Feroshia Knight, MA, PCC
Executive Director, Founder
is an internationally known coach, consultant, facilitator, and trainer, with a focus in marketing/customer relations, communications, business development and leadership development. She is also the founder of Agent 47 Marketing and Communications. Feroshia holds a Master's in Organization Change and Renewal from Seattle University/OSR-NW with expertise in systems thinking, system dynamics, transformational learning theory, archetypal systems and pattern analysis and change management. She is an ICF Credentialed Professional Coach, NLP Practitioner and Certified Project Manager.

For over 21 years, Feroshia has been helping individuals and businesses develop their human potential and business savvy. Feroshia uses coaching as a tool for positive change - improving conversations in the workplace, moving toward environments of creativity and inspiring employee-driven results. She has worked with organizations to develop highly innovative learning communities in which leaders and their teams can excel at effective communication, strategic planning, decision-making, conflict management, productivity, accountability and team effectiveness. Her secret sauce is a hybrid mix of right and left brain experiential learning methodology that brings forth the inspiration and insight required to make positive change.

As an instructor at Baraka Institute, Feroshia’s vibrant energy and enthusiasm for the subject material is contagious. She encourages learning through multiple perspectives and appreciative feedback, creating a powerful learning environment in which students thrive. Feroshia is respected for her ability to see through the hidden layers of human complexity, allowing individuals to manifest authentically and safely.

Feroshia’s favorite motto is: “Live and love out loud in all that you do.” She is currently working on a series of educational films designed to stimulate curiosity and action, targeting those ready to take action toward reaping the numerous rewards life has to offer. She believes that the natural world is one of the most powerful teaching tools available for learning about ourselves and how we interact in the larger community.

Feroshia’s leisure time in often spent in the great outdoors - hiking or biking or off in some distant land learning about other cultures. Though an avid traveler, Feroshia is native to Portland, OR and believes there is no place like home.

Feroshia is very active in the coaching and organizational development community. She currently serves as the Past President for the Oregon chapter of the International Coaches Federation, NW Coaches and also serves as the Past Chair of the Organizational Development Network of Oregon. She was voted and awarded "Coach of the Year" in 2009 by NWCA.

Amy Earle, CPC
Academic Advisor & Instructor- Virtual Programs
is an Academic Advisor and Instructor-in-Training for the Distance Learning Programs here at the Baraka Institute as well as a certified Whole Person Coach™ specializing in whole person wellness for individuals and business owners.

Through Baraka, Amy added Whole Person Coaching™ to her sales management toolkit and has since discovered powerful ways to help her business associates and personal clients experience new awareness, personally and professionally. In particular, she loves to explore and understand the patterns that define the way we show up in our jobs and everyday lives. Amy uses the tools obtained through Whole Person Coaching to facilitate strategic goal setting, values commitment and the realization of new energies to achieve daily challenges. Known for facilitating a calm, welcoming environment, she helps her clients explore their hidden strengths, resources and forward-moving strategies to realize ‘what’s next’.

Amy has successfully run her own business for over 25 years. Serving a diverse variety of American and Canadian apparel companies as a manufacturer’s agent and contracted general manager, Amy has been awarded Sales Rep of the Year five times. She has represented over 15 national and international brands including Bollé, Reebok, The North Face, Royal Robbins and Eagle Creek. She has also served as Canadian General Manager for Hurley, the youth-driven apparel brand owned by Nike. Most recently, Amy was General Manager for Raj Manufacturing, a US-based swimwear company.

A dedicated Rotarian, Amy is currently preparing to work with local high schools in Vancouver, British Columbia, volunteering her time to bring awareness to issues surrounding ethics and values.

Amy currently lives in Vancouver with her partner and regularly commutes to Portland, Ore., to participate in the Baraka community as one of our valued team members. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and is also fluent in French. Amy was born and raised in Canada and has had homes in the United States, Mexico and throughout Europe. She spends much of her free time cooking, hiking, travelling, and has regularly practiced yoga for over 12 years. She’s also a mom, with two young-adult children who enjoy keeping her up-to-date on the latest communication skills.

