Professional Association of ADHD Coaches - Certifying ADHD-Coaching Excellence Worldwide


Board of Directors

Hello Coaches,

The PAAC Board has been meeting monthly to carry out the work of creating a certifying body for ADHD coaches.

The PAAC Board is composed of the following members: (click on their names to read their biographies)



Barbara Luther

Barbara Luther, MCC, EFT-ADV, MA

Board President & Credentialing Director
Co-founder of PAAC

After 25 years as a college educator, technical writer, corporate project manager, and consultant, Barbara founded her coaching company, Wind Beneath Your Wings, in 1996. She is a graduate of Coach U, Corporate Coach U, Attraction U, and the Optimal Functioning Institute. She has earned the designations Professional Mentor Coach, Certified Teleclass Leader, and Advanced Certified Corporate Business Coach through CoachInc., and she has been a Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF) since 1999. She has served on the ICF Assessor Team since 2000, and she also assesses for CoachInc. and the ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA).

Barbara has been a trainer for CoachInc since 1997, and she is currently the Director of Training at the ADD Coach Academy. Barbara has been very active with the ICF and its annual conferences through the years, speaking, volunteering, and serving for 6 years as Conference Bookstore Chair and as conference co-chair for the 2006 annual conference. She is a leader in her local St. Louis Coaches chapter, and she has been an active volunteer and speaker for ADDA. She is the author of The Heartful Business Plan, a business plan workbook for coaches, and co-author of the 1,000+ pages of the ADD Coach Academy training curriculum. She has overseen the successful ICF accreditation of ADDCA's advanced training, and she is currently overseeing the accreditation application for ADDCA's full training program.

Barbara specializes in coaching high achievers with AD/HD traits who want to take even more of their creative endeavors to completion. Barbara enjoys mentoring new coaches, and offers a space for coaches to continue their learning and community with her Soaring Coaches Circle ( www.soaringcoachescircle.com). With colleague Suzanne Evans, ACC, she is training virtual assistants to be ADD-aware to better serve ADD clients (www.adhdvadirectory.com). She also integrates Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) into her coaching.

In 2008, Barbara spoke on "Leveraging Sweet Wisdom: Helping Clients Learn About Their ADHD via Comic Strips" and was a co-presenter on "The Ladder to Success: Leveraging an ADHD-Trained Virtual Assistant to Support Your Coaching Business" at the ADHD Coaches Association (ACO), and she spoke on "Applying Emotional Freedom Technique for ADD Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Rumination" at ADDA. She will be speaking at ACO again in 2009.

Barbara is an avid reader. She enjoys yoga, her cat, and the arts. She is currently working on two book projects, and she is forming a community for grandparents realizing that they might have ADHD because their grandchildren are getting diagnosed (www.goldenadhd.com - going up soon).

Finally, Barbara is passionate about helping persons affected by ADHD to get the coaching help they want and need, and she is painfully aware of how challenging it is to determine who is a qualified ADHD coach. This is why she's taken a leadership role in forming the Professional Association of AHDH Coaches (PAAC) and is committed to helping identify and certify demonstrably competent ADHD coaches.

Barbara can be reached at Barbara@Coach2soar.com 314-890-8478.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List


Chana Klein

Chana Klein, MSEd, PCC, EEMCP, PACG

Chief Parliamentarian, Head of Ethics
Credentialing Enforcer
Co-Founder of PAAC

Chana Klein is "The Spectrum Coach" working with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Chana is a Certified Professional Coach (PCC) and Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner (EEMCP).

In her effort to develop tools to help her clients, Chana has completed 15 Coach Training Programs, including Coach U and Corporate Coach U, and more than 15 Alternate Healing Training Programs. Chana has extensive training in ADHD Coaching. She is a graduate of ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) and of ADDCA's advanced program for Professional Coaches and Graduates (PCACG). She also graduated ADD 2005 taught by Ned Hallowell, MD and John Ratey, MD, (ADHD expert MDs and pioneers in this field.) Chana continues to attend a wide variety of informative teleclasses and conferences and does extensive reading and research on ADHD and ASD.

