Our Team

Malachi Pancoast

CEO and Founder

Malachi Pancoast has been coaching leaders to produce breakthrough improvements in performance, productivity and employee satisfaction for nearly 40 years. In 1986, Malachi founded his Burlington, Vermont-based management consulting firm, with a mission to make Vermont one of the top five economies in the world. His original client list included executives from well-known, Vermont-based brands including Vermont Teddy Bear, 7th Generation, House of Troy and Rhino Foods (the original supplier of cookie dough to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream). Malachi’s work with Rhino Foods earned the company “Vermont’s Small Business of the Year Award,” an honor that he and his client were bestowed in Washington, D.C. by then President George H.W. Bush. During this time, Malachi also started and hosted a decade-long radio talk show on which he interviewed business and government leaders who shared his economic vision. 

Malachi began applying his transformational management philosophy and practices to his work with school leaders in 1998. In 2001, he co-founded The Breakthrough Coach with his wife, Jill Pancoast. Over the past 25 years, their combined efforts have led to dramatic increases in student outcomes, staff satisfaction, retention, and the productivity of administrative teams in schools and districts where The Breakthrough Coach Program has been implemented.

An esteemed and sought-after presenter, Malachi has conducted transformational leadership seminars and training programs across the U.S. and internationally. His influential work has been widely applauded by prestigious audiences in various academic settings including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the University of Edinburgh, and the National Associations for both Elementary and Secondary School Principals.

Jill Pancoast

President

Jill Pancoast has been running her own consulting and coaching business since 1994. In 2001, she co-founded The Breakthrough Coach in collaboration with her husband, Malachi Pancoast, with the aim of adapting effective business management practices to the education sector. As co-author and presenter of The Breakthrough Coach’s Foundations Course, Webinar Series, Personal Coaching Program, and Podcast Support Series, Jill also trains and develops the company’s cadre of coaches and presenters across the U.S.

Jill has coached over 200 school administrators in the U.S. and abroad, supporting them as they produce breakthrough improvements in student outcomes while dramatically decreasing their workloads. With a strong sense of commitment and accountability, Jill consistently seeks the best in others and understands what motivates her clients to succeed. 

Jill is also a sought-after speaker at education conferences, having presented at the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of Supervisors and Curriculum Developers, and the European Council of International Schools.

Jill’s dedication to professional growth and results stems from her upbringing by two public school teachers who instilled in her the values of high achievement and personal balance. She continually incorporates play into learning both professionally and at home - a value passed on to her by her late father. These values, combined with her appreciation for transformational experiences, drives her approach to managing and operating The Breakthrough Coach. She is committed to ensuring that school administrators are not only high-performing, but that they too find joy and balance in their lives.

April Louris

Course Director and Executive Secretary

April Louris is a dynamic force who has always been a natural leader. Whether serving as class president or presenting as a corporate trainer, April thrives when learning new systems, implementing strategies, and creating deep relationships with colleagues and clients. April’s entrepreneurial spirit drives her to tackle challenges head-on and empowers others to thrive. Her ability to stay ahead of the curve, adapt and teach is a testament to her innate gifts, and passion for education aligns perfectly with the company’s mission.

As part of The Breakthrough Coach team, April’s creativity and experience shine. She has over 25 years of administrative and customer service experience working in both private and public industries, including the Greenville County Public School system in Greenville, S.C. April’s greatest asset is her natural ability to relate to and coordinate with both school administrators and executives alike. As The Breakthrough Coach’s Course Director, April draws on both her corporate and public-school experiences to create memorable and valuable events for TBC clients.

April began her career in 1997 as Executive Secretary to the President of Marketing at New England Financial. In this role, she also discovered her knack for teaching and public speaking, and frequently traveled throughout the northeast presenting customer service and technical training to the company’s sales force. 

After eight years working in the corporate sector, April and her husband settled in Greenville, S.C. where she raised a family, taught pre-K – 5th grades, and became president of her local elementary school PTA. When Jill Pancoast met April through a mutual neighbor, she hired April on-the-spot to be her personal secretary.

