FOUNDER
Malika Begin
Malika has worked in organization development for more than a decade, partnering with startups and established brands in tech, marketing, and entertainment to create award-winning culture. Through her company, Begin Development, she designs transformational learning experiences, builds integrated leadership and manager programs, facilitates company-wide development, and coaches professionals with a strengths-based approach. She is passionate about helping teams remove barriers, strengthen organizational health, and build resilience. Malika created the signature eight-month COLLAB Leadership Development program for leaders at all levels and loves building initiatives that support mentorship and elevate underrepresented voices. She believes empowering and growing talent is the ultimate advantage — and her mission is clear: to build leaders who make every room better by being in it and help people bring their best selves to every space they enter.
-
Corrie Napier
Principal Consultant
Corrie is a conflict consultant, trainer, mediator, and international education professional who helps individuals and organizations navigate conflict and strengthen communication. Trilingual and drawing on more than a decade of experience living and working across China, Argentina, and Israel, she brings a truly global perspective to her work. Corrie holds a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law and is recognized for her ability to turn challenging dynamics into opportunities for growth, collaboration, and problem solving.
-
Bridgette Nelson
Principal Consultant
Bridgette is an organizational strategist and facilitator who helps companies strengthen performance by building cultures where people feel connected, valued, and motivated to contribute their best work. With a background in business and leadership development, she designs organizational strategies that align culture with business priorities and drive results. Bridgette is passionate about creating environments of belonging and engagement, helping leaders tap into the full potential of their teams. She specializes in capacity building, participatory facilitation, performance management, and coaching, guiding organizations to grow in ways that are both impactful and sustainable.
-
Lynette Marroquin
Assistant
Lynette is a values-led assistant and business strategist who keeps us running with clarity and ease. She designs sustainable systems and mindful workflows that allow the team to focus on delivering breakthrough experiences for clients. With her intentional approach, she brings order to complexity and ensures every engagement runs smoothly from behind the scenes. Lynette’s ability to create rhythms that foster efficiency, alignment, and calm adds immeasurable value to both the company and the clients we serve.
-
Caitlin Robertson
Principal Consultant
Caitlin Robertson is an energetic leader with experience building and scaling teams that drive profitable growth, cultivate authentic relationships, and deliver best-in-class creative offerings for brands like Disney, Google, Amazon, NBC, Warner Brothers, Timberland, Mary Kay and more. She is passionate about equipping managers to lead engaged, innovative and effective teams. Caitlin graduated from Pepperdine University with an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications. Caitlin has been honored as a Cynopsis Media Top Woman in Digital.
-
Cecily Breeding
Principal Consultant
Cecily has been part of Begin Development since its very first days — sitting at the kitchen table helping shape the brand, voice, and vision that guide our work today. A creative force and trusted thought partner, she is the expert behind much of our design, branding, photography, and visual storytelling. As a facilitator, DiSC Certified Practitioner, and 5 Behaviors expert, Cecily helps leaders and teams build emotional intelligence, increase motivation, and navigate conflict with clarity. Known for creating sessions full of energy and possibility, she blends strategic insight with creativity to help people grow and teams thrive.
-
Melissa Bruna
Accounting
Melissa specializes in payroll, sales tax, income tax and we are thankful she works her numbers magic to keep everything running smoothly. She earned both her BA and her MA from Kansas State University in accounting. Melissa is currently involved as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a current member of the Waterville Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Board Treasurer. Melissa was recently elected to serve as a Greenleaf City Council member.
-
Kate Pauley
Events
Kate is an experience designer and facilitator who creates meaningful moments that inspire connection, creativity, and collaboration. With a background in marketing and a refined eye for design, she brings both strategic insight and aesthetic excellence to every project. Kate is known for leading with heart and wisdom, and for her ability to draw out the best in people through experiences that feel both intentional and unforgettable. As a strategic partner to Begin Development, she helps organizations craft gatherings that strengthen culture and leave a lasting impact.
