CDC Certified Divorce Coach® Program Leaders and Co-Founders
Pegotty Cooper, MBA, FASAE, CDC®
Pegotty is the President and Co-founder of Divorce Coaching, Inc. and Specialty Coach Training, Inc., firms that train and certify individuals to become personal Divorce Coaches. She is also a co-author of Divorce: Taking the High Road in Divorce – Simple Strategies for Creating a Healthy Divorce and Divorce: Overcome the Overwhelm and Avoid the Six Biggest Mistakes.
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator since 2021
- CDC Certified Divorce Coach® , CDC Board of Standards ® 2011.
- Level 1 Practitioner – De-Escalation and Emotional Competence (Doug Noll & Assoc)
- EQi-2.0 Emotional Intelligence Practitioner
- Certified Workplace Mediator – (Ekherd College Center for Leadership)
- Conflict Dynamics Profile Practitioner (Ekherd College Center for Leadership)
- Certified Narrative Coach (David Drake, PhD., Moment Institute)
- Certified ReCareer Coach (Dr. Richard Johnson)
- Arbinger Institute Trained Coach (Arbinger Institute)
- Coach Training Alliance Coach since 2001 (Coach Training Alliance 2001)
- Leadership Experience in Fortune 500 and Non-Profit International Organizations
- Executive MBA from Rutgers University
- Goethe-Institut, Luneburg, Germany German Language Studies
- Centro Per Stranieri, University of Florence (Italy) Etruscology
- BA Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Randall R. Cooper
MBA, CDC®, CFHC®, CDFA®
Randall is the Co-founder and Co-owner of Divorce Coaching, Inc. and Specialty Coach Training, Inc. Randall and Pegotty and many other professionals in this program have been training and Certifying professionals as personal Divorce Coaches since 2011.
He is also co-author of Divorce: Overcome the Overwhelm and Avoid the Six Biggest Mistakes
- CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
- Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator since 2005 (21 years)
- CFP Board Emeritus® (40 years as a CFP,® Certified Financial Planner)
- Certified Financial Health Coach (CFHC®)
- Certified Financial Recovery Coach (CFRC®)
- Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® since 2004 (22 years), now CDFA Emeritus
- Certified Retirement Coach
- Leadership Experience in Full Service Financial Planning and advice, securities brokerage, Insurance, and Banking
- MBA, Beta Gamma Sigma key holder, (the “Phi Beta Kappa” of business), and the Wall Street Journal award for scholastic achievement.
Trained in coaching from Joan C. King
About my coach trainer and mentor, Joan:
After obtaining a multidisciplinary Ph.D. in Neurosciences and Psychology from Tulane University, Joan was engaged in basic research in neuroscience for twenty-five years.
Joan was a Professor at Tufts University Schools of Medicine in Boston for twenty years, Joan served as Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology for the Schools of Medicine.
She retired from the university and became an MCC (Master Certified Coach) through the ICF (International Coaching Federation)
It was my learning coaching from her in 2009 and after she was my mentor coach with her special insights into the science of decision making, it occurred to me that there was a need for coaching in the divorce process in 2009. Divorce coaching would be a cultural change in the dispute resolution process.
In my college master’s studies, I learned about and engaged in field work for Organization Development and being a cultural change agent for improving processes to produce better Quality Outcomes.
As a cultural change agent activity, Divorce Coaching is designed to improve the quality of outcomes for the more vulnerable members of our societies worldwide, who are going through the process of dissolution of marriage. We have created The Professional Standard for Personal Divorce Coaching®.
National University of Ireland Manooth
Edward M Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention/Journal of Mediation and Applied Conflict Analyisis
Written by Pegotty and Randall Cooper, the following is a refereed professional paper admitted to an academic journal. The Journal of Mediation and Applied Conflict Analysis, published by an institute of the National University of Ireland Maynooth, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention.
