Advisors, Trainers, and Executive Coaches

Our Experts

Discover our team of seasoned advisors, each bringing deep expertise in organizational transformation, operating model design, leadership and workforce transformation, AI adoption, and I/O psychology. With specialized knowledge across industries including manufacturing, distribution, hospitality, medical and pharmaceutical, and food processing, our professionals are uniquely equipped to guide your organization through change.

Our certifications and associations:

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Dr. Donte Vaughn

Founder & President
Sr. Executive Strategist & Trainer
Adjunct Professor

DM, MSM, LSSBB, SHRM-CP

Dr. Donte Vaughn

Founder & President
Sr. Executive Strategist & Trainer
Adjunct Professor

With over 18 years of executive experience in both public and private sectors, Dr. Vaughn is an expert in organizational transformation, leadership, human behavior, workforce strategy, and company culture. Prior to founding LIGHTPOINT, he served as CEO and Managing Partner of CultureWorx, providing Culture Performance Management™ solutions to drive cultural change.

With a background in Operational Management Consulting, Dr. Vaughn has consulted with firms to offer labor strategy and workforce management solutions. He holds degrees from Drexel University and the University of Phoenix, including a Doctor of Management. Dr. Vaughn is an active member of professional organizations such as SHRM, ACG, NSA, NBEA, NSBA, and is an Official Group Leader and Member of the Forbes Business Council. He co-authored the Amazon Best Seller “From Culture to Culture” and hosts The LightPoint Podcast: Real Leaders. Real Talk. Real Time.

Dr. Noushin Bayat

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Human Capital Consultant
Leadership Development Coach

Ed.D., MPH, MA, BS

Dr. Noushin Bayat

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Human Capital Consultant
Leadership Development Coach

Dr. Noushin Bayat brings over 15 years of experience as a trusted strategic advisor, coach, and human capital consultant across a variety of industries, including health care, manufacturing, software/tech, public safety, consumer goods, retail and statewide government agencies. A strong advocate of wellbeing, Dr. Bayat thrives in supporting clients through complex enterprise-wide Industry 4.0 automation and digital transformation initiatives which demand people and process transformation to effectively meet the demands of data-driven future states.

Dr. Bayat leverages her expertise in change management, human-centered design principles, neuroscience and organizational behavior to design thoughtful roadmaps that drive business outcomes by leveraging human ingenuity, resilience and creativity. Dr. Bayat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, with graduate degrees in public health, spiritual psychological and organizational leadership.

Dr. Sean C. Lawrence
DM-IST

Cyber Security Expert
Senior Cloud Architect
Sr. IT Project Manager (PMP)
Army Veteran

Ed.D., MPH, MA, BS

Dr. Sean C. Lawrence, DM-IST

Cyber Security Expert
Senior Cloud Architect
Sr. IT Project Manager (PMP)
Army Veteran

Dr. Sean C. Lawrence brings over 15 years of specialized experience in cloud architecture, enterprise solutions design, and strategic IT project management across defense, government, and private sector organizations. Currently serving as Senior Cloud Architect at Leidos, Dr. Lawrence has demonstrated exceptional ability to deliver complex, mission-critical technology solutions that drive organizational transformation and operational excellence.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lawrence has achieved remarkable results, including developing innovative solutions that generated over $30M in Total Contract Value while maintaining a 100% on-time delivery rate and 100% proposal award rate on assigned projects. His expertise spans cloud infrastructure design, requirements management, and enterprise architecture, with deep experience in AWS, Azure, and advanced virtualization technologies. Dr. Lawrence has led cross-functional teams of over 170 personnel across multiple regions, providing strategic leadership in coalition support operations and managing technology infrastructure for defense and intelligence communities.

