Bios

MICHELLE TENZYK
As the CEO & Founder of East Tenth Group, I leverage 25 years of business and experience as a strategic advisor and executive coach who helps drive actionable people solutions and provides practical insights on business strategy to senior leaders. My team and I are fiercely committed to the development and growth of people and companies because we believe that when people thrive, business thrives.
My expertise comes from a breadth of experience leading HR across many prestigious companies and serving on executive teams. Now, I advise and coach CEOs and senior level executives to create company cultures that sustain deep engagement and produce incremental results. I partner to strengthen leadership capabilities, operational excellence, executive presence and confidence in navigating organizational nuances. I work with growth enterprises and middle market companies to develop talent management solutions and support executing your company strategy that gains noticeable business results.

My no-nonsense, direct approach gets right to the core of your issues. As many executives say, I do not waste their time – we get down to the “business of business” and solve the most pressing issues. I have found with the complexities of today’s environment, being thoughtful, deeply insightful and forthright is necessary to elevate top leaders’ games to gain the competitive edge for tomorrow.

In 2014, I founded the movement, The Truth Behind Our Titles® ~ Strength, Resilience and Hope for the Professional Journey. It shifts the belief that professional success means hiding or disguising your inner struggles and difficulties. Instead, I encourage you to embrace all of your experiences—even difficulties—to integrate yourself fully and more authentically in your professional life.

I received an MBA in HR Management and HR Systems from the University of Albany and an Executive Coaching Certificate from City University of New York’s Zicklin School of Business. I also hold a BS in Music Education/Piano from the College of St. Rose where I am honored to be a distinguished, prominent alumna. I was awarded the Certificate in Entrepreneurship upon completing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.

I volunteered on the board of People Helping People, am a member of the Executive Council of Ellevate and am a Senior Fellow of The Sierra Institute. I am a Board Director for danker, a privately held middle market company. I live with my husband Joe and our Bernese Mountain dog Zoey in Westchester County.

Amanda Bednar
I am passionate about the strategic role that Human Resources (HR) has when it comes to the success of an organization. My ability to help clients identify and develop their talent along with creating cultures that foster growth take my clients’ HR initiatives and organizations to the next level. I bring an enthusiastic and personal approach to every project by connecting with leaders, employees and candidates – building strong relationships based on expertise and trust.

I bring over 10 years of experience in the fields of recruitment, performance management, employee relations and HR operations. Prior to joining East Tenth Group, I worked as an HR Consultant with NYC-based HC-partners/Talentworx, a human capital consultancy firm, where I managed full-cycle recruiting efforts and developed HR toolkits for small to medium-sized clients.

Previously, I served as the Talent Management Supervisor for Javelin Marketing Group – an Omnicom direct marketing agency based in Dallas, TX. I was instrumental in the success of the organization’s full-cycle recruitment and the development and implementation of a performance management process. Prior to my work with Javelin Marketing Group, I served as a Project Manager for The LaSalle Network, a boutique staffing firm, and was a founding member of the firm’s newest office location in the Chicago area. I began my career in the HR field as the HR Manager for PeopleScout, Inc. – a leading recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider.

I hold a Master’s degree in the field of Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. I live in Ohio with my husband Nick, raising our two wonderful children.

TONI L. BOOKER
I am a senior HR consultant and dynamic coach with extensive experience as a business partner and trusted advisor with progressive leadership roles within multiple industries. My career spans large and small organizations—profit, non-profit, public and private.

My diverse experience and global exposure span a full range of human resource strategies including organizational change initiatives, talent acquisition, employee relations, and training. As part of the East Tenth Group team, I partner with CEOs and senior leaders, helping them to optimize their potential and realize the organization’s strategic objectives.

I have worked as a human resources people strategist for Time Warner Inc., The Worth Collection, Citigroup, Bankers Trust and Electronic Data Systems. My most recent position was Chief Human Resources Officer in a 10,000-employee healthcare system in Western New York where I introduced executive coaching, advised executive leaders and drove leadership development programs for high-impact culture change.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Swarthmore College in psychology with a concentration in sociology. I also hold certificates in Executive Coaching from the New York Zicklin School of Business and in Managing Health Care Delivery from the Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Business School.

Outside of East Tenth Group I volunteer for workforce development, scholarship and youth enrichment causes. I also served as a founding board member of The Buffalo Arts and Technology Center and as Board Chair for JazzReach, Inc. in New York City.

I enjoy world travel and currently reside in Newark, Delaware.

