Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra.

Hi Cassandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I was raised by a single mother in the inner city, exposed to diverse cultures and backgrounds. At age 5, I participated in the Cambodian Flower Dance at the local community center. I grew up in a Mormon church and, at 8, chose my missionary for baptism. By 10, I was learning about Islam through Somali refugees in our community, praying with them and immersing myself in their culture. These early experiences instilled in me a deep curiosity about others and a strong sense of compassion and empathy.

Despite facing instability at home—witnessing violence, substance abuse, and hardship—I learned resilience. My brothers and I often heated water on the stove to shower or relied on neighbors for electricity. We visited food banks for basic supplies, and I saw the power of kindness in the volunteers who helped us. My mother worked two jobs to provide for us—one as a teen prevention specialist and another at the post office. Her hard work taught me resilience and determination.

Today, I am a wife, stepmom, sober advocate, entrepreneur, and leadership development practitioner. I have my Masters degree in Organizational Psychology with expertise in Talent Management. My core values are empowerment, education, inclusion, authenticity, and diversity—principles that have guided me through challenges and shaped my journey.

I began working at 14, moving from sales to hospitality, where I worked in everything from casual dining to high-end restaurants. I have always enjoyed growth and so I became a certified sommelier but realized my drinking was holding me back. Six years ago, I got sober, returned to school, and earned my degrees—associates, bachelor’s, and master’s—in record time.

I then opened a brick-and-mortar holistic health store while applying my education in organizational psychology. This experience taught me business development, consulting, and team efficiency. Though I faced over 300 rejections for internships and jobs at major companies, I didn’t give up. Instead, I founded COR Consulting Group to provide organizational and leadership development services with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

My husband, who believed in me when I struggled with sobriety, has been my biggest supporter. Thanks to him, I found the strength to move forward. Today, I coach leaders, help organizations align vision and values with business goals, and support women through the Women of Influence initiative, which focuses on community-building over transactional networking. My latest project was conducting an organizational culture assessment for a software company, identifying strengths and areas for growth. I also coach leaders on working effectively with Gen Z, helping them lead in ways that positively impact their organizations.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

My journey has been unconventional, shaped by early struggles with substance abuse and difficult life choices. I began experimenting with drugs and alcohol at 13, becoming involved in drug dealing, gangs, and violence. Despite growing up in an environment where a conventional path was possible, I chose a destructive one. At 17, I endured an abusive relationship, which exposed me to life-threatening situations and inspired me to vow never to live that way again.

These early experiences were formative, but they do not define my present or future. I believe I encountered these challenges to learn and grow. At 24, I moved to Las Vegas to advance my career in hospitality, but instead faced gambling and homelessness. Throughout my time working in sales and hospitality I encountered different organizational leaders, cultures and team dynamics. From age 14 to 28, I was exposed both to uplifting and unconducive leadership styles which ultimately led me to study leadership styles across various cultures. Eventually after Vegas, I returned to Boston, I lived with family, struggling with instability, yet continued to work without a clear vision for my future.

In my mid-20s, I experienced a mindset shift, focusing on creating a healthier life through physical activity, education, and meaningful relationships. This shift eventually led me to open a brick-and-mortar business, though I faced significant challenges, especially during the pandemic. Retaining employees in the aftermath of the “Great Reshuffle” required building a strong, adaptable culture.

As the founder of my consulting firm, I continue to navigate challenges in client acquisition, business development, and balancing various roles, from consulting and coaching to supporting new business opportunities. The work can be isolating, which is why I joined a local network of Industrial-Organizational (IO) psychologists to share best practices and stay connected to evidence-based workforce strategies.

Throughout these experiences, I have developed resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

I offer specialized leadership development coaching and consulting, organizational culture assessments, and comprehensive training and development solutions designed to help organizations and leaders thrive. My approach is centered on values-based leadership, where I work closely with leaders to identify their core values through a detailed values assessment. By aligning these values with their business, organizational, and leadership strategies, I ensure that their leadership style and decisions are grounded in what truly matters to them, driving long-term success and sustainable growth.

I utilize a range of proven assessment tools to help leaders enhance their leadership capabilities and address common challenges such as interpersonal conflict, communication styles, and managing team expectations. This tailored approach empowers leaders to make more informed, effective decisions, creating a stronger foundation for both personal and organizational growth.

Additionally, I conduct in-depth organizational culture assessments using the *Competing Values Framework* from Cameron and Quinn, a highly effective tool for identifying an organization’s current culture and where it needs to go. This framework allows us to pinpoint areas for improvement, providing a clear roadmap for future success while fostering alignment with the company’s vision and values.

When it comes to training and development, I offer solutions that focus on both individual and team performance. Whether through coaching, focus groups, interviews, or needs assessments, I help organizations identify key areas for growth and implement targeted strategies to enhance team dynamics, boost performance, and drive engagement.

With a diverse background in hospitality, sales, and business development, I bring a unique perspective to every client engagement. My experience allows me to understand the nuances of different industries and tailor my solutions to meet each organization’s specific needs.

What truly sets me apart is my sober leadership style. I am deeply committed to my own growth and the success of my clients. I bring a sharp, focused, and disciplined approach to every session, working alongside leaders and teams to create lasting, meaningful change.

As the founder of COR Consulting Group, I’ve built a strong foundation over the past four years, working with 18+ clients and helping them achieve tangible results. While I’m not yet where I want to be financially, I am proud of the growth we’ve experienced and confident that continued hard work will lead to even greater success.

One of my proudest moments was conducting an organizational culture assessment for a software company. The project sparked difficult but necessary conversations, ultimately helping the team become more engaged, productive, and aligned with the organization’s vision. The CEO’s feedback was a great compliment—he shared that my work helped him recognize the value of listening to his team’s viewpoints and ideas, which is critical for any organization’s success.

If you’re looking to align your leadership, culture, and organizational strategies with your core values and vision, I am here to help. Let’s connect and work together to unlock your team’s full potential and drive impactful results for your organization.

How do you think about luck?

Luck has likely played a smaller role in my journey compared to resilience, determination, and hard work. While certain opportunities or serendipitous moments (like meeting supportive individuals or encountering pivotal events) may have helped shape my path, my story demonstrates that success has been driven primarily by my ability to overcome adversity, learn from difficult experiences, and consistently push forward despite setbacks. I was unlucky, with the inability to obtain an internship or job after graduating with my masters degree in Organizational Psychology in the midst of Covid which led me to create my own practice due to being unlucky with the job market.

For example, I mentioned that my work with over 18 clients and the success of my consulting firm over the past four years were not due to luck, but rather a result of my values-driven approach, resilience, and the diverse experiences I bring to the table. My sober leadership style, focuses on continuous self-improvement, and my willingness to face difficult truths—such as the challenges in my business and personal life—are key factors in my growth.

The recognition I received from multiple CEO’s about the value of listening to teams also highlights the tangible impact of my hard work and intentional leadership, not luck.

In short, while luck may have provided some opportunities or moments of alignment, it is clear that my consistent efforts, resilience, and ability to learn from past challenges have been the real driving forces in my success.

Pricing:

• $9400 6 Month Leadership Coaching
• $ 12,000 Organizational Culture Assessment under 15 people
• $30,000 Organizational Culture Assessment under 27 people
• $50,000 Organizational Culture Assessment under 55 people
• $375 per hour for Organizational Development (Advising/Consulting )

Contact Info:

• Website: https://calendly.com/corconsultinggroup
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandracorona08/
• Other: https://WomenofIn.com