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Leaders and employees that believe they make a positive contribution to their workplace experience more joy at work. That’s really what potential is all about. We want everyone in your workplace to feel a sense of connection, a shared purpose, and, more importantly, pride in their role that contributes to the greater good of your company.
We know that when leaders and their teams and employee work harmoniously, they experience maximum impacts in happiness and profits. What could be better than that?
is to help you, your team, and your business develop to your full potential
Our Mission
we are certified to teach
about potential
We are experienced leaders, educators, facilitators, program developers and keynote speakers skilled in diversity and inclusion education, thriving during change, leadership, communication and team cohesion. We use evidence-based psychology to help people become better leaders, teaching through coaching, not telling.
As partners, we work collaboratively to help our clients develop a growth mindset even in the toughest times. We believe in communicating well, inspiring and championing change, and delivering an experience that helps leaders grow.
The teams that work with us grow in exponential ways and go on to thrive. Beyond that, the ripple effect is more joy and fulfillment at work and an engaged team that stands apart.
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Carla is the founder of potential, a boutique leadership + coaching firm that creates learning experiences to help leaders and teams realize their full potential. Carla began her career in the cosmetics industry and grew to become a Global Vice President where she was responsible for the development of 10,000+ employees located in 120+ countries.
With over two decades of executive leadership experience, team development and coaching, Carla recognizes the transformative impact of courageous leadership on both business results and engagement. She shares her wealth of leadership experience and real-life examples with her clients in order to transform performance.
Customization is the key difference with all programs potential provides. The experienced team of consultants create and facilitate bespoke programs including workshops, coaching, strategy, keynotes and executive off-site meetings.
Prior to founding potential, Carla inspired teams as the Vice President of Global Artistry, Education and Events at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Vice President of Learning and Education at Bumble and bumble, Vice President of International Education at Clinique, and Executive Director of Leadership Development. Carla has a B.S. in Business Administration and is a Certified Dare to Lead Facilitator, Certified Fierce Conversations Facilitator, Gallup Strengths Coach and Mind Gym Coach. Born and raised in Kentucky, Carla lives in New York and is lucky to be Andrew’s mom and loves their new French Bulldog, Buster.
the Founder of potential
I'm Carla Illiescu
Oh, hello!
Jung is designer specializing in creating, developing, and designing educational development programs in both digital and in-classroom formats. Jung has over 10 years of experience in global education curriculum development at luxury beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, and Bumble and bumble. She currently plays an integral role in strategy, developing, and designing digital education platform for two luxury beauty brands as a consultant.
Jung Hwang
Elaine M. Chugranis, Ph.D., has extensive experience in creating custom educational workshops, events, and long-term strategy. With 20+ years in the learning and development space, Elaine has solidified herself as an inspired and authentic partner, offering boutique educational solutions and building a reputation for partnering with organizations confronted with managing change. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from New York University, where she was a Departmental Fellow and certifications from Fierce, Inc., Mind Gym, and is a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach.
Elaine M. Chugranis, Ph.D.
meet our team
Jung is designer specializing in creating, developing, and designing educational development programs in both digital and in-classroom formats. Jung has over 10 years of experience in global education curriculum development at luxury beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, and Bumble and bumble. She currently plays an integral role in strategy, developing, and designing digital education platform for two luxury beauty brands as a consultant.
Jung Hwang
Elaine M. Chugranis, Ph.D., has extensive experience in creating custom educational workshops, events, and long-term strategy. With 20+ years in the learning and development space, Elaine has solidified herself as an inspired and authentic partner, offering boutique educational solutions and building a reputation for partnering with organizations confronted with managing change. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from New York University, where she was a Departmental Fellow and certifications from Fierce, Inc., Mind Gym, and is a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths Coach.
