Our Team

Joan Runnheim Olson

Career Coach

Joan has been a career transition and coaching expert for more than 20 years. Over that time, she has been dedicated to her life’s work and passion of helping individuals gain clarity, confidence, focus, and momentum to achieve career success. Through her energy, optimism, and expert career acumen, she inspires others to set and achieve their desired career goals and provides them with a linear, real-world action plan for getting results. Joan has been with Ascend Career and Life Strategies since 2018 and has assisted many individuals in reaching their career aspirations. She has garnered outstanding feedback and reviews from Ascend clients and has established herself as a solid contributor to the Ascend team.

Joan has served as a career coach for two leading job boards, CareerBuilder and Monster, helping thousands of people successfully navigate their job search and manage their careers. Her professional credentials include a Master of Science degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin – Stout and several (seven) coaching distinctions and certifications.

Linda Strauss

Career and Executive Coach

Linda is a Human Resources, Career and Executive Coaching professional with over 25 years of experience. She excels in assisting her coaching clients in devising an ideal career direction and then assembling a strategic and tactical action plan for getting results. In addition, Linda delivers soft skills training programs, such as interpersonal and communications skills, and emotional intelligence training, designed to enhance success and engagement in work and life.

Linda has been an esteemed and highly successful Career and Executive Coach for Ascend since 2017, assisting clients both in their job search and on-the-job matters such skills building, career progression, conflict resolution, and overall career advisement. Linda holds a B.A. from Florida International University and two Senior HR certifications, SHRM-SCP and SPHR, and is a Certified Mediator of Workplace Conflict. In addition, she is a certified trainer of Becoming the Totally Responsible Person (TRP®), and TRP® Managing Change and is also certified in Mental Health First Aid. Since 2012, she has been an instructor for University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management.

Richard (Dick) E. Augspurger, Ph.D.

Career and Executive Coach

Richard is a Business, Career, and Executive Coach with more than 20 years’ experience in talent management. He is an intuitively-oriented thought-leader in the field of talent enhancement who has assisted more than 5500 professionals from a variety of industries.

As a valued member of the Ascend coaching team since 2016, Richard has an extensive background in executive assessment, career transition, talent management, executive coaching, career management, life planning, conflict resolution and organizational development. Throughout his distinguished and admirable career, he has worked with professionals in almost every major industry and levels of their profession, from recent graduates to C-level associates.

Richard holds a Ph. D., focusing in Psychology, Anthropology, Psychometrics and Religion, from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education from Ohio State University. He has completed five intensive post-doctoral certifications in Executive Coaching, Organizational Assessment and Design, Coaching High Performance Teams, Change Management and Faculty Development.

Tracy Paukstys

Career and Executive Coach

Tracy is a seasoned executive, leadership and career coach, and experienced speaker and facilitator. Tracy was the Vice President of Consumer Insights and Analytics at Yankee Candle ($1B) where she created and led a centralized team to deliver actionable insights to multiple business partner functions.

Tracy specializes in working with motivated professionals and executives helping them light their path to a thriving career. In her work she helps them in two key areas: (1) developing leadership and emotional intelligence abilities enabling them to lead themselves, their teams and their organizations to greater levels of performance (2) determining the best possible career path forward and successfully making that transition a reality.

Tracy holds a Bachelors in Marketing from University of Illinois, Chicago and has completed MBA coursework at Lake Forest Graduate School of Business. Her certifications include Energy Leadership™ Index Assessment, Leadership Circle Profile™, and EQi 2.0.

Briggs B. Cherry

Senior Search Consultant

Briggs is a recruitment professional with over 15 years of agency and corporate experience placing permanent hires in Construction, Engineering and Telecommunications among other fields. He has a proven track record of sourcing, qualifying and placing professionals at every level. He has interviewed thousands of prospective candidates while honing skills that enable him to find the right fit for each role. His passion lies in partnering with hiring managers to place long term employees.

Briggs has extensive experience partnering with hiring managers for small organizations and Fortune 500 companies nationwide. His recruitment skills include qualifying, screening, online sourcing, community outreach, job fairs, writing job offers and salary negotiations. Enthusiasm, a high level of business expertise, and excellent listening skills allow him to forge long term mutually beneficial business relationships. He has served on Boards of Directors and as an active member of a number of Denver-area business organizations.

Briggs studied English Literature at Miami University of Ohio and received his B.A. in Advertising from Michigan State University. He is a published book editor, blogger and content writer. He enjoys volunteering for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Denver Film Society, Denver Public Library and Beaver Creek Ski resort.