“Success is the ability to realize our dreams. And the tools and techniques of coaching have allowed me to do exactly that – refocusing my direction in both life and business. This learning has given me new passion and purpose in all aspects of my life, enabling me to listen more effectively, respond more intuitively and show up every day in a genuine, truthful fashion.”
- Amy Earle, Academic Advisor

“I love working with people on their Mindstyles. Listening to someone tell their story gives me insights into patterns, habits and processes that, when shared, often unlock new awareness.”
- Amy Earle, Academic Advisor

Sandy Parks, CPC, CAMF
Marketing & Event Coordinator
is an Events Coordinator responsible for the RockStarU and KOKORO Life Mastery workshops here at the Baraka Institute. Facilitating our events as a generous listener and devoted coaching mentor, she’s also an ICF credentialed coach and certified anger management facilitator, specializing in organization, work-life balance, and life transitions.

Sandy partners with clients to provide clarity surrounding individual goals, both personal and professional, acting as the catalyst for those who are ready to take a leap of faith to achieve their life’s aspirations. Her approach fosters a workspace that is safe, supportive and empathetic, based on honesty, integrity and accountability. Within that framework, she enables people to achieve what they want in life, serving as a conduit of change by motivating and challenging her clients when they come up against their ‘growth edge’.

Drawing on her years of experience with a wide range of individuals and organizations – including NIKE, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Good Samaritan/Legacy Health Hospital and St. David of Wales Episcopal Church – Sandy also brings a unique perspective to the Baraka Institute with her background as a volunteer with the Oregon Prison Project, where she co-taught nonviolent communication to individuals on their road to self-discovery and empowerment.

Born in Oak Forest, Ill., Sandy’s educational background includes Eastern Illinois University, East-West College of the Healing Arts and the Baraka Institute. In addition, she received her anger management facilitator training from Anderson and Anderson Anger Management. Her hobbies include reading, movies, dancing, hiking and camping. And among her greatest accomplishments, she places the raising of her two children, Bryce and Emily, and the completion of the 39.3-mile Avon Walk for Cancer at the top of her list.

“When people experience an “Ah-Ha!” moment during a session, they often think it was something I said or did. In reality, it was their insight that created that breakthrough – I was simply a witness to it and reflected back what I observed. They get to take credit for the work that brought them to that moment and experience the true meaning of empowerment. And that realization and personal growth is such a gift to witness!” - Sandy Parks, Marketing Coordinator

“It is through the practice of lifelong learning that one continues to realize their potential. If one continues to learn, their potential continually increases, gaining more knowledge and skills to share and incorporate into their lives. As a result, their lives become richer and they experience life more fully.” - Sandy Parks, Marketing Coordinator

“My life goal is to continually strive to be my best self and support others as they do the same. As a certified professional coach, I get to use the tools and techniques of coaching to do just that. I get to do what I LOVE for a living!” - Sandy Parks, Marketing Coordinator

Dawn Farr , MBA, CPC
Executive Coach and Guest Instructor
has over 15 years of experience working in the fields of leadership and organization development as a consultant, trainer and change agent. Areas of expertise include leadership and team development, change management, systems thinking, assessment, process improvement, and strategic planning. One of Dawn’s formative experiences was serving as Peace Corps volunteer in Chile where she worked as a business consultant and trainer with a broad array of clients from rural farm cooperatives to universities to multi-national corporations.

Dawn’s coach approach involves working with her clients to tap into their inner knowing and unconscious to identify and leverage strengths and personal passion, and to mitigate sabotaging behaviors and beliefs so that her clients experience more impactful lives. Dawn is particularly drawn to clients who work as organizational change agents and leaders as her background and experiences often enrich these exchanges.

Dawn received her MBA from Portland State University where she also earned a dual bachelor degree in marketing and finance. Dawn is also a graduate of the Leadership Institute of Seattle’s Leading with Integrity Program and the Baraka Institute’s Whole Person Coaching Program. Dawn continues to study, under the guidance of Ron Kurtz, and integrate aspects of Hakomi, a body centered technique for enhanced self-awareness, into her coaching practice.

Kim Tally, CPC
a certified Whole Person Design Coach, serves on the advisory board as a long term member of Baraka Institute. For over 6 years Kim has supported the design and development of the Baraka Institute including it's curriculum and teaching environments. Kim is well known for her undying support to the Baraka community as a mentor and friend. She has also been a trainer and facilitator in the management and health care industry for nearly 20 years; profoundly affecting the way people work together and helping them form more cohesive and desirable working relationships.

As a life coach, Kim helps people set sound goals, achieve meaningful milestones and make positive life transformations. She firmly believes in the power of the coaching experience and helps clients explore their own tremendous strengths and resources - inner tools they can draw on to excel personally and professionally.