The Team

As a successful business owner for over 30 years, Jim Vaive speaks the language of CEOs and uses his personal experience to connect with decision-makers in the business arena. Jim completed extensive training in spiritual direction, along with deep dives into emotional intelligence work. He is trained as an emotional and spiritual intelligence coach, and is a MCC Master Certified Coach (International Coach Federation)

Jim founded Spirit of EQ in 2012 to better address the burgeoning needs he saw unfolding around him. After several years of journeying with people as a Spiritual Director, guiding them to a deeper relationship with the spiritual aspect of being human, Jim sought more training through Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) Certification, SQ21 by Cindy Wigglesworth’s Deep Change, Inc.

As he developed a greater understanding and competency using this assessment tool, he also sought training and certification for several Emotional Intelligence tools through Six Seconds, ultimately accepting the invitation to become a Preferred Partner Organization in 2014.

Eric Pennington is the Managing Partner of Spirit of EQ, where he sets the strategic direction and drives sustainable growth while personally guiding every new client relationship from initial conversation through seamless onboarding.

A certified practitioner in multiple emotional intelligence and neuroscience-based assessments, Eric brings more than 20 years of real-world entrepreneurial and leadership experience across startups and Fortune 500 environments.

He is the author of the highly regarded book The Well-Being Guide: Making the Most of Life and Work—a practical, deeply personal roadmap to greater fulfillment. Written as the natural successor to his groundbreaking 2008 book Waking Up in Corporate America, The Well-Being Guide invites readers to examine their own lives, uncover what truly matters, and take meaningful action.

Jeff believes that each person has at their center something that is “A work of Art”. This defines his Noble Goal, for himself and the clients he serves. His greatest pleasure is helping people find that art buried deep within. These opportunities come from his expertise in EQ, work in spiritual areas such as local mission and prison work, or virtual and live experiences.

Jeff has seen in himself, and in others, how working on Emotional Intelligence can allow people to look inside themselves and see the hidden art that makes them special. Jeff holds multiple certifications in emotional intelligence and other neuroscience tools. He is a proud volunteer with Kairos Prison Ministries, where he has served on various advisory councils and held weekend leader roles.

Entrepreneur and Time Out Specialist, Judy Joseph McSween is a proponent for scheduling a pause amid the busyness of individuals, teams and organisations.  She brings her whole self to the facilitation space, lighting the way for participants to engage in highly introspective and experiential activities, that allow for the transitioning their Knowing to Being and Doing.

As she interacts with client systems, Judy draws on her theoretical knowledge and business acumen developed through her more than thirty years of practical experience at executive level with corporate and faith-based organizations.

Judy is a Certified Coach and Facilitator in Emotional Intelligence, Conversational Intelligence (Creating We Institute), Spiritual Intelligence (SEQ, SQ21, Deep Change Inc) and the Frameworks Coaching Process (InnerLinks).  She received her training in organisation behaviour and is a Trainer with the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioural Science USA.  She facilitates Human Formation programs with lay and clergy.

Judy holds a Master of Business Administration degree from City University Business School UK and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry from City University UK.

For over two decades, Amy Jimison has been on a journey of growth, transformation, and helping others do the same. Her passion for learning and development shines through in her expertise in leadership, coaching, and skill-building—empowering individuals to step into their authentic selves with confidence and purpose.

Amy’s approach goes beyond traditional learning. She weaves emotional intelligence into her work, creating meaningful connections and fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness. As a certified EQ Assessor, EQ Facilitator, and SEQ Assessor through Six Seconds, she brings a holistic lens to workshop design and facilitation—guiding others not just toward professional success, but toward personal fulfillment and alignment.

Her mission? To create momentum that sparks growth, inspires transformation, and helps others embrace the best version of themselves—mind, heart, and spirit.

As a 35-year radio veteran turned podcast consultant, Brett leverages his years of content creation, marketing skills, and sales to provide customized consulting solutions. He works with entrepreneurs, businesses, brands, and non-profits to plan, launch, produce, and implement podcasts into their marketing strategies. He plays an essential and strategic role in the Spirit of EQ Podcast.

Part of his value can be found in:

• Developing and implementing strategic internal (private) and external (public) audio content
• Targeting the right audience for your content
• Delivering your content through multi-channel marketing and content repurposing
• Professional recording and publishing of your audio content

By working with him, his clients focus on the ‘WHY’ they are podcasting, not on the ‘HOW’ to podcast.

