Founders and Management Team
CTI's co-founders and management team all share a common passion and vision for work that is meaningful and has a lasting impact. This common vision has attracted and united world-class professionals that come from a diverse variety of backgrounds who bring their own unique style and strengths to CTI.
Henry Kimsey-House, CPCC, MCC
Co-Founder & Director
One of the first professional coaches in the 1980s, Kimsey-House is the Co-founder and lead designer of the thought-provoking, experiential learning programs of CTI and the co-author of Co-Active Coaching, the best-selling industry bible, which will soon be out in its third edition. An actor since age nine, Kimsey-House honed his insights into human emotion and the narrative process through classical theatrical training and years of stage, television and film experience. With deep conviction that education should be driven by immersive, contextually based learning and not dry information dumps, Kimsey-House is committed to creating richly engaging and transformative learning environments where retention approaches 80% rather than the traditional 20%. He continues to develop new, innovative curriculum, collaborate with other dynamic thought leaders and is completing a book about transformative leadership. He lives with his wife, Karen Kimsey-House, on the coast of northern California.
Karen Kimsey-House, MFA, CPCC, MCC
Co-founder, CEO & Director
One of the earliest recognized luminaries in the coaching profession, Kimsey-House founded CTI in 1992 with Laura Whitworth and Henry Kimsey-House. They created the Co-Active philosophy of relationship that informs CTI’s world-renowned coaching and leadership programs. She also is the co-author of Co-Active Coaching, the best-selling industry bible, which will soon be out in its third edition. A successful entrepreneur, Kimsey-House founded and directed the Learning Annex San Francisco adult education program in 1986 and grew it into one of the most admired programs under the national Learning Annex brand. She received her MFA in Communications and Theater from Temple University in Philadelphia. Committed to pioneering Co-Activity in challenged environments and troubled populations, Kimsey-House continues to lead CTI workshops and is a dynamic keynote speaker around the world. On a mission of global, transformative change, she lives with her husband, Henry Kimsey-House, by the Pacific Ocean.
Shirzad Chamine
Chairman of the Board
Chamine joined CTI in 2002 because he recognized that coaching represented a powerful mechanism to enable individuals to achieve their personal and professional potential. He also saw CTI's unique Co-Active model as a powerful context for building more effective business relationships between employees, managers and organizations.
Prior to joining CTI, Shirzad founded MindSteps, Inc., the first web-based enterprise software for career development and performance management, used by companies such as Hewlett Packard, Wells Fargo Bank, Agilent and Visa International. Before founding MindSteps, Shirzad was a senior marketing manager and consultant to Hewlett Packard, Apple Computer, and Autodesk, Inc.
Shirzad has served as Visiting Professor of Interpersonal Dynamics at the University of San Francisco School of Law and facilitated Stanford MBAs in similar classes. He has also been a guest lecturer at Stanford’s Industrial Engineering program. Shirzad holds an MBA from Stanford University, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, and a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University.
Karl Sniady
President & Chief Financial Officer
Sniady was introduced to Co-Active coaching when he lived in Boston and hired a CTI-trained coach. Having had firsthand experience with how powerful the Co-Active model is, he was very excited to have the opportunity to use his professional skills in CTI’s Co-Active business environment. Sniady brings more than 25 years of executive experience to CTI. Since his early career as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand, Karl’s experience ranges from multinational and publicly traded companies to internet start-ups. Prior to joining CTI, Sniady was the CFO for MediaZone, a market leader in online video broadcasting and Performant Financial Corporation, a private equity-backed financial services company, and the EVP and CFO of S&H Greenpoints, a venture-funded B2B marketing loyalty company, and Trendlines Incorporated, a public company with annual revenues of more than three hundred million. He helped lead S & H from two million to 50 million in revenue. While at Trendlines, he successfully completed a secondary common stock offering, restructured its bank credit facility and was responsible for human resources, IT, distribution and call center operations. Prior to Trendlines, Karl was the CFO for Auto Source, Inc. and spent 10 years with two subsidiaries of Netherlands-based SHV where he held multiple positions.
Sniady received his MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, and completed his undergraduate work at the University of Cincinnati where he received his BS in Industrial Management. He has been married to his wife Gwendolyn for more than 30 years. His son Matt and daughter Maria live in Los Angeles.
Sabrina M. Roblin, CPCC
Vice President, Global Leadership Development
Roblin is responsible for curriculum development, operational matters as well as the hiring, retention and development of CTI’s faculty around the globe. Her past work experience includes management positions at Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Wells Fargo Bank and Broderbund Software. She is a graduate of CTI’s Leadership Program, has studied personal and collective leadership and cross-cultural wisdom with world-renowned author, teacher and corporate consultant Angeles Arrien. Her adventurous spirit has led her to participate in competitive ski racing, mountain climbing, skydiving, SCUBA diving and mountain biking. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she has traveled and lived in Europe and spent one of her college years at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Sabrina holds a Bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. Sabrina is also a board member of the Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO).
Mikell Parsch
VP, Global Sales and Chief Development Officer
A dynamic, global business leader and sought-after speaker, Parsch has a long, successful track record of growing and transforming companies. Before joining CTI in May 2011, she was the President and COO of Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training (RTCT), a diversity management consulting and training organization. Prior to that, she spent 13 years at the Franklin Covey Company, the leading global provider of learning and performance solutions for individuals and organizations, most recently as Executive Vice President and Organizational President. At Franklin, she transformed the Canadian operation into a successful model for International, took responsibility for the International Sales and Operations and focused on development of markets in Latin America and Europe.
Parsch was featured in Global Explorers, The Next Generation of Leaders, which recognized her entrepreneurial spirit and successful global achievements. Originally from Toronto, she received a degree in Business Management at Sheridan College and a Bachelor Degree in Sociology at the University of Western Ontario. An entrepreneur at heart, she owned and operated her own successful general contractor and maintenance firm. She also served as an independent business consultant and executive coach. Parsch is known for helping her colleagues discover capabilities beyond their imagination and her open, collaborative management style.
