Hello!

I am Ellen Raynor, the owner of Essentials for Leadership, LLC. Thank you for visiting this page. Here you will find my vision for the company, the elements that differentiate our value, and my biographical information. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me to discuss how we might work together. No pressure – just information. It would be my privilege to earn your business!

Vision

I aspire to build and sustain my business through referrals and repeat engagements with clients and participants who enthusiastically attest to the value and impact of my programs and services.

How is Essentials for Leadership different?

All courses feature top quality instructional design combining thought leadership, break-out discussions and skill practice plus practical tools and templates to apply learning.

Core and advanced courses end with high level insights and verbal commitments to gain traction and encourage application of learning.

We send out short, 10-item feedback surveys after every course and share the results (scores and comments) with our clients.

All participants in core and advanced classes, assessments and team workshops may contact us at any time for additional information, coaching or discussion at no charge.

Ellen Raynor Bio

A passion for leadership development

I have extensive experience in talent assessment, succession planning, performance management, team effectiveness, merger integration, change management and more. But my passion has always been leadership development. I started my company because I love working with frontline and mid-level leaders and wanted to leverage the capabilities I honed during my corporate career.

Award-winning background in talent management

During my 18 years at McKesson, I designed and delivered programs for future, frontline and mid-level leaders. I became known for my instructional design, coaching and facilitation skills, as well as my commitment to the ongoing success of the participating leaders. In 2017, I received McKesson’s ICARE award for embodying the company’s values. The following year, I received McKesson’s HR Impact Award for the value created by my work.

Early career foundation in sales

My early career included several years selling consumer products for Procter & Gamble and medical supplies for Johnson & Johnson. Sales experience provides a solid foundation of business acumen and financial literacy. I am a business person first with particular expertise in leadership development. Delivering a return on your investment really matters to me.

Degrees from Cornell and George Washington

I am a graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. in Human Development, and earned a master’s degree in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University.

A focus on the basics to drive impact

In my training courses, you won’t find gimmicks or fluff. I believe in the importance of the basics – good design, relevant and engaging content, and expert facilitation. I create a participant experience in the classroom and as a coach that is safe, challenging, interesting and motivating.

Variety of interests

When I’m not working, I enjoy photography, museums, logic puzzles, musical theater, visits to historical sites and sitting in a rocking chair on my own front porch with a good book and a glass of wine. I share my 1901 farmhouse in the Richmond, VA area with two rescue beagles and two tuxedo cats, who are generally well-behaved when I am facilitating.

I hope you will reach out and give me the opportunity to earn your business.