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Profile

Biography

Result-oriented and quality-driven change agent providing coaching, training, and consulting in the areas of individual and organizational development.

Motivated, personable and highly-organized business professional with a concentrated education in the areas of organizational behavior and change, learning theory, knowledge management, training and development, psychology, and coaching with particular focus on effectiveness, motivation, organization and communication skills.

Successful, 15-year track record working directly with CEOs and senior management in a variety of industries, and 9 years entrepreneurial experience as coach and trainer. Natural leader and facilitator, adept at fostering collaborative relationships in a team environment. Strong client/customer service focus, characterized by integrity and trust.

Solid project management, problem solving, research, writing, and communication skills. Talent for quickly mastering technology (proficient in full Microsoft Office Suite). Flexible and versatile, and able to maintain a sense of humor under pressure.

Specialties

Coaching (life, business, career), training and development, organizational behavior/change/development, learning theory, knowledge management, psychology, project management, meeting planning, communication, leadership, effectiveness, motivation, and organization skills

Websites

Judah Buddha (Blog)

Judah S. Kurtz | Coaching & Consulting

Research/Scholarship
Education

Year Degree Institution

2009 MS, Learning & Organizational Change Northwestern University

2006 Completed - Master's Degree Curriculum in Counseling & Organizational Psychology Adler School of Professional Psychology

2004 BS cum laude, Psychology and Organization Behavior Northwestern University

2003 Completed - Advanced Life Coaching Training Brande Foundation (Falling Awake)

2003 Certificate, Training & Development Northwestern University

2002 Completed - Team Management & Leadership Program Landmark Education

2002 Completed - Professional Coaching Training Coaches Training Institute

Internships

Design for America (Segal Design Institute, Northwestern University)
March, 2009 - June, 2009
Providing consultation (needs assessment, strategy development, vision/mission/values creation) to the start-up "Design for America" - a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach to social problem solving. Based in the Segal Design Institute (dedicated to the study of human-centered design) at Northwestern University.

Energy BBDO
January, 2009 - April, 2009
Development of competency model and performance management metrics and evaluation tool

GE Healthcare
January, 2009 - April, 2009
Development of "just-in-time" management effectiveness modules for use in online portal, training materials, and internal manager communications pieces.

Vantage Leadership Consultants (Formerly MICA)
November, 2008 - January, 2009
Research Associate: Talent Management, Leadership Assessment, Leadership Development

Service/Recognition
Community Service

2002 - 2008
Institutional Review Board - Howard Brown Health Center

2005 - Present Treasurer, Executive Committee Member - AIDS Foundation of Chicago Junior Board

Professional
Employment History

2004 - 2008 Assistant to President & CEO, GolinHarris
Chicago IL
• Team contribution and development of platforms and initiatives related to employee relations, internal communications, and marketing.
• Highly-organized project manager and event planner. Solo implementation of the global management leadership conferences and managing directors’ meetings.
• Trusted “right hand” to the President & CEO, providing expert organizational, communications and client relations support within this dynamic public relations industry leader.
• Spearheaded and managed design and rollout of Golinnovation blog website to highlight innovation, trends and resources within the organization and industry. Served as author and editor of content. Winner of PRSA Iron Anvil for 2006 Innovation of the Year. Finalist at 2006 PRWeek Awards for Innovative Program of the Year. Certificate of Excellence at 2005 SABRE Awards.
• Required exceptional professionalism and diplomacy, client/customer service focus, and proficient research, writing, and editing skills.

2000 Professional Coach & Consultant, Judah S. Kurtz | Coaching & Consulting
Chicago IL
(773) 529. 1688
Website: www.judahkurtz.com
Blog: www.judahbuddha.com
• Successfully coached dozens of long-term and project-based clients in the areas of business development, project management, career transition, goal setting and achievement, effectiveness, leadership, communication, personal growth, etc.
• Provide workshops in the areas of work-life balance, time management, organization, communication and visioning.
• Certified by Northwestern University in Training and Development
• Completed two distinct coaching training programs through The Coaches Training Institute (Co-Active Coaching Model) and Dave Ellis Leadership (Falling Awake Model).

1999 - 2002 Assistant to Chairman & CEO, RR Donnelley & Sons Company
Chicago IL
• Served as Chairman of Corporate Center Diversity Council, working as a team to create training, educational and cultural awareness and community involvement programs that inspire unity and an inclusive work environment among the diverse employee populations at corporate headquarters.
• Required superior abilities of organization, communications and project management, as well as a polished professionalism.
• Efficiently managed the internal office operations of the top executive of the $6 billion commercial printing giant.
• Assisted with community relations activities, including United Way/Crusade of Mercy campaign.
• Closely interfaced with senior level executives, Board members, clients and investors, and staff at all organizational levels.
• Able to be resourceful and creative in challenging situations, handling highly sensitive information and matters with professionalism.

