Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Challenges Through Coaching In Professional Development
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, overcoming challenges is crucial for personal and organizational growth. Coaching...
At Empowers Executive Consulting, LLC, we believe people are the power behind every successful organization. Founded with a mission to transform how leaders lead, how teams connect, and how cultures evolve, we help organizations unlock the full potential of their people through evidence-based, human-centered solutions.
Whether you’re navigating a complex change, building an inclusive workplace, or developing high-performing leaders, Empowers Consulting is your partner for strategic growth. We bring together cutting-edge behavioral science, real-world leadership insights, and certified expertise—including SHRM-SCP, SHRM AI + HI Specialty Credential, DiSC®, MBTI®, and Prosci Change Management methodology—to drive measurable impact.
What sets us apart? We’re not your traditional consulting firm. We’re facilitators of transformation, architects of trust, and champions for equity. From one-on-one coaching to large-scale organizational development, our services are tailored, data-informed, and designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s workplace.
We specialize in:
Executive Coaching that empowers leaders at every level
Team Dynamics Workshops that foster trust, collaboration, and communication
Transformational Leadership Training built for future-ready organizations
Organizational Development & Change Management that fuels lasting impact
Behavioral Assessments that unlock self-awareness and strategic insight
Empowers Consulting partners with purpose-driven organizations ready to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence. If you’re ready to build stronger leaders, healthier cultures, and better business outcomes—you’re in the right place.
Let’s start your transformation. Schedule your free consultation today.
Empowers Consulting was established by Dr. April S. Read, Psy.D., SHRM-SCP, an Organizational Psychologist with an extensive background spanning over 15 years. Dr. Read brings a profound understanding of human behavior in the workplace, leveraging her psychology expertise to benefit both individuals and organizations alike.
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Dr. April Scott Read, Psy.D., SHRM-SCP, SHRM AI+HI, Certified Change Management Professional
Dr. April Scott Read is the Founder and Chief Organizational Psychologist of Empowers Executive Consulting, LLC, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to advancing leadership, organizational effectiveness, and human-centered change. With over 15 years of experience across healthcare, higher education, government, and corporate sectors, she is a trusted partner to organizations navigating complex challenges and driving sustainable transformation.
Dr. Read holds a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Business Psychology and is widely respected for her thought leadership in leadership development, employee engagement, and strategic change. She is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and holds the prestigious SHRM AI + HI Specialty Credential, reflecting her expertise in aligning human capital strategy with emerging technologies. She is also a certified Change Management Professional, trained in frameworks such as Prosci’s ADKAR Model, and a practitioner of industry-recognized tools like DiSC®, MBTI®, EQ-i 2.0, and The Five Behaviors™.
Throughout her career, Dr. Read has successfully led large-scale organizational initiatives, including employee engagement transformations, leadership development rollouts, and HR technology transitions. She partners with C-suite leaders, HR executives, and operational teams to build inclusive, psychologically safe, and high-performing cultures.
Beyond consulting, Dr. Read is a respected educator, having taught graduate-level courses in organizational behavior, human resources, and leadership strategy. She is also an international speaker and presenter, known for delivering insightful and engaging sessions.
A proud HBCU alumna of Fisk University, Dr. Read is deeply committed to equity, belonging, and leadership representation. She uses her expertise and platform to champion inclusive excellence and to elevate diverse voices across every level of leadership.
Through Empowers Executive Consulting, LLC, Dr. Read’s mission is clear: to empower leaders and organizations to align people, purpose, and performance—for lasting, measurable impact.
Empowers Consulting was established by Dr. April S. Read, Psy.D., SHRM-SCP, an Organizational Psychologist with an extensive background spanning over 15 years. Dr. Read brings a profound understanding of human behavior in the workplace, leveraging her psychology expertise to benefit both individuals and organizations alike.
Invigorated and inspired by yesterday's faculty retreat that emphasized our department's commitment to collective effort over individual pursuits and understanding our colleagues' perspectives toward fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity.
I had the opportunity to work closely with April in developing, launching, and business process improvements with the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Department. April was always available and eager to help with questions and support. I always found her to have excellent ideas, to be open to others ideas also, and to be always ready to help out and ensure that the consulting team was delivering the best results to the clients. With a high level of professionalism, broad technical and business knowledge, great attitude and sense of humor, dedication to the team, and excellent work ethic, it was truly a pleasure to work with April.