Elaine M. Chugranis, Ph.D.
meet our team
Mary Proctor Trane is a Facilitator, Speaker, and Coach dedicated to developing courageous, authentic, and effective leaders. Specializing in leadership, team development and communication skills, Mary has coached and trained thousands of leaders, from the newest Manager to the most Senior Executive, to help them connect more meaningfully and effectively so they can achieve their desired results. She is an NYU certified Coach and holds an M.F.A. from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Mary is certified to teach numerous programs including: Dare to Lead ™, Fierce Conversations, Gallup Strengths, Leadership at the Edge, Hogan Assessment, Insights, Mind Gym, and Franklin Covey's 7 Habits.
Mary Proctor Trane
Nicole Cichocki blends positive psychology, energy medicine, and two decades of experience as an instructional designer and hairstylist. She has worked with top industry brands like Sephora, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, Estee Lauder, Makeup Forever, Briogeo, and MAC. In addition to her consulting work, she currently has an Embeautyment practice where she offers hair care combined with Healing Touch energy healing therapies that place wellness at the center of the client experience.
Nicole Cichocki
Raabia Shafi partners with clients to determine how their internal culture impacts the customer experience, improving things from the inside out, starting with leaders. After 10+ years of directing global engagements that leverage her expertise in business strategy, Raabia recognized that customer experience is increasingly becoming a hallmark of good corporate strategy. Her superpower is helping executives figure out how they can be better leaders by empowering + holding their teams accountable to clearly defined expectations.
Raabia Shafi
Carrie Skowronski is a courage builder and facilitator of leadership development programs. Carrie’s coaching is the perfect motivational and practical science-backed spark you and your team need to replace outdated patterns of behavior. Drawing on her global background in organizational leadership, training as a Gallup StrengthsFinder coach, Certification in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), and certification by Dr. Brené Brown as a Dare to Lead Facilitator, Carrie’s coaching has helped transform multi-million dollar companies including Bonobos, Honor, Delta, Estée Lauder Companies, Kendra Scott, Bumble and bumble, Shutterstock and more.
Carrie Skowronski
Lulu Chen has extensive experience in retail and luxury goods. She is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach and lively, creative facilitator who focuses on client's needs. She is also an author of an acclaimed book on selling skills. Lulu is based in Taiwan with extensive global experience.
Lulu Chen
Florrie is a passionate people developer with 20+ years leadership track record in luxury beauty and hospitality industry in Asia Pacific. She is responsible for providing education strategies and solutions for 1000+ field team members across 13 countries. She is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach and an inspiring and engaging facilitator. Florrie is skilled in multi-cultural and trilingual settings with fluency in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Florrie Gwee
Gloria Di Francesco has 30 years of experience in both Operations and Learning Delivery/Talent Development. Gloria’s entrenched expertise is communication and how it directly impacts relationships and results. She is a strong communicator and an excellent public speaker in both English and French. She is an exceptional workshop facilitator and has an undisputed aptitude to motivate, coach, and influence others. Her teaching style includes real life experiences which enables participants to fully understand the concepts and apply it their lives. Her ability to balance humor and corporate wisdom has earned her the reputation of being an entertaining yet knowledgeable and eloquent facilitator.
Gloria Di Francesco
Karith Foster is a diversity engagement specialist. She is a speaker, humorist and author. From universities to corporations, Karith has created a seismic shift in mindsets, addressing issues of free
expression, diversity, and inclusion. Karith draws inspiration from her vast experiences, creating the perfect blend of anecdotes, audience engagement, and expertise to convey the constant need to
address diversity and inclusion. She is the creator of Inversity™, a unique approach to creating a culture of true belonging. Karith hosts engaging keynotes, workshops and retreats.
Karith Foster
Christine works closely with Carla to ensure all administrative/service aspects of each workshop are met. She has over 15 years customer service experience and her primary role is to ensure that clients receive personalized High Touch service.
Christine Symons
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"Hands down, Dare To Lead™ is one of the best investments I have made in my team. Dr. Brené Brown’s content, paired with the team’s dynamic facilitation, has proven to be a winning formula.”
- David Stutz
Vice President, Education and
Client Service at SIJCP Sephora
