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^®
• Eqi-2.0  Emotional Intelligence Practitioner
• Certified Workplace Mediator
• Conflict Dynamics Profile Practitioner
• Certified Narrative Coach
• Certified ReCareer Coach
• Arbinger Institute Trained Coach
• Coach Training Alliance Coach since 2001
• Leadership Experience in Fortune 500 and Non-Profit International Organizations
• Executive MBA from Rutgers University
• 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.
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^®
• CFP Board Emeritus^®
• Certified Financial Health Coach^®
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^® since 2004, now CDFA Emeritus
• Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator since 2005
• Certified Retirement Coach
• Leadership Experience in Full Service Financial Planning, Insurance, and Banking
• MBA

The CDC Program^® Instructors and Administrators

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 for the past 11 years, there are several 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:

Laila Aitken Ali

Holistic/Amicable Coach
CEO/Founder of Split.fyi,

Laila Aitken Ali, known as The Split Coach, is a Divorce and Separation Coach, as well as the CEO/Founder of Split.fyi, a platform dedicated to supporting individuals navigating divorce or separation. With a passion for guiding others through major life transitions, Laila is also a Divorce Doula, thinking partner, mentor, and advocate for self-discovery.

Her vision is clear: to empower individuals to move from feeling lost and broken to reclaiming their lives with purpose and wholeness, from being stuck in their story to rewriting the next chapter, and from struggling to communicate to finding their voice. Through her coaching, Laila helps clients transition from abdicating decision-making power to advocating for their needs and wants. She specializes in co-parenting support and communication, recognizing the unique challenges and importance of maintaining healthy relationships for the well-being of children involved.

At Split.fyi, Laila provides a place for individuals to start a new chapter by tracking their progress, accessing valuable resources, and connecting with a supportive community of peers and professionals.

Laila is also active in other roles, including mentorship, keynote speaking, and podcasting, where she shares insights on topics such as hope, self-discovery, and healing. Her personal mission is to inspire individuals to take agency over their lives, guiding them through the process of resetting, reclaiming, and rebirthing before, during, and after divorce or major life transitions.

Her favorite motto, “Growing through what I am going through,” encapsulates her approach to coaching and life. Laila’s coaching services cater to anyone seeking support and guidance through separation or divorce, individuals navigating major life transitions, those in need of life planning assistance, and aspiring divorce coaches.

To learn more about the divorce process and access valuable resources, subscribe to The Split Coach’s newsletters on Splitfyi’s Instagram or website, join the Split.fyi community, or reach out directly via DM to @thesplitcoach

Kim Bransdon, CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®

Career and Confidence Coach
Contributing author to book Magnetic Abundance

Kim started her Executive Coach practice in 2020 after 30 years working in executive management, sales and marketing, and business development in retail and major corporations.

Kim has built companies, from start up to an annual turnover of over $6 million. She has developed, coached, trained staff, and built and maintained staff levels through organizational change.

Kim also developed the app, Divorce Source, to support parents getting their documents in order when going through the upheaval of separation and divorce.

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

Jennifer Crow, CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®

CDC Instructor: CDC Divorce Coaching Intensive, CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery

• Jennifer is a Certified Divorce Coach and Chartered Career Coach who trained as a coach at the Co-Active Training Institute, as a relationship systems coach with CRR Global, and as a Narrative Coach Practitioner with founder David Drake.
• She’s a certified Seasons of Change Coach; Creativity Coach and Muse Facilitator; and Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and is in certification as an Appreciative Inquiry Personal Coach.
•  Jennifer’s a practitioner of The Circle Way, Art of Hosting, and Holding Space disciplines, all of which have contributed to a diverse and blended approach as a Transformative Change Catalyst. Change is good (or can be). She’s a Healthy Congregations facilitator as well.
• Jennifer’s licensed to administer psychometric instruments, (EQ, personality, conflict, resilience, archetypes, change styles, among others).
• Find her at  J Crow Coaching Group (jcrowcoching.com)

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.

Pamela Dykes, PH.D., CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®

Assistant Professor of Communication
Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL
Instructor at Certified Divorce Coach Program
Coaching Instructor at Coachville
University of Tampa Fast Start MBA Program
Committed Parent, Dedicate Daughter

Although what I teach must be altered to fit the contexts within which I am teaching, my ultimate outcome is to inspire students to be productive, passionate members in their community and make a contribution to the global economy overall. To accomplish this goal, it is important to foster an environment of of experiential learning.

Maida Farrar

Instructor for The Unauthorized Practice of Law: Understanding the Boundary between Divorce Coaching and the Practice of Law.

Madia 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.

Jessica M Garcia MBA, CDFA, CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®

CDC^® Instructor
brainstormingwomen.com

Jessica is a Divorce Financial Planner + Coach, with 23-years in banking and financial services. It was during her banking career that she noticed a common thread; women of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels could use help to better understand their finances. 

She started BrainstormingWomen to put her experience, education, training, and aspirations to work by helping clients create a more proactive relationship with their money. As a result of her personal experience with divorce, she saw opportunity to help individuals facing divorce to better prepare for the process and make fact-based and fair-minded decisions.

Jessica is adept at addressing clients’ specific financial and familial concerns to help them prepare for their next chapter. Her warm and genuine manner puts them at ease and her experience and credentials give them the confidence that they have come to the right person.

She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and Business from there as well. Her industry specific training includes CDFA^® Certified Divorce Financial Analyst from the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts and CDC^® Certified Divorce Coach from the CDC College of Divorce Coaching. In addition to other dispute resolution certifications.

Jessica is based in North Carolina and serves clients throughout the U.S.

