Transforming Leaders. Strengthening Organizations. Elevating Human Potential.
Evidence‑based coaching and consulting for leaders and teams navigating growth, change, and complexity.
What We Do
We help leaders and organizations grow stronger, communicate better, and navigate change with confidence.
Our services include:
- Executive Coaching to elevate leadership presence and performance
- Organizational Effectiveness to strengthen culture and team alignment
- Change Management to support smooth, people‑centered transitions
- Project Management for training and IT initiatives that require clarity, structure, and strong stakeholder engagement
Meet Dr. Benita
Dr. Benita Pleasant‑Barrozo is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Executive Coach, Gallup‑Certified Strengths Coach, and organizational change expert with more than 20 years of experience developing leaders across higher education, healthcare, corporate, and nonprofit sectors.
With a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC, she blends research‑driven insights with a human‑centered, trauma‑informed approach to help leaders grow with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.
She partners with individuals and organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, improve communication, and navigate change with compassion and strategic focus.
Why Clients Choose Us
Clients partner with Pleasant’s Consulting because we bring the perfect balance of strategic expertise and human‑centered leadership development. Our work is grounded in research, shaped by real‑world experience, and delivered with compassion, clarity, and cultural responsiveness.
Evidence‑Based, Scholar‑Practitioner Expertise
With a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership and more than 20 years of experience, we integrate organizational science with practical tools leaders can use immediately.
Human‑Centered, Trauma‑Informed Approach
We create psychologically safe, supportive environments where leaders can grow with confidence, self‑awareness, and emotional intelligence.
Customized Solutions That Fit Your Culture
Every organization is unique. We design tailored strategies that align with your people, your goals, and your operational realities.
Cross‑Sector Leadership Experience
We’ve supported leaders in higher education, healthcare, corporate environments, and nonprofits, giving us a broad, adaptable perspective on today’s leadership challenges.
Commitment to Achieving Sustainable, Measurable Results
We help leaders and teams communicate better, collaborate more effectively, and navigate change with clarity, creating impact that lasts long after the engagement ends.
Our Clients
We are honored to support leaders and teams who are committed to growth, collaboration, and creating healthier workplaces. Our clients value partnership, compassion, and practical tools that help people thrive.
We’ve partnered with:
- Global corporate training companies
- Educators and academic leaders
- Healthcare professionals and clinical teams
- Corporate managers and emerging leaders
- Nonprofits and churches
Client Testimonials
“Dr. Benita was able to learn the ‘why’ behind each staff member’s motivation and pair it with the ‘how’ of communication.”
Team Development — Student Affairs Division
She helped our Student Affairs division, which had a history of turnover among directors and staff due to the team’s inability to work cohesively in a fast-moving, changing environment. Dr. Benita’s work with our team was truly outstanding because she was able to learn the “why” behind each staff member’s motivation and pair it with the “how” of communication, so that each member of the team could learn how best to interact with the others. This made a definitive impact on how we collaborated and communicated going forward, and helped our department grow — and, more importantly, better serve our medical students.
From the very beginning, Dr. Benita demonstrated a deep understanding of group dynamics and team development. She created an open, supportive environment that encouraged every staff member to share their ideas and perspectives, both privately and publicly. Through workplace personality assessments, carefully structured workshops, and insightful discussions, Dr. Benita helped our team identify strengths, address challenges, and steadily build mutual trust. Her approach was both professional and personable. She skillfully guided our team through difficult, complex conversations, ensuring that everyone felt heard and valued. Her ability to foster meaningful dialogue and disrupt negative, fixed mindsets not only improved our morale but also strengthened our capacity to work together without constant involvement from human resources.
Thanks to Dr. Benita’s facilitation and timely intervention, our staff developed clearer communication channels, a greater sense of cohesion, a renewed commitment to our shared mission, and greater respect for one another. Her contributions undoubtedly elevated the quality of our teamwork and, ultimately, the support we provide to our medical students.
“In short order, Dr. Pleasant-Barrozo became an extremely popular resource. They knew she was a safe space.”
Coaching Medical Students
I also want to briefly highlight Dr. Benita’s role as a coach to our medical students. Dr. Pleasant-Barrozo coached our medical students one-on-one, helping them navigate challenges with impostor syndrome, anxiety, relationship struggles, professional development, and other personal and professional issues. Dr. Benita initially met with me to learn the background of what was expected of a successful medical student and the common challenges our students faced. She then did additional homework and research to learn more, so that she could bring credibility to her coaching sessions with our students. Our students, many of whom were first-generation and from underserved backgrounds, were initially reluctant to use someone provided by the administration to help them with their problems — but in short order, Dr. Pleasant-Barrozo became an extremely popular resource. They knew she was a safe space, and she had practical tips and solutions to help them through their issues so they could balance life with the intensity of medical school.