Susie Nilevsky

Career Coach

With over 10 years of HR experience from small to large size organizations, Susie has a deep understanding of all parts of the career cycle. Combined with her professional training in coaching, she is energized to support individuals to reach their career goals. Susie is passionate in helping people understand that anything is possible. Susie uses a framework with various tools to enable her clients to define a path forward that motivates and inspires individuals.

Susie holds a B.A. from the University of McMaster, Canada. She is a certified professional coach (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), certified ELI-Master practitioner. Susie is a member of the International Coaching Federation organization as she is committed and dedicated to providing excellence in coaching.

When she is not coaching, you can find her working out, cooking, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Lan Ta

Career Coach

Lan has spent the past decade guiding individuals in their pursuit of a meaningful and rewarding career. As a Career Coach, Lan has facilitated workshops and provided customized one-on-one career coaching to hundreds of individuals ranging from students to those currently in the workforce or seeking a career change. Through individualized coaching sessions, Lan assists clients by designing strategic action plans tailored to their specific needs.

Lan started her career in consulting and corporate strategy spending years working with internal and external corporate clients only to realize her passion was working with individuals to find fulfilling work that ultimately brings them happiness. She is able to leverage her own work experience to help clients secure opportunities at Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, and startup ventures.

Lan received her B.S.B. from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and her M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management. She has been with Ascend Career and Life Strategies since 2018 and has assisted many individuals in reaching their career goals. She has also partnered with the University of Minnesota, Carleton College, and Macalester College to advise undergraduate and graduate students as they embark on their career journey.

Lydia Huang

Career Coach

Before starting her coaching practice, Lydia worked as a corporate recruiter at top tech companies and has learned the entire hiring cycle, from sourcing potential talents to offering jobs. This enabled her to transfer insightful knowledge to help current job seekers position themselves as the best candidates for their dream companies.

As a Career Coach, Lydia has successfully coached hundreds of clients with diverse backgrounds to navigate their job search. She has experience working with professionals in a wide range of roles at various seniority levels, including marketing, sales, HR, localization, product management, project management, supply chain, and operations.

Through her 1:1 coaching, Lydia is proud to make a more positive impact in the talent world and seeing her clients shine in their new positions propels her to continue the journey.

Roberta Muniz

Career Coach

Roberta Muniz is a certified career coach and career navigation expert who helps professionals gain clarity, confidence, and direction in their careers. With a background in recruiting and talent development, she brings more than two decades of experience guiding clients through pivotal transitions, whether they’re seeking a complete career change, navigating job loss, or ready to elevate to the next level. Roberta believes that meaningful work starts with self-awareness, and she uses a holistic, values-driven approach to help clients uncover their strengths, purpose, and potential.

Her coaching style is equal parts strategic and supportive. Roberta combines proven career tools and market insight with compassionate, honest guidance that empowers clients to take clear, confident action. Known for her engaging, conversational coaching sessions, she creates a safe space where clients can explore possibilities, overcome self-doubt, and craft a career story that truly represents who they are.

Clients who work with Roberta gain more than polished resumes and interview prep, they gain renewed confidence, clarity, and an actionable roadmap for their next chapter. She has helped hundreds of professionals across industries identify their transferable skills, expand their networks, and secure roles aligned with their strengths and values.

Based in Denver, Roberta is a proud alumna of Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her philosophy is rooted in balance, connection, and meaningful work – values that guide both her life and her coaching practice.

Jenny Capella

Career and Executive Coach

Jenny Capella has devoted her career to helping people discover their true calling and reach their full potential. As an executive, career and entrepreneurial coach, Jenny is passionate about guiding leaders, managers, and employees with a blend of insight, experience, and practical wisdom.

Jenny’s expertise ranges from career coaching that enables seamless transitions for entrepreneurs and employees to facilitation and training that empowers boards, executives, and their teams. Through her workshops, customized 1:1 and groups sessions, and professional assessment tools, she shares her proven methods with leaders and senior executives to help them drive growth, inspire teams, and lead with authenticity.

Jenny’s background includes interim leadership during executive transitions. Even in organizations she’s just met, teams trust her ability to stabilize the culture, clarify priorities, and keep momentum moving while leadership shifts.

Jenny is the Amazon Bestselling author of Your Dream Team: How to Start and Run a Mastermind Group. She is also a national instructor for the Birkman Method® Certification Course, Birkman Method Professional, the Workplace Excellence Series, and the 60-Mnute Strategic Plan®.

A trusted advisor, Jenny offers both strategic insights and compassionate support in her coaching and workshops. She is a sought-after facilitator and trainer known for her ability to quickly achieve audience engagement and make complex ideas feel clear, usable, and immediately relevant. It’s not uncommon for clients to write her about their newfound confidence and success, exactly what she sets out to achieve every day.

Susan V. Bradley, Ed.D.