JENNIFER BROWN
I am a business-focused Human Resources (HR) consultant who knows that a business is only as strong as its people. My goal in working with East Tenth Group clients is to provide thoughtful, specialized and appropriate business solutions to challenging HR issues. Having led major corporate functions and advised executives during turbulent times, I have extensive, first-hand experience in driving organizational change at a strategic level and facilitating rapid personal improvement in individuals. Consulting with firms of all sizes, I have an appreciation for what really works when it comes to making people more effective. I have worked in diverse environments that include government contracting; marketing/communications; financial, banking, and insurance services; nonprofits; legal, hospitality; transportation; and utilities.

My unique blend of real world business experience, coupled with over 25 years of HR management, organizational development practice, change management, and project management helps me consistently exceed client expectations. I spent the first part of my career in Andersen Consulting’s (Accenture) Change Management practice and then held various senior roles at Freddie Mac to include Director, HR Business Partner; Director of Recruiting and Director of HR Business Operations. For the past 12 years, I have provided HR consulting and advisory services.

I hold a Master in Business Administration (major in HR and Organizational Development) and Bachelor of Science (major in Personnel/Labor Relations) from the University of Maryland. I am also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.

EILEEN CROSS
I am an accomplished human resource executive and consultant that builds and leads highly capable, human resource organizations in the profit and non-profit sectors. I understand the perspective of others and deal effectively with a different personality and leadership styles.

Before devoting my time and expertise as a human resource consultant, I held global leadership roles at News Corporation and Fairchild Publications. As a member of the CEO’s executive team, I provided innovative and action oriented strategies that tackled organizational issues during times of growth, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and site relocations.

I combine my consultative style, business acumen and 25 years of human resource expertise to help clients in strategic planning, organizational design, talent acquisition, management, employee benefits, compensation plan design and performance management. As a certified executive coach, I help people understand and gain insight into their unique behavior characteristics and uncover performance capabilities that enhance both personal and organizational success.

I hold a degree from Monmouth University and an Executive Coaching Certificate from iCoach New York, Baruch College. I’ve also participated in executive education programs at Harvard Business School and am certified in 360 Design and Facilitation from the Center for Creative Leadership and Predictive Index Pre-Employment Assessment. In addition to balancing work and family time, I volunteer my human resource expertise to nonprofits in the New York metropolitan area.

MARIA DUMAS
I am a former Fortune 500 Training and Development Executive who applies my business experience to coach leaders and top talent to perform at your highest potential. I have coached leaders and teams through mergers, re-organizations, leadership/management transitions, divestitures and the impact of risk and regulatory changes. Clients say that I see the big picture, build rapport quickly and demonstrate an openness to engage with any personal change challenge.

I work with top talent who aspire to take on roles of increasing responsibility, which often means recognizing and re-focusing habits and behaviors that don’t serve you anymore. I ask hard questions about growth and discovery and work towards practical, solution oriented goals. It involves identifying and leveraging your strengths and values, assessing your work style, clarifying how others see you and uncovering the stories you tell yourself. In some cases, those stories are limiting self-talk and other times hide blind spots.

I’m a former Managing Director and Chief Learning Officer with JPMorgan. My prior industry experience includes publishing, healthcare and consulting. I have a MEd in Instructional Design from UMass Boston, hold an iCoach NY Coaching Certificate and teach as an adjunct instructor at the Mountbatten Institute MBA program.

I live in Westchester with my husband and son. As a family, we’re committed to the “Gift of Life” charity sponsored by Rotary International and have hosted children in our home from Iraq, Haiti and Belize while in New York for life-saving heart surgery.

FRANK FAETH
I partner with clients to turn powerful, personal and interpersonal insights into positive action that advances their careers and the strategy of their organizations. I guide clients through a dynamic discovery process that enables them to identify and intensify their strengths, recognize and overcome barriers and provides a supportive environment for clients to practice pushing beyond current patterns.

I have held senior positions for several of the most prestigious companies in the world, including JPMorgan Chase, MasterCard Worldwide, and Marsh, Inc. and have undergone targeted training in executive coaching. Combining my business background with executive coaching experience, I facilitate professional breakthroughs for executives at all levels. I leverage proven assessments when necessary, to guide clients through a dynamic discovery process that enables them to identify and leverage their strengths and break behaviors that are holding them back.

I earned a BBA in Accounting from Bernard Baruch College and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago. I have an Executive Coaching Certificate from iCoach New York, and certification in several leadership assessments including Myers-Briggs, Emotional IQ/360, Abrasive Leadership, Hogan and Gallup’s StrengthsFinder.

