FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alexa Beavers is the Founder and CEO of The Axela Group, where she leads with a mission to help leaders shape a positive future for themselves, their teams, and the world. With over 30 years of experience, Alexa has coached leaders, built high-performing teams, and guided organizations through transformation to achieve lasting impact.

Alexa has worked across multiple industries, including education, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, animal health, financial services, and nonprofits. Her expertise spans leadership development, team dynamics, talent management, and business transformation, with a focus on navigating complex transformations and helping people be at their very best during these times.

In 2024, Alexa and The Axela Group were honored with the ICF Virginia Coaching Excellence Award—Distinguished Coaching Catalyst in Social Excellence. She's been recognized as an “Industry Rising Star” and “Pharmaceutical Industry Luminary” by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

As a down-to-Earth speaker, Alexa has shared her insights at leading forums such as SHRM, Athena Forum, Women in Consumer Technology, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Leadership Conference, speaking on topics like the Secret Formula of ChangeMakers and The Power of Whole Human Leadership in the Age of AI.

Alexa is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and holds certifications in Organizational Culture and Effectiveness, Applied Neuroscientific Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence. She also serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Junior League of Richmond and is the Immediate Past President of ICF Virginia.

When she’s not leading her team to help people be at their best during times of change, you’ll find her spending time with her family,  getting delightfully messy while creating her latest painting, or walking with her dogs along the wooded paths by the James River in Richmond, Virginia where she lives.

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 CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Kellie Jenkins is a seasoned leadership development practitioner who brings deep expertise in strategic program leadership, curriculum design, facilitation, and executive coaching to the role of Head of Client Experience. She leverages this unique blend of skills to partner closely with our clients to co-create high-impact leadership solutions that are engaging, practical and aligned with their strategic goals.

With a strong commitment to delivering exceptional client service, Kellie builds trusted relationships and ensures every engagement is thoughtfully developed and seamlessly executed. From initial discovery through program design and delivery, she brings a detail-oriented, consultative approach that focuses on creating experiences that empower leaders, strengthen teams, and contribute to lasting organizational success.

Kellie holds an Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University, a Master of Science in Management and Organization from the University of Colorado Denver, and a PCC credential from the International Coaching Federation. She has served in board roles including President of ICF Colorado and Vice Chair of Girls on the Run of the Rockies.

Originally from Australia, Kellie has spent the past 20 years living and working around the world. Now a dual Australian–U.S. citizen, she lives in New York City with her husband and teenage daughter. A lifelong learner with a passion for personal growth, Kellie spends her days listening to the latest leadership audiobook on her walks, practicing yoga and meditation, learning Italian, and singing in a local choir.

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. 

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.