Leadership Consultants

Farid is an accomplished consultant, psychologist, teacher, and leader. Farid is fluent in Spanish and English and has helped business leaders be more effective in cross-cultural communication. He is also skilled in customer service, sales, marketing, training, counseling, and translating.

Farid has worked for multinational firms, including Ford Motor Company, and in academics, hospitality, and retail. He is a skilled consultant/trainer and translator/interpreter, specializing in product knowledge and customer loyalty. Farid’s command of four languages positions him well to provide training and facilitation services in multiple languages and countries, adding another level of service to Pondera’s repertoire.

Farid received a Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in Spanish at Grand Valley State University. He also holds a Master of Science and a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education Counseling from Grand Valley State University. Additionally, he has a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Western Michigan University.

Farid currently lives in Miami, Florida, where he is in close proximity to his second home on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Office: 616.956.3410 Cell: 305.332.4603
Email: [email protected]

Greg works closely with Pondera’s consultants and clients by managing projects and delivering services. He has amassed a wealth of experience throughout his tenure with Pondera in the key service areas of Team Effectiveness, Coaching, Candidate Selection, and Planning Facilitation. Consultants and clients alike know they can count on him to take care of matters.

Greg received a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University and is certified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Instrument. He is currently in the Masters of Social Work program at Western Michigan University.

Greg lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Rachael, their two kids, Zoey and Simon, and their dog, Hermione. They enjoy spending time walking their neighborhood, visiting with family and friends, working on their house, and attending University of Michigan football games. Greg has played hockey since he was 4 and continues to play with his friends weekly.

Office: 616.956.3410 | Cell: 616.881.2532
E-mail: [email protected]

Professional Experience

Karen Kent VanGorder, MD practiced and taught family medicine and obstetrics for 20 years in Lansing, Michigan.  She next spent 10 years in leadership roles, finishing her career as the Chief Medical and Quality Officer for Sparrow Health System, and retired in 2022.    During her tenure she led the health system’s efforts to successfully care for the mid-Michigan community during the pandemic.

Consulting Expertise

• Other Centered Communication Skills Workshops
• Medical Communications Skills
• 1:1 Coaching for Professionals with inconsistent communications excellence
• Emotionally Sensitive Communications Skills
• Preventing and Addressing “Burnout”
• Physician Onboarding
• Leadership Development and Succession Planning

Education and Training 

Dr. Kent VanGorder has a BS in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University, an MD from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, and a Fellowship in Education.  She continues to hold a medical license and is Board Certified in Family Medicine.

Personal Information

Dr. Kent resides in East Lansing MI and part time in Naples, Florida, together with her husband Allen.  They have two adult children, Ben and Grace.  Karen and Allen are avid golfers, enjoy fishing, hiking, skiing and traveling.  Karen also is a knitter and admirer of music.

Office: 616.956.3410 | Cell: 517.881.8563
E-mail: kkentvangorder@ponderaadvisors.com

“Jackie” is a talented executive, board member, consultant, and entrepreneur. She has served the education community for over 25 years including positions of VP for College and Community Relations, a Provost, a Chief Operating Officer, a VP of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, a VP of Development, and as a President. Jackie’s work as an executive was with the following colleges and universities: Davenport University, Community College of Alleghany County (PA), Fulton- Montgomery Community College (NY), and Lansing Community College. Prior to joining Pondera, Jackie founded and operated her own consulting firm.

Jackie obtained her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in College & University Administration from Michigan State University. She is certified to administer Myers Briggs Type Assessments and has published articles and made presentations on Leadership Development, Organizational Change, Total Quality Management, Diversity, and Multicultural topics. She has received numerous awards for leadership, excellence and achievement, including Distinguished Alumna Awards from Lansing Community College, Aquinas College, and MSU.

Jackie lives in the Greater Grand Rapids area where she demonstrates her passion for building strong communities through her work as past president of the Downtown Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and by current and past service on the boards of YMCA of Grand Rapids, ATHENA International, the Michigan Women’s Foundation, Michigan Habitat for Humanity, the Heritage Hill Board, Michigan Nonprofit Association and Michigan Campus Compact among others. Jackie is an ardent supporter of Michigan State University and its academic and athletic programs.

Office: 616.956.3410 | Cell: 616.446.8060
E-mail: [email protected]

Olivia joined the Pondera team as an intern in college and has since spent years learning from the firm’s partners and consultants. Today Olivia brings this depth and breadth of understanding to all aspects of Pondera’s business functions. Her client experience includes Candidate Selection, Hiring and Onboarding, Team Effectiveness & Alignment, and facilitating Pondera’s Certified Interpreter Training. Outside of client work, Olivia works behind the scenes enhancing content for the Pondera® Virtual Advisor and the functionality of its online system.

Olivia graduated from Kalamazoo College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Spanish with a minor in Psychology.

Olivia lives downtown Grand Rapids and enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and spending time on the beach with friends and family in Grand Haven.

Office: 616.956.3410
E-mail: [email protected]

Keith enjoyed a distinguished career as an executive in Higher Education with leadership positions at University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Michigan State University, where he most recently served thirteen years as Executive Director of the MSU Alumni Association. He possesses a wealth of experience in group dynamics, gained serving on boards of directors of several local, regional, and international organizations. Pondera’s clients benefit from Keith’s passion to advance the effectiveness of leaders and the teams they lead.

Keith is a native of the British territory of Bermuda, and ventured to Michigan to complete undergraduate and graduate work at Michigan State University. Keith is certified to administer Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessments and brings a unique perspective to Pondera with his fluency in several languages and extensive international experience from worldwide work and travel. Keith holds an extensive list of special honors and professional memberships.

Keith is enjoying life with his wife Nicole, and their three children, Jonathan, Mckenzie, and Brooklyn. He is actively involved in the community through membership on boards of directors of several organizations. He proudly serves as a mentor for Kids Hope USA representing Oneida Church to mentor a young student in the Grand Ledge School System.

Office: 616.956.3410 | Cell: 517.290.5684
E-mail: [email protected]