Conference Speakers

Marcia Reynolds, Psy D, MCC

Dr. Marcia Reynolds, Master Certified Coach and president of Covisioning LLC, is a master of teaching others how to engage in powerful conversations that connect, influence, and activate change, even when emotions are strong. From government agencies and large multi-national companies, to coaching schools in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and across North America, she’s been hired by organizations around the globe, not just because of her highly engaging presentations but because of her ability to inspire people to change minds and behavior. She has provided coaching and training in 47 countries, to thousands coaches and leaders online, is on faculty for coaching schools in the US, Asia, and Eastern Europe. 

Her foundational and mastery Breakthrough Coaching programs on the Coaching.com platform provide advanced skills and community for coaches around the world. She was recently awarded the Coaching Impact Award for Emerging Organizations for working with her client AEON Vietnam to transform their culture and accelerate their success with coaching even through the pandemic, an amazing feat for a retail corporation!

As a pioneer in the coaching profession, she was the 5th global president of the International Coaching Federation and is recognized in the ICF Circle of Distinction for her contributions to the world-wide coaching community. She is recognized as a Coaches50 top leadership coach and has been in the top 10 of coaches for Global Gurus for many years.

Prior to coaching, Marcia ran training departments for two global companies. She designed the culture change programs for a global semiconductor manufacturing company facing bankruptcy. Within three years, the company turned around and became the #1 revenue producing stock market success with its IPO in 1993.

Excerpts from her 5 books including her international bestseller, Coach the Person, Not the Problem and her latest book, Breakthrough Coaching, have appeared in many places including Fast Company, Psychology Today, and The Wall Street Journal.

Her education includes a doctorate in Organizational Psychology and two master’s degrees in Communication and Adult Learning/ Instructional Design.

Gita Kulkarni

Gita Kulkarni is the founder of the Humor Edge, named appropriately because her goal is to help companies get a human edge using humor to deliver their competitive edge. Her mission is to help people find and express their unique sense of humor to be more productive and effective at work (really at life). She has experience learning improvisation at The Second City in Chicago. She also operated and founded Avinta Services which is a 17+ year Salesforce.com Partner. Most of her practice and perfection of humor originated from basic human survival in Mrs. Champagne’s kindergarten class and has carried on in her 1000+ implementations of Salesforce.com for Fortune 1 to Fortune 5000 companies globally. The cast and technique she employed at 5 years old have not drastically changed: life is just a big kindergarten class. She is also an elite runner and a recording artist - both show up in her work.

Session Description: The ‘LOL’ Method: Leading Others with Levity

What the Heck is a Humor Coach? (Haha!)

Gita helps people and teams foster levity to become happier, more connected, and ultimately, more resilient. Laughter isn't just fun—it’s survival. Studies show that those who laugh more, learn more, live longer, and enrich the lives of those around them. 

Why Should Coaches Care About Humor?
Coaching is a deep cognitive process, and humor:

1. Facilitates Grace in Transformation – Laughter softens resistance, making change more positive, accepted, and lasting.

2. Meets the Mind Where It Is – In a world of rapid categorization and social media overload, humor is an emotional connector that makes ideas stick.

3. Attracts and Engages – Young professionals, clients, and even major advertisers recognize humor as a dominant engagement tool.