As the ICF ADHD SIG Leader, Chana serves as a mentor for many ADHD coaches. Caring about the ADHD Coaching community and for each coach in the community, as well as her appreciation of the importance of meaningful standards of certification for the industry, led Chana to co-found PAAC.

Because Chana's ADHD clients have many relationship issues, Chana got training in Relationship Coaching and was the Mentor Coach and Trainer for the Advanced Couples Courses in Relationship Coaching Institute from 2004 until 2007. Chana's expertise in relationships extends to her work with ADHD and ASD families. She has been trained also in the HANDLE Program (Holistic Approach to Neuro Development and Learning Efficiency) which is very effective in healing ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Chana has served on the ADD Coaches Organization (ACO) conference committee for 2008 and 2009 conferences. In addition, she has presented at both the ACO Conference and the ADD Association (ADDA) Conference and will be presenting again in 2009 on the topic: "Is it ADD or ASD? How Autism Spectrum Disorder is Different from ADHD in Manifestation and in the Coaching Experience."

Chana has ADHD and because of undiagnosed ADD and dyslexia, at age 16 1/2, was still not able to read. She has discovered tools within the ADHD brainwiring that she calls "The ADD Advantage" which have helped her to become very successful. Chana works with her clients to uncover their own success and to have the life that neither they nor their family ever thought was possible. Spectrum Coaching is about listening to your dream and partnering with you to find ways to achieve it.

Some of Chana's credentials are:

Chana can be reached at Chana@KleinCoaching.com 201-357-8336.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List

Sarah Ferman

Sarah A. Ferman, LMFT, MBA, PCC

PAAC Treasurer - Finance & International Development

SARAH A. FERMAN, LMFT, MBA, PCC is Vice President of Operations at ADHD Specialists, a psychotherapist and professional coach with a balanced mix of over 20 years experience in the corporate and business communities, as well in personal development. Sarah is a licensed marriage and family therapist, where her specialties include Adult AD/HD, life & career transitions (men/ women/couples), couples (where one or both are ADD/ADHD), relationships and clinical hypnotherapy. Her therapy clients receive supportive counseling, cognitive reframing and psychotherapy. Sarah's coaching clients are entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, pro-preneurs, start-ups and small businesses owners, who want to improve and transform their businesses, work smarter, be more successful and live a more balanced successful life. Sarah's focus is on helping her clients unleash their potential, clarify and actualize their goals and desires, harness their strengths, develop strategies to navigate and build solid foundations, and create positive and successful patterns to fulfill their goals and dreams.

Sarah holds degrees from UCLA and Pepperdine University with a Master's in Business Administration, and Master's in Clinical Psychology. Sarah is a Clinical Psychology Doctorate (ABD) graduate, a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Graduate of the MentorCoach School of Coaching and MCC, Certified by the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and Certified Authentic Happiness Coach.

Sarah's experience includes managing, operating and developing a psychiatric center specializing in ADHD, owning and managing several small businesses, including a Psychotherapy business. She also is the former CAO of a multi-national Artificial Intelligence Research Company, where she facilitated the company's acquisition/merger of several specialized engineering companies and the transition to an IPO on the NASDQ.

Sarah is a Board member of the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC), an active member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), former Treasurer of the Los Angeles Chapter of the ICF, the International Association of Coaches, Conscious Business Circle, N.E.W. Entrepreneurs, California Women Business Owners, National Women's Business Association, Worthwhile Referral Service, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and the American Hypnosis Association, Hypnotists Union (AFL/CIO) and several other professional organizations.

Sarah can be reached at asksarah@earthlink.net.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List

Paul O'Connor

Paul O'Connor, MCC

PAAC Board Secretary

Paul O'Connor is a Master Certified Coach who has had a full time coaching practice since 1998. He brings a diverse entrepreneurial background to his coaching, along with an empathy, talent and passion for supporting ADDers who want to have more success in the world of business. Paul's background includes being a founding partner of an international award-winning, audio-visual production firm, where, over fifteen years, he honed a talent for successfully coaching and managing scores of highly creative individuals in a high pressure work environment.

Today, Paul's coaching clientele includes creative types, entrepreneurs, small business owners, executives, attorneys, doctors and other professionals who possess great gifts and are more than capable of having great success, but are frequently held back by a variety of AD/HD types of challenges.