The CDC Program® Instructors
In addition to Randy Cooper, who is a Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator, CDFA, and CFP, and Pegotty Cooper, Certified Divorce Coach and owner of her own coaching practice since 2003, there are many knowledgeable and respected professionals we have gathered to help you understand all facets of the challenges your divorce clients will be facing, and how to work effectively with the professionals in the divorce process:
Michelle Browning, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Somatic Practitioner – Polyvagal Informed
Licensed New Ways for Families® Coach
NEABPD Family Connections™ Leader
Breathwork Facilitator
Emotional Freedom Technique Facilitator
Certified Parenting Educator
Certified Mindfulness Meditation Facilitator
Reiki II
Massage Therapist
Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
Licensed Master Esthetician
Wendy Ellen Coughlin, Ph.D.
Instructor for Coaching Parents and Communicating with Children About Divorce
Dr. Coughlin is a Psychotherapist in private practice. She provides individual, couple and family counseling and consultation, and information and referrals. It is her goal as a psychotherapist to assist people in moving from a state of dis-ease to a state of ease in handling life situations. Dr. Coughlin has studied many specialty areas of psychology. These areas include but are not limited to: family therapy, adolescents, behavioral addictions, substance addictions, eating disorders, gifted issues, trauma, mediation, and parenting coordination.
Dr. Coughlin earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as a Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator and a Qualified Parenting Coordinator.
Jennifer Crow, CDC®
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach ®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach ®
CDC Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
Jennifer received her initial personal coach training through the Co-Active Training Institute and her relationship and systems coach training through the global Center for Right Relationship. She is also a Narrative Coach Practitioner and an Appreciative Inquiry personal coach and group facilitator. Jennifer coaches individuals and groups and teams on topics such as creativity and overwhelm, life transitions, grief, and divorce.
Maida Farrar
Instructor for The Unauthorized Practice of Law: Understanding the Boundary between Divorce Coaching and the Practice of Law.
Maida is a Family Law Attorney licensed in both California and Florida (inactive) as well as a Certified Divorce Coach. With a heavy focus towards mediation and coaching, Maida offers unique alternatives for her clients to the traditional divorce process. She helps her clients make informed decisions about the divorce process, set and maintain healthy boundaries, manage their emotions, set goals, create a workable action plan to achieve those goals, and find balance between the legal process and moving on with their lives. She also acts in the capacity of an instructor and lecturer concerning coaching and the practice of law. Maida received her law degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and holds a BA in the field of Psychology from Appalachian State University.
Denise Hedges
Instructor for High Impact Marketing and Your Divorce Coaching Practice
Denise is a passionate speaker and results-oriented business development and speaking coach with over 30 years experience in public speaking, sales, and marketing.
She absolutely loves to speak, and loves to teach coaches, consultants, and other service professionals how to use speaking to build their practices. Her speaker coaching, whether private or in groups, focuses on teaching other business owners how to create the same exceptional results she has! Audience members are encouraged, motivated, and inspired by her authenticity and passion.
She holds the designation of PCC – Professional Certified Coach – one of the highest distinctions awarded by the International Coach Federation. Denise is a certified graduate of Coach University and a member of the Coach U Faculty, teaching marketing and business development.
She also holds a Masters Degree in Counseling and a BA in Psychology from the State University of New York. As a highly effective Introduction Leader trained by Landmark Education Corporation, Denise led Introductions to the Landmark Forum, a transformational program offered in more than 100 cities worldwide.
Contact Denise through her website: www.denisehedges.com
Jenine Powell, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Owner of SOS Divorce Coaching, which stands for Starting Over Single – and that is exactly what she helps people do.
Jenine is a member of the National Association of Divorce Professionals and is a designated Pre-Mediation Divorce Coach.
She is a support group facilitator on an international platform that reaches thousands of people struggling through divorce related issues.
Jenine earned her degree in Psychology from Ursine College and her master’s in journalism from New York University.
