About Us - Company Overview
At Communication Matters, our sole focus is on improving individual and organizational effectiveness. We specialize in helping leaders and teams develop the skills, knowledge, and personal attributes they need to prosper in the increasingly demanding work world. We do this by offering executive coaching, leadership and communications training, and meeting facilitation services. We provide proven, results–oriented solutions to help individuals and teams develop leadership and communication capabilities. As a DC-based, women-owned business, our principal and associates have completed rigorous training programs, hold credentials from the International Coach Federation (ICF), and bring to their work a wealth of comprehensive corporate, non-profit, and government leadership experience.
We have worked successfully with many national and international private-sector, non-profit, and federal executives and teams. Our coaching, training, and facilitating have helped our clients produce remarkable results.
Communication Matters employs a proven approach to supporting clients and creating accountability. As a small company of highly skilled professionals, we are able to guarantee our clients a "what you see is what you get" service promise. Through a network of local and nationwide alliances with the very best associates, Communication Matters can put together the team that best meets the client's current needs. See Associates Bios below.
Principal Bio
Carol Vernon brings more than 20 years of professional experience working as a senior executive in the association, corporate, and government arenas to her coaching and training work. She understands firsthand the challenges of managing and leading in organizations as well as living a fulfilling life.
Ms. Vernon honed her executive skills in communications, project management, and organizational effectiveness across a number of different industries, including telecommunications, entertainment and broadcasting, and politics. She is certified in a variety of assessment tools, including 360s and team, behavioral, and personality tools. Her areas of coaching expertise are organizational and team leadership and individual and team communication. She currently works with a wide range of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, national associations, and government agencies. To see a partial client list and what our clients say, click here.
Ms. Vernon has trained and been certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF). She holds degrees and has done post-graduate work in English, Communications, and Organizational Dynamics. She serves in advisory board positions at the professional society level and teaches and coaches leadership communications at Yale's Campaign School for Women Leaders.
Affiliate Coaches
Lynn Drake began her consulting, coaching and training practice after a career that included serving as a Congressional press secretary, running a public relations agency with a wide client base ranging from economists to movies stars; and serving as Director of Communications for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for 12 years. As President of Drake Consulting LLC, Drake’s unique background allows her to bring a wealth of experience and practical knowledge into every client engagement. Drake's coaching practice helps individuals achieve positive change and growth in their careers as well as their lives.
She is certified by the International Coach Federation, and is also a certified retirement coach. In addition, she has a Master's Degree in communications, is certified in Workplace Mediation & Conflict Resolution and is an award-winning speaker.
Susan Henriques-Payne is a certified professional career and personal life coach with an extensive background in career management and human resources operations. Henriques-Payne’s professional background includes work as a career strategist, executive recruiter, diversity coordinator, and consultant for senior and mid-level professional and technical management employees in the education, professional development, transportation, energy and manufacturing industries.
She is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the Human Resources Association of the National Capitol Area and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the YWCA, National Capitol Area. Henriques-Payne holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Georgetown University and a Certification as a Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from the Coaches Training Institute. She prides herself on working to individualize client and organizational coaching to maximize his or her potential, develop a sound plan and build a strategy for success.
Cary Gray Kelly has worked in strategic marketing and organizational development for non-profits and business for 15 years. As President of Discovery Coach Inc, Kelly has specialized in board and executive leadership development and planning. Today, Kelly's practice focuses on coaching leaders and leadership teams including boards to development excellence in leadership in order to effectively manage times of discernment, growth and change. Kelly coaches emerging leaders; seasoned executives and business owners; and those in career transition. Her coaching results in success and satisfaction built on a resilient foundation of natural abilities, learned skills and passion.
Kelly is certified by the International Coach Federation and is a frequent and acclaimed speaker for groups of women leaders, business owners, and non-profits forums.