My wife and I live in Westchester County, NY, and Kent County, RI and feed New York City’s homeless the last Thursday of every month, working with volunteers from a local church. I support a non-profit community center in an economically depressed city in Westchester County through pro bono coaching.

JOSEPH KUSIAK
As the Managing Director of Finance and Operations, I am accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the company. This includes the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve our company assets and report accurate financial results.
Prior to joining the East Tenth Group I worked for over 20 years in the U.S. Postal Service. The majority of this career was spent in senior administration—specifically operations and finance where I managed billion dollar budgets.

My function at East Tenth Group is similar to my work experience in the Postal Service. It also includes acting as a sounding board and advising company president, Michelle on financial matters related to strategic investments for advancing company growth and determining specific efficiencies for a fast growth professional services firm.

I graduated with a BBA in Finance from Iona College. Outside of work I am Michelle’s husband. I am an active hiker, cyclist, and avid fan of UConn women’s basketball. Michelle and I both love our dog Zoey, a Bernese mountain dog, who we think should be the company mascot.

JAMIE LEVINSON
My senior leadership roles in learning and development at TIAA-CREF, Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, and ACS (Xerox) Intellinex, (Formerly Ernst and Young) provide the foundation for my strength as an executive coach and leadership advisor. My signature presence carries a warm, relaxed, yet professional style, which creates a safe environment in which strong relationships are built. As part of the East Tenth Group team, I partner with leaders to generate solutions and strategies for greater impact, which contribute to bottom-line results.

I coach emerging and mid-level leaders and their teams, who are often managing through transitions, beginning new roles, moving into more senior roles, or taking on larger responsibilities. Through a powerful presence, listening, questions and feedback, I support leaders and teams to gain insight, develop new behaviors and achieve greater effectiveness. My practical, results-focused approach helps leaders and their teams eliminate ineffective behaviors and learn new ones.

I hold a B.S. in Education from The University of Maryland, and an M.S. in Applied Behavioral Science from The Johns Hopkins University. I have a professional coaching certification from iCoachNY at the Zicklin Business School at Baruch College, CUNY. I am certified in The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, the EQ- i2.0 and EQ 360 assessment.

I am a faculty member at the American Management Association where I teach at The Women’s Leadership Center. I am also a mentor with Women Unlimited, Inc., an organization that develops women leaders through mentoring, education and networking. I am a member of ATD NY, The Financial Women’s Association, The International Coaching Federation (ICF), and The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. I also serve on the board of All Together Now, an adoptee-led support group for adoptive families. I live with my husband and son in Brooklyn.

LINDSAY MILLAN
I am the Executive Assistant to the President and office manager for East Tenth Group. Along with keeping our president Michelle on schedule, I plan and coordinate the firm’s operations and administrative functions and assist in developing strategic plans that promote the company’s growth.

My responsibilities include managing the client database, maintaining client relations, general office administration, overseeing internal communications tools and preparing a variety of business material and presentations.

I began my career in the financial industry as a clerk at the American Stock Exchange, was hired full-time by a family owned brokerage-firm and worked my way up to a broker position; eventually moving operations to the New York Stock Exchange. In this job I traded 22 equities in an array of industries with market capitalization ranging from $200 million to $2 billion.

I then passed the Finra series 7 and NYSE compliance certification exam and worked as the firm’s compliance officer. In this capacity, I performed all compliance functions, monitored all trading of the firm, extracted data and created exception reports, updated manuals, revamped risk management rule 15c3-5 market access to abide by Finra standards and received, reviewed and responded to Finra inquiries.

I became Executive Assistant to the CEO of an investment banking firm within the same family of companies. In this role, I assisted senior-level bankers with complex loan applications, due diligence collection and retention. I also planned and coordinated the firm’s operations and administrative functions.

Throughout my career, my personal drive for excellence and determined spirit have led me to embrace challenges and take on difficult roles with a “can do” attitude. I reside in New York with my husband and our son and daughter. As a family, we’re committed to raising Autism Awareness and advocate for our son.

ROMANA B. MIRZA
I am a brand strategist and accomplished marketer. I specialize in working with professional service firms, manufacturers and design-based organizations in Canada and the US. As a senior, in-house marketing strategist I observed many companies adopting messaging and marketing strategies that did not authentically reflect the core values of the organization. This disconnect between the company’s message and its core essence negatively impacted these organizations. When I became a brand consultant in 2007 I developed a proprietary process to develop a brand from the inside out that harmonizes the two and significantly improves a company’s success.