April has great strategic and creative thinking skills. These skills enable her to understand how to take complex issues and simplify them in a way that allows others to build new capabilities.
Dr. Read's ability to develop and implement a strong change management plan. Led to an organizational transformation that stayed on schedule and was well prepared to handle almost every roadblock clients go through when trying to continuously improve their companies. Influencing the leadership to own and articulate the vision of change at all levels on their organizations was a trait the C suite saw as invaluable
Professional coaching significantly enhances individual performance by providing personalized guidance, improving self-awareness, and developing key skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Research shows that coaching can lead to a 70% improvement in work performance, greater self-confidence, and more effective goal-setting, which in turn drives organizational success.
Team dynamics play a critical role in organizational productivity by affecting how team members interact, collaborate, and resolve conflicts. Positive team dynamics lead to higher levels of trust, communication, and collective problem-solving, resulting in increased efficiency and innovation. Conversely, poor team dynamics can hinder productivity and create a toxic work environment.
Transformational training programs focus on comprehensive development by integrating technical skills, soft skills, and behavioral changes. Key components include needs assessment, tailored content, interactive and experiential learning methods, continuous feedback, and follow-up support. These programs aim to produce lasting changes in behavior and performance, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness.
Psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams as it fosters an environment where employees feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and voice concerns without fear of retribution. This leads to greater innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving capabilities. Studies indicate that teams with high psychological safety are more likely to achieve their goals and adapt to changes effectively.
Yes, coaching can be instrumental in resolving team conflicts by addressing underlying issues, improving communication, and fostering a culture of trust and respect. Coaches work with team members to develop conflict resolution skills and create a shared understanding, which helps in transforming conflicts into productive discussions and collaborative solutions.
Investing in employee training and development leads to numerous measurable benefits, including increased productivity, higher employee engagement, reduced turnover, and improved job satisfaction. Companies with strong learning cultures report 30-50% higher retention rates and 20% greater employee performance. Additionally, training programs are linked to higher profitability and competitive advantage.
Customized training programs are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of an organization and its workforce, whereas traditional training programs often use a one-size-fits-all approach. Customized programs include tailored content, flexible delivery methods, and continuous feedback, making them more relevant and effective in addressing specific skills gaps and organizational goals.
The DiSC assessment helps improve team dynamics by providing insights into individual behavioral styles and communication preferences. By understanding these differences, team members can better appreciate diverse perspectives, enhance collaboration, and reduce misunderstandings. The DiSC assessment promotes self-awareness and empathy, which are crucial for building cohesive and high-performing teams.
Transformational training drives innovation by equipping employees with the skills and mindset needed to think creatively, embrace change, and solve complex problems. These programs encourage a culture of continuous learning and experimentation, which fosters innovation. Organizations that prioritize transformational training are more likely to stay ahead of industry trends and maintain a competitive edge.
The ROI of coaching and training programs can be substantial, with studies showing returns ranging from 200% to 700%. Benefits include improved employee performance, higher engagement, increased retention, and enhanced leadership capabilities. For example, companies that invest in coaching report a 70% improvement in individual performance and a 50% increase in team productivity, leading to overall organizational growth and success.
Professional coaching is a structured, goal-oriented process designed to enhance an individual's skills, performance, and career development. As organizational psychologists, we utilize evidence-based techniques to foster self-awareness, improve communication, and build leadership capabilities. This personalized approach addresses specific professional challenges, facilitating growth and driving organizational success. By leveraging professional coaching, organizations can boost employee engagement, productivity, and retention, ultimately fostering a high-performance culture.
Team dynamics significantly impact the workplace by influencing collaboration, productivity, and employee morale. Positive team dynamics foster open communication, trust, and effective problem-solving, which lead to higher performance and innovation. Conversely, poor team dynamics can result in conflicts, reduced efficiency, and low employee engagement. As organizational psychologists, we understand that nurturing healthy team dynamics is essential for creating a cohesive, motivated, and high-performing workforce. Implementing strategies to improve team dynamics can enhance overall workplace satisfaction and drive organizational success.
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Department of Emergency Medicine | College of Medicine | University of Illinois