September 2026

In September 2021, we introduced Illuminate Collective to the world (or our small corner of it), making the formal jump from “I” to “we” in our work. We defined Illuminate Collective as a joint venture that enables us to live our values of community, abundance and commitment to equity so that our clients can grow as leaders and work better together.

We took an intentional approach to defining how we wanted to work with each other and with our clients and came up with 5 S’s for Creating an Abundant Business. These principles continue to guide us five years later.

• Space: Create space for our relationships and our whole lives

• Share: Build trust through sharing honestly and transparently

• Stand Side by Side: Work side by side, as opposed to over/under

• Shine: Live in the “we” of Shine Theory, created by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, authors of Big Friendship. We don’t shine unless both of us and our colleagues shine.

• Show Down to Speed Up: Take time to brainstorm, plan and reflect together

We’re full of gratitude for our clients, the leaders and teams we’ve partnered with to achieve outcomes that matter to them, from gaining clarity on their vision and values to defining their commitment to equity and inclusion to developing management practices that grow their impact.

And we’re a collective because we do this work in partnership with generous and talented colleagues. We want to especially thank our partner Natalie Basham of NOVA Services, whose wisdom and warmth have made us an incredible trio when we work together.

To celebrate the community we’ve built over the past years, we’re hosting a 5th Anniversary Illuminate Collective Happy Hour on Friday, September 25th from 4 – 5 PM ET. We’ll connect with each other, share resources, have a fun giveaway and look ahead to the coming year. Please register here to join us.

And to close out, here are five “Top 5’s,” including ways to partner with us as we start Year Six!

Gratitude

Thank you for being part of our community and for the meaningful work you do. We’re so grateful.

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa

August 2026

We’re not ready for summer to end, but we love the energy of back to school season. 

We were certified in the Enneagram almost four years ago, and decided to take our practice to the next level by taking courses this spring (The Power of the Enneagram at Work for Marion and iEQ9 Professional Enneagram Accreditation for Miwa). Of course we called and texted each other after our first sessions to check in. One key takeaway? Our excitement. We loved what we were learning, and we also loved being students for those two weeks. We were reading, we were asking questions, we were practicing, we were stretching ourselves. 

There’s something so powerful about positioning ourselves as learners, whether we’re trying something brand new or diving deeper into something that fascinates us. Research on neuroplasticity shows the adult brain’s amazing capacity to grow and change. And the Zen Buddhist concept of beginner’s mind speaks to the value of opening ourselves up to something new. This idea that we can always grow and change is core to our work as coaches and facilitators. Whether it’s a small experiment with time management during the work week, a manager’s mindset shift about what it means to be a leader or a new understanding of our go-to patterns, it’s all learning and growth. And we’re thankful to both experience and facilitate that learning every day.

As we begin the turn into fall, here are some things we’re learning and trying between the two of us:

• parenting seniors – in high school and in college!

• continuing to leverage the Enneagram in our work by offering Enneagram typing and training to a wider range of audiences

• returning to a weekly writing practice

• experimenting with new project management tools

• maintaining a regular practice of strength training

If you were making this list for yourself, what would you include? Whatever it may be, big or small or just a spark of an idea, we’re excited to keep learning and growing with you.

Join us at Upcoming Events!

The Enneagram: An Introduction & An Invitation

A Virtual Enneagram Series:

September 23rd, September 30th & October 7th

Couldn’t make the in-person session this summer? No worries, now anyone can attend our virtual three session series offered on Wednesday afternoons this fall, in collaboration with our friend and fellow Enneagram practitioner, Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative. Details and registration info coming soon.

Illuminate Collective 5th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, September 25th, 4 – 5 PM ET

You are invited to a virtual happy hour to celebrate five years of Illuminate Collective! Our work is all about community, and we’re excited to toast the amazing clients and partners who have walked alongside us and inspired us.

Lodge at Woodloch Enneagram Series

Friday, January 29th – Sunday, January 31st

We love helping the guests at  The Lodge at Woodloch deepen self awareness through the Enneagram, and look forward to returning from January 29 – 31, 2027 with our friend Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative. We’d love to see you there!  

