Founder & CEO

• Sep 2015 - Present

In 2015 I founded The Sparks Group where I help leaders and teams develop capacity, not just skills, to deal with the increasing change and complexity in the workplace. As CEO my focus is Executive Coaching & Transformational Change for Organizations, Teams and Individuals seeking change that makes a difference to them and in the world. In addition, I have a special interest in my clients building their Personal Resilience to facilitate change. The Sparks Group is an executive coaching… Show more In 2015 I founded The Sparks Group where I help leaders and teams develop capacity, not just skills, to deal with the increasing change and complexity in the workplace. As CEO my focus is Executive Coaching & Transformational Change for Organizations, Teams and Individuals seeking change that makes a difference to them and in the world. In addition, I have a special interest in my clients building their Personal Resilience to facilitate change. The Sparks Group is an executive coaching and change consulting firm that helps people make the changes that make a difference to them and in the world. Deeply experienced with interventions at the enterprise, team and individual levels, The Sparks Group can bring coaching, consulting, facilitation or speaking to bear on the challenges currently facing you and your organization to deliver the results you promised. http://sparksgrp.com/, jessica@sparksgrp.com; (704) 931-8868. Show less In 2015 I founded The Sparks Group where I help leaders and teams develop capacity, not just skills, to deal with the increasing change and complexity in the workplace. As CEO my focus is Executive Coaching & Transformational Change for Organizations, Teams and Individuals seeking change that makes a difference to them and in the world. In addition, I have a special interest in my clients building their Personal Resilience to facilitate change. The Sparks Group is an executive coaching… Show more In 2015 I founded The Sparks Group where I help leaders and teams develop capacity, not just skills, to deal with the increasing change and complexity in the workplace. As CEO my focus is Executive Coaching & Transformational Change for Organizations, Teams and Individuals seeking change that makes a difference to them and in the world. In addition, I have a special interest in my clients building their Personal Resilience to facilitate change. The Sparks Group is an executive coaching and change consulting firm that helps people make the changes that make a difference to them and in the world. Deeply experienced with interventions at the enterprise, team and individual levels, The Sparks Group can bring coaching, consulting, facilitation or speaking to bear on the challenges currently facing you and your organization to deliver the results you promised. http://sparksgrp.com/, jessica@sparksgrp.com; (704) 931-8868. Show less

Board Member

• Sep 2022 - Present

Faculty, Institute for Transformational Leadership

• Mar 2019 - Present

Serve as a Learning Circle Advisor in the Leadership Coaching program. Serve as a Learning Circle Advisor in the Leadership Coaching program.

Adjunct Faculty

• Aug 2015 - Present

In my role as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor I provide executive coaching and facilitation support to CCL programs. The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®) is a top-ranked, global provider of leadership development. By leveraging the power of leadership to drive results that matter most to clients, CCL transforms individual leaders, teams, organizations and society. In my role as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor I provide executive coaching and facilitation support to CCL programs. The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®) is a top-ranked, global provider of leadership development. By leveraging the power of leadership to drive results that matter most to clients, CCL transforms individual leaders, teams, organizations and society.

Senior Advisor

• May 2020 - Dec 2022

For years, senior leaders have benefited by having access to executive coaches, but most other professionals receive little support to advance in their careers and adapt to a changing world. This is particularly true in today’s pandemic-impacted environment and especially for those from diverse or underprivileged backgrounds. Quantuvos provides a scalable coaching solution for organizations and a personalized experience for individuals. Our technology uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure… Show more For years, senior leaders have benefited by having access to executive coaches, but most other professionals receive little support to advance in their careers and adapt to a changing world. This is particularly true in today’s pandemic-impacted environment and especially for those from diverse or underprivileged backgrounds. Quantuvos provides a scalable coaching solution for organizations and a personalized experience for individuals. Our technology uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure every individual is well-matched with a coach and can receive coaching anytime, anywhere with all the benefits coaching brings. Professional coaching generally receives an average ROI of six times the investment. With today's unique workplace challenges and the benefits of new technology, it's an opportunity whose time is now. Show less For years, senior leaders have benefited by having access to executive coaches, but most other professionals receive little support to advance in their careers and adapt to a changing world. This is particularly true in today’s pandemic-impacted environment and especially for those from diverse or underprivileged backgrounds. Quantuvos provides a scalable coaching solution for organizations and a personalized experience for individuals. Our technology uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure… Show more For years, senior leaders have benefited by having access to executive coaches, but most other professionals receive little support to advance in their careers and adapt to a changing world. This is particularly true in today’s pandemic-impacted environment and especially for those from diverse or underprivileged backgrounds. Quantuvos provides a scalable coaching solution for organizations and a personalized experience for individuals. Our technology uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure every individual is well-matched with a coach and can receive coaching anytime, anywhere with all the benefits coaching brings. Professional coaching generally receives an average ROI of six times the investment. With today's unique workplace challenges and the benefits of new technology, it's an opportunity whose time is now. Show less

