Thera Rising got its start in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since then, it’s established a presence across the globe with skilled, enthusiastic trainers in the U.S., South Africa, Finland, England, Switzerland, and Norway.
Want to join the Thera Rising team? Check out our Certification in Workplace Conflict Resolution!
Core Staff
Over the last 35 years, Anna Maravelas has built a reputation for restoring trust, resolving conflict, and improving productivity in organizations and businesses across the globe.
Ben is a research and marketing associate at Thera Rising International. He conducts market and industrial research, collaborates on the development of marketing and design, and writes, researches, and edits articles along with conducting seminars and classes.
Nancy has had a life-long interest in leadership efficacy and has consulted with Thera Rising on several successful conflict resolution projects. Her role at Thera Rising includes partnering with other organizations to disseminate their material, leadership development, and supporting and advancing associate relationships.
International Associates
Winston has been practicing as a Management Consultant and Training Facilitator in South Africa since 1997. His fields of expertise include relational skills, conflict resolution, leadership development, and labour negotiations and mediations.
Bronwyn specializes in sales and customer service for Owen, Adendorff & Associates (Pty) Ltd. Her sense of “mission” and desire to make a difference in the South African society spurred her to forsake her high sales income in exchange for what she saw as being “work with meaning”.
Siphiwe Nkabinde began his career with Unilever, South Africa, during the days of Apartheid. He specializes in Employee Relations and Conflict Management at the shop floor level.
Tapio Sirén is our second international trainer. He holds a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering and is truly a global citizen having studied, worked and lived in Australia, Japan, and South Africa and finding himself at home in different cultural settings.
Paul has 15 years’ experience of leading a rich variety of corporate-level people development initiatives in an international environment. He has a particular passion for using live online learning (virtual classrooms) as a key element of development programs.
U.S. Associates
Julie’s work with Thera Rising was drawn from a desire to see organizations build stronger cultures of cohesiveness. Over the past 16 years, Julie has been partnering with organizations by coaching employees for excellence in people skills and leadership development.
Karen has over 30 years of experience in organizational development. She has used Thera Rising principles and concepts since 1990 in both her practice as an internal and external organizational development consultant and trainer.
Leslie Fiorenzo is Director of Employee Assistance Center, West Michigan’s oldest provider of employee assistance program services. She has over 30 years of experience as a human resources professional working in the automotive, distribution, and packaging industries.
Steve has over 25 years experience working as a therapist in mental health. He has a Master’s in clinical psychology and is a certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.
Mary has more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources with an emphasis in performance management and executive coaching and consulting. She currently serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Ebenezer, Part of Fairview Health Services.
As an experienced Learning and OD executive, Nancy has an extensive background in change management and is skilled at helping organizations integrate a customer-focused, systematic approach to improving individual, team, and organizational performance.
Sue has rich experience in bringing about individual change using cutting edge methodologies and she has been practicing Motivational Interviewing across many client populations since 1993. Sue is nationally sought for her dynamic and highly effective training and coaching skills.
Aurea is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Winona State University. She also currently serves as the Chair for the General Education Program Subcommittee.
Katie became aware of Anna’s program back in 2013 and has been strongly advocating to bring it to the Concord Hospital system ever since. Katie and her colleague Liz LaBonte have trained several work groups and over 100 employees.
Liz has over 20 years of experience in a variety of human resources roles. Currently she resolves employee relations issues, consults in evaluating and investigating employee allegations, and coaches managers to ensure that their decisions support the organizations culture, values and service behaviors.
Kalli is the owner of Executive Confidante, a family business advisor and executive coach. She specializes in family business advising, succession planning, executive coaching, and conflict resolution for individuals and teams to overcome habits of blame.
Pam is an internationally certified executive and leadership coach, organization development consultant, published author, business owner, and adjunct professor. She has over 30 years’ experience designing, developing, and facilitating personal and professional development coursework.
Nhia Vu is a senior Training, Development, and eLearning Specialist in Saint Paul, MN. She has over 10 years’ experience as a human resources development professional working in employee development services.
Pam Wyess is a certified Executive and Leadership Development Coach and a sought-after leadership trainer and speaker. She works with clients in a variety of fields, including healthcare, manufacturing, government, and higher education.
Having worked with Anna Maravelas since 2010 as a research assistant, Anna Williams became a certified trainer in 2016. She is excited to see the practical applications of research come to life in Thera Rising’s methods and training.
After 20 years in uniformed law enforcement, Dave now owns his own consulting company. He has worked with more than 350 agencies around the world as an executive coach, leadership instructor, keynote speaker, and international consultant supporting the law enforcement profession and the communities they serve.
Betty serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Ridgewater College in Wilmar, MN. Dr. Strehlow is the chief academic officer and provides leadership for many College functions and staff.
Crystal is the owner of South Creek HR LLC, a human resources consulting firm based out of Fairmont, MN. She has over 12 years of experience as a human resources professional working in the corporate industries of manufacturing, technology, and services.
Shawn is dedicated to helping her clients “enjoy the spotlight.” Her unique approach to communication comes from her classical theater training and 25+ years as a professional theater, voice-over, and on-camera actor.
Donna is the founder of Life Connections, a consulting company focused on building relationships and developing innovative residential finance programs. Her leading-edge residential finance programs transform enterprises while creating trust, creativity, and deeper engagement.