Who are Change Coaches? What do you do?
Change Coaches is a nationally recognized leadership development and coaching firm. We help organizations build inclusive, psychologically safe cultures that drive innovation and prepare leaders to succeed in today’s complex workplace.
LaTonya Wilkins, founder and CEO, is an ICF PCC-certified executive leadership coach, dynamic speaker, and award-winning author who helps leaders and coaches overcome workplace anxiety, embrace diversity, build authentic connections, and lead with impact. She is also an adjunct coach and MBA lecturer at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
What’s a trend or insight about leadership that might be interesting for the HR.Hackathon Alliance community?
Psychological safety is rapidly becoming the non-negotiable foundation for effective teams. Leaders who create environments where people feel safe to speak up see higher engagement, creativity, and resilience.
What’s a key takeaway from the #HRForLeaders HR.Hackathon that you supported as a sponsor partner?
A key takeaway is the power of leading below the surface—understanding and addressing the beliefs, emotions, and mental models that influence leader behavior and team dynamics. This deeper level of awareness is what Change Coaches is all about and is what builds resilience and trust, enabling teams to navigate complexity and drive lasting culture change.
What intrigues you about the application of design thinking in Human Resources?
Design thinking invites HR to approach challenges with empathy and curiosity, focusing on the real human experiences behind policies and processes. This mindset not only helps create solutions that foster belonging and psychological safety but also shifts HR’s role from enforcer to collaborator—empowering teams to shape a culture where everyone can thrive.
What else would you like for the HR.Hackathon Alliance community to know about Change Coaches or leadership?
At Change Coaches, we specialize in helping leaders build psychologically safe, inclusive cultures through coaching, workshops, and tailored leadership development programs. We believe leadership goes beyond surface behaviors—it requires addressing the underlying beliefs and emotions that shape culture and performance.
Feel free to connect with LaTonya Wilkins and Change Coaches on LinkedIn.