I have already wholeheartedly recommended Dr. Benita Pleasant-Barrozo to another medical school due to the success of her excellent and insightful services to our school. I will continue to recommend her for any future professional opportunities where strong leadership, collaboration, and team-building skills are essential. Dr. Benita is an exceptional facilitator whose knowledge and expertise would benefit any organization that wants to move forward.
— Emma Simmons, MD, MPH
Emeritus Professor of Family Medicine, UC Riverside School of Medicine
“Dr. Benita is an absolutely phenomenal coach!”
Dr. Benita is an absolutely phenomenal coach! I was impressed with her coaching presence and ability to ask powerful, thought-provoking questions. Each time she coached, her confidence and excellent communication skills stood out to me. I found Dr. Benita to be extremely personable and the ultimate professional. Each week I looked forward to our sessions because I knew she was going to ask questions that would make me think on a different level. She helped me untangle the thoughts in my head and, for the first time, I could see my vision coming to life. It was one of the most meaningful coaching sessions I’ve had. Dr. Benita has made a tremendous impact on my life through her coaching and became a trusted confidant as a result. She has been amazingly thoughtful and selfless in sharing opportunities to ensure my growth and development as a coach, and I am absolutely grateful to her for that. I will recommend her services to others with great pleasure.
— M. King | Executive Coach
Dr. Benita has a very kind personality, but she is also deeply insightful and evokes change and transformation. She provides a safe space as well. As a result of working with Dr. Benita, I learned that clarity helps with action.
— Danielle Turner, MBA, ACC | Life Strategist Coach
“One of the most valuable investments I’ve made for my professional, academic, and personal growth.”
Working with Dr. Benita Pleasant-Barrozo as my career coach has been one of the most valuable investments I’ve made for my professional, academic, and personal growth. Her guidance helped me gain clarity about my career goals, identify my strengths, and develop a strategic plan to advance my career with confidence. Through her coaching, I improved my professional presence, strengthened my conflict-resolution skills, and learned to navigate challenges more effectively in the workplace, my personal life, and ministry. With her advice and encouragement, I reached career goals and made significant progress in my academic and ministry work. I am now more focused and ready to take on new opportunities. I highly recommend Dr. Benita to anyone looking for a coach who cares and wants to help you succeed.
— Arlene Valdivia | Kidney Health Educator
“Thanks in large part to her coaching and support, I successfully landed my new role.”
I had a phenomenal experience working with Dr. Benita. She provided professional coaching on conflict resolution, and her insight was invaluable in navigating a variety of corporate challenges. In addition, she guided me through a career transition with thoughtful advice, mock interviews, and interview preparation. Thanks in large part to her coaching and support, I successfully landed my new role. I truly attribute much of my success in this new position and career path to her guidance. I highly recommend her for both professional and life coaching. She is professional, trustworthy, and maintains the highest level of confidentiality. Her insight and expertise are truly priceless.
— S. Henderson | Analyst, School of Medicine
“Having Dr. Benita as an executive coach is an extraordinary experience of possibility and clarity.”
Dr. Benita’s presence, poise, professionalism, and pacing define her outstanding coaching expertise and partnership. As a result of coaching with Dr. Benita, I repeatedly experienced three defining results: confidence in decision-making; clarity in motion — momentum and movement on my goals; and courage to leap in a desired direction.
Having Dr. Benita as an executive coach is an extraordinary experience of possibility and clarity. She is empowering, wise, and patient. She has a confident presence, is meticulous in her planning, stays true to her word, and is truly connected throughout the coaching sessions with openness, trust, and non-attachment. Thank you, Dr. Benita.
— Rhian Rotz | Learning and Development Executive
Dr. Pleasant-Barrozo delivered an exceptional keynote session to the UCR School of Medicine staff. Her presentation was not only inspiring and highly relevant but also deeply engaging. Following the keynote, she led a hands-on activity that reinforced the message and allowed us to put the concepts into practice right away. She skillfully facilitated team building and equipped us with vital strategies for effective communication during change management. Her insights on navigating inter- and intra-departmental collaboration were well received by all participants.
— K. West, MPH | Project & Policy Analyst
On behalf of our staff, I’d like to express sincere appreciation to Dr. Benita for attending and giving an outstanding presentation at our Staff Retreat. Her speech and presentation were inspiring and stimulating, and gave the team a broader understanding of just who we are — as a community and individually. It was rewarding and awe-inspiring! She helped to highlight our team’s value and maturation. Thank you!
We hope she enjoyed her time with us and felt the embrace of our team. This is certainly a day to be remembered. Thank you, Dr. Benita, for your valuable contributions and your “over and beyond the call of duty” charismatic outreach!
— P. Preston | Division of Biomedical Sciences
You don’t have to navigate growth or change alone. Let’s create a supportive, empowering path forward for you, your team, and your organization.