Dr. Lawrence holds a Doctorate in Management-Information Systems Technology and a Master of Arts in Information Technology Management from the University of Phoenix and Webster University, respectively. He is certified in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and AWS Cloud Practitioner, with extensive experience in project portfolio management, strategic planning, and facilitating complex stakeholder negotiations. His unique combination of technical depth, strategic vision, and proven leadership makes him an invaluable asset in guiding organizations through digital transformation initiatives and complex technology implementations.

Matthew Aguilar

Principal Business Implementation Consultant
Global Process Improvement Strategist
Army Veteran

DM, MSM, LSSBB, SHRM-CP

Matthew G. (Matt) Aguilar

Principal Business Implementation Consultant
Global Process Improvement Strategist
Army Veteran

Matt is a customer-focused change and thought leader with 25 years of expansive leadership experience within industries that include Biotechnology, Healthcare, Medical Device, and Big Utility with Nuclear Power Generation. Enterprise transformation via well-planned and well-executed change and program management has been a key theme in his career.

Matt has a unique grasp of long-range Strategic (Hoshin) Planning, Transformation Playbook Development and Balanced Scorecard Methodology for cascading of business goals and monitoring of world-class business operations. Matt has enjoyed exceptional success with introduction, socialization, and sustained adoption of Strategic Planning, Business Transformation, Operational Excellence and Enterprise PMO operating models in partnership with every functional group (Finance, HR/Legal, IT, MFG, Quality, Regulatory, R&D and Supply Chain) and in support of diverse regulated corporate cultures in companies like Becton-Dickinson, CareFusion, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Motorola, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison.

Matt earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in Organizational Leadership. He is PMP trained, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He is a member of the Project Management Institute, American Society for Quality and Association of Manufacturing Excellence. He is an experienced trainer for Corporate Leadership, Alliance-Change-Project Management, and Operational Excellence. He is a Certified Toastmaster. Matt proudly served 10+ years as a United States Army Noncommissioned Officer, Military Police Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and Criminal Investigator. He was a mounted squad leader during combat operations in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Matt is a decorated veteran.

Christina Whalen

Sr. Human Capital Strategist
Project Manager

PHR, MBA, MA

Christina Whalen

Sr. Human Capital Strategist
Project Manager

Christina is a seasoned management consultant specializing in human-business dynamics, with a focus on Human Capital Strategy and Organizational Development. With a diverse educational background—including degrees in Positive Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, HR Management, Clinical Psychology, and Program Evaluation—Christina approaches strategic initiatives from a transdisciplinary perspective.

In her career, Christina has supported a range of organizations, from tech industry giants to small family-owned businesses. Through her unique mix of education and experience, Christina excels at designing tailored solutions that use situational awareness to align organizational goals with people-first solutions.

Blayne Easter

Adjunct Professor
Leadership Coach
Professional Trainer
Data & Operations Strategy Expert

M.S., B.S., CMfgT

K. Blayne Easter

Adjunct Professor
Leadership Coach
Professional Trainer
Data & Operations Strategy Expert

K. Blayne Easter is a highly accomplished leadership coach, adjunct professor, and professional trainer with over 15 years of experience bridging the worlds of advanced analytics, organizational development, and executive education. His career spans multiple sectors—from healthcare and higher education to financial services and utilities—where he has consistently driven operational excellence and empowered leadership at every level.

Blayne currently serves as Operations Analyst Lead at Aqua, where he leads cross-functional data initiatives that shape strategic decision-making. Previously, he held roles of increasing responsibility at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, culminating in his work as a Principal Project Manager and Biostatistician. There, he led enterprise-wide training redesign initiatives, spearheaded the FDA submission of a 510K package, and facilitated advanced analytics in support of regulatory, clinical, and employee engagement goals.

As an Adjunct Instructor at Delaware County Community College for nearly a decade, Blayne demonstrated a deep commitment to accessible education—translating complex concepts in mathematics, statistics, and data science for students with varying levels of technical ability. This ability to teach and lead is also evident in his volunteer work as a technology instructor for aging adults across the Philadelphia region, where he develops training programs that promote digital literacy and community engagement.