In addition to being an MCC coach, Paul is a certified graduate of Coach U. Memberships include the International Coach Federation, the American Coaching Association, Attention Deficit Disorder Association, the ADHD Coaches Organization and the Georgia Coach Association.

Paul has been happily married for 30 years to Nan O'Connor, also an MCC coach, and they reside in Atlanta, GA with an always-interesting menagerie of rambunctious dogs and playful cats.

Paul can be reached at Paul@EnergyForLifeCoach.com.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List



Jeff Copper

Jeff Copper, MBA, ACG, CPCC, ACC

PAAC Strategic Development

Jeff Copper is known for getting people to pay attention to the right stuff, and that allows them to map out solutions to their own success. He is adamant about not giving people a fish, but teaching them to fish so that they can replicate ease, passion, and success solutions time and time again. From his high school days as a top-ranked competitive swimmer to his rise to top sales and marketing professional, Jeff Copper has been driven by dedication, discipline, and desire. His accomplishments rival those of the most successful individuals in America.

Jeff has held various leadership, sales, and management positions in the insurance and telecommunications and consulting industries. He represents a lifetime of leadership and change in these industries as a team member, raising the profits, size, and scope of these businesses by over 100% in some cases.

Today, Jeff is founder of DIG Coaching, where he is a business and life coach who brings a breadth of diverse experience and wisdom to his clients. In this role, Jeff encourages others to realize their own potential. Jeff lives in Tampa with his wife, and their two sons.

Jeff can be reached at Jeff@DigCoaching.com 813-837-8084.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List


Elizabeth Vieira-Richard

Elizabeth Vieira-Richard, MCC

Credentialing Chair

Elizabeth is the CEO of People Dynamics Inc. (PDI); an organization committed to building capacity within individuals, organizations and communities. Elizabeth brings a diverse business and entrepreneurial background to her work with executives, teams and organizations globally; along with her passion, empathy and talent for supporting AD/HD individuals who want to have more success in their life. She is a catalyst and facilitator of change, and is recognized as an international intercultural Master Coach and Tele-class leader.

Prior to starting People Dynamics Inc. (PDI) in 1994, Elizabeth worked in management leadership positions with Fortune 100 companies in South and North America. She studied Business Administration (Marketing Major) and Human Resources Management at York University, and Adult Education and Development at St. Francis Xavier University. She completed her undergraduate and graduate coaching education and accreditations at The Coaches Training Institute, Coach U, ADD Coach Academy, and the Interdevelopmental Institute. She has achieved a Master Certified Coach designation from the International Coach Federation (ICF), and is currently completing a Master Certified Developmental Coach graduate program at The Interdevelopmental Institute. She is an ICF Coaching Credentialing Assessor/Examiner conducting PCC and MCC credentialing exams; the Chairperson of the ICF Ethics Independent Review Board; and the immediate Past-President of the ICF Global Virtual Community. Elizabeth is a Certified Corporate Trainer and Facilitator, and an Adult Educator. She has taught Business, Management, Human Resources, and Labour Relations programs at the College level. She is qualified to deliver and interpret psychological assessment tools, tests and programs.

Elizabeth volunteers as a Mentor and Coach for female entrepreneurs and business owners, coaches, and Human Resources professionals. She is a Mentor, Big Sister, and elected Board Member, with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George. She is also an elected Board Member with Prince George Hospice Society.
Elizabeth can be reached at: Elizabeth@peopledynamicsinc.com or 250-563-8902.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List


Ken Zaretzky

Ken Zaretzky, MCC

PAAC Business Development/Lobbying/Fundraising

Ken Zaretzky, MCC is one of the world's leading coaches. He was trained by Sandy Maynard, Jody Sleeper-Triplett, the coaches Training Institute, TV Graduate School Of Coaching and the Institute For Life Coach Training.

A pioneer in coaching couples with ADHD as a factor, coaching clients with ADHD and multiple comorbidities, and on coaching practice development he speaks both nationally and internationally on those topics. Ken Zaretzky, MCC has appeared on many radio and television shows. He is the co-founder of the ADHD Coaches Organization and the author of the top selling book "How It's done 101".