Illuminate at Work

The new Team PA leadership team, posing after co-creating their team charge and exploring the Enneagram as a tool for stronger team cohesion

Since we last were in touch, we’ve been honored to help a range of organizations, from cohort programs to leadership teams, in the following ways:

• Shared our CARE Model for navigating difficult conversations with a cohort of rising leaders as they manage from the middle and serve as bridges in their roles

• Supported a leadership team to make the turn from from scrappy, all hands coordination to intentional orchestration given their rapid growth

• Introduced a team to the Enneagram to help them build their own self awareness and their understanding of each other

• Helped a leadership team to align on a meaningful team charge and use their knowledge of the Enneagram to better navigate conflict

• Facilitated an interactive learning session to help over 100 small business owners understand their leadership patterns (with the Enneagram of course!)

Sound like something you or your team needs? Please reach out to schedule a call with one of us. We’d love to connect and explore how we can help.

Partner Spotlight

Jovian Zayne and Soft Landings for Hard Days

Our friend Jovian Zayne wrote a book! We’re excited to highlight Jovian and her new book, Soft Landings for Hard Days: Wisdom, Companionship, and Guidance to Encourage Your Spirit, which is available for pre-order now, arriving on October 27th.

Jovian lives life “on purpose,” generously sharing her joy, warmth and grounded leadership as a coach and speaker. Her book of reflections, stories and meditations is described by author Tiffany Dufu as “an urgent love letter that re-roots us in our humanity, across generations. It’s a much needed call to honor ourselves and to bloom from our imperfection and power.”

This sounds like the kind of love letter that all of us need to receive right now. We’re so grateful that Jovian is sharing her wisdom and insight with the world through this book and invite you to join us in pre-ordering it.

In the meantime, see below for what we’e been reading and listening to!

Summer Reading & Listening

Miwa’s Selections

Podcast:

Men in Blazers & After the Whistle, part of my World Cup summer!

Marion’s Selections

Podcast:

Hire Ground with Christina Greenberg of Edgility Search, and Josh Czupryk of Josh’s K12 Job Blast, sharing trends and learnings about all things talent!

Gratitude

We’ll never stop being grateful for the opportunity to support amazing leaders and teams who are continuing to learn and grow and make an impact no matter what landscape they’re moving through.

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa

April 2026

Staying Grounded & Keeping Perspective

We just wrapped up a learning series helping a team build their skill and confidence in facilitating adult learning. As we prepared for the series, we came up with a framework for designers and facilitators for making content “stick” with learners. One element of that framework was altitude.

We invited team members to ask themselves, What’s the best altitude for the content given what you know about the audience, what your learning objectives are and how much time you have? Sometimes your context calls for getting deep in the details, and sometimes it calls for zooming out for a balcony view.

Finding the right altitude also applies to how you move through life, especially in challenging and unsteady times. What are you zooming in on right now that keeps you grounded? What helps you to hold the big picture when you need perspective?

On any given day, you can study the gorgeous shell of a snail on the sidewalk and look up with wonder at a pink sunset sky. Both of these perspectives have something to offer us.

And we always have the agency to shift our altitude.

Virtual and In-Person Sessions to Help you Navigate

April Collective Conversation: Three Word Mantra

Engage in a powerful practice to bring intentionality to your leadership by creating your three word mantra. Our Three Word Mantra Session invites reflection on both particular moments and the big picture of your strengths and values.  You’ll leave with a tool to help you stay centered.

We’ll be meeting on Friday, April 24th at 12 PM ET and we hope to see you there.

Come to the Waters Retreat with Miwa & Allison

Saturday, May 23rd, 10 AM – 6 PM EST

In person retreat in Stanardsville, VA

Join Miwa and Allison El Koubi, founder of Idyllwood Mountain Retreat, for a day of reflection, creativity and connection at the edge of Shenandoah National Park. We’ll explore the ways water restores and reminds us to flow with ease, to soften what feels rigid and to nourish what is ready to grow. Learn more here.