I truly understand the struggle that leaders, visionaries, and management teams face in understanding brand strategy, from my own experiences. And, for ETG I am bringing together all aspects of marketing for our company through brand marketing and communications projects, tying together our digital efforts in an effort to expand our reach through the marketplace.

I completed my BA from the University of Waterloo and am currently completing my MA in fashion at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. My research is focused on exploring the intersectional identities of Muslim women in the West through modest fashion. I plan on continuing my graduate work challenging the hegemonic beauty and fashion ideals perpetuated in the fashion industry in 2019 as a Ph.D. student in the Communications and Culture graduate program jointly offered by York and Ryerson Universities, in Toronto, Canada.

BETH MORGAN
I have over 15 years of hands-on experience leading and supporting management teams in the execution of business strategies. Prior to becoming a consultant, I managed field and corporate Human Resources departments in the private sector. I am an expert at diagnosing organizational issues and driving change initiatives to achieve maximum return on human capital. When partnering with East Tenth Group clients, I bring a wealth of HR expertise to the table.

Most recently, I lead a national HR team within Operations, Technology, and Data at The Hartford Financial Services Group. In this role, I supported lines of business CIOs in the Group Benefits and Personal Lines insurance practices and designed and executed workforce strategies that delivered consistent business results.

As Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources, at Guy Carpenter which is one of the Marsh McLennan Companies, I was responsible for leading the HR team in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific Regions. I led a wide range of department initiatives including restructuring the HR organization. I also greatly expanded the company’s College Recruiting and Development program, now considered a benchmark within the reinsurance industry.

I have a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from The University of Connecticut. I also hold the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) designation and I am a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). My family and I live in Connecticut.

ANN PARKS
I am a former Fortune 500 senior executive, and now leadership advisor and executive coach. I apply this blue-chip business background to coach leaders and managers on how to perform at their highest potential. I believe everyone can leverage their natural talents and personality for business success by using principles of clear communication, effective collaboration, enhanced relationships, active listening and compassionate leadership.

I began my career as an Institutional Fixed Income salesperson, and for 10+ years specialized in selling high-grade debt for Merrill Lynch. My passion for developing talent led to a subsequent career leading the Learning and Development (L&D) divisions of JPMorgan, Citigroup and Lehman Brothers. I understand the challenges of heading geographically dispersed teams, managing complex technologies/ systems, merging divisions and motivating staff to become highly effective.

In the span of five years, I merged the L&D divisions for three separate investment bank acquisitions: Salomon/Smith Barney, Salomon SmithBarney/Citibank and JPMorgan/Chase. Downsizing, restructuring and creating merger synergies have allowed me to develop keen insight into change management practices.

An additional area of my expertise involves coaching high-potential women in highly competitive industries. I bring a unique perspective to these assignments because of my own, previous success and familiarity with issues that affect women in the workplace.

I hold a MEd from New York University and earned my BA from Drew University. I received my certification in Executive Coaching from iCoachNY and the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College. I am certified in Hogan, Workplace Big Five, DiSC, MBTI, and EQ-i/360 and also work with DiSC and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. I am a member of the Financial Women’s Association and the NYHRPS. I divide my time between New York City and Litchfield, CT with my husband.

JOHN SANCHEZ
I have over 15 years of experience in the human capital and organizational effectiveness areas working within the insurance, financial services, management consulting and luxury retail arenas. As an executive coach and organizational effectiveness professional, I help senior and emerging leaders maximize their professional effectiveness. I deliver value by helping clients identify measurable goals and outcomes within the contexts of the organizations they work in, and then target the behavior characteristics keeping them from achieving those endpoints. I employ a no-nonsense and no-excuses approach that is customized for each coaching and consulting client, and helps them practice and implement new behaviors that support the desired change.

John’s prior experience included work as a consultant and human resources professional in various capacities at Monitor Group (now part of Deloitte Consulting LLP), Millennium Pharmaceuticals (now Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company), and State Street Bank, among others. He brings deep experience in core HR competencies such as performance and talent management, Training & Development, and employee relations.

John received his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts. He is fluent in Spanish and is also an experienced facilitator. He is currently certified to administer the MBTI for individuals and teams, the Thomas-Kilman Conflict Mode Instrument, the Hogan HPI, HDS, and MVPI Assessments, and the Korn Ferry Assessment of Leadership Potential. John is also a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner and a Predictive Index Practitioner.

John is also a facilitator at the Columbia Business School MBA Recruitment Prep program and was a Student Advisor at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). In addition, he also serves the community in a pro bono capacity as an Account Director at the Taproot Foundation, where he leads teams of experienced Human Resources professionals to assist non-profits to develop their HR capabilities.