Team Bios
J Otis Smith is a graduate of Oberlin College and Temple University. His curricular foci are human motivation, group development and adolescent behavior, and multicultural counseling. Dr. Smith is an officer and senior consultant with Stand By Systems II, Inc. He is a Professor of Psychology Emeritus at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Smith has developed a number of interactive approaches to increasing awareness about the impact of differences and the destructive "isms" on personal interactions and professional productivity. In both small group and larger group settings, his approach has been to increase the perceptiveness and skills of persons so that they can use their leadership to make a productive difference in the environments in which they function. He has experience coaching executives and has been acknowledged as an expert in designing and being the primary facilitator of meetings including those with five hundred persons.
Dr. Smith's work and research with low-income populations have led to the development of the Family Theory of Motivation. He has conducted research with persons who are homeless citizens and is currently a collaborator in a research project on hypertension adherence. His work within the private sector has included consultation and presentations for Fortune 500 companies, small business enterprises, and community organizations. He has not only served as an administrator in higher education but has also administered three major programs designed to develop the low income populations and persons with disabilities.
Dr. Smith has held a variety of offices within the profession of counseling including: national Treasurer of the American Association for Counseling and Development (now the American Counseling Association), the chairperson of its Counseling Image Task Force, and President of the Pennsylvania Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development. He has been on the national Executive Council of the Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development. In the past his community service has included election to the vestry of his church, a collegiate Board of Trustees and service as an officer of the Brandywine Workshop in Philadelphia. He is currently an elected member of a residential council. This broad involvement translates into a more vital and perceptive focus within his work.
Laura L. Kangas is a global organizational and management development consultant, program and workshop designer, group facilitator, and writer. For over twenty-five years, she has been collaboratively developing strategy and leading programs in diversity, equity and inclusion, and other areas of employee and management development. Laura’s work has included all areas of DE&I, including cultural assessments, strategy development, design and facilitation, and trainer certification. She is known for developing programs that inspire people to want to learn more.
Laura has the distinct ability to take on a project with a blank slate, and get it done successfully by collaborating with others to create, develop, and deliver innovative solutions based on assessment, research, and leading-edge technology. Laura, who is a passionate traveler, holds an MA from Harvard University, and a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Tom Gordon has 35+ years of executive, enterprise, and systems consulting experience in leadership and performance paradigms, change strategy, communications and conflict resolution, health and mental health, diversity and culturally competent inclusion, teambuilding, and organizational dynamics. TAGA Consulting esigns and delivers capacity building, collaborative, culturally competent, customized systems effectiveness seminars, coaching, interventions, and leadership consultation. The Firm deploys skilled, highly seasoned professionals –diverse in age, gender, race, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation, languages, academic and business experience –to conduct and advance leadership solutions, systems change, and performance navigation. Tom advises clients in aerospace and defense, banking, biomedical and healthcare, construction, education, engineering, entrepreneurial, legal, manufacturing, military, pharmaceutical, retail consumer goods, and telecommunications domains as well as in public, religious, and governmental sectors. In addition to executive and executive team coaching, Tom has advised on large-scale change initiatives – including designing and implementing strategic diversity initiatives, synergy assessments, competency modeling, leadership seminars and retreats. A licensed psychologist, Tom graduated cum laude from Harvard University; earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan; and completed post-doctoral mass media and conflict resolution study at the University of Pennsylvania/Annenberg School of Communications. Dr. Gordon’s psychologist career spans 35+ years –as college professor, health and mental health systems manager, psychotherapist, and now advisor to organizations on a wide range of leadership, change, and performance challenges. His faculty affiliations have included: The University of Michigan, Temple University, The University of Pennsylvania, Antioch College, Goddard College, Department of Psychiatry/Thomas Jefferson University, and Family Medicine/Medical University of South Carolina. Tom serves on the Health Promotion Council’s Board of Directors. He is past Treasurer of The Association of Black Psychologists and ex-President of its Delaware Valley chapter. He is married, the father of 5 adults, and grandfather to 9 young children. Tom is an avid, lifelong learner: He travels globally, has coached pre-adolescent basketball, speaks Spanish and Swahili, plays tenor saxophone, and mentors rising business and social science professionals.
Florence Lathen is a recognized professional with over 20 years of human resources leadership experience focusing on building high performing teams, executive coaching, and change management. Florence learned the value of visionary leadership through various executive level positions at Fortune 100 corporations and other large companies.
Certified Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from the Coaching Training Institute
EQi-2.0 Emotional Intelligence Assessment Certification
Hogan Assessment and Prosci Change Management certifications.
Psychology degree from The Ohio State University
Has provided human resources consulting to support leader development, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, and change management.
Dr. Kathleen E. Walls graduated from Temple University earning a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She earned her M.S. in Counseling Psychology and Human Services with a Specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Chestnut Hill College, PA, as well as her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.), She is a psycho-dynamically trained who works in systems change, and helping individuals move through the knowing various levels of consciousness in order to live with purpose. Dr. Kathleen E. Walls is the owner and founder of The G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T. Counseling & Consulting located in Philadelphia, PA; the author of The G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T. Soul Journey(2009) and Live By The Spirit: Inspired Thoughts Volume 1 (2015); and the host of her YouTube show Dr. Walls & Friends.
Dr. Walls has been an adjunct college professor, psychotherapist, and strategic advisor to leaders and organizations on their people, process, and performance challenges. She lectures, counsels, consults, coaches, and delivers interactive seminars, keynotes, and motivational speeches. Dr. Walls has also researched and developed several strategic plans, programs, and curriculums. She has worked with a wide range of civic, educational, healthcare, and business enterprises including Central Bucks School District, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Devereux Foundation, Graduate School United States Department of Agriculture, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, District 1199c/Hospital Union of Philadelphia, Jefferson University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Trinity University, Drexel University, and Temple University.