A dyed-in-the-wool Jersey girl, Karla was born and raised here in the Garden State. She describes her early years this way: "My sister and I were fortunate enough to be raised by parents who gave us enough space to grow and fail forward, making sure we understood the lessons learned." She shares that growing up in her home was like living in the United Nations building: just about every nationality, race, and religion were represented by the fascinating people who walked through her family's door and ate at their table. Sharing stories with each other, laughing (a lot!) and learning in this way made a lasting impression. When she reflects on these years she states, "We were not rich people but I always felt wealthy because of these experiences. It was fabulous."

Karla is known as The Executive's NeuroCoach, a keynote speaker and published author of The Agile-Minded Executive. She keynotes at national conferences as well as local associations and has received high marks for energizing and provoking thought in her audience members. She has been dubbed by her clients, "a fabulous confidant and strategic advisor" and creates environments that advance a team's self awareness and cohesion through her workshops and meeting facilitations. Karla started her own company, Shifting Gears® Business Coaching & Consulting, in 1999. She hosted her own internet-based talk show, “The Exceleration Zone” and has been quoted in The NY Times, MSNBC online and other internet and national print publications.

Believing that how we think drives our choices for action and behavior, Karla focuses this perspective on the executive suite and their teams. She states: "I believe in the audacious power of our minds to create better outcomes. In order to create better outcomes, we need to become better decision-makers and leaders. In order to become better decision-makers and leaders, we need to become better thinkers. I help business leaders become better thinkers."

This philosophy is backed by Karla's approach which is a blend of brain science and business focus. Karla's clients consistently define her candor, humor, directness and her ability to ignite insight in their minds and unearth the stories that shape their thinking as the hallmarks of her approach. She has earned trusted advisor status among her peers and executive clients by being a challenger, truth-sayer, sounding board and motivator. She works with executives who are dealing with emerging challenges in a volatile and ambiguous economy. The relevance of her approach and work as a brain-based coach stretches across diverse industries. Executives from top companies across the country such as Wells Fargo, Chase, Navitus Health Solutions, CR BARD, and Willis Towers Watson are among her portfolio of clients. She also has built a following with individual executives who are part of her growing book of private clients who hire her to help them with specific areas such as their career advancement or transition, current business challenges and/or personal development.