April attended Aquinas College in Boston, MA where she received an A.S. in Business Administration. She completed her B.A. at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, in 1997.

Barbara Weise

Financial Director & Registrar

Barbara Weise is passionate about empowering others to shine. With a deep commitment to spirituality and personal growth, she has found a family at The Breakthrough Coach where the team supports and challenges one another and their clients to reach their full potential. This collective team effort mirrors The Breakthrough Coach’s core purpose – a transformative journey of self, community and family, and celebrating each other's accomplishments.

Barbara manages The Breakthrough Coach’s finance and registration departments, ensuring that customers experience a seamless process in obtaining the professional development they seek. Before joining The Breakthrough Coach, Barbara served as Special Events Director at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, and in Sales Management at the Adams Mark Hotel in Jacksonville, FL. After her career in the hospitality industry, Barbara dedicated herself to raising her family while providing part-time financial services to small businesses throughout the Northeast.

Barbara firmly believes that The Breakthrough Coach is the ultimate place to work, with the best people and systems to provide an enriching learning journey for educational leaders. Her dedication to excellence and her role in streamlining The Breakthrough Coach’s back-office operations has made her an invaluable asset to the team.

Kathleen Greider

Coach

Kathleen C. Greider has distinguished herself as an influential leader in American education. She currently serves as Superintendent of Schools for Farmington Public Schools in Connecticut, a position she has held with distinction for over 15 years. With a robust career spanning more than three decades - including roles as a teacher, principal and deputy superintendent - Kathleen is deeply committed to fostering educational excellence and innovation.

Her journey in educational leadership began in an urban setting where, as a principal, she transformed one of her district's lowest performing schools into a beacon of academic success. Her dedication, however, came at a price. As a young principal and mother, she often worked late into the night - a practice she reevaluated feeling physically and mentally drained.

This experience led her to The Breakthrough Coach Program and to the implementation of TBC’s Fundamental Practices™, or as Kathleen likes to call it, “Transformational Balance and Coaching Principles.” The program not only revitalized her leadership approach, but also propelled her school to earn the prestigious National Blue-Ribbon status for significant improvements in academic outcomes.

As Superintendent, Kathleen continues to champion The Breakthrough Coach Program by making weekly visits to schools and classrooms to ensure that these values are embodied in every aspect of teaching and learning. In 2020, she earned the title of Connecticut Superintendent of the Year. Her visionary leadership, and implementation of student-led learning initiatives aligned with the district’s Vision of the Global Citizen, making her an unmatched candidate for the award.

Under her guidance, Farmington Public Schools has not only been consistently ranked among the top districts in Connecticut, but has also gained national recognition as a Harvard Deeper Learning District. This honor highlights the district's commitment to fostering innovative, collaborative, and systemic improvements that provide all students with deep learning experiences from PreK-12. Kathleen's unwavering dedication to educational leadership continues to shape the future of countless students, educators, and communities.

Lauran Hawker

Coach

With a celebrated career spanning three decades in the San Francisco Bay area, Lauran Hawker stands as a shining example of educational excellence. Her journey began in the classroom, where for 13 years she honed her craft as a teacher before scaling the ladder of administration. Over the next 17 years, Lauran’s leadership flourished across three distinctly different districts, a testament to her adaptability and vision.

A pivotal moment came in 2004, when Lauran embraced The Breakthrough Coach Program, a decision that would redefine her administrative ethos. As a district coordinator, she championed the program with such enthusiasm that she dedicated two full days every week to personally visiting each of her twenty-four schools. This hands-on approach catalyzed significant enhancements to the district’s K-12 English Learner and Secondary Literacy Programs, culminating in a district-wide surge in literacy test scores within a mere two years.