To learn more about Jessica and the services she provides, please visit brainstormingwomen.com.

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

Emily Malloy, CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®

Instructor for the Special Needs Class

Emily is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach, Parenting Coach, and alternative dispute resolution professional whose services include coaching, mediation and consulting attorney representation. She is also a divorced co-parent to two children, one of whom has special needs and also identifies as transgender.

Emily was previously an associate attorney practicing corporate litigation at the law firms Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Wollmuth, Maher & Deutsch. After taking time off to parent her two children, Emily obtained a master’s degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunt/er College. Emily’s field of practice was Child Welfare: Children, Youth and Families, an area devoted to providing the protection, assistance, and environment most necessary to promote a child’s well-being and full participation in family and community life.

Emily’s own divorce process and post-divorce experiences inspired her to combine her areas of expertise to help parents in conflict or transition make the best decisions possible to support and stay in loving connection with their children.

Emily also serves as a Mentor for CDC Course Participants.

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.

Sherry Smith, LMFT, CDC Certified Divorce Coach CDC^®

CDC Instructor
divorceresiliency.com

Sherry Smith, LMFT, CDC^® is a licensed psychotherapist, coach, author and speaker in private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. After a long and successful career in the financial services industry, Sherry felt compelled to switch careers and decided to become a psychotherapist. Sherry soon discovered her true calling was to help women in all stages of the divorce process. Using her expertise in family therapy, her training as a divorce coach and her own life experience, Sherry has made the commitment to promote a non-adversarial divorce environment that is sensitive to the family system. She believes the children of divorce can become traumatized based on how the divorce is handled versus the divorce itself.

Sherry is an expert on helping women make grounded decisions while maintaining emotional regulation. She is well-versed at helping women facilitate healthy co-parenting relationships with their former spouses. She is also skilled at inspiring hope and purpose for these women as they begin to step into an unknown future.

Sherry holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach^®. She also holds Levels 1 & 2 training in the Gottman Method for couple’s therapy as well as training in Discernment Counseling for couples with divorce ambivalence. In addition, she has training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) which can be used with individuals who have experienced trauma.
Sherry released a book in August of 2020 titled “Divorce Resiliency: Release the Trauma of Your Divorce and Reconnect with Your Best Self”. This book is a guide for women within 2-years of separation from their spouses and is available on Amazon.

Jen Warren Medwin MS, CDC^®

CDC Instructor, CDC Amicable Divorce Coach^®, CDC Holistic Divorce Coach^®
Supreme Court of Florida Family Mediator, Certified Marital Mediator, Co-parenting instructor at F.A.C.E.S

Author
Seeking Empowerment
Clarity Through Partnership
LinkedIn
jen@seekingempowerment.com

Jennifer Warren Medwin MS is a strategist and empowerment coach dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s transitions with clarity, confidence, and resilience. Through her work, she guides clients in overcoming challenges, fostering personal growth, and developing the mindset and strategies needed to create meaningful change.

As the founder of Seeking Empowerment Clarity through Partnership, Jennifer provides coaching and mediation services that support clients through both personal and professional transformation. She is a CDC® Certified Divorce Coach, Supreme Court of Florida Family Mediator, Certified Marital Mediator, and Co-Parenting Instructor. She specializes in working with individuals and couples contemplating or navigating divorce, particularly those facing high-conflict dynamics or seeking reconciliation. Her strategic, forward-focused methodology equips clients with the tools to manage emotions, improve communication, and make empowered decisions—whether they aim to dissolve or strengthen their relationships.

A respected thought leader, Jennifer is collaboratively trained and a member of the National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP). She is an instructor for Family and Co-Parenting Enrichment Services (F.A.C.E.S.) and the CDC Amicable & Holistic Divorce Coaching Certification Program. She is also a contributing writer for Your Tango, Thrive Global, and Our Family Wizard, and the author of Strategies & Tips from a Divorce Coach: A Roadmap to Move Forward.

Beyond divorce coaching and mediation, Jennifer is the co-founder of Ignite the Light Within, a wellness and transformation program. She works with individuals undergoing major life transitions and entrepreneurs striving to align their vision, values, and mindset for success. Through the programs, Jennifer provides transformational coaching that fosters self-awareness, adaptability, and personal power. Her approach blends clarity and vision, mindset and personal growth, strategy and execution, accountability and performance tracking, leadership and influence, community and support, and work-life integration—empowering clients to break through limiting beliefs and create intentional, fulfilling lives.

Jennifer’s coaching is grounded in mindset work, strategic planning, skill-building, and accountability, ensuring her clients take meaningful action toward their goals. She holds a Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate and integrates mind-body connection techniques to help clients navigate challenges with resilience and clarity.

Learn more about Jennifer’s work at:
seekingempowerment.com
ignitethelightwithin.me

Marilyn Williams

CDC Enrollment and Certification Manager
marilyn@certifieddivorcecoach.com

Marilyn handles all of the tracking of CDC Course Enrollments, Certification and Certification Renewals and Customer Service for the participants in the CDC Program.

Marilyn moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2016 to be near her grandchildren after retirement from 30+ years in senior leadership positions with United Way in Cleveland and as Executive Director in Defiance OH and Greenville, NC.

Marilyn is happy to answer any of your questions about accessing course materials, accessing GoReact, completing your certification once having completed the Divorce Coaching Intensive, tracking the submission of your listing and profile page in the Find-A-Divorce Coach Directory, plus anything else. If she doesn’t know the answer, she will find the answer for you or point you to the best person to answer your question.

Cheryl Flowers

Administrative and Customer Service
sct@certifieddivorcecoach.com

Cheryl has had 25+ years supporting both executives and preferred clients.