Career and Executive Coach

Susan V. Bradley, Ed.D. is a Business, Career, and Executive Coach with more than 20 years’ experience in talent management. She is an action-oriented and creative professional in the field of talent enhancement who has assisted hundreds of individuals and businesses across a variety of industries.

As a valued member of the Ascend coaching team, Susan has an extensive background in career coaching, career pivots, talent management, leadership training, career assessments, and academic planning. Throughout her diverse career, she has worked with professionals in almost every major industry and career levels, including college students, military family members, business owners, and executive level professionals. Susan teaches management courses as an adjunct professor at University of North Texas, including hosting targeted events bringing students and jobseekers together with highly in demand Dallas area employers.

Susan holds a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Adult Education from University of Arkansas, a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She is a task force leader with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Chairperson for Individuals with Disabilities, and holds three active certifications: Global Career Development Professional (GCDF), Certified ChatGPT Expert from BlockChain Council, and National Workforce Development Professional (NWDP).

Brigit Parratore

Career Coach

Brigit brings a unique dual perspective to career coaching: more than a decade of executive recruiting experience combined with expertise in leadership development and specialized training in motivation and empowerment. Having worked on the other side of the desk, she understands what hiring managers are looking for and uses that insider knowledge to help clients position themselves powerfully at every stage of their search. She has recruited across a broad range of industries, including technology, engineering, sales, marketing, human resources, and manufacturing.

Brigit holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Empowerment & Motivational Professional (CEMP), with her Certified Student Career Coach (CSCC) credential currently in progress. A lifelong learner, she is an active member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC).

Brigit’s coaching style is collaborative, inclusive, and action-oriented. She takes a multifaceted approach, combining research-backed motivation techniques with career development inventories and assessments such as the Myers-Briggs, to help clients sharpen self-awareness, surface their strengths and core values, and build a dynamic job search strategy. A creative problem solver, she is known for synthesizing these insights into clear, actionable strategies that generate real momentum and meaningful results, even in challenging markets.

Brigit works with professionals across career levels, from emerging talent to C-suite executives, with a focus in career transitions, leadership development, and helping clients overcome limiting beliefs.

She volunteers as a Navigator for Hire Autism, where she provides job search strategy, resume guidance, and interview preparation for neurodiverse job seekers.

Beth Ravech

Career Coach

Beth Ravech has built a multifaceted career spanning Human Resources, Executive Recruiting, and Career and Development Coaching. She has been working as a career coach since 2020.

Beth provides career and executive coaching for professionals navigating change and advancement. Her work spans resume development, LinkedIn optimization, and strategic career planning, equipping clients with the tools and insights needed to progress into roles aligned with their goals and strengths. Her path into coaching was shaped by her experience supporting professionals through hiring and career transitions, where she saw firsthand how the right guidance can transform outcomes.

As a certified resume writer and an ICF-credentialed coach-in-progress (ACC track), trained in evidence-based coaching techniques. Beth holds a BA degree in Sociology and a Master’s in Human Resources Management.

Jan Shurtz

Senior Career Coach

Jan is an experienced Career Coach and has helped over 4,000 people land a new job, transition to a new career, or find purpose and satisfaction in their current career.

Clients participate in a focused career decision strategy with Jan, a process that brings clarity to their values, goals, work style, strengths, abilities, and interests. With renewed focus and increased confidence, clients are coached to seek positions that fit with their background, experience, and personal passion.

Jan emphasizes interview preparation, and clients practice answering mock interview questions during coaching sessions.  As a result, clients are confident and ready with workplace stories to tell interviewers when asked…”Tell us about yourself…” Or, “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with your manager…”

Coaching prepares clients to seek and consistently land exciting new positions that build on previous work experience, jobs where they can contribute their skills and ideas, and with companies committed to employee development and satisfaction.

Jan was a Corporate Consultant before becoming a Career Coach.  She delivered global Change Management Strategies for large publicly owned corporations, small and mid-size companies and family-owned businesses.  She consulted in a variety of sectors including retail, telecommunications, insurance, publishing, energy, finance, banking, pharmaceutical and information technology. An entrepreneur at heart, Jan has also coached entrepreneurs to start new businesses.

A University Instructor, Jan taught business courses for 20 years for Loyola, Northwestern and DePaul Universities in Chicago. She enjoys designing unique, interactive, experiential learning experiences, and incorporates similar creativity and thought leadership in her coaching.

MEd, University of Illinois, Urbana

BA, University of Illinois, Urbana

Certified Corporate Coach, Coach U, Inc.
Certified DiSC Assessment
Certified SkillSkan Assessment

Beth Sager

Resume Specialist

A self-proclaimed “grammar nerd,” Beth has been writing resumes professionally since 2011 and joined the Ascend Career and Life Strategies team in 2013 – recently completing her 335th resume project for Ascend. Beth has garnered many 5-star reviews on the quality and impact of her resume work and employs a very personable, friendly, and comprehensive approach when communicating with her clients.

