Marcia Ruben

Dr. Marcia Ruben is the Founder of Ruben Consulting Group and believes that the signature of an effective leader is his or her organizations’ ability to rise to the challenge, amidst uncertain, complex and ambiguous conditions. She instills in her clients the confidence to lead and the conviction to build more resilient, responsive teams to thrive in these complex and volatile times.

As the TANGLE DOCTOR®, Marcia is an executive coach, consultant, and facilitator who brings more than 25 years of experience in untangling complex interpersonal and organizational dynamics.  Whether the need is stronger leadership presence, increased conflict management skills, higher emotional intelligence, more persuasive influence or higher performing teams, Marcia’s laser-focused approach wastes no time in facilitating learning and new more effective leadership mindsets, perspectives and behaviors. 

Marcia’s experience, skill and knowledge of human and organizational dynamics in strategic contexts have repeatedly produced pragmatic change strategies and aligned tactics. Her one-on-one coaching with leaders consistently enables solid advances, whether the need is developing within their current position or advancing to the next level. Marcia’s consulting engagements yield insight, guidance and direction to individuals and organizations alike.  And her facilitation quickens the untangling that’s necessary for progress, whether the knots are within individuals, among team members, or arise from the complexities of the organization as a whole. 

Marcia has experience with leaders in a variety of business sectors, including high tech, clean tech, biotech, healthcare, financial services, retail, private equity, government agencies, nonprofits, and professional services firms. Coaching, consulting and facilitation engagements include work with CEOs, EVPs, executive directors, general managers, vice presidents, and senior directors at organizations ranging from start-ups to Global 50 companies.   She is a published thought leader in the executive coaching arena and has spoken at industry conferences. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, double Master’s degrees (M.S. Counseling and M.A. Human and Organizational Systems), and Phi Beta Kappa graduation from U.C. Berkeley with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Mathematics.

Marcia earned the Certified Management Consultant designation from the Institute of Management Consultants USA in 2002. This certification is awarded to those select consultants who have demonstrated a history of substantive results for clients, adherence to the canon of ethics of the Institute of Management Consultants USA, and professional practice management.

In 2010, Marcia earned the Professional Coach Certification (PCC) from the International Coach Federation. This certification is rewarded to coaches who have proven coaching expertise. She completed a year-long Evidence Based Coaching program in 2008 and has logged more than 3000 coaching hours, with scores of corporate clients. 

Marcia currently serves as the Chair of the Management Department in Golden Gate University's graduate school of business. She designed and is the Program Director for the MS Leadership program, which is rapidly growing. She designed and teaches a popular course in team dynamics, both in-person and online. She also designed and teaches a very well-received course in Developing Personal Leadership for students completing their Executive MBA. Marcia teaches a Master's level course in Executive Coaching and a doctoral-level course in leadership. Dr. Ruben is also the 2016-2018 Russell T. Sharpe Research Professor and her areas of inquiry include the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, and complexity.

Marcia resides in San Francisco with her husband, and works on assignments around the globe. She is active in nonprofit leadership boards and provides pro bono services to local nonprofits. Marcia is most passionate about unlocking each person’s highest and best potential. 

 

 


 

Consulting Affiliates and Untangling Team

Ruben Consulting Group has affiliate relationships with a network of hand-picked and elite senior-level specialists from a variety of disciplines. We can support any size project with a hand-picked team whose skills will meet your needs and whose style will match your culture. Listed below are descriptions of the members of Ruben Consulting Group's talent bench.

Beth Symes, PCC

Beth SymesBeth Symes is a seasoned executive coach and consultant specializing in leveraging individual and team strengths to optimize performance outcomes.  Beth works with senior executives and management teams, utilizing a dynamic and demanding process of self-discovery, experiential learning, personal challenge, and goal setting to guide individuals and teams beyond the barriers that have limited their performance.  As a result, her clients create futures that more accurately reflect their talent and ability, which is reflected in the impact they make on their organizations.

Beth works with corporations and individuals in a variety of industries and professions.  Her organizational clients range from Fortune 500 corporations, to early stage and not for profit organizations.  She has partnered with well known organizations such as London Business School and Lane4 in the UK, as well as Leadership by Design in the U.S.  Her initiatives are focused in the areas of Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Dynamic Team Performance and Performance Execution.

In addition to her consulting work, Beth hosted an international internet radio talk show for several years called “Work Life Today” which focused on individual and organizational performance issues.  The show provided a forum for industry leaders and noted authors for advancing the concepts of human performance and potential.

 

Beth graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in English and has an MA from Washington University in Human Resource Management.  Beth is a graduate of the Fielding University Graduate program in Evidenced Based Coaching and has earned the ICF designation of PCC.  Beth is currently pursuing a second Master’s Degree in Organization and Management Development with a graduation anticipated in December 2010.  Beth’s 10 year consulting career was preceded by 20+ years of hands-on cross-functional line management experience in the pharmaceutical, airline and hospitality industries.


 

 

 

Terry Chuah

Terry Chuah

Terry specializes in executive career coaching. He was previously Senior Client Partner with Korn Ferry in San Francisco, He brings 20 years of executive search experience at the most senior levels in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, having previously worked at Heidrick & Struggles and, prior to that, Russell Reynolds Associates. Terry has worked extensively in energy technology, high tech as well as in the industrial resources and manufacturing sectors.

In addition to having handled a broad range of assignments for global corporate clients, Terry has deep experience working with early stage venture-backed and mid-sized private equity-backed companies. Previously, Terry founded and ran a successful boutique executive search firm in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to that, Terry spent 12 years at BHP Billiton, Australia's largest industrial resources company.

 

Terry combines his executive search and corporate management experience with talent assessment and leadership development. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in Australia with a Master and Bachelor of Commerce.

He has completed the ECI - External Coach Intensive - as part of the Coaching Certification Program at Columbia University. Terry is also certified in the Myers Briggs Type Indicator as well as in Korn Ferry's viaEdge psychometric which assesses leadership potential.  


Jeff Yergler, PhD

Jeff Yergler

Dr. Jeffrey D. Yergler is on the faculty of Golden Gate University where he serves as professor of management and chair of the undergraduate management department teaching management, organizational behavior, and strategic leadership. He also teaches in the graduate psychology department focusing on leadership, management, and cross-cultural influences in the mental health field and within industrial organizational psychology. 

 

Prior to his appointment at Golden Gate, Jeff served on the faculty of Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington. He was lead faculty for the organizational leadership and resource management discipline and facilitated the college-wide leadership development program for faculty and administrators. Prior to his entrance into the academy Jeffrey served in associate and head-of staff positions in large, sectarian non-profits for over twenty years where he specialized in leadership and team development and cross-cultural integration and education. 

 

 

Jeff received his BS in psychology from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, his Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, his Doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, and his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University in Spokane. In addition to his instructional responsibilities, Jeff is principal for Integer Leadership Consulting where he provides leadership development, management consulting, diversity training, executive and crises coaching, and change management. In addition to writing book reviews, he carries on an active research agenda addressing such areas as leadership development, psychological trauma, and involuntary job loss.