Blayne’s expertise includes biostatistics, survey methodology, change management, analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, JMP), and data storytelling for senior leadership audiences. His ability to simplify complexity and drive meaningful improvements has made him a trusted partner in training redesign, post-market surveillance, and organizational transformation efforts.

A champion of continuous improvement, Blayne brings to LightPoint Advisors a unique balance of analytical rigor and people-centric leadership development. His passion for coaching, collaboration, and innovation allows him to help organizations uncover clarity, navigate change, and develop leaders who are both data-savvy and emotionally intelligent.

Patricia Gorton

Sr. Organizational Change Advisor
Executive Coach

DM, MSM, LSSBB, SHRM-CP

Patricia Gorton

Sr. Organizational Change Advisor
Executive Coach

Patricia Gorton has 20 years of experience in scaling global, corporate programs and initiatives in: talent management, leadership development, executive coaching, change management and learning and development. Her NYC based career includes global, senior HR executive roles in financial services, technology, consumer packaged goods and private equity. She has spoken at industry conferences, written articles and led the ODNY association. Some of her acclaimed workshops for leaders include topics such as change leadership, decision making, risk taking and innovation.

She facilitates leadership and strategy discussions adeptly to create safe environments for people to explore and see around the corners to advance and accelerate outcomes. Tricia created an organizational competency assessment, aimed at measuring people centricity to drive growth.

Onzelo Markum III

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Organizational Change Expert
Leadership Development Coach
Law Enforcement Veteran

MSHRM, IECT

Onzelo Markum III

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Organizational Change Expert
Leadership Development Coach
Law Enforcement Veteran

Onzelo Markum III is the Principal of The Markum Group, LLC, with over two decades of experience building high-performance teams and driving organizational transformation. As a trusted strategic advisor, he helps senior leaders accelerate change, improve employee engagement, and unleash the power of people through leadership development, organizational change management, executive coaching, and post-merger integration. His multidisciplinary approach and astute business insights have guided leaders at organizations including Memorial Hermann Hospital, BP, USAA, The Receivables Exchange, and Texas A&M University, where his innovative strategies have delivered breakthrough results.

An honorably retired law enforcement officer with distinguished service, Onzelo earned the Medal of Valor and was appointed to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by Governor George W. Bush. He holds an Executive MBA from Texas A&M University and is certified as a Prosci® Change Practitioner, Post Merger Integration Specialist (CPMI), and Leading Organizational Transitions facilitator. At USAA, he led the people-side integration for their first acquisition into the Auto line of business, achieving a remarkable 98% retention rate. At The Receivables Exchange, his leadership earned the management team the 2011 American Business Award for Management Team of the Year while returning the company to the Best Places to Work list.

Shiries Stahl

Sr. Strategic Advisor
People Operations & Execution Specialist

MSHRM, IECT

Shiries Stahl

Sr. Strategic Advisor
People Operations & Execution Specialist

Shiries Stahl holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arizona State University, recognized as the nation’s most innovative university for a decade. She also earned a Master of Human Resource Management from Claremont Graduate University, concentrating in Positive Psychology, and obtained a Certificate in Inclusive Excellence in College Teaching. This diverse educational foundation enables Shiries to foster equitable and positive development for leaders of all learning styles.

Combining extensive hands-on experience with academic insights, Shiries employs a pragmatic, results-driven approach to People Operations and Talent Development. Her methodology is rooted in years of learning from field experts and studying best practices, allowing her to effectively translate strategic plans into actionable outcomes. As a practitioner dedicated to operational excellence, Shiries excels in guiding leaders and teams from concept to completion, ensuring initiatives are executed efficiently and equitably.

