Our Team

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Kathy McAfee

America’s Marketing Motivator, CEO of Kmc Brand Innovation, LLC, Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, Author

Greenville, South Carolina USA

Head Coach of The Fearless Leader program and creator of the Fearless Presenter Workshop

“I believe that sustainable confidence can only be achieved with an unwavering commitment to self-awareness and trust building. Investing in your own personal and professional development will allow you to recognize and release the fabulous fearless leader within you.” - Kathy McAfee

BIO

Following an adventurous 20-year career in consumer brand marketing and sales, Kathy launched her own business in 2005 in the field of talent development. Instead of developing great products and services, she helps to develop people to become great leaders of business and life.

She works with organizations that seek to cultivate leadership diversify across their enterprises, and with individuals who want to advance their careers, grow their businesses, and leverage their influence. Her mission is to help raise up the "hidden leaders" in their organizations (especially women and minorities) and equip them with the skills, courage, confidence, and connections to ascend to higher levels of leadership. Her signature program is The Fearless Leader 8-week group mentoring program designed to help professionals take their talent and influence to the next level. She also runs the Fearless Accountability mastermind group to help leaders stay on track with their goals and achieve more.

Kathy is the creator of the Fearless Leader Books™ series and has personally authored and co-authored multiple business books including Stop Global Boring, Sharpening Your Point, Defining YOU, and Networking Ahead, and most recently, Fearless Female Leaders co-authored with Rosemary Paetow.

She is a graduate of Stanford University in Economics and is certified in Actualized Leadership Performance Coaching, Blind Spots Coaching, and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

As a result of Kathy’s leadership and relentless commitment, her clients and followers become more confident, self-aware, influential, courageous, and more satisfied at work and in life.

On a personal note, she is an ovarian cancer survivor and has developed a “fierce urgency for now” to pay it forward and to help make the world better place for all.

Connect with Kathy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathymcafee/
Learn more Kathy’s work at https://www.americasmarketingmotivator.com/ or www.TheFearlessLeader.com
Subscribe to Kathy’s channels: https://www.youtube.com/@thefearlessleader and https://www.youtube.com/user/kathymcafee

Kate Bringardner

Communication Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, Executive Presence Coach

Greenville, South Carolina USA

Coach of The Fearless Leader program

“You don't have to be a 'natural speaker' to become a powerful one. Real communication comes from presence, not performance.” - Kate Bringardner

BIO

Kate Bringardner is a somatic speaking coach who has worked as a communication coach, facilitator, speaker, and executive leadership presence coach. For more than a decade, she has designed and delivered workshops, coaching programs, and professional development experiences focused on public speaking, leadership communication, presentation skills, virtual presence, and interpersonal effectiveness. She has also served as a "Communication Coach in Residence," helping organizations integrate stronger communication practices, guiding teams through difficult conversations, and providing thought leadership to executives.

Her client list includes Clariant Corp, GE Appliances, Northwestern Mutual, Old National Bank, Bank of Montreal Harris, Woodford Reserve, Brown-Forman, YMCA of the USA, United Direct Solutions, and the Speed Art Museum, as well as the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Housing Authority, and Greenville YMCA. Her work has taken her from Manhattan to San Francisco, and she has taught and led sessions at the University of Louisville, Coker University, and Furman University. Her approach combines practical communication techniques with behavioral awareness, helping participants move beyond theory into real-world application.

Kate's training runs deep. She holds an MFA in Performance from the Theatre School at DePaul University, trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and the Conservatory of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, and completed a certification in Mask and Movement Theatre in Italy. She has since deepened her study of presence with a certification in the Foundations of Embodiment and is a member of the International Somatics and Movement Educators Association. She has remained active in stage work as well, with credits including the award-winning short film The Baby Shower and the role of Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. In 2020, she joined an international cohort of performers in Italy to devise and tour a show, which opened in Florence before the project was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kate is particularly known for helping people who don't see themselves as "natural speakers." She specializes in supporting technical experts, subject matter experts, business owners, and emerging leaders who need to communicate effectively in meetings, presentations, networking environments, and high-visibility leadership situations. Participants appreciate her engaging, practical, and highly interactive teaching style. Rather than focusing on performance perfection, she helps individuals build authentic communication habits that create credibility, trust, and influence, blending useful tools, real-world examples, audience participation, and actionable takeaways.

