Our Team

Marques Colston is the founder of Marques Colston Enterprises (MCE), a professional development services company, which empowers innovative organizations and growth-minded athletes, entrepreneurs, and executives to unlock creativity and possibility to experience sustainable professional success.

Nii Ato is a holistic career coach who helps ambitious professionals of color navigate their job search while remaining authentic to themselves. Recently named by LinkedIn as a 2022 Top Voice in Job Search & Careers, Nii Ato holds master’s level training in mental health counseling, allowing him to provide a holistic approach to his work with clients.

Corwin is a business development executive with over 20 years experience in risk consulting, financial services, corporate real estate and commercial insurance. He has a flair for coaching/mentoring and an insatiable curiosity. He's been a leader in growth (revenue/people) and development, and is able to inspire, coach and develop individuals and teams in both corporate and civic environments. He also spent a decade as a newspaper business columnist/reporter in Nashville and Cleveland.

With more than 25 years of human resource experience, Bridgette M. Thomas founded Strongbridge Solutions LLC, a full-service HR consulting and executive coaching firm, in 2018. Viewed as a trusted resource and advisor, Bridgette has held numerous HR leadership positions within a variety of management consulting firms, including Prism Healthcare Partners, Wellspring Partners/Huron Consulting Group, and Century Business Services (CBIZ).

The author of What Makes That Black? The African-American Aesthetic in American Expressive Culture, Luana has specific expertise in cultural intelligence, explicit/implicit bias, and art criticism/composition. Working as a professor and performing artist for 30 years, Luana honed skills in active listening, complex problem solving, critical/creative thinking, diverse learning, systems analysis, writing and leadership. She holds an M.A. from Mills College, and she supports a diverse range of creative clients in tech, apparel/footwear, finance, and food/agriculture.

Ruthana is a values-driven coach and seasoned leader with deep experience across a unique blend of senior marketing, consulting, and coaching roles. She’s partnered with senior leaders (Directors, VPs, SVPs, C-suite, Founders) in organizations from start-ups to the Fortune 500 in technology, CPG, higher education, real estate, e-commerce, manufacturing, media, restaurants, professional services, private equity, and venture capital.

Ajay is a Sikh-American immigrant who has lived in three countries and speaks several languages. He is passionate about team building, eliminating cultural barriers, and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. He currently practices as an emergency physician at Duke University Hospital and also serves on the faculty at the school of medicine, where he teaches about health disparities. He is a DEI leader within his department and takes pride in mentoring junior faculty, residents and students.

Simon is the Senior Thinking Partner and Director of Development at Bleeker. He is a recovering athlete, and rowing coach applying the skills learned coaching elite athletes to work with corporate leaders in tech, finance, and consumer products.

As a Leadership and Executive Coach, Kathleen helps clients reach their professional potential by putting self-awareness and reflection into practical action. She is most passionate about career and leadership development, and her practice focuses on building strategies to become a more agile learner in order to grow professionally.

Gregory Lorjuste is Deputy Chief of Staff at the Urban Institute, where he supports the Senior Vice President for Research and Programs by advancing key institutional priorities, including the race and equity goals.

Drawing on over 20 years of global leadership experience in tech, management consulting, finance and retail, Rahim has thrived in fast paced innovative organizations from Apple to IBM, CIBC and WestJet Airlines.

Keyana is the author of Shades Magazine, a digital publication for BIPOC individuals and the founder of Full Lota Yoga, where she combines Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Mindfulness, Intuitive Coaching, and Movement to support others on their journeys of healing and personal growth.

Georgi is a serial entrepreneur who has more than 15 years creating businesses and corporate educational programs focused on highlighting and reinforcing individuals’ natural talents. A native Argentinian with a multicultural background, Georgi studied Advertising at FAEU in Argentina, and received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawaii; she is also tri-lingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese). She is currently supporting a diverse range of clients from investment professionals and financial services to marketing and operations specialists to educational leaders.

Alexys is the founder of The Kinship Advisors, a minority-owned agency, that creates alliances within the sports, entertainment and other industries, who are committed to personal development, social justice, strategic business expansion and sustaining impact in underserved communities. Alexys coaches and advises leaders in high-profile positions, athletes, creatives and professionals.

Catalina is an entrepreneur and career coach focusing on helping diverse communities make their dreams career realities. She has worked in recruiting at Facebook, Twitter, a16z, and Asana to create pathways for hundreds of professionals to break into Tech.