Tonya Quillen, MA, LMHC, TEP
Instructor for The Boundary Between Divorce Coaching and Therapy
Tonya is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Trainer of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy, and an Executive Leadership Coach. In practice for over 20 years, she works with individuals, families and couples addressing trauma, eating disorders, alcoholic family systems, depression, divorce, anxiety, grief and loss, the adoption triad (birth family, adoptive family and adoptee) and personal growth. As a Leadership Coach Tonya offers short and long-term development with individuals and teams addressing core concepts such as preparing for difficult conversations and facilitating conflict resolution, identifying behavioral preferences and motivational values, envisioning and implementing a leadership style, developing strategic thinking, identifying and facilitating the developmental stages of a team, managing up and mentoring subordinates.
CDC® Graduate Specialty Coach Training Instructors
Laila Aitken
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
Laila’s Divorce/Divorce Coaching Specialties are Mediation and Mentoring, Amicable Divorce, Gray Divorce, High-Conflict Divorce, High Net-Worth Divorce, Parenting/Co-Parenting, Muslim Divorce.
Laila helps people (especially parents) to restructure their lives and relationships post-breakup so they don’t get stuck in old dynamics and reactive patterns.
Jessica Ashley
Author
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
Advisor CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
Jessica has 27 years of communication expertise. She is the Divorce Coach for Moms, guiding women through transitions from relationships with high-conflict and emotionally abusive partners. An honoree of the Distinguished Teaching Award for her work with Northwestern University. She’s also an author on books for divorcing women.
Nicole Belle, CDLP®
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) and experienced divorce coach, Nicole brings wisdom, structure, and calm to a moment too often clouded by fear and confusion: the end of a marriage.
Her approach is founded on the principle that knowledge reduces anxiety, making her a trusted resource for attorneys, mediators, and financial planners as a key member of professional divorce teams. This ensures clients not only find solutions but also gain empowerment.
As a divorce coach, Nicole guides clients from uncertainty to decisive action.
Moshe Ben-Lev, Moving Forward Therapy and Coaching
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
IMAGO Parenting Coach and Facilitator Rutgers Certification in Social-Emotional and Character Development.
Moshe is certified in Social Emotional Character Development from Rutgers University and is a trained IMAGO. As a Facilitator, Moshe coaches individual clients as well as couples and is a co-founder of the therapy and coaching practice, Moving Forward Therapy and Coaching.
Dr. Susan Korb Bernstein, EdD, CDC®
Divorce Coach Plus ®
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Advisor CDC Holistic Divorce Coach
Dr. Bernstein is the coach that attorneys use for their own divorce and has had clients in all 50 states and 17 other countries. She is a leader for her local chapter of the National Association of Divorce Professional (NADP) chapter as well as the NADP National Special Needs and Divorce Chapter. She is a high conflict divorce expert who has lived through this and not only survived but thrived post-divorce and now teaches other coaches how to help their clients do the same.
Leslie De La Cruz, CDC®
Leslie de la Cruz is an MBA-trained Certified Divorce Coach® and Family Mediator, dedicated to supporting women and men navigating the complex journey of divorce and post-divorce recovery. With a professional background spanning over two decades in business and finance and specialized certifications in Divorce Coaching and Divorce Transition and Recovery, She brings a wealth of expertise to help you manage not only the practicalities of divorce but also its emotional and financial impacts.
Kim Hansen Petroni, MA
CoachingHope4U, LLC
MA – Counseling, BCC
CPC-S, CES- ERCEM, CDC®, Brainspotting Practitioner
Betrayal Recovery Coach: CoachingHope4U, LLC
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC-High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Kim is the creator of NACW a nonprofit supporting women leaving marriages and relationships marred by intimate betrayal. Author of Not a Casserole Widow®: Navigating Betrayal Trauma and Divorce with Strength and Strategy. APSAT Coach and Supervisor
Zoe Hawthorne-Loizeaux
Child and Family Investigator
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Zoe, a child and family investigator in helping individual parents navigate high-conflict parenting disputes. She is dedicated to assisting parents who desire well-adjusted children despite challenging circumstances.
Zoe also trains coaches to develop more effective communication skills, enabling them to help their clients reduce anxiety and, in turn, limit the negative impact of conflict on their children.