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Sheryne Glicksman

Sales & Business Technology Executive, Author, Speaker, Certified Yoga Instructor

Austin, Texas USA
Coach of The Fearless Leader program

“My work is grounded in the belief that resilience, mindful leadership and personal growth have the power to transform our lives.” - Sheryne Glicksman

BIO

Sheryne Glicksman is a sales and business technology executive with more than three decades of experience in office technology, document management, and digital transformation. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles spanning sales, channel strategy, business development, and consulting, helping organizations adopt innovative technologies and improve business processes. She has built a reputation for combining strategic vision with a people-first leadership style, mentoring sales professionals and driving organizational growth.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Sheryne is an accomplished author and speaker who writes about leadership, workplace transformation, sales strategy, and mindful leadership. She has contributed to industry publications and is the author of Emerging: A Mindful SOULution to Managing Life and Leadership Goals, and is a featured writer in the upcoming book No One Said It Would Be Easy: A Women's Story.

Sheryne is dedicated to community service and professional development. She has volunteered with organizations supporting youth, technology diversity, and wellness initiatives, while maintaining technical certifications and a commitment to continuous improvement, alongside her certification as a yoga instructor. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes authenticity, lifelong learning, collaboration, and empowering others to achieve both personal and professional success.

Her mission is to bring the principles of yoga to underserved communities and children, and into the corporate space, making yoga accessible to people throughout the world.

Samantha McCracken

Systems and Operations Specialist, Virtual Tech Assistant, and Business Owner of Sharp Business Support

Alicante, Spain EU
Administrative Producer at The Fearless Leader program.

“My work with The Fearless Leader program allows me to leverage my skill sets in organizational leadership, online marketing, and systems automation. It has also strengthened my self-confidence, boldness, and resilience in business and in life.” - Samantha (Sam) McCracken

BIO

Sam McCracken is the owner of Sharp Business Support, Established in May 2014, her company empowers entrepreneurs to not only scale their businesses but to cultivate their own leadership capabilities, fostering a culture of continuous growth and development within-their-enterprises. She and her team are passionate about aiding coaches in implementing efficient systems, and her expertise in HR, IT, and a profound belief in the transformative power of passionate work underpins the mission to create innovative products and services that drive clients' growth and development. Sam has been working with Kathy McAfee and The Fearless Leader program since 2021.

Connect with Sam at www.linkedin.com/in/sammccracken/
Learn more Sam’s work at https://sharpbusinesssupport.com/

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Rosemary Paetow

Executive Team Coach, Strategist, Consultant, Author, Business Owner

Santa Maria, California USA

Rosemary is a Coach and graduate of The Fearless Leader program

“I believe the world needs a woman's voice at the leadership table to remind us to have compassion in the face of tough choices.”
- Rosemary Paetow

BIO

Rosemary, CEO of Think inStrategy (a leadership development corporation) brings both financial expertise (as a CPA) and behavioral expertise (as a coach, mentor, and manager) to support her clients' becoming better, bigger, bolder leaders. Clients say that her insights and clarity have helped them to consistently exceed their goals and objectives. Her entrepreneur clients grow 3x in 3 years and her enterprise clients grow 1.5 x in 2 years, consistently.

Rosemary is coauthor of two books, Fearless Female Leaders: Stories and Strategies to Empower More Women Lead and Better. Bigger. Bolder. How to Break the Profit Barrier Predictably. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and her CPA from KPMG.

Connect with Rosemary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarypaetow/
Learn more about her work at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosemarypaetow/

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Valerie Tsosie

Native Leader, CEO and Founder of So’ Tsoh Foundation, Keynote Speaker

Navajo Nation, Arizona, USA

Valerie is a Coach and graduate of The Fearless Leader program:

"I believe in transformative experiences as a pathway for personal growth and community impact. The Fearless Leader program equipped me with real-time solutions, enhancing my effectiveness as a non-profit leader and a global advocate for indigenous people’s rights.” - Valerie Tsosie

BIO

Valerie Tsosie is CEO and Founder of the So’ Tsoh Foundation, a non-profit organization that innovates and advocates for Diné caregivers' well-being. Under her guidance, the foundation delivers comprehensive programs and support, addressing general wellness in Native communities. Leveraging expertise, Valerie navigates policies for community development and leads culturally competent training, fostering understanding in sensitive topics like cancer and Alzheimer’s. She is proud to Navajo Caregiver Resources Specialist, supporting and advocating for paid & family cross generational garegivers for the Navajo Nation. She hosts an annual Caregiver Summit in Arizona.

