Laurie Grathen is a Corporate America Escapee who conceived Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^®  more than 25 years ago as she was beginning her corporate management career.   Successfully meeting goals and producing results involved the tricky and often frustrating business of effectively using the time, human, and financial resources entrusted to her management.  Whenever Laurie taught the Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^® technique to staff, peers and Presidents and CEOs, the phrase “let’s think 2 steps ahead about that” became part of the company's language.  In doing so, she developed a reputation for solving tough problems, turning around difficult situations and finding good solutions to the most vexing issues.  Laurie realized that Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^® is a skill that can benefit virtually everyone in both their personal and professional lives.

Laurie has been the director of operations and administration in an insurance company, a large customer service call center manager, the operations officer of a manufacturing company, a SCORE counselor, a small business owner, an adult education teacher and an active church and community volunteer.  Laurie has successfully worked with:

• corporate employees   

• blue collar employees

• members of the military

• business owners

• children in the community

• at risk teens

• college students

• women in distress

Laurie’s base of operation is central Missouri and she travels extensively in the Midwest presenting the Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^® concepts.

Contact Laurie. 

Cindy Blackwell is a former career officer in the United States Air Force.  She and Laurie met more than 25 years ago when Laurie was an airman in her unit.  Their interests, both personal and professional, are similar and over the years they both discovered and nurtured a true passion for helping others succeed.    

Cindy has contributed significantly in developing the concept and content of the Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^® programs.  Cindy’s expertise is two-fold.  She has extensive experience in small business economic development and is skilled in all aspects of information services, including developing and testing Windows based computer user applications.    Her corporate work life has included government groups, small businesses and large corporations.    

Cindy’s base of operation is the Pacific Northwest and supports Thinking 2 Steps Ahead^® presentations on the West Coast.

Contact Cindy.