Leverage the Enneagram* for Deeper Understanding of Self & Others with Marion & Cat

Sunday, July 12th, 2 PM – 5 PM EST

In person workshop in Wyndmoor, PA

In collaboration with Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative, join us for a workshop to learn the nine interconnected personality types of the Enneagram. You’ll explore your type and learn how this “modern synthesis of ancient wisdom” can help you deepen your self-awareness for growth and personal development in all areas of your life

* Curious about what the Enneagram is and why Marion & Miwa keep talking about so much? First of all, we’d love to chat about it! Second, see the podcast in our resources section below for a great overview of what it is.

From the Field

Right now, many of our leaders and teams are moving through major transitions. They’re asking for space to reconnect to why they do the work, build critical skills needed for this moment and reflect with a trusted thought partner. Here’s how we’ve met those needs with clients recently:

• Helped senior nonprofit leaders to reconnect to why they lead and what their values are, so they could move forward with clarity and renewed energy for what’s ahead

• Supported a group of education policy experts to build facilitation skills so they could connect learning to action with confidence

• Partnered with senior leaders on Leadership Circle 360 Assessments and Enneagram reflection so they could lead with greater presence and self awareness 

Sound like something you or your team needs? We’d love to connect. Reach out to see if we can help.

Partner Spotlight

Allison El Koubi

Creating space for reflection, connection, and renewal is at the heart of Allison’s work. With more than 20 years of experience in public education as a teacher and principal in Louisiana and Virginia, Allison has dedicated her career to helping individuals and communities thrive through intentional leadership, belonging and care. 

Allison is the founder of Home From Away LLC and the steward of Idyllwood, a nature-based retreat space designed to offer rest, renewal and reconnection. Through thoughtfully curated retreats and gatherings, she creates opportunities for people to step away from the demands of everyday life and return to themselves, to one another and to the grounding presence of the natural world.

Miwa is grateful to partner with Allison in hosting the upcoming Idyllwood women’s retreat Come to the Waters, where participants will be invited to slow down, reflect deeply and experience renewal through community, nature and the restorative presence of water. 

You can learn more about Allison’s retreat offerings at idyllwoodmountainretreat.com/retreat.

Marion & Miwa Recommend

Merlin Bird ID App from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Take a pause and celebrate spring with this free app, which listens to the bird songs around you and identifies birds instantly.

Gratitude

Bright green leaves show up every spring without fail. And our clients and colleagues keep showing up and blooming even in harsh seasons. We’re thankful for the important and hopeful work that keeps getting done because of all of you. 

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa

Marion celebrating at the Teach For America Chicago 25th Anniversary Gala

Summer 2025

Opening Message from Marion

 Twenty-five years ago, as a young founder, I almost failed at launching Teach For America Chicago because I didn’t know how to build culture. I was so laser-focused on hitting key milestones that I never sat down with my team to envision and define our region’s culture. The result? We spent precious time navigating avoidable conflicts, and, at our lowest point, our reputation and impact were at risk. Fortunately, some amazing mentors and colleagues taught me a lot in those early years and helped us to turn things around. But it didn’t have to be that way.

Here’s what I learned, and how we can help you avoid the same mistakes:

1. Culture will fuel your success or your demise. It’s that important. We all know the Peter Drucker quote, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” It’s true – and the workplace is rife with examples.

2. You’re building culture from day one: You will have a culture whether you are deliberate about it or not – so make sure you have the one you want. The way to build culture is to be intentional. Sit down with your team and brainstorm together. Ask: What words describe the culture we want? What values are important to our business and why? Then identify – and start doing – key actions or behaviors that align with that desired culture.

3. Culture building is ongoing work: Once you have a vision for your culture, it’s important to consistently make time to cultivate and monitor it with your team. One small way to do this is to take a pulse check. Ask your team and stakeholders to share three words that describe how they experience the culture. Do the words they share align with your vision? If not, get curious and ask more questions to understand what’s going on. Be open to what you hear, as it will help you course correct.