-
Christopher Collins
Assessment & Analytics
Christopher earned his doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA and is now a Professor in the Business Division at Pepperdine University. Christopher helps leaders understand how individual talents fit into the larger system, enabling organizations to thrive. He has advised and studied organizations worldwide, from the World Bank and USAID to major players in entertainment, healthcare, education, and philanthropy, to strengthen culture, align people and strategy, and promote lasting organizational health.
-
Alexander Jun
Assessment & Analytics
Alexander is a researcher and analyst who brings deep expertise in assessment, data, and organizational analytics to support Begin Development’s work. With a PhD from the University of Southern California, he uses evidence-based insights to inform strategy and drive meaningful change. Alex is skilled at conducting interviews, analyzing data, and translating research into actionable findings that help organizations strengthen get results. His ability to blend rigor with empathy makes him an invaluable partner in uncovering what matters most to people and organizations.
-
Emma Parkerson
Executive Consultant, SDI
Emma is an organization development consultant, designer, and facilitator who helps teams and communities find connection and clarity in the face of complex challenges. With more than 15 years of experience working across systems nationwide, she has supported leaders in bridging research, practice, and policy to create meaningful change. Emma partners with social sector organizations to address systemic problems with strategies that honor both process and people, and she is known for her quiet confidence, inclusive approach, and thoughtful eye for design. Her strengths of analysis, reflection, and inclusivity shine through in her ability to guide groups toward shared understanding and lasting impact.
-
Ke Wu
Executive Consultant, SDI
Ke is a continuous improvement advisor and facilitator who helps organizations uncover deeper patterns in their systems and design pathways to lasting change. With experience supporting communities across the US and internationally, she has guided organizations through persistent challenges by combining practical improvements, applied research, and community organizing. Ke partners with leaders to address complex issues and strengthen the impact of their work, bringing a rare blend of analytical insight, adaptability, and respect for the lived experiences of individuals and communities. Clients value her ability to balance a clear focus on results with compassion, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in what is possible.
-
Kailey Howell
Creative
Kailey is a creative force behind some of the most compelling visual storytelling in media today. With more than a decade leading breakthrough creative direction, she has a rare talent for transforming ideas into elevated, inspiring brand experiences. At Begin Development, Kailey brings her signature vision and creative magic to every detail, from visuals and messaging to the materials that move leaders and teams. Her work ensures that every tool, session, and experience feels not just professional, but unforgettable.
-
Michael Fischer
Principal Consultant
Michael is an experienced global talent and organization development leader who has built his career helping companies strengthen organizational capability through strategic HR leadership, talent management, and large-scale change. He has held senior leadership roles in industries including food service distribution, energy, chemical manufacturing, and consumer products, where he has built strong teams and delivered practical, high-impact solutions. Michael holds a Master’s degree in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and continues to teach in the program worldwide.
-
Pilaar Terry
Strategic Communication Specialist
Pilaar is a strategic communications leader and trusted advisor who helps organizations navigate complexity with clarity, creativity, and cultural intelligence. With expertise in business strategy and client partnership, she brings a future-focused perspective that challenges conventional thinking and inspires bold action. She is committed to creating environments where diverse voices are valued, and brings that vision into every collaboration. As a strategic partner to Begin Development, she contributes her insight on storytelling, culture, and connection, helping leaders and teams amplify their impact in meaningful ways.
-
Heather Sundell
Copywriter
With 15+ years of experience shaping digital narratives for global brands and executive leaders, Heather is a seasoned communicator and thought leadership strategist who leverages storytelling to drive business impact. She holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from USC and M.A. in Positive Organizational Psychology & Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University, with continuing Ph.D. studies in the same field. Her research explores the power of micro-storytelling and the role of mastery in shaping workplace engagement and performance.
-
Holly Mandel
Public Speaking Coach
Holly is a leadership facilitator and public speaking coach who helps individuals and teams communicate with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. With more than 20 years of experience in improv and leadership development, she empowers leaders to move through fear, own their voice, and connect with impact. At Begin Development, Holly specializes in public speaking as a practice of presence, adaptability, and genuine human connection, guiding clients to engage audiences in ways that are memorable and real.
