About Lael
Lael Couper Jepson is a professionally educated and seasoned practitioner of organization development as well as a certified coach. She possesses a unique blend of creativity, humor, intuition, compassion and experience and effectively engages her clients in the art and science of change and transition. Lael is able to quickly establish a deep connection and trust with her clients. Out of this foundation, she is able to boldly awaken the power of an individual or an organization and shine a light on the heart of the matter. Her infectious energy sustains her clients through the tough and rewarding work of clarifying vision, uncovering obstacles, identifying possible solutions and staying the course to ultimately create sustainable change.
Her Focus Is on Women
Lael established SheChanges in 2005 out of her passion to support women in realizing and unleashing their unique talents, powers, voices and leadership instincts to create more of what they want in the world. She believes women's innate abilities and skills in networking and building communities can be more leveraged in the context of today's society. To that end, a primary focus of the coaching and consulting services Lael offers in SheChanges is geared toward supporting women - individually, collectively and within the context of the workplace.
Professional Experience
Prior to founding SheChanges, Lael spent most of her career working for a Fortune 500 company in the fields of organization development and multimedia learning systems. Through this experience, Lael is well-versed in working across multiple layers within an organization - from senior executives to line managers. She is a seasoned facilitator of small and large-scale system changes, leadership development, group dynamics, process and structural re-engineering, strategic planning and organizational learning.
Education, Certifications and Affiliations
MS in Organization Development (MSOD), American University/NTL BA in Visual Arts, Rutgers University Numerous graduate-level courses completed toward a Master's in Adult Learning, University of Southern Maine Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Coaches Training Institute Certified in Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (LEA) 360 feedback Member: Organization Development Network (ODN), International Coaching Federation (ICF) Volunteer: Maine Women's Fund, Hardy Girls/Healthy Women
Personal Interests
Lael is a mom, a daughter, a sister and wife. In addition to coaching and consulting, Lael also feeds her creative spirit as an artist and a writer (www.acircleofstones.blogspot.com). She is a voracious reader and recently embarked upon a qualitative research process of women's leadership (www.womenoftheroundtable.blogspot.com). An avid triathlete, Lael participates in a number of women's sprint distance events annually. She is a highly experimental cook and gardener. She is spiritually fortified by all bodies of water, the moon, and other symbols of the feminine nature. A native of New Jersey, Lael has affectionately called Portland, Maine her home since 1994.