He lives in the Chicago area and has three daughters. Ken can be reached at www.adhdcoach.com 847-947-1343.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List

Suzanne Evans

Suzanne Evans

PAAC Marketing

Suzanne is most commonly referred to as an "action expert". She has lectured, trained, inspired, and provided coaching and consulting services to thousands of business owners in the last two years alone. She has been covered by Palisades Magazine, Fayetteville Observer, The News Journal, Choice Magazine, Wild Women Radio, and VA Radio Network.

When individuals and businesses are looking for success, they seek her coaching, sharp instincts and accountability. After working for the nation's largest union, being a professional actress, a nationally ranked water skier, a high school teacher, and an Assistant Producer to five Broadway shows (all before the age of 30), Suzanne began using her life experiences to coach a wide range of people on living their fullest potential. She created a private coaching practice with over 40 clients in one year, launched three businesses in a four-month timeframe, and took her business from 0 to six figures in 15 months. Action comes naturally for Suzanne!

She is co-author of Blueprint for Success with Steven Covey and Ken Blanchard and creator of The Help More People System. Suzanne Evans Coaching and Programs run some of the most respected online distance learning and coaching programs for small business owners and helping professionals in the world. In fact, most helping professionals going through one of her programs increases their income by 2,000-5,000 a month in 4- 6 months.

Suzanne holds a bachelor's degree from Lees-McRae College, a Masters from New York University, is a graduate of Coach U, and holds the ACC certification from The International Coaching Federation. Suzanne is the creator of a free 5-day mini course, "Awakening Your Authentic Entrepreneur," (www.HelpMorePeople.com). Suzanne has also created a program with Barbara Luther to train virtual assistants to be ADHD-aware. ( www.ADHDVADirectory.com).

She owns www.SuzanneEvansCoaching.com, www.HelpMorePeople.com, and www.TheVABlueprint.com. She also owns a Westie named Lucky Boy and enjoys a wonderful life with Melonie traveling, fooding, watching college basketball, and being a political junkie.

Suzanne can be reached at Suzanne@HelpMorePeople.com 917-385-1385.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List



Alan R. Graham

Alan R. Graham, PhD, PCC

PAAC Mental Health Professional Advisor

As a key therapist, educator, author and lecturer, Alan R. Graham, Ph.D., has over two decades of experience helping thousands of children, adolescents, adults and their families, many with ADHD, navigate life's challenges, and gain the tools they need to effectively manage their lives. Initially trained as a secondary and elementary school teacher, Dr. Graham furthered his education by obtaining his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Northwestern University and completing his clinical training at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. On the professional staff at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, he has taught graduate courses in assessment and trained many medical students, psychiatric residents, psychology and social work students.

Dr. Graham received his coach training at MentorCoach and currently teaches the ADHD Coaching Master Class for MentorCoach. He has been certified by the International Coach Federation as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Dr. Graham's experience has included working with difficult children, adolescents, adults and their families in therapeutic day schools, inpatient and outpatient settings. While creating his group practices, ACP Consultants and the ADD Centers, he also held the position of adjunct professor at the University of Illinois School of Medicine and at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Graham's executive coaching and consulting experience has included contributing to the success of many individuals and organizations. His coaching specialties include working with executives with business and organizational challenges; adults; teens; and parents.

As a way of giving back to the profession, Dr. Graham serves as the chair of the steering committee for the American Psychological Association Business of Practice Network (BOPN). He serves on the Professional Advisory Boards of the Chicago CHADD chapter and the Chicago North chapter of the LDA (Learning Disabilities Association). It is in this spirit of service that, with Dr. Bill Benninger, Dr. Graham created ADDvisor.com as a means to share practical information to families and individuals who live with ADHD every day. For six years, ADDvisor.com had been chosen by CHADD to be honored as an Innovative Practice at the CHADD national conference.

Recognized for his work by peers and clients alike, Dr. Graham presents and writes on psychological, ADHD, child and family, coaching and business issues throughout the United States and internationally. Dr. Graham is married and has three young adult children.

Alan can be reached at agraham@acp10.com.

Return to the PAAC Board Member List