Our Team

Edward & Brittany Macdonald

Founders of StudentHero,
Master Certified Coaches

Hi! We are Eddy & Brittany. Our coaching story started as students ourselves when our college program paired us up with an academic life coach. We had an amazing cheerleader in our corner who helped us stay motivated and focused through school while figuring out what we wanted to do in life.

After we graduated, we met while working as academic life coaches helping other students figure out their path to the future!

Now, as entrepreneurs and life coaches (and a happily married couple!), we love bringing coaching skills and our experience working with thousands of students to help YOU clarify your purpose, maximize your potential to be your best self, and achieve your dreams.

Joshua shi

Founder, Director of the Board, Certified Coach

Hey there! I am a Massachusetts native, who moved to Colorado, which I love to call home with my amazing wife Jordyn and daughter Evelyn.

Coaching was transformational in my life in school, helping me have the confidence to do things I never thought I could do. Now I am passionate about helping students get excited about life and find their unique place in the world.

I currently work in public policy as a Community Engagement Director in Colorado Springs, and enjoy supporting StudentHero as Director of the Board and occasional backup designer. I also enjoy sailing, mountain biking, and spending time with friends over coffee.

Andrew dormus

Andrew is a certified Academic Life Coach who is passionate about developing people as they are in pursuit of their personal goals. He is dedicated to helping people better understand themselves so they can work better toward the future that they want. Andrew earned his Academic Life Coach certification in 2018 from the International Coach Federation (ICF)-accredited school Coach Training EDU. In 2019, he would go on to possess an Associate Certified Coach credential with the ICF. Andrew has a Masters in Divinity and a Masters in Higher Education Administration. He also serves as a trainer for Coach Training EDU helping new coaches discover their superpowers. In his free time, Andrew enjoys challenging himself mentally and physically by participating in obstacle course races. For Andrew, obstacle course races are a metaphor for life. Every race that he completes, he is kicking down another door to something previously thought as impossible.

Jessica Grove

If you were sitting in Jessica’s living room, she would likely pour you some quality home-brewed coffee to sip while you got connected. But finding her living room might be a challenge, because Jessica is an explorer! Having visited 43 states and 15 countries, she loves building a rich global community which has expanded her perspective and love of intensely flavorful foods. Her passion for coaching developed as she faced chronic health challenges and toxic relationships. Through these challenges, she realized that while we often cannot change our circumstances, we can shift our mindsets to move towards our goals. Jessica gravitates towards work with startups and culture-driven organizations. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and is an ICF-credentialed Associate Certified Coach (ACC). You will likely find her researching personality, developmental, and positive psychology as a pastime, rooting her coaching in constant learning.

Lauren Reins

Lauren Reins grew up in Portland, Oregon. She spent much of her life training to become a professional dancer. After attending the Edge Performing Arts Center Program in Los Angeles California on a scholarship, she worked all over the US as a professional dancer for nearly a decade. She then settled into Northern Nevada, earning her degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada where she was a member of the applied behavior analysis program. After a few more years of teaching she decided to marry her two passions, teaching and psychology, to achieve wellness coaching certification. After getting her Wellness Coaching certification she started specializing in teens and young adults. She now lives in Seattle, WA, she is married and has 2 of her own children. She facilitates individual, group, and workshop sessions to identify strengths, face challenges, and set goals, for lifelong physical and mental wellness.

Carissa Gay

Carissa Gay has dedicated her career to coaching and developing leaders. She spent 15 years in the non-profit world before transitioning to a coaching role in the corporate and academic sectors. She is CEO of Courageous Leaders, a coaching and training firm specializing in leadership and career development, helping impact-minded professionals identify their personal brand and live it out with vision and courage. She also serves as the Southeast regional trainer for Center for Coaching Excellence, where she trains managers and leaders in coaching skills that produce high-performing teams. Carissa has completed Bachelor's degrees English and Christian Education, and a Master's in Counseling. She also holds Professional Coach Certification from the International Coach Federation, as well as certifications in emotional intelligence, career management, and brain-based coaching, all a part of her mission to equip leaders of vision, courage, and significant impact.

JosÉ Munoz

José Munoz is an experienced Personal Development and Life Coach specializing in supporting students, executives, competitive athletes, professionals, and individuals to grow and maximize their strengths, reach their potential, and achieve results. He brings compassion and trust when working with his clients, inspiring them to envision and embrace their definition of success. He supports others in creating life balance, unearthing strengths and values, and overcoming fears through goal setting. This method integrates sustainable change into the daily lives of others to achieve their definition of personal success. He grew up in Rio Rico, AZ and dedicated much of his time to his sport, long distance running. He was a varsity student-athlete at the University of Kansas throughout his undergraduate career. He went on to earn his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas as well. He is currently working on his Doctorate degree at the University of Arizona.

Teresa Gallis

Teresa is a Professional Certified Coach who helps busy women recharge while exceeding their goals in the midst of uncertainty. She has a Masters in Teaching, a background in nontraditional education, and certifications in academic life coaching and wellness life coaching, along with over 2700 hours of experience, most of which has been coaching busy women (ranging from high-school and university students to parents) who were earning a degree while working. Sunshine, cultural exchange, connecting with friends and family during brisk walks, campfires, and celebrating her toddler’s discoveries invigorate her.