Lauran made another profound impact when she moved from the central district office to her first elementary school principalship and implemented The Breakthrough Coach Program. By integrating TBC’s Fundamental Practices™ into her school management style, she reinvigorated her school’s culture, increased staff satisfaction and retention, and oversaw huge gains in student achievement. Under her stewardship, this school and subsequent other elementary schools garnered several accolades including: National Model PLC School, California Golden Ribbon School, Distinguished 2015 California Honor Roll School, and a national award for significant student performance improvements from 2013-2015.

A U.C. Berkeley alumna, Lauran earned her teaching and administrative credentials from Sonoma State University and Chapman College, and an M.S. from the University of Michigan. Her professional ethos is rooted in a deep belief in the transformative power of education, a conviction that has propelled her through the challenges of both teaching and administration.

Lauran’s expertise is not merely academic. It is forged in the real-world crucible of educational leadership. Her skill set, enriched by the mentorship of Breakthrough Coach Co-Founder Malachi Pancoast, has empowered her to guide both children and adults with equal efficacy. In her various roles, Lauran has seamlessly integrated The Breakthrough Coach Program into her workplace, fostering a collaborative leadership dynamic and a culture of hands-on professional learning.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lauran is an avid hiker and a dedicated mentor. Her comprehensive approach to professional development involves the implementation of national professional learning models, all aimed at elevating school leaders and nurturing individual potential within the educational landscape.

Dr. Andy Johnsen

Presenter / Coach

Dr. Andy Johnsen is the Superintendent of the San Marcos Unified School District in San Marcos, C.A. His 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in both urban and suburban schools, and at every level of district administration, has made him passionate about the impact that school leaders can have on student success.

In 2002, during his first year as an elementary school principal, Andy was at his desk working, when he suddenly experienced a racing heartbeat and lightheadedness. He remembers almost losing consciousness! An emergency trip to the doctor revealed that he had suffered a stress-induced panic attack. The cause was simply from “burning the candle at both ends” for too long. Serendipitously, around that same time, he received a flyer for The Breakthrough Coach’s Foundations Course: “How to Work Less, Produce More, and Still Get the Job Done in a Sensible School Week.” He and his secretary enrolled, and the experience changed everything.

Andy has been practicing The Breakthrough Coach system for 22 years, both as a site principal and as a central office administrator, as well as in his role as Superintendent. This has allowed him to spend two days per week in classrooms and school sites observing instruction, coaching teachers and administrators, and gathering observational data for ongoing improvements. As a principal, his school twice received the Title 1 Academic Achievement Award, and the school's California Academic Performance Index reached an all-time high of 842! In 2015 he was named Principal of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators, and in 2023 he was named a Superintendent to Watch by the California School Public Relations Association.

He is a member of the International Coach Federation and is certified to coach instructional leaders in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and to build their capacity to deliver results.

Andy earned his B.A. from California State University, Long Beach, his M.S. in Educational Administration from Pepperdine University, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA.

Jeanette Johnson

Coach

Jeanette Johnson is a retired, Florida, school principal and a TBC Coach and Presenter. Her 34-year career as a teacher, program developer, and principal at both the high school and post-secondary levels has made her passionate about supporting educational leaders to grow and develop the adult learners in their organizations.

Jeanette was a fifth-year principal on the edge of burnout, living a life that consisted of 70-hour workweeks, daily Starbucks on-the-go breakfasts, and dinners picked up at drive-thrus, when a colleague recommended she enroll in The Breakthrough Coach Program. 

She describes her Breakthrough Coach experience as “life-changing.” Within one year of implementing The Breakthrough Coach system in her school, her work week dropped by 20 hours and she was spending two days every week out in classrooms. By the second year of TBC implementation, she was down to 45 hours a week and her school experienced huge increases in student success measures and enrollment. 

Over the course of her 10 remaining years as a principal, the high schools she led performed among the top 10% of all public high schools in Florida, students' participation in and achievement on advanced coursework (AP and dual enrollment) increased from 50% to 100%, and her postsecondary technical college ranked among the highest in the state for student performance on industry credentialing exams.

Jeanette graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University, and later earned an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. As a teacher she earned National Board Certification in English, and currently holds Florida educator credentials in English, Marketing, Educational Leadership, and Director of Career Education.

