♦ Mission Statement

♦ Kirsten’s Bio

♦ What Makes Kirsten Uniquely Qualified?

♦ Meet Our Team

♦ Client List

♦ In the News

♦ Contact Focus Forward

Mission Statement

Focus Forward is dedicated to partnering with business leaders to create cultures that achieve desired results, where communication is clear and concise and productive employees act as a unified force to achieve defined goals and maximize profits. Our team of experts bring more than 40 years of experience in the Recruiting and Human Resources field and will work with you to create a dynamic team.

Creating customized plans for each business, we utilize strategies such as individual leadership coaching, team coaching, professional recruiting and implementation of Human Resource tools to achieve and sustain the improved culture.  Back to Top

Kirsten’s Bio

Kirsten E. Ross brings a unique blend of energy and insight to her work with clients. She has the ability to efficiently help them gain self-awareness and create positive change that empowers leaders, improves communication and relationships. Her work creates profitable, productive clinics where passion is alive.

She is a Leadership & HR Coach with a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management, a Senior Human Resource Certification and Coach Training Alliance training. In addition, she brings more than 20 years of hands-on experience, most of which has been in healthcare. She has authored a variety of articles and e-books and has been interviewed as an expert for media such as: NBC Nightly News, Fox 2 News, National Public Radio and for publications such as Working Mother Magazine and Fitness Magazine.

Kirsten is also an experienced speaker who will add inspiration and fun to any event infusing humor and self-awareness activities that keep audiences entertained. Participants will walk away with the targeted action plans and the motivation to impact their lives and work. Back to Top

Why is Kirsten qualified to do the work that she does?

One, I am doing the work that I was born to do. I have been accidentally coaching, mentoring and motivating people my entire life. I have innate abilities that allow me to quickly see the junk that stands in the way of my clients being who they were meant to be and doing what they were meant to do.

I also have a strong educational background in the field, a Masters Degree from one of the top Human Resource programs in the country, Michigan State University, and am a Certified Senior Human Resource professional.

Third, but, most importantly, my life and work are walking billboards for what you can do if you use the strategies I teach.

I have faced challenges! I was a stay at home mom in an abusive marriage. I am now a single mom with two young boys.

I have had to work my way back up from devastating verbal abuse to positive thinking, pure tenacity and action with laser focus.

I started my business on the heels of a marriage where I was constantly told I was worthless, where I walked on eggshells daily, where I experienced physical side effects from the stress of the living conditions, where my two boys began to flounder and talk about suicide and engage in self-destructive behavior.

I had to go through the process of self-evaluation to find work that I could be passionate about utilizing my god-given gifts.

I needed to quickly begin making enough money to support myself and two boys. I designed a work-life that allows for flexibility so that I could still help out at the school on occasion and drop my boys off at school and pick them up. We focus on filling our home with love, joy and laughter.

Yes, I have to leave some things undone and just know that they are good enough. Yes, I’m behind on my laundry, but;

• I have endured the loneliness, overwhelm and fear of having all of the responsibilities fall on me,
• have fought my way back to a good healthy sense of self worth,
• am getting better and better at assertive communication and healthy boundaries
• focus daily on being the best me, the best mom, the best coach that I can be
• all without family support in my area

I have worked with tenacity and prayer to make it all happen. When I tell my clients that anything is possible and that you CAN find joy where you are today, I know from personal experience!!

I have complete, unwavering conviction that the targeted actions that I teach work!

I am passionate about helping others maneuver the hurdles in their lives to find the joy that they were meant to have, the healthy, loving relationships that they yearn for and the passion-filled work that they were meant to do. Back to Top

Meet Our Team

Lisa Vandervord assists with various human resource needs for clients and other administrative functions. Prior to joining Focus Forward Coaching in 2010, Lisa worked as a Human Resource Administrator for a tier one automotive supplier. She has more than 8 years of experience working in all areas of human resources, but most of her focus has been in the areas of Compensation and Training and Organizational Development. Lisa is a graduate of Oakland University’s MBA program with a concentration in Human Resources Management. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management with a minor in Accounting. Back to Top

David Gwozdz is a Retained Search Specialist assisting in professional recruiting and marketing. Prior to joining Focus Forward, David was owner/operator of MWC Authentics, an internet marketing firm specializing in design and promotion. David’s prior experience also includes Director of Advertising Sales for the Detroit Regional Chamber. David is a graduate of Ferris State University with a degree in Marketing.  Back to Top

Gretchen Dietz is a Retained Search Specialist assisting with professional recruiting and various human resource needs. She brings over 8 years of experience in the recruiting and staffing industry to Focus Forward.  Prior to joining our team in 2011, Gretchen was a Recruiter for EDS.  She also worked as a HR Generalist for PGA National Resort and Spa.  Gretchen is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelors of Science in Human Services. Back to Top

Nicole Michalak is a Human Resources and Recruiting Assistant providing professional recruiting and human resources services for Focus Forward clients.  Before joining the team, Nicole was the Human Resources Manager at Gas Station TV, a fast growing media company, where she played an instrumental role in acquiring and retaining talent.  Nicole is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology.  Back to Top

Coaching, Retained Search and Speaking Clients

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In the News

Who Cares What You Wear To Work? Maybe You Should – FOX Business, October 28, 2010 Back to Top

Contact Focus Forward

Call directly at (586)558-6683 or complete the form below to schedule your confidential consultation or to request more information about work with your organization.

When you call or complete the contact form you will receive a free copy of "Six Simple Steps to Great Delegation."

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