Valerie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Columbia College, and a certificate in business management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

She is a lively speaker with passion, energy and a contagious sense of humor and has won several pitch contests to help fund her mission. She was recognized in 2022 by the National Indian Health Board Heroes in Health as an Area Region Impact Awardee.

Connect with Valerie at http://linkedin.com/in/valerietsosie
Learn more about her work at https://www.sotsohfoundation.org/

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Tanya Rachel, PhD

Executive Coach, Performance Coach, Author, and Business Owner

Chicago, Illinois USA

Tanya is a Coach with The Fearless Leader program.

“My purpose is to honor every woman’s journey and autonomy while co-creating transformative partnerships that lead to deep empowerment, enhanced confidence, self-reflection, and courageous action.” - Dr. Tanya Raquel

BIO

For most of Dr. Tanya’s life, she unlocked success through her relentless drive and commitment to succeed in her professional and personal life. She was catapulted from responsibilities to challenges and successes - embracing each with open arms. After 12 years as a professor, researcher, and certified mental performance consultant, she pivoted fully into growing her business which she previously treated as a side hustle. By doing so, her gift for coaching executives was unveiled.

Dr. Tanya has a PhD from the University of Tennessee and has received numerous awards for her commitment to equity and advocacy. In particular, she was the 2021 Dorothy V. Harris Awardee and Keynote for James Madison University, and the 2020 American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 Steven Heyman Diversity and Inclusion Awardee and Keynote. In 2018, Dr. Tanya was the AHS Educator of the Year at the University of Illinois - Chicago.

Dr. Tanya has authored over 20 peer reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. She co-edited the book, Examining and Mitigating Sexual Misconduct in Sport and is currently co-editing, Reimagining Gender in Sport.

Connect with Tanya at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtanyaraquel/
Learn more about her work at www.drtanyaraquel.com

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Shameka Chanel Argo, LPCS

Licensed Clinical Supervisor and President of Points of Origin: Counseling Support & Education Center

Simpsonville, South Carolina USA

Shameka is a Coach and graduate of The Fearless Leader program.

“At the core of my purpose is a belief in the profound impact of leadership and personal growth. Guiding others toward excellence fuels my passion.”
- Shameka Chanel Argo

BIO

Shameka Argo, LPCS, is an intuitive thought leader and Humanized Woman. She serves as a founding member of the SC Chapter of the National Association for Black Counselors. Her passion inspires many and empowers others through her group practice that leads the way in holistic care & somatic integration.

She is PhD candidate, creator of Self Sip & Color and the Mindful Motion Planner as well as the NUVO and JUNO journals. She’s certified in Somatic Attachment, CBT & Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Shameka enjoys speaking engagements where she can share her story, teach parenting, and somatic embodiment. She offers internships, mentorship, and coaching for creative solutions and somatic embodiment. Her personal brand is Shameka Chanel.

Connect with Shameka at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shameka-argo-lpcs/
Learn more about her work at www.pointsoforigin.net

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Larissa Winter, PhD

Founder/Owner Purple Institute of Women, and Galagan ADVISORY

Vienna, Austria EU

Larissa is a Coach and graduate of The Fearless Leader program.

“The Fearless Program has been an amazing experience. The focus on self-awareness, understanding own self, leadership, personal development, and interactive on-line session have made the learning very meaningful. I will be forever grateful for Kathy. I love her energy, enormous commitment, and devotion to the participants. If you are tempted- just do it! You got nothing to lose and so much to gain. Be bold.” - Larissa Winter, PhD

BIO

Larissa is the owner and founder of Purple Institute for Women) and Galagan ADVISORY®. Her professional experience consists of more than 25 years’ experience in law, HR, and people development, and have held international executive leadership positions across the CEE region. Larissa holds an MBA from Henley Business School in Oxfordshire, UK, and a PhD from the IEDC-Bled School of Management in Slovenia. She is also a Certified Partner of The Predictive Index; and is currently completing Certification as a Chopra Health and Wellbeing Coach.

Connect with Larissa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissawinter/
Learn more about her work at https://purpleinstituteofwomen.com/en/home/

Interested in becoming a Certified Coach with The Fearless Leader program?

Contact Kathy

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