Dr. Cordell Jones

Presenter / Coach

Over the course of Dr. Cordell Jones’ 26-year teaching and school leadership career, he has been passionate about ensuring that every student in his charge has the best educational experience possible. His professional mission to eliminate performance gaps between student populations led him to spend 18+ hours every week, training and developing teachers to be exceptional at delivering instruction. 

As a TBC Presenter and Coach, Cordell continues to teach administrator-secretary teams how to thrive together, for the sake of their school communities, their students, and their personal well-being.

When Cordell took on his first elementary principalship in 2004, even with extensive preparatory experience, he found himself overwhelmed with paperwork and bureaucracy. He failed to get into classrooms and felt isolated from students. He rarely had time to provide professional development to his teachers and spent far too many hours working nights and weekends. He recounts bringing his two small children to work to build forts under his desk, while he spent Saturdays catching up. Ultimately, the innumerable hours led to frustration, resentment and severe stress, and he was unsure if he would continue in the profession which he resoundingly called, “the most important in the world.” 

Having observed his unhappiness, a colleague recommended he attend The Breakthrough Coach Foundation Course in 2005. Cordell credits this course with saving his career and his life. Post-course, he and his secretary implemented The Breakthrough Coach school management system and the rest is history! 

Within 18 months, student achievement in his school soared! Achievement gaps between Anglo and Hispanic students, as well as between Socio-Economic and Non Socio-Economic students shrunk to single digits. In 2012, his campus earned recognition as a top San Antonio public school. That same year, Cordell was identified as a leading South Texas elementary principal, and one of Texas’ top five elementary principals statewide. 

Cordell served on the national executive board of the School Leaders Network from 2008-2013. From 2013 to 2015, and again in 2017 he taught and mentored aspiring administrators at Trinity University. He has served in leadership roles with the Texas Elementary Principals Association, the Alamo Area Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Destination Imagination.

Cordell holds a B.A. in Political Science from Davidson College, a M.A. in Teaching and School Administration from Trinity University, and a Ed.D in School Administration from Texas A&M University. Through it all, he has managed to stay happily married to his wife, Catherine, for over 30 years, and is the proud father to two successful adult children, Landon and Caspin.

Amy Mims-West

Coach

Amy Mims-West is an accomplished education professional with a diverse background. Her various titles include Special Education Teacher, Special Education Specialist, Principal, Executive Director, Deputy Chief of Curriculum & Instruction, and Chief of Schools. With a passion and proven track record for enhancing student achievement, Amy has led transformative efforts in a variety of educational settings. 

From improving performance in high-poverty schools to developing comprehensive network infrastructure and accountability systems, Amy’s strategic leadership has enabled her schools to find success and surpass performance targets. Everywhere she has served, Amy has spearheaded groundbreaking strategic initiatives, and provided expertise in instructional design and professional development which has generated exceptional academic outcomes for students and earned national recognition. 

Early in her career, Amy served as principal of two highly-challenged South Carolina schools. During the summer of her second year, she found herself lying on the floor of her office, crying to her mother on the phone that she had lost all control of the job. In her mind, there was no way she could continue to work the way she had been working. That same day a Breakthrough Coach promotional piece landed on her desk, and she enrolled in the Foundations Course. After completing the course, Amy was SOLD and has integrated The Breakthrough Coach system into every one of her subsequent positions and districts.

She attributes her early career success in South Carolina to The Breakthrough Coach. Under her leadership, her teams’ efforts resulted in significant increases in student achievement. These increases are all framed in an innovative, child-centered culture that positively impacts entire communities. 

In 2008, Amy was recruited to join Chicago Public Schools as the district’s Deputy Chief of Curriculum and Instruction, and later as Chief of Schools for CPS’ largest geographic region. Her efforts led to statistically significant increases in grades 3-8 literacy and math. While in those roles, she introduced the entire CPS system to The Breakthrough Coach as a means of empowering the district’s instructional leadership focus. 

In 2014, Amy returned to Charleston, S.C. as Executive Director of the Meeting Street Schools Network, an innovative non-profit that collaborates with families and communities to create unique environments where children, regardless of socio-economic background, can receive a rigorous education and reach their full potential. While at Meeting Street, Amy’s schools earned national recognition, including the National Blue-Ribbon Award of Excellence. 

Amy holds a B.A. in Special Education from the College of Charleston, an MAT in School Administration from Converse College, and an ED.S in Educational Leadership from USC.

Tom Rooney

Coach

Tom Rooney’s journey from aspiring businessman to highly respected educational leader is a testament to the power of self-discovery and dedication. Born into a large family where education was a way of life, Tom’s initial pursuit of business and wealth took a detour after a transformative experience in Yosemite National Park. With a business degree and future career in real estate in mind, Tom’s pursuit of riches was interrupted by a profound epiphany amidst nature’s greatness. It was there that he rediscovered his true calling: to nurture and guide young minds as a teacher and principal.

From the halls of business schools to the trails of Yosemite, Tom’s path to educational leadership was as unconventional as it was destined. Raised as one of fourteen children by an elementary school principal father, Tom’s upbringing instilled a love of learning. His father’s exemplary role in education and the familial atmosphere of school environments left an indelible mark on him. Embracing The Breakthrough Coach’s philosophy, Tom integrated its principles into every facet of his life, ensuring that his own seven children - and the many students and educators he influenced - never felt a deficit of his presence or passion.

Today, Tom stands at the helm of Lindsay Unified School District in California, where his 17-year tenure as Superintendent has revolutionized the K-12 Performance-Based System. His storied career spans roles from elementary teacher to Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, each step furthering his expertise in personalized learning and systemic transformation.

As a co-founder of the Learner Centered Leadership Lab and a seasoned practitioner of The Breakthrough Coach system, Tom’s influence extends beyond Lindsay USD. His commitment to learner-centered leadership and educational innovation has earned him national recognition, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern education.

For Tom, every day is a testament to the fulfillment that comes from living one’s mission. His belief that every child should feel deeply loved is the cornerstone of his approach, both personally and professionally. Through his work, he continues to spread The Breakthrough Coach’s mission, touching the lives of executive leaders, educators and students alike, and ensuring that his legacy of love and learning endures.

Dr. Dana West

Coach

Dr. Dana West serves as a TBC Coach. She is passionate about supporting clients to produce breakthrough results in student performance and credits much of her professional success to being a Breakthrough Coach practitioner. 

Dana’s professional life transformed 20 years ago when she met at her school office with TBC President, Jill Pancoast, for a coaching session. Ms. Pancoast, unimpressed with the state of Dana’s immediate surroundings, grabbed the keys to Dana’s truck and ordered all who were present to move everything out of the space and into her vehicle to be taken home.

After the experience of really cleaning out her office, Dana’s career took off! Liberated from the front office and freed up to coach teachers, student outcomes in her building soared. Others in her regional area took notice, and in nine short years, Dana became Superintendent of Amarillo ISD, the 4th largest school district in Texas. 

Dana is a seasoned professional who understands building and leading large organizations. As Amarillo ISD’s superintendent, she collaborated with her team to create a district-wide culture of academic achievement. Her efforts resulted in a 143% increase among Amarillo’s high schoolers in the number of 3s, 4s, and 5s scored on Advanced Placement exams. Amarillo’s students’ SAT mean scores increased by 27 points during her tenure. 

Before retiring, Dana was the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in Carrolton-Farmers Branch ISD, a Texas school district of 24,000 students, where, despite a global pandemic in 2020, the number of campuses with A/B ratings rose from 25 to 32. 

Dana graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wayland Baptist University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Administration from Wayland, and received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas Tech University. She holds Mid-Management Administrator and Superintendent certifications.

Through her incredible professional journey, Dana has managed to stay happily married, raise children and grandchildren, and maintain her joyful disposition.