-
Sharita Wilson
Public Speaking Coach
Sharita is a seasoned public speaking and professional coach with more than 25 years of experience helping leaders communicate with clarity and impact. With a Master’s in Speech Communication and a background spanning entertainment publicity, higher education, and workshop facilitation, she empowers clients to find their authentic voice, craft compelling presentations, and speak with confidence. Sharita is known for her ability to connect deeply and make clients feel truly valued.
-
Ashlee Sikorski
Principal Consultant
Ashlee is a PCC-certified coach and Enneagram practitioner who helps leaders and teams deepen self-awareness, strengthen connection, and navigate complex dynamics with clarity. Trained at the CP Enneagram Academy and grounded in a background of cultural anthropology, higher education, and community development, she brings both intellectual rigor and creativity to her coaching and facilitation. At Begin Development, Ashlee integrates the Enneagram into leadership development, team building, and organizational growth, guiding people to understand their core motivations and show up with greater authenticity and impact.
-
Milena Garrido
Principal Consultant
Milena is a bilingual, data-driven organizational development professional with more than a decade of experience in facilitation, instructional design, leadership enablement, and enterprise learning strategy. Skilled at creating engaging, business-focused learning experiences, she leverages learning platforms and virtual tools to solve complex challenges and empower employees at every level. Known for thriving in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, she partners with leaders to strengthen culture, build high-performing teams, and drive meaningful organizational change.
-
Barbara Torres
Principal Consultant
Barbara is a leadership development strategist passionate about unlocking potential in people and organizations. She designs programs that expand opportunity, visibility, and growth — especially for women navigating complex corporate landscapes. Blending strategic insight with a deep commitment to inclusion, she helps leaders rise with confidence and builds cultures where diverse talent thrives and innovation accelerates.
-
Karlyn Mattson
Principal Consultant
Karlyn Mattson is a seasoned executive coach and former senior retail leader who has guided top teams at Target, Amazon, Macy’s, and GNC. Drawing on decades of experience leading complex organizations through growth and transformation, she now partners with executives to unlock innovation, build resilient teams, and design purposeful next chapters in business and life. Recognized as a Top Woman in Retail by the Women in Retail Leadership Circle, Karlyn brings strategic clarity, operational expertise, and a deeply human approach to mentoring and developing high impact leaders.
-
Ava Bondi
Intern
Ava is a student at Pepperdine University studying Integrated Marketing Communications and already making her mark as a creative leader and brand storyteller. She has experience supporting operations, e-commerce, and digital marketing for growing businesses, helping shape visual identity, online presence, and customer engagement strategies. On campus, Ava serves as President of Pepperdine’s Student Wellness Advisory Board, leading initiatives that strengthen student life and well-being. Passionate about brand development and digital storytelling, she combines creativity with precision, turning big ideas into meaningful, beautifully executed experiences that connect people and inspire action.
-
Taylor Wooten
Intern
Taylor is a student at Pepperdine University studying Psychology and Sociology, passionate about helping people thrive. She has experience in coaching, student development, and event programming, supporting personal growth and well-being across the campus community. Known for creating meaningful connections and fostering inclusive spaces, Taylor has contributed to initiatives that strengthen community ties and enhance the student experience. With a focus on human development and empowerment, she is building a career dedicated to helping others grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
-
Claire Taylor
Intern
Claire is a junior at Pepperdine University studying Communication on the Pre-Law track, where she blends her love for storytelling with a strategic approach to media and messaging. As Pepperdine’s Social Media Intern, she brings creativity and insight to digital engagement, helping shape authentic online narratives that connect and inspire. Passionate about communication, advocacy, and brand storytelling, Claire is eager to grow her skills in content creation and digital strategy while contributing to Begin Development’s mission of purposeful, people-centered growth.
Begin Development consultants bring certified expertise to the table.