Dr. Don Ajené is a seasoned educator and holistic advisor with a distinguished career in higher education and a heart-centered commitment to human development. With a unique ability to blend ancient wisdom traditions, psychology, spirituality, inter-spirituality, and emotional intelligence, Dr. Don Ajené guides individuals and small groups through transformative journeys of spiritual, emotional, and psychological integration.

He holds certifications in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ), as well as a non-clinical certificate from the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles and a certificate in Foundations of Logotherapy and Attitudinal Change from the Viktor Frankl Institute. Drawing from these and a deep understanding of the unconscious and soul patterns that shape our lives, Dr. Don Ajené helps others explore their inner landscape—uncovering what lies beneath the surface to promote emotional healing, spiritual alignment, and lasting transformation. As the co-developer, with the team from Spirit of EQ, in the internationally recognized Spiritual Emotional Intelligence (SEQ) Development Inventory, Dr. Don Ajené has helped expand the conversation around inner wisdom, soulful leadership, and personal alignment.

Hattie Hawks has spent her career uncovering and amplifying powerful stories. As a former TV journalist, she reported on stories that sparked change, shaped public perception, and built deep connections with audiences. Working in high-pressure environments taught her the power of clear communication, presence, and emotional intelligence—skills that are just as critical in leadership as they are on camera.

After navigating her own healing journey following a Complex PTSD diagnosis, Hattie now brings neuroscience-backed techniques into leadership development. Through her company Authentic Connections, she helps business leaders and organizations strengthen impact through Trauma-Informed Life Coaching, Conscious Leadership Training, and Media Training.

As someone who is neurodivergent (ADHD), Hattie understands how perception, behavior, and communication shape leadership. She meets clients where they are, helping them develop the self-awareness and resilience needed to inspire and lead effectively. Whether through conscious leadership coaching or media training, she empowers leaders to show up authentically and with confidence.

Hattie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Temple University and combines her background in media with a passion for mindful, high-impact leadership.

Retreat designer, Self-care coach, SEQ & EQ practitioner and Entrepreneur. Daeyoung (TAN TAN) Kim designs self-care retreat where her clients learn ways to discover their own gifts and get them aligned with their spiritual journey. She has served as a connector between her country, South Korea and the world. She used to be a public diplomacy specialist at the US Embassy Seoul for two decades. She designed and conducted diplomatic programs on the topics of women’s empowerment, art & culture, civil society, and youth empowerment. She believes in global networking where every individual can make the world a better society together when each shines through his/her own gift. Her mission is to provide the world with soul-focused retreats in Korea which is considered as a country of transformation from a war and poverty to peace and prosperity.

Daeyoung is a certified SEQ practitioner (Spirit of EQ), EQ practitioner, EQ facilitator, EQ educator, and EQ assessor (Six Seconds). She took her coaching training at LeadershipThatWorks (LA, U.S.) and became an ICF certified coach. To realize her mission as a soul-discovery retreat designer in Asia, Daeyoung develops extensive networking internationally. She does her voluntary service as one of the four executive councils and Program Head of the Inspired Women Lead. The IWL runs global mentoring programs with about 100 pairs annually across the globe. Daeyoung received her Master’s degree in area studies with the focus on the U.S. at Hanyang University Korea, another Master’s course (ABD) in English Education at Korea University, and BA in Consumer Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University Korea. She finished her Ph. D course (ABD) in Politics and Diplomacy at Sookmyung Women’s University Korea.

Nathalie Caycedo is the founder of SER-KALLAI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering emotional resilience and well-being in vulnerable communities worldwide through social-emotional learning (SEL) and trauma-informed practices.

Nathalie holds a degree in International Business Management from Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, and an MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida. She is also a certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Coach, EQ Assessor, Advanced Facilitator, and Practitioner through Six Seconds, an ICF-accredited organization—equipping her to lead transformational work grounded in evidence-based emotional intelligence frameworks.

With over a decade of experience in corporate accounting, financial management, and business strategy across small enterprises to multinational corporations—and 14 years in education and training development—Nathalie brings a rare blend of business acumen and deep empathy. Her global perspective on entrepreneurship and education allows her to design emotionally intelligent, sustainable solutions that drive real change.