaching supervision accreditation programs.

Esther Zirbel is a first-generation high school graduate who went on to earn five degrees, including an award-winning PhD in astrophysics from Yale. As a young professor, she discovered a passion for teaching and learning, which led her to transition first into training teachers and then into coaching professors. She founded Padme Learning—“Padme” meaning Lotus in Sanskrit—dedicated to helping individuals grow into their best selves and thrive personally and professionally. Her innovative work in teaching, mentoring, and coaching has earned international recognition, including the 2025 Coach of the Year Award for Professors and Educators.

Inga Bielinska (ACTC, MCC, ESIA) is a certified team coach, mentor coach, business trainer, and accredited coaching supervisor who partners with senior leaders, executives, and high-level experts navigating complex change, cultural dynamics, and strategic communication challenges. She supports C-suite and senior professionals stepping into expanded leadership roles, leading distributed teams, and addressing high-stakes conflict, while working with leadership teams to align around vision, mission, and core processes—building clarity, cohesion, and collaboration across systems.

Gabriele Fodor (PDSL, ICP-ACC-ATF, TCA) is a coach and mediator with a strong international perspective and a professional foundation in global logistics, where she continues to consult across multiple industries worldwide. She works with individuals and teams as a leadership and team coach, helping them navigate change, adopt agile ways of working, improve collaboration, and focus on delivering lasting value. Grounded in systems thinking and enriched by her cross-cultural experience, she brings real-world presence and insight to her practice.