Tim Burton

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Global Telecommunications Expert
Certified AI Practitioner
Navy Veteran

Tim Burton

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Global Telecommunications Expert
Certified AI Practitioner
Navy Veteran

Tim Burton brings over 35 years of experience as a trusted Strategic Advisor and Operations Leader across diverse industries, including telecommunications, defense, IoT, solar energy, and logistics. His career spans roles from Electronics Technician in the US Navy to executive positions such as Vice President of Operations at Aeris IoT SaaS and Owner Operator at Integrity Solar. He excels in leading complex, large-scale projects across global markets, driving innovation in cellular network deployment, IoT platform management, and renewable energy solutions. Most recently, he applies his expertise to revolutionizing logistics processes in apparel distribution.

Tim leverages deep technical knowledge and strategic management skills to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and lead mission-critical initiatives across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. His ability to navigate diverse cultural environments and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies has been key to successfully managing teams of up to 700 employees and overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets. Tim also holds various technical certifications and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to driving business growth and operational excellence throughout his career.

Brandon Sorenson

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Human Capital Consultant
Leadership Development Coach

BA, MA, Doctoral Candidate

Brandon Sorenson

Sr. Strategic Advisor
Human Capital Consultant
Leadership Development Coach

Brandon Sorenson is a distinguished Senior HR Strategist and Trainer with over 15 years of industry experience. Currently pursuing a doctoral degree, Brandon excels in Leadership Assessment and Executive Performance Coaching, guiding leaders to achieve peak performance. Brandon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. His expertise in Organizational Psychology allows him to understand and address the complexities of workplace dynamics, fostering environments where both individuals and teams can thrive.

Brandon is passionate about Talent Development, focusing on unlocking potential and driving growth within organizations. His dedication to Employee Wellbeing ensures that the holistic needs of employees are met, promoting a balanced and productive workforce. As a specialist in Training and Development, Brandon designs and implements comprehensive programs that enhance skills, boost performance, and contribute to overall organizational success.

Cassia Lamy

Operations Lead
Associate Consultant

BBA-MS

Cassia Lamy

Operations Lead
Associate Consultant

Cassia demonstrates experience across diverse domains. As a Data Analyst/Administrator, she harnesses the power of data to drive informed decision-making and streamline processes. With expertise as a workforce management analyst, she optimizes workforce management strategies for peak efficiency.

Her work as a Supply Chain and Operations Management Strategist ensures seamless operations and cost-effective logistics. As a trusted Business Development Advisor, she cultivates growth opportunities and fosters strategic partnerships. With a certification in Enterprise Design Thinking, she reflects her commitment to innovative problem-solving and user-centric solutions.

Michael Staudinger

Sr. Strategic Advisor
LSS Black Belt
Operations and Manufacturing Leader

MSHRM, IECT

Michael Staudinger

Sr. Strategic Advisor
LSS Black Belt
Operations and Manufacturing Leader

Mike is an experienced continuous improvement leader (LSSBB) with expertise in facilitation, training, and implementation of Lean Six Sigma. His recent focus has been to implement program and project management methodologies within an IT heavy program to meet worldwide but country specific requirements for serialization of pharmaceutical drug products.

His experience includes working with cross-functional teams within a diverse range of industries and products including manufacturing, medical devices (FDA-regulated), health care, pharmaceutical, financial services (SEC regulated), retail operations and back-office processes focused on simplifying complexity for lasting improvement. Strengths include an ability to work well with C-level executives, field offices, and shop floor personnel.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University and held Series 6 and 63 FINRA Licenses at LPL Financial and a top-secret clearance while serving in the US Navy as a nuclear power plant mechanical operator.

Awards & Recognition

CultureCon Culture Catalyst, 2026

Named one of CultureCon’s Culture Catalysts for 2026, a spotlight on the leaders changing how organizations approach culture.

Workplace Leadership Institute, 2026 Workplace Leadership Award

Presented at the Workplace Leadership Awards in Toronto, 2026, recognizing leaders who advance how workplaces are led.

Join Our Advisory Team or Become a Strategic Partner

We are always looking to expand our Advisor and Strategic Partner network. If you are interested in exploring collaborative opportunities, complete our contact form, and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

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