If you are a founder and thinking, I’ll focus on culture when we’re more established, trust me, that’s exactly when it becomes ten times harder to fix! This is why we’re excited to share our new offering, Culture Engine.

At Culture Engine, we help founders launch successful companies by establishing a strong, values-driven culture from the beginning. We provide the expertise and capacity to help our clients define their culture, put key strategies in place to build that culture and then sustain a strong culture as they grow.  

We were inspired to create Culture Engine by our work with two different clients: a corporate start-up that needed to define its culture quickly as it rapidly expanded, and a merger of two non-profits with aligned missions and distinct cultures. By prioritizing culture at the point of launch and merger, both clients succeeded in staying grounded in core values, attracting and retaining top talent and supporting high performance at scale.

Let’s spend 30 minutes discussing your culture needs.

Summer Collective Conversation – July 18th

We have a special summer Collective Conversation planned! On Friday, July 18th at noon EST we’re welcoming our friend and colleague Chelsea Kasen-Kells, Founder of Color Mending Therapy, to lead us in an interactive session that combines neuroscience with the simple act of coloring.

Based on the Theory of Constructed Emotion, Color Mending helps you decode the messages behind your feelings by translating body sensations into colors and shapes on paper. You’ll discover how this surprisingly powerful tool can transform overwhelming emotions into clear, actionable insights.

This session is accessible to everyone – no artistic skills required! Come ready to participate: bring a piece of paper and something to color with (crayons, markers, colored pencils—whatever you have). You’ll walk away with a new understanding of your emotional language and practical tools for navigating stress, transitions, and those “big feelings” that show up in work and life. (Plus, if you’re feeling brave, you might have your coloring interpreted live!)

Please plan to join us to connect, reflect and color this month!

Illuminate at Work (And Resources for You!)

There’s been a theme in our facilitations this year – supporting leaders and teams through change and uncertainty.  See below for some resources we shared with clients that may be helpful for you too.

Leading Change:  Miwa facilitated a “Leading Change Equitably” session for the Leading Edge Alumni Network in May. Leaders engaged with foundations of leading change, including understanding identity and power dynamics, communicating with clarity and care and involving stakeholders in meaningful ways.

Leading in Uncertain Times: Marion recently had the opportunity to meet with a group of inspiring nonprofit leaders, convened through ImpactEd’s Nonprofit Leaders Circle, to discuss how to lead and show up for their teams during uncertain times. See here to learn more and here to access a Padlet of Resources for Leading During Uncertain Times.

We can help you and your team navigate these uncertain times. Let’s talk to explore how.

Partner Spotlight

Julie Cohen

When Marion first started coaching a decade ago, she reached out to Julie Cohen, an established coach and consultant in her community.  Ever since that first conversation, Julie has been a mentor and resource and we were thrilled to collaborate with her as a guest on her Work. Life. Leader LinkedIn Live series earlier this summer. We had a blast talking with her about all things culture and our new offering, Culture Engine.  Check it out at the link here.

Julie is an executive coach, author and leadership development expert with over twenty years of experience helping professionals and organizations thrive. She is the Founder and CEO of Work. Life. Leader., and her insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Time. She is also the author of Your Work, Your Life…Your Way: 7 Keys to Work-Life Balance.  Learn more about her and her company at Work.Life.Leader.

Marion & Miwa Recommend

Summer Reading

Broken Bayou by Jennifer Moorhead

A summer thriller set in Louisiana written by Marion’s high school friend.

Summer Listens

Our Lives Are an Endless Series of ‘And’ from The Ezra Klein Show

Did you know that in the early 1800’s, the alphabet concluded with an “&” after the letter Z? In this podcast episode, author Kathryn Schulz shares, “What a beautiful idea that anything should end in “and” . . . an ending is actually an explicit reminder that there’s always more, that something else can be connected, that something else can happen next.”