Sophie Helenek, DFCA®
Divorce Consultant and Divorce Wealth Advisor
CEO, Divorce Sherpa
Instructor/Advisor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Sophia’s Financial Sherpa is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your financial future. With the guidance of a financial divorce consultant, you can confidently approach the divorce process, secure in the knowledge that you are well-prepared for a more stable financial future. Sophia will also assist you in assembling the ideal team to meet your clients’ specific needs. Sophia was the youngest French person to have summited Mt Everest in 2008.
Mary Ann Hughes
Special Family Transitions
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Mary Ann is a Family Mediator with Fortune 100 experience and Co-Director of the NADP Special Needs Chapter (National Association for Divorced Professionals) A mother of two children with special needs on the autism spectrum. Giving her first-hand knowledge of the many complex issues that arise.
Tina Keyes
Florida Divorce Coaching and Mediation
FL Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parenting Coach®
Certified Co-Parenting Specialist
Trauma Informed Certified Coach
As both a divorce coach and mediator, Tina is the creator of Kids-First™ Certified Mediator. Tina works both individually and jointly with parents going through divorce. She helps parents keep a child-focused and amicable approach, with the ultimate goal of maintaining or creating an effective co-parenting relationship.
Donna Kline MBA, CDFA®, ChSNC®
HBKS Wealth Advisors
Chartered Special Needs Consultant and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Donna works with clients at all stages of the divorce process and helps plan for their financial future. She has also earned the Charted Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®)
Emily Malloy, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Divorce and Parenting Coach
Attorney licensed in New York State (ADR only)
Licensed Master Social Worker in New York State, New York State Family Mediator,
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Special Needs Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
CDC Faith Based Divorce Coach®
A Divorce and Parenting Coach, Attorney, Mediator and Social Worker, Tina specializes in working with parents who are raising a child with special needs and who may be contemplating divorce. They’re typically Moms who’re working hard to determine what’s best for their families.
Jennifer Warren Medwin MS, CDC®
JMW Coaching
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
Jennifer is a Supreme Court of Florida Family Mediator, Certified Marital Mediator, Co-Parenting Instructor, Author Strategies and Tips From A Divorce Coach: A Roadmap to Move Forward.
Cherie Morris J.D., CDC®
Dear Divorce Coach
Life Transitions Matter, dba Dear Divorce Coach
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
Advisor/ Instructor CDC High-Conflict Divorce Coach®
XSX High-Conflict Divorce Coach Advisors / Instructor
Cherie Morri practices as a Divorce Coach and Parent Coordinator. She is trained as a lawyer, yoga teacher and is also an author and mother.
Tessa Noel
Founder, Kind Mama Divorce Coaching
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Advisor/Instructor, CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Mosten Guthrie Certified Co-Parenting Specialist
Founder of Kind Mama Divorce Coaching. Tessa Noel is author of the children’s book Stella’s Two Homes. Tessa regularly leads educational workshops on co-parenting, communication, and conflict resolution, and is a Product Liaison for Talking Parent. Tessa is passionate about protecting children from the conflict of divorce.
Charles Narcisse
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Founder, Fathers Focused Forward
Charles is a dedicated Co-Parent, Divorce and Transition/Recovery Coach with a particular focus on fathers who are striving to create two nurturing homes for their children. Author of The Littlest Strawberry
Jennifer Perri
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Amicable-Holistic Divorce Coach®
Mindset & Confidence Coach, Financial Therapist , 5X Best-Selling Author, Impact Speaker, and Filmmaker
Jennifer is a member of the Forbes Business Council and was named one of Real Leaders Magazine’s Top Executive Coaches of 2025. When she’s not coaching or speaking, she’s empowering women everywhere to rise, thrive, and lead with fierce authenticity.