1994 - 1999 Assistant to Chairman & CEO, Grubb & Ellis Company
San Francisco, CA / Northbrook, IL
• Assisted with the development and implementation of employee recognition, “corporate culture” and community relations activities. Managed investor relations projects.
• Planned and implemented annual shareholder meetings and quarterly Board meetings.
• Trusted provider of client service support; served as diplomat, liaison and resource to the senior management team and Board of Directors.
• Was requested to relocate to Illinois to professionally support the Chairman & CEO of the prominent commercial real estate services firm.
• Evaluation and negotiation of applicable vendor contracts.
• Audited and tracked legal billing for entire organization.
• Researched and prepared reports for actuarial studies.
• Assisted with planning and reporting of audits of global offices
• Single-handedly revised the Internal Audit Manager and Auditor Manuals.

Last Updated: 2009-08-26 17:52:52

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Year	Degree	Institution
2009	MS, Learning & Organizational Change	Northwestern University
2006	Completed - Master's Degree Curriculum in Counseling & Organizational Psychology	Adler School of Professional Psychology
2004	BS cum laude, Psychology and Organization Behavior	Northwestern University
2003	Completed - Advanced Life Coaching Training	Brande Foundation (Falling Awake)
2003	Certificate, Training & Development	Northwestern University
2002	Completed - Team Management & Leadership Program	Landmark Education
2002	Completed - Professional Coaching Training	Coaches Training Institute

2002 - 2008		Institutional Review Board - Howard Brown Health Center
2005 - Present		Treasurer, Executive Committee Member - AIDS Foundation of Chicago Junior Board

2004 - 2008		Assistant to President & CEO, GolinHarris Chicago IL • Team contribution and development of platforms and initiatives related to employee relations, internal communications, and marketing. • Highly-organized project manager and event planner. Solo implementation of the global management leadership conferences and managing directors’ meetings. • Trusted “right hand” to the President & CEO, providing expert organizational, communications and client relations support within this dynamic public relations industry leader. • Spearheaded and managed design and rollout of Golinnovation blog website to highlight innovation, trends and resources within the organization and industry. Served as author and editor of content. Winner of PRSA Iron Anvil for 2006 Innovation of the Year. Finalist at 2006 PRWeek Awards for Innovative Program of the Year. Certificate of Excellence at 2005 SABRE Awards. • Required exceptional professionalism and diplomacy, client/customer service focus, and proficient research, writing, and editing skills.
2000		Professional Coach & Consultant, Judah S. Kurtz \| Coaching & Consulting Chicago IL (773) 529. 1688 Website: www.judahkurtz.com Blog: www.judahbuddha.com • Successfully coached dozens of long-term and project-based clients in the areas of business development, project management, career transition, goal setting and achievement, effectiveness, leadership, communication, personal growth, etc. • Provide workshops in the areas of work-life balance, time management, organization, communication and visioning. • Certified by Northwestern University in Training and Development • Completed two distinct coaching training programs through The Coaches Training Institute (Co-Active Coaching Model) and Dave Ellis Leadership (Falling Awake Model).
1999 - 2002		Assistant to Chairman & CEO, RR Donnelley & Sons Company Chicago IL • Served as Chairman of Corporate Center Diversity Council, working as a team to create training, educational and cultural awareness and community involvement programs that inspire unity and an inclusive work environment among the diverse employee populations at corporate headquarters. • Required superior abilities of organization, communications and project management, as well as a polished professionalism. • Efficiently managed the internal office operations of the top executive of the $6 billion commercial printing giant. • Assisted with community relations activities, including United Way/Crusade of Mercy campaign. • Closely interfaced with senior level executives, Board members, clients and investors, and staff at all organizational levels. • Able to be resourceful and creative in challenging situations, handling highly sensitive information and matters with professionalism.
1994 - 1999		Assistant to Chairman & CEO, Grubb & Ellis Company San Francisco, CA / Northbrook, IL • Assisted with the development and implementation of employee recognition, “corporate culture” and community relations activities. Managed investor relations projects. • Planned and implemented annual shareholder meetings and quarterly Board meetings. • Trusted provider of client service support; served as diplomat, liaison and resource to the senior management team and Board of Directors. • Was requested to relocate to Illinois to professionally support the Chairman & CEO of the prominent commercial real estate services firm. • Evaluation and negotiation of applicable vendor contracts. • Audited and tracked legal billing for entire organization. • Researched and prepared reports for actuarial studies. • Assisted with planning and reporting of audits of global offices • Single-handedly revised the Internal Audit Manager and Auditor Manuals.