About Lisa Hope Tilstra
Lisa learned the transformative power of storytelling firsthand through sharing pieces of her journey after losing her husband to a brain tumor in 2005. Storytelling was a pivotal part of her path to healing and growth. Many years later, she realized storytelling was missing from her life, so she began to intentionally incorporate storytelling again. This time it helped her overcome depression and a deep stagnation in life. Ever since, story has been a foundational part of her work.
Originally from the U.S., Lisa has lived in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, France, and Sri Lanka. Her work as a Leadership Coach has taken her to 40+ countries, and she has had participants in her courses and workshops from over 130 countries. At the heart of her work, she seeks to respectfully explore cultural differences, deepen awareness of similarities that connect us, and create ways to communicate with strategic precision for greater connection and understanding.
Lisa holds a master's degree from the University of Florida, a certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University, and the designation of Professional Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation. Lisa hosts regular Story Slams in her community and is the host of two podcasts. The Make Life Less Difficult podcast is her passion project focused on sharing people's stories as a way of connecting and knowing we aren't alone in our journeys.
She's an avid nature enthusiast, loves to be in the mountains, is a paragliding pilot, and actively seeks out opportunities to test her limits physically and emotionally.
About Russ Watts
Russ is a leadership coach and facilitator who works with leaders to find their own trail and design their future narrative by using mindfulness, the ability to assess situations and behaviors objectively, compassion, humor and authentic support. Russ works to develop leadership awareness for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and institutions. He has strengthened and encouraged hundreds of clients in understanding their patterns, potential, strengths and weaknesses, thus providing a richer understanding of themselves and the culture and relations they are surrounded by.
His clients are often seeking a change in their old story, a shift in their patterns, a way to tap into their deeper purpose and create transformation, find meaning, become the better leader that they know is possible. They often feel trapped, stuck, buried in lists, emails, meetings and are seeking a new way to operate that is filled with personal and social growth, ready to leave stress behind and open doors to their and others higher potential. The power of designing and standing in one's narrative is one of the most potent and powerful ways he has found to help clients.
Russ holds degrees and certificates from Georgetown University; an Executive Master's Degree in Leadership (M.L.) and is a graduate from the Executive Leadership Coach, Health and Wellness certified coach (NBC-HWC); holds a PCC level of certification from the International Coach Federation (ICF) and is a Master Integral Facilitator.
Some of his other passions include paragliding, mountaineering, river kayaking, ultra-running across the alps, rock climbing, cooking, photography and sailing with his family.