Sherry Smith, MFT, CDC®
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
Divorce Resiliency Coaching – The Light Source Center for Healing
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, Speaker, Author, Podcast Host
Sherry is the author of Divorce Resiliency: Release the Trauma of Your Divorce and Reconnect with Your Best Self and The Successful Co-Parenting Workbook. She maintains a private practice serving clients across North Carolina and South Carolina, guiding individuals through every stage of the divorce process. As an expert in helping people make grounded decisions, Sherry empowers her clients to maintain emotional regulation and cultivate healthier relationships during and after divorce.
Shauna Warden
B.S. Psychology, M.Ed.
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Caring Co-Parent Coach®
Court Appointed Special Advocate
With expertise in divorce coaching conflict resolution Shauna provides actionable strategies to foster healthier co-parenting relationships, reduce stress, and prioritize the well-being of children.
Molly Wilder, B.A. Psychology
Certified Integrative Life Coach & Change Worker
Certified in Integrative Hypnosis
Member, Ethical Coaching Collective
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach®
CDC Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
Advisor/Instructor CDC Amicable/Holistic Coach®
Molly is an author, Integrative Life Coach & Change Worker. Mother of seven, home educator for 12 years. Studied attachment and early childhood trauma primarily to help her understand her 4 adopted children.
Helena Wolfand, Florida Divorce Coaching CDC®
CDC Certified Divorce Coach®
Instructor/Advisor CDC® Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coach®
Co-Author CDC® Amicable/Holistic Divorce Coaching Certification
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training, Specializing in late life divorce, divorce after a long-term marriage and amicable divorce.
The CDC Program® Administrators
Charlotte Buijnarowski
Specialty Coach Graduate Training
sct@certifieddivorcecoach.com
Charlotte has more than 25 years in corporate communication and systems
Rose Chevallier
Certified Divorce Coach Course@ Training Administrator
coursesupport@certifieddivorcecoach.com
Rose Chevallier serves as the Course Support Administrator, supporting participants throughout their CDC Certified Divorce Coach Training Course and the initial qualification for CDC Certification. She can answer any questions you might have on your 12-week journey, from registration and program access through course completion and certification. And if you are participating in the Bonus Program. Attracting Clients for Divorce Coaching, she can also help you get oriented and acclimated to the CDC Course platform.
Rose brings administrative experience in operations, program coordination, client relations, and organizational support. She coordinates course communications, schedules, learning resources, and administrative processes while serving as a point of contact for participants who need assistance or guidance. Rose is committed to creating an organized, responsive, and welcoming experience for every participant.
Paige Francis
Find A Divorce Coach Directory, Social Media, Content, Website
content@divorcesupporthelp.com
Paige handles everything to do with the CDC® Find A Divorce Coach Directory as well as the social media announcements for Graduates of both the Foundation Certification and the Specialty Certifications. In addition, she manages the social media announcements for the CDC® Program and blog/content/articles.
Paige is happy to help troubleshoot any problems you might be having with your CDC® Find A Divorce Coach Directory listing.
Lisa Orlicek
Auditor, M.A.T, B.S.B.M
finance@certifieddivorcecoach.com
Lisa is the Auditor working quietly behind the scenes to make sure your certification and renewal journey runs smoothly.
Lisa works with the systems that power this program: your enrollment process, your course access, your certificates, renewals, and some of the emails that keep you updated along the way. If something isn’t working right, or you’re not sure what step comes next, there’s a good chance Lisa is the one who gets it sorted.
Lisa has worked in business operations for most of her career and believes good work is an act of service, and that the tools behind a program should never get in the way of the people using it. Her goal is simple: when you log in, everything should just work, so you can focus on the training, not the technology.
If you ever run into a snag, don’t hesitate to reach out. Helping this run well for you is what Lisa does.
Marilyn Williams
Mentor and Peer Coaching Program Admnistrator
programsupport@certifieddivorcecoach.com
Marilyn administers the Mentor and Peer Coaching Programs, an important learning channel in the CDC Certified Divorce Coach Training and Certification Program. She also oversees Continuing Education Reporting, part of the renewal process, which requires reporting 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years. She also produces the monthly What’s Happening Update for CDC Certified Divorce Coaches.