FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alexa Beavers is the Founder and CEO of The Axela Group, where she leads with a mission to equip leaders to shape a positive future—for themselves, their teams, their industries, and the world. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Alexa has coached leaders, cultivated change-making teams, and guided organizations through transformation to achieve lasting results.

Her experience spans both the public and private sectors, with leadership roles in education, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, animal health, financial services, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies. She brings deep expertise in leadership development, team dynamics, talent management, business transformation, and navigating complex system disruptions. Recognized for her insights and ability to drive impact, Alexa has been honored as both an “Industry Rising Star” and a “Pharmaceutical Industry Luminary” by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

In 2024, Alexa and The Axela Group were awarded the ICF Virginia Coaching Excellence Award—Distinguished Coaching Catalyst in the Social Excellence Category, further solidifying her reputation as a transformative force in leadership and coaching. She is known for her innovative yet human-centered approach, helping leaders leverage self-awareness, resilience, and learning agility to navigate today’s rapidly evolving workplace.

A sought-after speaker, Alexa has presented at major conferences including SHRM, Athena Forum, The Junior League, International Coaching Federation, Women in Consumer Technology, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Leadership Conference on topics such as leading through change, system disruption in healthcare, and the competitive advantages of inclusive workplaces.

Alexa is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), a Project Management Professional (PMP), and holds certifications in Organizational Culture and Effectiveness, Applied Neuroscientific Leadership, and Coaching. Alexa holds both a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is the Immediate Past President of ICF Virginia and serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Junior League of Richmond.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Craig Beavers brings decades of leadership experience in public service and emergency management. Recently retired as a Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief, Craig’s 30-year career in fire service, crisis response, and community leadership has shaped his ability to guide organizations through complex challenges with clarity and confidence.

Having served in a rapidly growing community outside of Washington, D.C., Craig understands the unique demands of local government, public safety, and cross-sector collaboration. He has successfully led diverse coalitions, managed large-scale emergency response efforts, and navigated high-stakes decision-making in dynamic environments. His expertise extends beyond emergency services—he helps leaders in both the public and private sectors strengthen their ability to influence, motivate teams, and drive strategic change.

With a deep understanding of leadership under pressure, Fire Service Management and Administration, and training in neuroscience, Craig provides invaluable insight to organizations navigating uncertainty, growth, and transformation. His ability to translate lessons from public service into actionable leadership strategies makes him a key resource for government agencies, municipalities, and businesses looking to enhance their leadership capacity and operational effectiveness.

HEAD OF GROWTH

Dr. Jim brings a deep history of launching new products and markets to the Axela team in his fractional role. Most recently, he was responsible for helping a Singapore-based HR Tech company expand into the US and obtain a foothold in the market. Prior to that, Jim worked for a TA tech company and was responsible for helping to build out their referral partnership motion. Jim's had a long history of launching new products or services in the niche technology, HRTech, TATech, and EdTech spaces. 

At his core, Jim is a talent strategy nerd having earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on employee retention and turnover. He's the co-founder of a small go-to-market and content agency that has developed and produced close to a thousand podcast episodes as well as a couple of podcasts that are globally ranked in the top 10%. 

When Jim's not working on one of his 50 different side projects, he spends his time waiting for the weather in the frozen tundra of WI to get decent enough to take his sons fishing. 

HEAD OF CLIENT EXPERIENCE AND BRAND ENGAGEMENT

Kelsey is a trusted partner in transformation who brings authenticity, strategic insight, and a deep passion for people to every engagement. She thrives on helping organizations navigate complex change with clarity and confidence, ensuring leaders and teams are equipped to drive lasting impact.

With expertise in change management, strategic communications, and culture strategy, Kelsey has successfully led initiatives across manufacturing, healthcare, construction, pharmaceuticals, and animal health. She specializes in building engagement strategies, establishing effective change networks, and designing high-impact workshops that foster collaboration and alignment. A certified Hogan coach, she helps leaders gain self-awareness and leverage their strengths to enhance team dynamics and performance.

In addition to her client work, Kelsey plays a key role in shaping The Axela Group’s brand and marketing strategy, ensuring a strong, cohesive identity that reflects the company’s mission and values. She brings an eye for design and storytelling to elevate the firm’s presence and communication.

BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Shannon Cornelison plays a critical role in ensuring seamless operations and exceptional client service at The Axela Group. With a degree in Business Administration from Flagler College and extensive administrative experience, she brings strong organizational expertise and a detail-oriented approach to supporting both internal operations and client engagements.

In addition to managing logistics and communications, Shannon maintains The Axela Group’s social media presence through content design, scheduling and engagement. She also serves as the firm’s assessment administrator, supporting the delivery of powerful tools and products across our portfolio. She ensures a smooth process for participants and provides vital support to coaches and facilitators, helping clients gain valuable insights from these assessments.

Known for her professionalism, responsiveness, and interpersonal skills, Shannon is committed to delivering high-quality support, ensuring every interaction with The Axela Group is efficient, organized, and client-focused.