Recommended Coaches

We work with coaches who understand the movement space and what people need at key turning points: entering a new movement role, making a transition, or building leadership skills once they’re in. The coaches below are the people we recommend most often.

When you express interest through our Common Application, we’ll identify what coaching or training fits your situation and make a direct connection. Browse profiles here, or download the full guide for complete bios.

Allegra Baider, MSW, ACC (she/her)

With 20 years in economic, racial, and gender justice policy work, Allegra coaches mission driven organizations on staff retention, leadership development, and team building. Her background includes roles at the US Department of Labor, CLASP, and Community Change, and she brings particular attention to supporting working parents and caregivers.

Melissa Johnson Hewitt, MSW, CPDC (she/her)

Melissa brings over 20 years in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors to her coaching practice, with a clear focus on organizations serving communities of color. Her path runs from direct social work in North Carolina through nonprofit capacity building and national philanthropic leadership.

Jen Chau Fontán (she/her)

Jen is an executive and certified somatic coach with over 20 years building talent functions and equity focused systems inside nonprofits. Through JCF Coaching, she supports both management skill development and deeper exploratory work on leadership and life.

Zo Tobi (he/him)

Zo is a longtime progressive organizer and certified leadership coach focused on the internal and interpersonal skills that keep movement leaders and teams sustainable for the long haul. He has coached and trained leaders at organizations including the Movement Voter Project, Sunrise Movement, ACLU, and 350.org.

Catherine Bell, PCC (she/her)

Catherine started as a grassroots community organizer and has spent two decades helping people build power as change makers. She has led coaching and culture work at JOIN for Justice and Keshet, and now coaches leaders through programs including UpStart, Leading Edge, and the Wexner Field Fellowship.

Want to learn more about each coach? Download our Suggested Coaches guide for complete bios!

We invite you to explore these profiles, reach out directly, or connect with us through the Common Application so we can help you find the right coach for where you are.