Our Team

Remarkable records manager and asker of all the right questions.

Materials marvel to help you have an even better workday. 

After a successful career in Business Analysis at Mutual of Omaha, Judy has started to write her next chapter as a coach, speaker, trainer, and mentor. Judy is thrilled to launch The Human Aspect of the BA Toolkit, a virtual webinar coaching series for BAs as part of this next chapter. Judy is dedicated to helping BAs, from all industries and companies, accelerate their careers.

Kay’s career has focused on leading change. Her background includes project management, business analysis, training, website development, and marketing eCommerce applications for state and local governments. She has also dedicated her time and skills to coaching individuals through career changes for more than 20 years. Kay earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Iowa and received an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Paula Bell is the CEO of Paula A Bell Consulting, LLC for 20 years. She is a coach, consultant, speaker, and author with expertise in the areas of: business analysis, project management, leadership, diversity, equity & Inclusion, career development and self development. Paula’s desire is to inspire, motivate and encourage others, through a structured journey of self reflection and awareness as a catalyst for unlimited success. Paula is a Certified Business Analyst, Certified Master Life Coach, Certified Life Purpose Coach, Certified Goal Success Coach, Certified Happiness Coach, Certified Career Development Coach, Certified Diversity & Inclusion Manager Coach, Licensed Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator, and Forrester Customer Experience (CX) Champion.

Dawn Ealy is the founder of Peak Cadence, LLC and a strategic partner of Your Clear Next Step. Dawn helps growing organizations with how they manage systems, projects, processes and people. As a trainer and facilitator for Your Clear Next Step, she delivers a variety of courses that provide memorable learning experiences and practical tools participants can put into practice immediately. A genuine people person, Dawn is a super connector who loves to meet new people and introduce them to others in her network. Dawn brings a multidimensional approach to project and process management with experience in leadership and management roles, as well as HR and operations, and she helps teams effectively navigate change.

Nancy Hanna has always been one to empower others to be the best that they can be with the best that they have. After 30+ years in the education world, she continues to inspire, challenge, motivate, and celebrate others. She is a certified Christian Life Coach, along with being a certified Laugh Instructor. Whether she is making you laugh or challenging you to meet goals, she will win you over with her zest for living and her love for learning. Nancy hasn’t met a stranger in her 60+ years and always enjoys connecting with those she meets. Nancy and her husband, Jeff, operate Happy Heart Resources, giving businesses and individuals alike the opportunity to find joy in living. Connect with Nancy if you are looking for the motivation and skills to continue to be a better you, or just wanting to laugh. She won’t disappoint.

Faye Howard is a connector, an encourager and is intentional about positively impacting those around her. Faye has a master’s degree in training and development and has held multiple roles in training, curriculum design, customer service and marketing throughout her 25+ year career. As a trainer and facilitator for Your Clear Next Step, you’ll see her energy come through as she teaches people the skills to be a better version of themselves, motivating them to leave a positive, lasting impact on others. Faye has made her home in Pella, IA with her husband, Seth, and their 3 boys since 2005.

Missy is a passionate life coach that believes her spiritual calling is to help people live their best life. She has dealt with her own personal struggles throughout life & has experienced firsthand how to transform those difficulties into positive learnings within her own life story. Missy is a certified Master Life & Master Mindset Coach, and she has been a Business Analyst for nearly two decades across multiple companies, facilitating and coordinating all manners of meetings, projects, and navigating precarious situations time and time again. She is an expert in Agile, and was elected as a lead analyst multiple times throughout her career. Missy and her husband Mike live in Indianola, Iowa with their children and grandchildren.

Barb Ranck is a Certified Life and Leadership Coach and Trainer, with a 25+ year career supporting leaders and individuals in corporate environments of all sizes. Barb is dedicated to educating and coaching motivated individuals to apply self-awareness, empathy, and strengths in a way that maximizes their personal and professional potential. Barb works with both leaders and individuals who are driven, responsible, and competent, but aren’t getting the outcomes they really want. Barb’s clients are looking for tools and support to find a way forward that is right for them. Through her own personal journey of self-discovery and maximizing professional and personal energy, Barb has now made it her life’s mission to help others achieve better outcomes within their current circumstances.

Lynn Swanson is a tenured professional who leverages her vast experience as a career coach. Her coaching services are available to individuals at any place in their career with an emphasis on seasoned workers who are approaching retirement. Lynn holds BS and MBA degrees from the University of Iowa. Working both formally and informally with others to help them realize their potential led to a partnership with the YCNS team to reach more individuals seeking career support.

Blair Wagner is a business consultant and leadership coach with mastery in change management, leadership development, and organizational development. Blair is a Prosci-certified change practitioner, an ICF-certified leadership coach, and an ORSC-trained team coach. With 20+ years of project management and organizational effectiveness experience, she is a passionate advocate for strong, healthy leadership teams with mastery in evaluating business needs, creating smart strategies, and collaboratively implementing change. Blair founded the International Coach Federation, Iowa Chapter, and is a leader in the coaching community.

Gary Walljasper brings more than 20 years of strategic human resources consulting experience to The Carlson Group, LLC and Your Clear Next Step. His professional career has included multiple management and leadership roles involving extensive advisory work and partnership with middle and senior management. Areas of focus have included leadership development/effectiveness, strategic talent management, human capital planning, individual and organization development, strategic recruitment/retention, team dynamics, career planning, M&A integration, work-life focus, and employee engagement. Known for his leadership development and coaching, Gary has presented at several conferences on a wide range of strategic initiatives, including talent and leadership development, human capital planning, and learning transfer. His diverse background of capabilities include: HR Executive, Corporate Trainer/Facilitator, Leadership Coach, and a Leader of People.

Sinikka Waugh, PMP, President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, spends her days helping people have better workdays. Trainer, coach, business leader, and difference maker, Sinikka is known for consistently helping people solve problems and get things done at work. With a 20+ year background in languages, literature, and project management, Sinikka has helped over 50,000 people have better workdays since 2008. Her clients value how her professionalism blends seamlessly with her down-to-earth, “try this now” approach and her passion for helping others. Sinikka holds a BA from Central College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Melissa Worrel-Johnson is an acknowledged catalyst in partnering with her clients for their growth, elevating identified leadership skills and abilities, and supporting each client to achieve their desired goals. As an entrepreneur, facilitator, coach, trainer, speaker and small business owner, Melissa is known as a driven, fast-paced go-getter, with a get it done attitude. Melissa holds her MBA, is an ICF PCC Credentialed Coach and BS from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Melissa lives with her husband Alan and their two pups, Olive and Charley in Iowa.

Ann Wright believes people are an organization’s most valuable asset. Ann partners with businesses by investing in their team members and creating a culture where everyone works together and embraces the talent within each organization. Ann is a PCC – ICF Credentialed Coach and specializes in Leadership and Team Coaching. She is an Educator, Author, and Inspirational Speaker. Ann earned her BS degree with a double major in Business and Psychology and MA in Business Leadership through Upper Iowa University. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the areas of leadership, management, and training and is comfortable asking tough questions with kindness and compassion.

Sheri Zevenbergen, PQ Coach & YouMap® Certified Coach, helps individuals & teams unlock their true potential by developing & applying self-awareness. She began in public accounting, then moved into various leadership roles in the financial services industry, focused primarily on operations & global project delivery.  After 20-plus years in the corporate world, Sheri pursued her passion for coaching & founded The DASH Mindset. The dash is your adventure between birth & death, & Sheri encourages & equips you to live it in an authentic & meaningful way. She’s a self-professed travel junkie who loves to experience new cultures & meet new people. When she’s not traveling, she lives near Alburnett, Iowa with her husband & their 9 & 12-year-old boys, & her stepson & daughter-in-law live just a couple hours away.