Director Change Execution ♦ Change Management ♦ Coach ♦ Strategic Execution

• Apr 2012 - Sep 2015

As Director of Change Execution I led effective change throughout Lowe’s initiatives and the Lowe’s organization. I was responsible for advising senior leadership on change strategies as well as training and coaching other change practitioners. My role included the implementation of large-scale change efforts throughout the organization. Through my efforts I assisted Lowe’s with becoming a purpose driven company by evolving the organization’s culture using a new corporate purpose and… Show more As Director of Change Execution I led effective change throughout Lowe’s initiatives and the Lowe’s organization. I was responsible for advising senior leadership on change strategies as well as training and coaching other change practitioners. My role included the implementation of large-scale change efforts throughout the organization. Through my efforts I assisted Lowe’s with becoming a purpose driven company by evolving the organization’s culture using a new corporate purpose and renewed values as a guide. I consulted with leaders and project teams in the Customer Experience organization to ensure realization of key initiatives, leveraging capacity management, resilience, a change agent network, and risk monitoring and mitigation. By creating the position of a COE I embedded change execution into the organization and targeted coaching and development of new change practitioners and the development and deployment of an integrated strategy execution methodology. Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a Fortune 500 American company that operates a chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain has 1,840 stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

People & Change Capability Manager ♦ Strategic Organizational Development

• Feb 2011 - Jun 2012

I supported the implementation of Lowe’s strategic initiatives by leveraging consulting, coaching and capability building skills in a change management framework designed to maximize the realization of Lowe’s business strategy. Accomplishments: ✓ Facilitated organizational assessment of change history and capacity to identify organizational change management strategies in support of Lowe’s strategic initiatives. ✓ Built change management expertise by architecting… Show more I supported the implementation of Lowe’s strategic initiatives by leveraging consulting, coaching and capability building skills in a change management framework designed to maximize the realization of Lowe’s business strategy. Accomplishments: ✓ Facilitated organizational assessment of change history and capacity to identify organizational change management strategies in support of Lowe’s strategic initiatives. ✓ Built change management expertise by architecting opportunities to transfer knowledge to improve the organization’s ability to manage transformational change. ✓ Orchestrated the commitment of the organization through various work streams including designing and administering a change agent network across all three lines of business.

Corporate Human Resources Manager ♦ Coaching ♦ Performance Management ♦ Organizational Development

• Mar 2009 - Feb 2011

My efforts as Corporate HR Manager included implementation of HR strategy and providing strategic business partner support to various corporate departments and initiatives. In addition I was responsible for coaching, employee relations, compensation and benefits execution, performance management, succession planning and organization design and development. I successfully saved the company $45MM, facilitated organizational redesign and improved customer satisfaction.

Senior Talent Management Consultant ♦ Succession Planning Leader ♦ Process Design

• Dec 2007 - Feb 2009

As Senior Talent Management Consultant I led the succession planning process to create a pipeline of talent for this Fortune 50 company with 238,000+ employees. I successfully directed process design, enhancements, administration and evaluation.

Compensation Consultant ♦ Incentive Compensation Development & Implementation

• Oct 2005 - Nov 2007

My responsibilities at National City Bank included the design, implementation and evaluation of 400+ incentive compensation plans with an annual spend of over $800MM covering 35,000+ employees.

Human Resources MBA Associate ♦ Employee Relations ♦ Talent Development ♦ HR

• Aug 2004 - Sep 2005

As a Human Resources MBA Associate I completed developmental rotations in University Relations, Employee Relations, HR Consulting, Performance Management and Talent Development, Compensation, Credit and Wholesale Banking.

Product Management MBA Intern ♦ Product Development ♦ Market Research ♦ Sales

• May 2003 - Nov 2003

At American Greetings I was exposed to and involved in the entire product development cycle including sourcing, sales, creative development, fulfillment, market research and product management. My specific responsibilities related to resolving pricing inconsistencies across products, seasons and retailers. At American Greetings I was exposed to and involved in the entire product development cycle including sourcing, sales, creative development, fulfillment, market research and product management. My specific responsibilities related to resolving pricing inconsistencies across products, seasons and retailers.

Development Specialist ♦ Corporate & Foundation Donations ♦ Grants ♦ Vendor Management

• Jan 2001 - Jul 2002

As Development Specialist I was in charge of evaluating individual, corporate and foundation prospective donors for a $5MM annual fundraising plan. I cultivated, solicited and stewarded donors for the System's HIV/AIDS program and the Hospital for Children's Sickle Cell Disease program. I participated in grant writing, direct mail, budget and vendor management. As Development Specialist I was in charge of evaluating individual, corporate and foundation prospective donors for a $5MM annual fundraising plan. I cultivated, solicited and stewarded donors for the System's HIV/AIDS program and the Hospital for Children's Sickle Cell Disease program. I participated in grant writing, direct mail, budget and vendor management.

Prospect Researcher ♦ Corporate & Foundation Donor Development

• Dec 1999 - Jan 2001

My position at American Rivers involved researching individual, corporate and foundation giving prospects for the propensity to support the mission of the foundation.

Development Assistant ♦ Corporate & Individual Donors

• Feb 1999 - Nov 1999

My responsibilities in this position involved the reconciliation and acknowledgement of corporate, individual and foundation gifts.