Gratitude

We’re ever grateful for the “and.” The world is heartbreaking and challenging. And green leaves appear, dragonflies hover, leaders keep moving the work forward, love finds a way. We’re deeply thankful for this community and all the ways we’re showing up.

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa

Image credit: Morgan Harper Nichols

April 2025

Discouraged. Motivated. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Connected. We’re experiencing a range of feelings in these chaotic times. When Miwa had lunch with a coaching colleague earlier this winter, the first question her friend asked was, “What is keeping you grounded right now?” It was such a thoughtful invitation.

Grounded. Centered when you’re thrown off balance. Steady in the storm. Present when so much is swirling around you.

One practice that consistently grounds us is pausing to breathe. We’ve learned so much about the impact of mindful breathing as coaches and facilitators. We open many of our trainings with a Pause, Notice & Breathe practice. We invite everyone to plant their feet on the ground and settle into their seats. Take a deep breath in and then a slow exhale out. Pay attention to what is coming up for them. Be still for a moment.

What else is keeping us grounded right now? A baby niece’s laugh. A morning walk with neighborhood friends. Volunteering on Sundays. Coaching calls with resilient clients. Singing loudly in the car. Learning from wise women activists. 

Our next Collective Conversation will focus on practices that center us when we feel scattered (please see info below and join us if you can!). In the meantime, we invite you to consider what is keeping you grounded right now. And then share this question with someone else and prepare to be inspired.

Join us!

April Collective Conversation:

Staying Grounded in Chaotic Times

In our April Collective Conversation, we’ll explore practices that bring us back to center and help us to stay present in the midst of change and challenge. Our friend Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative, psychotherapist and certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, will lead us through exercises that give us space to pause, breathe and reflect.

Please join us on Thursday, April 17th at 12 PM ET to share and learn in community with others. We hope to see you there!

Illuminate at Work

So much of our coaching and facilitation work focuses on exploring how to stay grounded and present as a leader. This has shown up in multiple ways in recent months.

• We’ve explored organizational leadership as part of a manager training series, focusing on grounding in our purpose and values and holding the big picture for our teams as managers and leaders

• We’ve reflected on “conflict hooks” (based on the work of Tammy Lenski) and practices for understanding the perspectives of others with multiple groups of leaders who are seeking to deepen collaboration across teams

• We’ve supported a leadership team in creating a management vision for their organization by naming what strong management looks like and what it means for both the team member experience and the organization’s outcomes

If you’d like to learn more about what these offerings can look like at your organization, please reach out to schedule a call with one of us.  We’d love to connect!

Partner Spotlight

Maelle Fonteneau

Navigating a career transition can feel overwhelming. Having a thoughtful coach alongside you can help keep you grounded. We’re excited to feature our friend and colleague Maelle Fonteneau, a career and leadership coach, in our Partner Spotlight this month. Maelle has helped hundreds of leaders take their next professional step with clarity and confidence. She brings her experience as a recruiter and People Team leader to simplify the job search process and help you craft a strategy that plays to your strengths.

Whether you’re making a big career pivot, re-entering the job market after some time away or just need a boost in your search, Maelle offers flexible coaching options to fit your needs:

• Career Transition Coaching: A deep-dive program designed to help you clarify your priorities, build a targeted job search strategy and confidently pursue the right opportunities.

• Empowered Search Program: Perfect if you know what you’re looking for but need support in streamlining your search and networking effectively.

• One-off Sessions: Need expert guidance on interview prep or job search strategy? A focused, single session can give you the edge you need.

You can learn more about Maelle’s work at www.maellefonteneau.com.

Marion & Miwa Recommend

These are a few of the resources that have helped us stay grounded of late!

The Telepathy Tapes with Ky Dickens: A docuseries exploring consciousness and human connection that we learned about from thought leader Bob Anderson in our Re-imagine Leadership coaching course.

Gratitude

When we feel scattered, community always grounds us. Thank you for everything you do to stay steadfast in this work.  