Over the years, she has generated resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and supporting documents for almost every industry and experience level, from the C-suite to entry level candidates. By asking the right questions, Beth helps her clients to identify the unique qualities and contributions that make them great at what they do, then distills the information into the most valuable aspects for hiring managers. Beth holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Music Education.

Valarie Prince

Resume Specialist

Valarie utilizes her high-level resume and writing skills with clients specifically to rebuild their career resumes to reflect targeted experience, unique skills, and transferable marketability in an ever-changing employment arena. She holds the two highly distinguished credentials: Certified Professional Resume Writer—CPRW and Magnetize Your Federal Resume—MYFR Certified Writer.

A member of the Ascend resume team since 2019, Valarie has developed a reputation of thoroughness, impact, and impeccably written client documents that play a key role in them landing a new position and/or career. She has demonstrated the willingness to go up-and-above in every instance – exceeding client expectations and always being available to answer questions and offer advisement.

Valarie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Script Writing from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s of Education from American InterContinental University.

Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish

Resume Specialist

Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish has written thousands of resumes for clients since 2008. Dr. Heather is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and is also a Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE). Over the last 15+ years, she has worked with diverse clients throughout the United States and beyond.

She LOVES giving people confidence in themselves during the job search and enjoys finding the right words to describe their work history and experiences. Whether this is through a written resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile, she is always focused on the client objective and future career goals.

In addition to her membership in the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches, Dr. Heather is a member of the National Resume Writers’ Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors for that organization. Furthermore, Dr. Heather is a Teaching Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and currently teaches Business Writing and Business Presentations to undergraduate students.

Dr. Heather has a BBA in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an MBA from Lakeland University, and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University.

Randy Breiter

Resume Specialist

Randy is a Professional Resume Writer and Career Coach with more than 17 years of experience helping professionals tell their stories in a way that gets noticed. He creates customized, accomplishment-driven resumes and LinkedIn profiles that reflect each client’s strengths, goals, and personality.

As a former Director of Career Services, Randy has worked in career services with colleges and universities, supporting students and professionals as they prepared for the workforce and pursued meaningful career opportunities. He also formerly taught Employability Skills at Miami Dade College for many years, helping students develop the practical tools, confidence, and professional presence needed to succeed in today’s job market.

Passionate about helping others achieve career success, Randy knows that a job search can feel overwhelming, especially when it is difficult to put your own experience into words. He takes the time to listen, ask the right questions, and uncover the strengths clients may not realize they have. Whether someone is changing careers, returning to the workforce, or pursuing a promotion, Randy enjoys helping them see the possibilities ahead and feel more confident about taking the next step.

His approach is personal, encouraging, and strategic, helping clients clarify their value, highlight their accomplishments, and move forward with confidence.

Tim Mazur

Resume Specialist

With a love for writing and a search to make a career of it, Tim discovered resume writing in 2014 and has built a rewarding career helping others achieve their professional goals, too. He has worked with people across most industries, job functions, and career levels, from new grads to CEOs.

Today, he primarily supports individuals through outplacement programs, having written resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for 360+ people navigating their career transition. He loves working with individuals to turn these moments of uncertainty into opportunities, helping people realize and articulate their value in ways they haven’t been able to on their own, and enjoys the strategy of positioning his clients as ideal candidates for their target roles.

Living in rural Manitoba, Tim works with clients across North America.

Daryn Edelman, M.A., C.P.R.W.

Resume Specialist

Daryn is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), LinkedIn expert, and AI specialist who leverages cutting edge resources to empower clients in their career journey. He is a graduate from UCLA and the University of Liverpool, former teacher, and has been providing results-centered career services for 20+ years. The resources and tools he has provided clients, has enabled them to lead fulfilling careers at organizations such as Apple, Pfizer, Google, Tesla, Disney, the NBA and NFL, NASA, Nike, PwC, and 1000s of start-ups and private firms. He has worked with clients in 100s of industries in the U.S. EU, Middle East, and APAC regions.

Joining the Ascend resume team back in 2025, Daryn leverages award-winning resume writing talents, creative problem solving, AI support, understanding of the LinkedIn algorithm and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to craft career collateral that gets results.

Daryn holds a Master’s degree from University of Liverpool, Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, C.P.R.W. designation from the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC), and various certifications in ChatGPT, Gemini, and use of AI for career services.

When Daryn isn’t creating effective resumes, you can find him spending quality time with family, volunteering at community organizations across Los Angeles, and snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain.