Domain Expertise and a Unique Human Touch
John David “JD” Woods, Managing Partner
Practice Lead, Strategy and Operations
JD is the founder of the Weiwood Group. His career began on the loading docks for Kraft Foods, and after hundreds of boardroom presentations, he has never forgotten his roots. He is a Certified 6 Sigma Black Belt, Certified in Agile Project Management, the author and co-author of two books on management, and is certified in Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP). He is a board member and an experienced C-Suite executive having assembled and led successful teams in manufacturing, distribution, application development, sales, and marketing. He is a believer in success by reinvention and market redefinition.
“I believe that most organizations have the necessary resources available to succeed – to responsibly grow and scale. They just need help organizing and setting priorities, recognizing the ‘differences that make a difference.’ And, sometimes, a little injection of “business how” can help, too!
An early adopter of leveraging play at work, JD helps leaders and teams find creative ways to access their creativity and desire to succeed, in order to guide them toward strategic and operational differentiation.
Marina Plantz, Partner
Practice Lead, Personal and Career Development
Marina Plantz, ACC, is a speaker, career expert, and leadership coach dedicated to building psychologically safe workplaces and communities—spaces where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.
“By creating psychologically safe, healthy workplaces, we foster a kinder, healthier world.”
She holds a BA in psychology & leadership from Montclair State University, and has completed Accomplishment Coaching Training Program, earning her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Society of Keyport, reinforcing her belief that creativity is a powerful tool for both personal and professional growth.
As CEO of Jersey Medical Care, Compassionate Mental Health, Marina provides strategic leadership and operational support to mental health and substance abuse clinicians, ensuring they have the resources to reduce burnout and deliver exceptional patient care.
As a speaker, Marina is passionate about:
- Psychological safety in the workplace – how values and feedback shape trust.
- Career storytelling – crafting a professional narrative that highlights impact.
- Compassionate leadership – leading with authenticity while preventing burnout Self-compassion at work – balancing ambition with well-being.
Peter Lauria, Partner
Practice Lead, Customer and Buyer Journey
Redefining what it means to provide exceptional service in a tech-driven world.
Pete is a Customer Experience keynote speaker and coach with over 30 years of experience merging emotional intelligence with advanced digital solutions. With a background in Customer Success and Customer Experience with brands such as Microsoft and Zendesk, along with some of the world’s top brands through decades of consulting, Pete has seen what works, and what doesn’t work with customer interactions. Across industries, Pete has discovered a common thread that runs through most successful strategies connecting with people on an emotional level.
“Organizations that achieve this do more than meet expectations; they create unforgettable experiences that inspire loyalty. I help organizations balance digital tools with human connection, fostering long-term customer loyalty and employee engagement.”
Pete earned his MBA from Colorado State University, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), holds dozens of technical certifications, and is a Certified Life Purpose Coach and Certified Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP) Practitioner. When not helping businesses succeed, Pete can be found enjoying the great outdoors as an avid cyclist, hiker, and camper.