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa

Image credit: Brandi Kincaid

December 2024

It is officially candle season in our corner of the world. When the winter becomes colder and darker, we treasure warmth and light even more. We decorate with twinkly lights. We light candles to celebrate holidays. We look for “glimmers” and “bright spots” as we reflect on the year. We remember that stars seem to shine their brightest on the clearest and coldest nights.

As we close out a tumultuous season, we’re thinking about how we keep shining. And we always come back to care and connection as our foundation. What are we doing to restore ourselves? What lights us up? Whose hands might need holding as we navigate the dark? What circles of community and caring are we a part of, and how do we open and expand those circles moving forward?

We are sending wishes for a new year that is grounded in care and connection, when we can all shine a bright light. In this candle season, let’s tend our own flames and fortify each other.

Join us!

January Collective Conversation

Join us as we lean into connection to start the new year. Our focus for our January Collective Conversation will be community. What does “being in community” mean to us? How can we make space for and nurture relationships that restore us? How do we build circles of care and connection, especially in challenging times?

Please grab a mug of tea, coffee or hot cocoa and join us on Friday, January 10th at 12 PM ET. We hope to see you there!

Illuminate at Work

Understand the Foundations of Leading Change

As human beings moving through this complex and beautiful world, we are constantly experiencing change. In our work with leaders, we’ve found that the topic of leading change always feels timely and relevant. We focused on change management as part of a Manager Learning Series with a longstanding client last month, giving managers the opportunity to reflect on the critical role they play in leading their teams through change as well as the time and space they need to process change themselves.

Our Foundations of Leading Change are grounded in our Illuminate Collective Management Foundations and informed by our experience navigating change as team members and team leaders. You can access our Foundations of Leading Change resource here. We hope it will be a helpful reference through whatever changes you and your team move through together in the coming year.

Deepen Self Awareness with the Enneagram

We had an amazing time sharing the foundations of the Enneagram with guests at The Lodge at Woodloch in August. The Enneagram is a powerful framework for deepening awareness of self and others. This awareness is useful for individuals looking to develop their leadership impact as well as for teams seeking to deepen trust and collaboration.

We are returning to Woodloch from January 31st – February 2nd to lead our Enneagram Learning Series with our friend Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative. We’d love to share the Enneagram with you and/or your team as well! Contact us to explore leadership coaching with an Enneagram lens and Enneagram for Teams sessions that are ideal for retreats and stepbacks and designed for your context.

Partner Spotlight

Laura Owens

We’re thrilled to feature our friend and frequent collaborator Laura Owens of L Owens Consulting, LLC in our Partner Spotlight this month. When Laura was newly venturing into independent consulting several years ago, she emailed Marion to schedule a virtual coffee on the exact same day that Marion was seeking a partner to help build a performance review process for a new client. Their connection, sparked through the both Tide Risers program and White Leaders Working on Antiracism, felt meant to be.

Since then, Laura has collaborated with us on a range of people-focused projects – helping organizations prioritize their people by creating impactful employee engagement programs, coaching managers to provide timely feedback that fosters employee development and designing systems and processes that make work more effective and, hopefully, more fun!

Laura’s superpowers are being an energizer and a systems builder. She loves being part of a team and helping teams grow stronger. In her free time, Laura enjoys coaching her kids in youth sports, walking her mini husky Kai Kai, and exploring new places – preferably while eating her way through them. You can check out her LinkedIn here.

Circles of Care & Community

Art by: Suzanne Vinson of Silver Tree Art

To celebrate this season of love and light, we wanted to shout a few circles of care and community that we are grateful to be part of. We’re excited to keep leaning into community and expanding our circles in the new year.

Anoa + Flow
“To Be Continued . . . “ Writing Community

Voices of Jubilee
Accompanying incarcerated youth and their families in Richmond and throughout Virginia

Cheltenham Education Foundation

As we move into the new year, we’d love to know, what circles of community and care are you grateful to be part of? Please respond to let us know! We look forward to continuing the conversation with you.

Gratitude

We continue to be thankful for the bright lights in our lives – the family, friends, colleagues and clients who inspire us every day. Thank you for being an important part of our community!

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa