Our Community
At Toivoa Coaching Academy, we create a supportive community that goes beyond training—opening pathways to potential careers at our partner organization, Toivoa.
Our NBHWC-certified program is unique because it centers on connection, shared purpose, and ongoing support. We believe the heart of our community fosters lasting relationships, encourages collaboration, and empowers coaches to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in mental health.
- We’re in this together
- Students love our mentorship
- Support from start to finish
- Career Guidance
More Than a Program
We are more than a 28-week program — we’re a vibrant, supportive community transforming mental health coaching. At Toivoa Coaching Academy, you don’t just gain skills; you join a movement dedicated to making lasting impact. Our evidence-based training combines expert-led instruction with real-world experience, empowering you to become a confident, certified mental health coach ready to change lives.
But what truly sets us apart is our heart. We believe connection fuels growth. That’s why our graduates join a network of passionate professionals, opening doors to meaningful careers at our partner organization, Toivoa and beyond. This isn’t just education — it’s your pathway to purpose, belonging, and a future where your work truly matters.
Step into your potential. Join us, and be part of a community that champions your success every step of the way. Your journey starts here — and it’s only the beginning.
The Cohort Experience
Our cohort experience fosters deep connection, collaborative learning, and lasting support — so you grow alongside passionate peers every step of the way.
Nakia
“The feedback from our PSAs, so encouraging and motivating. Let us know we can do this work.
Maeve
“With my husband’s military schedule, I needed something that wouldn’t fall apart if we had to move.”
Ebony
“The program has been life-changing overall… Brenda is amazing and a breath of fresh air!”
Brittany
“This program has helped me trust my inner knowing while equipping me with practical tools.”
Our Faculty
Josh Winn
MS, NBC-HWC Faculty and Mentor
In addition to service as Faculty and mentor at Toivoa Coaching, Josh Winn, MS, NBC-HWC, ACSM-EP, is the Executive Director for Health Athlete at The Ohio State University. He provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a purpose-driven, holistic wellness initiative designed to help individuals optimize energy, enhance well-being, and live fully engaged lives. Josh is responsible for advancing the program’s mission, managing a multidisciplinary team, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based workshops and virtual series that align with the university’s wellness goals.
Christopher King
Mental Health Coach, NBC-HWC Executive Director, Faculty AND MENTOR
Mr. King is a board-certified mental health coach through the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), dedicated to supporting individuals managing anxiety, stress, and health-related life challenges. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and is currently pursuing graduate studies at the University of Maryland, with a focus on integrated approaches to health and well-being. He is also an employee of the VA in Orange, New Jersey, serving as an NBC-HWC coach for Toivoa's multi-site clinical study.
Linnea Fletcher
EdD, MSN, RN, NBC-HWC Faculty and Mentor
In addition to service as Faculty and mentor at Toivoa Coaching, Dr. Linnea Fletcher is a certified emergency nurse and a trauma certified registered nurse, for more than 25 years and continues to practice clinically in the emergency department at The Ohio State University. Recognizing the importance of patient-centered, holistic practice, Dr. Fletcher completed a graduate certificate in health and wellness coaching in December 2020 and is certified as a national board-certified health and wellness coach. In her continued quest for wellness, she has also reached the level of reiki master.
Samantha Gaies
PhD Faculty
Dr. Samantha Gaies is a NYC-based Clinical Psychologist with nearly 20 years of experience in clinical, counseling, consulting, and coaching. Through SGS Practices, she integrates mindfulness, CBT, ACT, positive psychology, and executive coaching to foster lasting change. Her expertise includes supporting individuals with disabilities, anxiety, stress, life transitions, insomnia, reproductive challenges, relationships, trauma, grief, and professional development. Dr. Gaies is also faculty at Toivoa Coaching and contributes to Toivoa’s digital health initiatives, including the development of Rauha. She offers individual/couples therapy, executive coaching, mindfulness training, and consulting.
Alex Kirk
PhD Faculty
Dr. Kirk is the Director of Clinical Science, Mental Health (VA & DoD) at Toivoa. With over a decade of experience, he provides comprehensive mental and behavioral healthcare, consults with agencies and communities, and delivers training, education, and supervision. His clinical and research expertise involves the development and treatment of severe psychopathology across adolescence and adulthood, encompassing diverse populations and interdisciplinary systems. A former Naval Medical Officer, he led the Behavioral Health Department for the Naval Hospital Jacksonville region and served as a subject matter expert to the Defense Health Agency in reforming military behavioral health systems. He currently serves on the clinical steering committee of the international Exposure Therapy Consortium, which promotes evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders. At Toivoa, he leverages this extensive background to advance mental health clinical science within Veterans Administration and Department of Defense initiatives.
Brenda Buffington
EdD, NBC-HWC, EP-C.
Dr. Brenda Buffington is a National Board- Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), a Certified Exercise Physiologist, and holds a Doctorate of Education (EdD). Before joining Toivoa Coaching as Head of our NBHWC program, Brenda served for eight years at The Ohio State University as the Executive Director of the Health Athlete Program, Assistant Professor for Health & Wellness Bachelor of Science program, the Lead Faculty for the Health & Wellness Coaching Graduate Certificate in the College of Nursing, and a Program Manager for Buckeye Wellness in the Office of the Chief Wellness Officer. Previous to The Ohio State University role, she was the Assistant Director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Brenda has been a health promotion and disease professional for nearly 40 years.
Our Board
Laura Randa
Board Chair
Laura Randa, CEO of Toivoa and Chair of Toivoa Coaching, leads the NBHWC-accredited Toivoa Coaching Academy, where she also serves as faculty. Beyond her work with Toivoa and Toivoa Coaching, Laura has served for five years on the American Association of People with Disabilities, as Secretary on its Executive Committee, and contributing to its Governance and Finance committee. She also mentors PharmD & MBA students at The Ohio State University, where she earned her BS in Education and spent a decade in public instruction for the State of Delaware.
Mike Bowman
Board Member
Mike is the Associate Director of the University of Delaware's
Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP) and
the State Director of the Delaware Small Business
Development Center (SBDC). Mike founded and is President
of the Delaware Technology Park, Inc. (DTP), a collaboration
between the State of Delaware, the University of Delaware and
private industry formed to launch and support technology
companies across a diverse group of industries. Prior to
leading DTP, Mike was a Vice President and General Manager
for E.I. duPont de Nemours and Advanced Material Systems
business unit, which developed more than 40 new
technologies for commercialization and grew to $1B in annual revenue.
Laurie Henneborn
Board Member
Lurie is a managing director in Accenture's Growth &
Strategy organization, driving research and thought
leadership efforts in areas such as talent, culture, inclusion
& diversity. As a person living with multiple sclerosis, Laurie
is an active writer and speaker on issues related to
disability inclusion in employment and society. Laurie also
sits on the Board for the AAPD and is a key member of
Accenture's global Disability & Neurodiversity Leadership
Council.
Matthew Gerber
Board Member
Matt is a Delaware attorney with extensive experience and a
special interest in working with non-profit entities on corporate
matters, including structuring and corporate governance concerns.
He also brings broad expertise from his work on a variety of other
corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and real
estate transactions. In addition to a law degree from the
University of Pennsylvania, Matthew has an educational
background that includes a Masters in Bioethics from the
Perelman School of Medicine and an undergraduate business
degree from the Wharton School with a focus on health care
management and policy, giving him unique insight and interest in
inclusiveness in healthcare and its intersection with law and ethics.
Michael Frank
Board Member
Michael Frank is the Deputy Chief Technology Oficer for the
Department of the Navy, responsible for identifying and
assessing emerging IT and cybersecurity technology for the
Navy and the Marine Corps. Prior to his D-CTO role, he was a
Principal with the Boston Consulting Group, leading strategic
consulting engagements across multiple industries including the
federal government, financial institutions, health care, and the
insurance industry helping senior leaders solve complex
technology problems facing their organizations. Maj. Frank is
also a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps Reserves,
currently serving with the Marine Innovation Unit, focused on
accelerating the development of
advanced capabilities
specifically related to cybersecurity. He holds a bachelor's
degree in accounting from Washington and Jefferson College,
an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of
Virginia, and a Master of Science degree in Information
Technology from Carnegie Mellon University.
Rita Landgraf
Board Member
Rita Landgraf, in addition to serving as faculty in our Continuing Education (CE) offerings for people with disabilities, is a Professor in Health Behavior & Nutrition Sciences at the University of Delaware and the Director of the Partnership for Healthy Communities. She is involved in their Health Coaching Certificate Program. Her distinguished career includes serving as Delaware's Secretary of Health and Social Services, with extensive experience in long-term care, healthcare, aging, and disability issues. Her work focuses on advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health.
Andrew Holbrook
Board Member
Andrew is Chief Accessibility Officer at Wells Fargo. He is the
first to hold this role after previously serving in multiple
leadership roles at Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase.
Throughout his 18-year career in financial services, Andrew has
been an advocate for people with disabilities. From 2021 -
2023 he was Enterprise President of Wells Fargo's Disability
Connection Employee Resource Network (ERN), having
previously served in multiple other ERN leadership roles both
at Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase. Prior to entering banking,
Andrew was an Assistant Professor at the University of New
Orleans, leading research and teaching classes in public
opinion and statistics. Andrew was born hard of hearing, for
which he has worn hearing aids since he was seven years old.
Real Talk: Coaching Blog
- All Posts
- Real Talk Coaching Blog
September 4, 2025/
Depression and Disability At Toivoa, we aim to support a wide range of different disorders, which we refer to as
August 23, 2025/
Anxiety and Disability: How Toivoa’s CBT Coaching Helps Regain Control and Confidence Anxiety is more than occasional worry—it’s a persistent