Rockhurst University | Learning, Leadership and Service in the Jesuit Tradition

Who We Are: Consultant Biographies

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Dan Jensen, MBA, MSOD – HCPD Director

Mr. Jensen serves as the Director of the Helzberg Center for Professional Development. As an executive coach, educator and organization development professional, he has an extensive background in leadership training and development, team building, organizational needs assessment, organizational systems development, strategic planning and rapid-growth entrepreneurship. His primary focus is working with executives, organizational leaders, and technical professionals to effectively manage their long-term development and careers.

Prior to the Helzberg Center, Mr. Jensen facilitated learning experiences internationally for the Fuji-Xerox Leadership Institute, and across the United States for NATO, the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cisco Systems, MetLife, Motorola, Staples, and other major corporations, non-profits and governmental agencies. Mr. Jensen received his MBA from Rockhurst University, his M.S. in Organizational Development from the American University National Institute, and has continued doctoral research at Benedictine University and the University of Missouri.

Carol Cobb, M.S.S.W. - Senior Professional Development Consultant

Ms. Cobb brings to the team more 30 years of organizational development consulting experience in business (including major league baseball), nonprofit organizations, and the public sector. Her focus is leadership development, assessment, and consulting with organizations in the community. She has vast experience in the areas of change and succession management, organizational structure and design, executive assessment and coaching, strategic planning, performance management, and group facilitation. Additionally, Carol coaches Executive MBA students at Rockhurst University.

Ms. Cobb was one of the first employees of the Ewing Kauffman Foundation, where she directed the organization development function for nearly 10 years, and then led the start-up of The Kansas City Forums (an innovative community engagement program). She has also served as a Director of Human Resources, and has taught graduate courses in organization development, leadership, management, human resources, and psychology. Ms. Cobb has degrees in psychology and sociology from Northwest Missouri State University and social work from the University of Kansas. Additionally, she has continued education at many universities, including the Center for Creative Leadership at Harvard University. She is past chair and a founding member of the Leadership Learning Community, and has served on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board of Ozanam, one of Kansas City's oldest and most successful youth care and service organizations.

Michelle Dockhorn, Ph.D., MBA - Professional Development Consultant

Dr. Dockhorn's primary focus is on marketing strategy for both global and local businesses. She has almost 20 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry, and over 10 years of senior management experience in global sales and marketing. She has a consistent record of successfully building and/or restructuring sales teams, achieving and exceeding sales targets, and strengthening the marketing function in many organizations. Additionally, Dr. Dockhorn has experience with leading changes in organizations during company sales and acquisition activity, including, sales diligence, realignment of sales teams, compensation plan changes, and adjustment of corporate messaging and marketing materials.

Dr. Dockhorn is currently an independent consultant, and has served as the Vice President of Global Business Development and Marketing for several companies in the pharmaceutical sector, including Focus Bio-Inova (a global central laboratory) and PRA International (a global CRO). She was also an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Rockhurst University from 2007 to 2010. Dr. Dockhorn holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Mike Helmer, M.S.H.R., M.S.P.C. - Professional Development Consultant

Mr. Helmer has expertise in performance management, executive assessment and coaching, as well as leadership and team development. He has extensive consulting experience within the Kansas City community, within the venture capital industry internationally and coaches MBA and Executive MBA students at Rockhurst University.

Previously, Mr. Helmer was Vice President, Administration at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for 15 years, and most recently, he was the COO of the Center for Venture Education, which is the home of the Kauffman Fellows Program (KFP). KFP is a program that selects outstanding candidates to be educated, coached and mentored during a two-year venture capital firm fellowship. Mr. Helmer completed his MS in counseling at the University of Kansas and his MS in human resources management at Ottawa University. Additionally, he has continued professional development at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Center for Creative Leadership. He is regularly involved with nonprofit organizations and philanthropic activities in Kansas City, and currently is the President of Friends of Sunflower House, an organization providing services to prevent child abuse.

Gwen Martin, Ph.D. – Research and Professional Development Consultant

Dr. Martin brings the team over 20 years of extensive research and operational experience across a wide variety of disciplines. These include education, technology and innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, small business, marketing and community and economic development. Her research findings have been instrumental in program, product, and service creation and enhancement.

Prior to founding her current company, Evalytics, LLC, Dr. Martin was Executive Director & Director of Research for the Center for Women's Business Research in Washington, D.C. Before that she was Director of two development and research groups and Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri, Manager of Research & Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and a small business owner and in medical association management. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Kansas, and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Craig Sasse, Ph.D. - Director, Executive Education and Associate Professor of Management

Dr. Sasse has a primary focus for the Helzberg Center of working with executives, MBA and Executive MBA students on management and leadership development. He has specific expertise in communication skills, corporate strategy, management principles, and design of curriculum and learning programs.

For over ten years, Dr. Sasse has been focused on Management Development through his work at Rockhurst University and at LeaderPoint, an executive development firm that serves corporate clients nationwide. He is currently the Director of Executive Education for the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University, and has held many other leadership positions, including Division Chair. He is widely published in academic journals and trade outlets related to his work in performance management, strategy, and corporate social responsibility. Dr. Sasse earned his Ph.D. at the University of Missouri.

Sarah Trembley Evans, M.S. Ed. - Professional Development Consultant

Ms. Trembley Evans brings to the team a wide range of experience at the organizational level (organizational development, teambuilding, and business coaching for start-up businesses), as well as the individual level (executive coaching, career development, change and transition management, and communications skills improvement). Throughout her career, she has provided seminars and workshops in the above areas, as well as worked on specific projects, including a recent pilot for training mid-level supervisors in communication skills, conflict management, team building, and critical thinking. She also has experience with nonprofit organizations.

Prior to the Helzberg Center, she worked in higher education teaching communication and career development for almost 30 years, and has worked as a college counselor. Ms. Trembley Evans has a Masters in Education from Kansas State University and is certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, SII, and Big Five Profile, and is also experienced in many other assessments, including the Thomas Killman Conflict Instrument.

Jean Zimmerman, MBA – Associate Director

Ms. Zimmerman brings to the Helzberg Center international expertise in training/facilitation, curriculum development, and program management within the areas of communication, leadership, management, entrepreneurship and innovation. Presently, Ms. Zimmerman develops and presents seminars on exit strategies for businesses owners, business planning, valuing closely held companies, buying, starting or selling a business, and evaluating franchise opportunities.

Ms. Zimmerman was previously a member of the curriculum development team and an instructor for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac™ program (started to help entrepreneurs develop start-up plans and enhance business growth), and served as Master Facilitator for both national and international training. Prior to this, she was the Executive Director of the Missouri Women's Business Center, and has founded and owned her own business brokerage and consulting firms. From an academic perspective, Ms. Zimmerman has taught courses in financial analysis, marketing, business communication and management. She holds an MBA from Rockhurst University.