Business Consulting Team and Leadership Experts
At Weiwood Group, we help small and mid-sized businesses and teams build lasting momentum through business consulting services that connect strategy, systems, and people. Our consulting framework — Flow, Engagement, and Thrive Momentum™ — brings together operational excellence, customer experience design, and team wellness to create measurable, sustainable growth.
With offices in New Jersey and clients nationwide, our mission is simple: turn strategy into motion and ideas into results.
Managing Partner & Founder | Practice Lead, Strategy and Operations Consulting
JD Woods is the founder and Managing Partner of The Weiwood Group, where he leads the firm’s Strategy and Operations consulting practice. His journey began on the loading docks at Kraft Foods, and after hundreds of boardroom presentations, he has never forgotten his roots — or the importance of keeping strategy grounded in execution.
JD is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Agile Project Manager, and Certified NLP Practitioner, with deep expertise in business operations, process improvement, and strategic transformation.
He is also a published author of two management books, a board member, and an experienced C-suite executive who has led high-performing teams in manufacturing, distribution, application development, sales, and marketing.
“Most organizations already have what they need to succeed. They just need help organizing, setting priorities, and recognizing the differences that make a difference. Sometimes, a small injection of Business How™ can change everything.”
An early advocate for play-based learning in leadership, JD helps executives and teams unlock creativity, clarity, and collaboration to build sustainable business momentum. Learn more about Weiwood Group’s approach to mindful growth.
Partner | Practice Lead, Personal and Career Development
Marina Plantz is a leadership and career development coach, speaker, and organizational wellness expert dedicated to creating psychologically safe workplaces — environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to perform their best.
She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Leadership from Montclair State University, and completed the Accomplishment Coaching Training Program, earning her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
In addition to her work with Weiwood Group, Marina serves as CEO of Jersey Medical Care, Compassionate Mental Health, where she provides operational leadership and strategic guidance to clinicians serving individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.
“By creating psychologically safe, healthy workplaces, we foster a kinder, healthier world.”
Marina also serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Society of Keyport, where she promotes the role of creativity as a catalyst for professional and personal growth.
As a speaker and facilitator, Marina is passionate about:
Psychological safety in the workplace: how values and feedback shape trust.
Career storytelling: crafting professional narratives that highlight real impact.
Compassionate leadership: leading with authenticity while preventing burnout.
Self-compassion at work: balancing ambition with well-being.
Through her Thrive Momentum™ work, Marina helps organizations strengthen leadership resilience, reduce burnout, and cultivate cultures of belonging and empathy.
Partner | Practice Lead, Customer and Buyer Journey Consulting
Pete Lauria redefines what it means to deliver exceptional customer experiences in a digital-first world. With over 30 years of experience in Customer Success, Customer Experience (CX), and digital transformation, Pete has worked with brands such as Microsoft, Zendesk, and numerous Fortune 500 organizations to improve loyalty, retention, and engagement.
“Organizations that achieve this do more than meet expectations; they create unforgettable experiences that inspire loyalty. I help companies balance digital tools with human connection — building customer relationships that last.”
Pete is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Life Purpose Coach, and a Certified NLP Practitioner. He also holds an MBA from Colorado State University and numerous technical certifications spanning digital platforms and CX tools.
His philosophy blends emotional intelligence and technology, teaching leaders how to use automation and data without losing authenticity.
When not working with clients, Pete can be found cycling, hiking, or camping — applying the same balance of endurance and reflection that he brings to his professional coaching and consulting work.
Through his Engagement Momentum™ practice, Pete helps organizations design customer and buyer journeys that connect emotionally, strengthen brand loyalty, and drive sustainable revenue growth.
A Leadership Team Built for Modern Business
Together, JD, Marina, and Pete form the foundation of Weiwood Group’s Flow, Engagement, and Thrive Momentum™ programs — an integrated consulting model built on the belief that sustainable growth happens when strategy, systems, and people move in harmony.
They combine decades of real-world experience across operations, leadership, and customer experience to help organizations translate vision into results.
Domain expertise. Human insight. Real momentum.
The Podcast
Prefer learning through conversation? Tune into the …and Here’s How™ Podcast, where we share real stories and practical strategies to help leaders get unstuck, find momentum, and make work feel a little lighter.
Book Time With Our Business Consulting Team and Leadership Experts
