Meet our Heart-Centered
Administrative Team
Get to know each of the amazing people that support your coaching journey.
The Administrative Team are all skilled Independent Contractors
we've hand selected to provide you excellent service.
The Administrative Team are all skilled Independent Contractors
we've hand selected to provide you excellent service.

Laurel Elders, MCC, CEC
Founder / CEO
Laurel is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) and the founder and CEO of the Institute.
She began her career as a coach in 2005 after noticing that we are living in pivotal times; corporations often place profit above people, individuals are feeling lost in the "rat race" and corporate drive is leaving the largest scale impact on the future of sustainability.
Laurel observed how coaching is powerfully tapping into the next phase of human potential in ways never before experienced and is contributing to powerful solutions.
Laurel invested in bringing the highest levels of coach training and mentoring, into a world that needs people's gifts, talents, purpose and heart, now more than ever.
Her clients and students are torch holders for positive impact, locally and globally, in service to the success of generations to come.
Laurel's Background & Key Experience:
- Abram's Health Center
- Pima County West
- Single Parents Reaching Out (SPROUT) - Support groups empowering single parents
- Outside Agencies - Pima County funded support groups
Training & Credentials:
Founder / CEO
Laurel is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) and the founder and CEO of the Institute.
She began her career as a coach in 2005 after noticing that we are living in pivotal times; corporations often place profit above people, individuals are feeling lost in the "rat race" and corporate drive is leaving the largest scale impact on the future of sustainability.
Laurel observed how coaching is powerfully tapping into the next phase of human potential in ways never before experienced and is contributing to powerful solutions.
Laurel invested in bringing the highest levels of coach training and mentoring, into a world that needs people's gifts, talents, purpose and heart, now more than ever.
Her clients and students are torch holders for positive impact, locally and globally, in service to the success of generations to come.
Laurel's Background & Key Experience:
- Wellness Wholeness and Cultural Awareness - ICF Arizona Committee Member (2022)
- Made the Top 10 of the Top 20 Coaches in Tucson List by the Influence Digest (2021)
- ICF Arizona Core Coaching Competency Summer School - Facilitator (2020 / 2021)
- Leverage for Leaders - Executive Coach Training - Co-Facilitator / Mentor Coach (2019)
- Speaker Coach - TEDx Tucson (2018)
- Member of the ACN (Arbinger Coaching Network) Arbinger Institute (2018 - current)
- Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO) - Education Committee (2018 - 2019)
- Member of Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO) (2017 - current)
- Raytheon: Sub-contractor for Developing Leaders initiative (2017)
- Founded The Institute of Integrative Intelligence, LLC (2016)
- Director of Coaching Programs - Prescott College (2013 - 2016)
- Health Coach & Educator - Wellness Council of Arizona (2013 - 2015)
- Abram's Health Center
- Pima County West
- Coach Training Lead Instructor - Prescott College (2012 - 2016)
- Co-Founded Certificate in Coaching ACSTH - Prescott College (2011)
- Instructor of Life Coaching Techniques & Mind-Body Medicine - ASAOM (2009-2011)
- Internal Coach - Staff & Faculty Development - ASAOM (2009 - 2011)
- Director of Education - ASAOM (2008 - 2011)
- ACAOM - Accreditation Consultant - ASAOM (2007)
- Author / Program Director - Eating With Heart (2005 - current)
- Executive Director - Interpeace, Inc. (2003 - 2005)
- Program Facilitator & Family Resource Educator - Interpeace, Inc. (1999 - 2005)
- Single Parents Reaching Out (SPROUT) - Support groups empowering single parents
- Outside Agencies - Pima County funded support groups
Training & Credentials:
- Leadership Principles Certificate - Harvard Business School (2023)
- Master Certified Coach (MCC) International Coaching Federation (2022)
- Certified Executive Coach - Leverage for Leaders (2019)
- ACTP Assessor Training - PCC Marker Assessment - International Coaching Federation (2019/2021)
- Choice in Coaching: Arbinger Mastery Training for Coaches Arbinger Institute (2018)
- Advanced NVC - Compassionate Communication Training (2017)
- ACTP Assessor Training - PCC Marker Assessment - International Coaching Federation (2016)
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) - International Coaching Federation (2013 - 2022)
- Integral Coach Training of the 9 Types - The Enneagram Institute & New Ventures West (2009)
- Corporate Coaching & Organizational Leadership - Sandy Hogan & CO - 300 hr. Internship (2008, 2011)
- BA in Human Development: Organizational Psychology with a Concentration in Corporate Coaching (2008) Prescott College
- Certificate in Coaching - CTA (2005)
Patrick Elders
Co-Owner / COO

Patrick and Laurel co-own and operate the Institute. Laurel oversees operations, QA, training standards and student experience. Pat focuses on organizational strategy and outreach. His passion is supporting our veterans and providing scholarship opportunities to veterans and those enduring financial hardships.
Pat's career path began in the Air Force in 2003, serving in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). He has served oversees through multiple contingencies, including Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He continues to serve as a deployable reservist.
Pat holds a BA in Organizational Management with honors.
Pat and Laurel have four children, enjoy family, health, rock climbing, kayaking and outdoor adventuring.
Pat's career path began in the Air Force in 2003, serving in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). He has served oversees through multiple contingencies, including Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He continues to serve as a deployable reservist.
Pat holds a BA in Organizational Management with honors.
Pat and Laurel have four children, enjoy family, health, rock climbing, kayaking and outdoor adventuring.
Nancy Smyth, MCC, CPCC
Director of Education / Senior Faculty

Nancy has been with the Institute since 2015. In the mid 1980’s, Nancy apprenticed with an Aztec Indian Medicine Man. Her entire apprenticeship was one of learning to see and recognize what was invisible to the eye.
Life kept leading Nancy to lend a hand off the reservations as well, to more global communities. Loving the empowering process of coaching, Nancy studied and went on to receive a Master Certified Coach credential through the International Coaching Federation in 2006.
Nancy’s clients include Fortune 500 organizations, entrepreneurs, couples, and individuals. Her focus guides clients to lasting substantial change, both professionally and personally. As a coach, speaker, artist, and poet, Nancy cultivates the experience, understanding and expression of peace-filled solutions.
www.TwoWiseWomen.org
Lauren Stidham, PCC, CPIC
Dean of Students / Coach / Coach Trainer

Lauren is the right hand to school operations and student support. She assists with new student enrollment, helps current students get what they need, and keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. She is also a full-time coach, HeartMath® Certified Trainer, instructor, and Institute graduate.
Lauren owns Blueprint to Bloom Life Coaching, where people can discover how to be the architect of a life they love. Her passion for helping others allows them to build a strong foundation and experience remarkable growth.
Lauren graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in elementary/special education. She taught 5th grade for 7 years then moved on to relationship-based sales. She has always enjoyed problem-solving, intellectual discussions, and acting as a sounding board for others. Her passions include singing, reading, yoga, beauty products, and Pinterest craft projects.
www.blueprinttobloom.com
Follow Lauren @
facebook.com/BlueprintToBloom
Lauren owns Blueprint to Bloom Life Coaching, where people can discover how to be the architect of a life they love. Her passion for helping others allows them to build a strong foundation and experience remarkable growth.
Lauren graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in elementary/special education. She taught 5th grade for 7 years then moved on to relationship-based sales. She has always enjoyed problem-solving, intellectual discussions, and acting as a sounding board for others. Her passions include singing, reading, yoga, beauty products, and Pinterest craft projects.
www.blueprinttobloom.com
Follow Lauren @
facebook.com/BlueprintToBloom