About
We focus on leadership development and organizational effectiveness. Our work supports individuals and organizations in building capability and sustaining change over time.
Dr. Christopher Currens
Founder/Principal
Dr. Chris Currens is a seasoned leadership and career coach with extensive experience in organizational development, executive coaching, and strategic change. He is the Founder and Principal of Currens & Associates LLC, where he helps individuals and teams enhance performance, navigate career transitions, and achieve personal and professional growth using proven tools, assessments, and coaching practices.
Currently, Dr. Currens serves as the Chief Learning Officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, he leads leadership development initiatives, coaching programs, and organizational learning strategies.
With a diverse background spanning the SEC, EPA, Department of the Treasury, Salomon Brothers, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Dr. Currens brings a well-rounded perspective to leadership and public service.
He holds advanced degrees including a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, an MPA from Harvard University, and an MBA, alongside a BS in Accounting/Finance. He is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds multiple certifications in leadership assessment, coaching, and instructional design.
Dr. Currens also contributes to the broader professional and academic community as an adjunct faculty member, board member, and mentor coach for various institutions, including the American Red Cross, Hood College, Mount St. Mary’s University, and the Partnership for Public Service.
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Catholic Elementary School Success: Governance Lessons from a Qualitative Study of Five Advisory Boards in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Hood College DOL Highlights: Navigating Nonprofit Boards
Metro DC Chapter, Associaion for Talent Development (ATD Podcast)
NCEA Podcast
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Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, May 2021, Hood College (Frederick, MD)
Master in Public Administration, May 2007, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
Master of Business Administration, May 1999, University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
BS in Accounting/Finance, May 1987, Mount Saint Mary’s College (Emmitsburg, MD)
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Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Certification – International Coaching Federation
Gallup Strengths Coaching (2023)
Skillsoft Group Coaching (2023)
Facilitation and Instructional Design Certification (2023)
DISC Assessment Certification (2021)
Zenger-Folkman Leadership 360 Assessment Certification (2020)
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Principal/Founder – Currens & Associates LLC
Adjunct Faculty - Hood College (Frederick, MD)
Board Member - American Red Cross, National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region
Board Member - Mt. St. Mary’s University, Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business
Senior Fellow, Coach - Partnership for Public Service (Washington, D.C.)
Mentor Coach Assessor – Heidrick & Struggles
Dr. Lisa Littlefield
Senior Associate
Lisa Littlefield, Ph.D., is an accomplished leadership consultant, professional speaker, and career counselor with more than 30 years of expertise in communications, public relations, career development, client coaching, and higher education administration. She draws upon a deep background in both real-world and academic study of leadership and communications to provide executive, workforce, and professional development training programs.
Littlefield holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University, an M.A. in Communication and an M.S. in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from The University of Georgia. Her doctoral research explored the personality dimensions shaping professional identity.
Her diverse experience includes executive leadership roles, college-level teaching, and consulting at multiple higher education institutions, including The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Oglethorpe University, North Georgia College and State University, and West Georgia State University. She has guided individuals and organizations in leadership development and career strategy, becoming a sought-after advisor for enhancing communication and professional growth.
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Prior to moving to Frederick, MD, Littlefield was the Director of Evening Degree program at Oglethorpe University that assisted working adults achieve bachelor’s degrees, she supervised graduate students in Georgia State University’s Career Services Center.
She began her career as a broadcast journalist for ABC and NBC affiliates in Louisiana, covering breaking news, government, education, and the arts, and co-anchoring a news program. Transitioning to public relations, she successfully led communications for two of Atlanta’s major nonprofit attractions, Zoo Atlanta and The Atlanta History Center, where her efforts garnered national and international media attention. Her work included managing major exhibition launches, facility expansions, and crisis communications.
Littlefield’s excellence in public relations has been recognized with Phoenix Awards from the Public Relations Society of America Georgia Chapter and a Silver Flame Award from the International Association of Business Communicators, Atlanta region.
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Professional Identity Factors and Development
Strategic Communication
Career Counseling
Lifespan Development
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Ph.D., Counseling and Student Personnel Services, The University of Georgia
M.S., Professional Counseling, Georgia State University
M.A., Communications from Georgia State University
B.A., Communications from Southern Illinois University
National Board Certified Counselor
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National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Maryland Career Development Association (MCDA)
Georgia Career Development Association (GCDA) Two-time past president
National Association of College and Employers (NACE)
Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE)
Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association (MACCA)
Eileen Marshall
Senior Associate
Eileen Marshall is a dynamic leadership development coach, facilitator, and communications strategist with extensive experience helping individuals and organizations strengthen leadership capability, build meaningful professional relationships, and navigate change with confidence.
As a Senior Associate with Currens & Associates, Eileen partners with organizations across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to design and deliver high-impact leadership development, mentoring, training, and engagement initiatives.
Known for her energetic facilitation style and ability to create psychologically safe learning environments, she helps participants translate insight into action and achieve meaningful professional growth.
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Eileen brings deep expertise in mentoring program design and implementation, leadership communication, professional development, career transitions, and stakeholder engagement. She has managed large-scale mentoring initiatives and delivers more than 120 coaching, facilitation, and training sessions annually, giving her a unique understanding of how adults learn, develop, and sustain behavioral change over time.
As a DISC-certified coach, Eileen helps leaders increase self-awareness, strengthen communication effectiveness, and leverage their natural strengths to improve relationships and performance. Her coaching approach combines curiosity, empathy, and practical application, enabling clients to identify opportunities, overcome obstacles, and achieve lasting results.
Throughout her career, Eileen has been passionate about helping people discover their potential and build meaningful connections. Whether facilitating leadership programs, coaching emerging leaders, supporting mentoring partnerships, or guiding organizational initiatives, she is recognized for her ability to engage diverse audiences, foster collaboration, and create environments where people feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.
A lifelong storyteller and community connector, Eileen brings authenticity, creativity, and enthusiasm to every engagement. Her commitment to developing people and strengthening organizations makes her a trusted partner for clients seeking sustainable growth, stronger leadership, and measurable impact.
Jenell Beck
Associate
Jenell Beck is a learning and organizational development professional with more than 15 years of experience in healthcare operations, adult education, instructional design, leadership development, and project management. She specializes in developing and implementing adult learning strategies that improve operational effectiveness, elevate team dynamics and productivity, strengthen leadership capability, and support organizational change.
Jenell brings expertise in curriculum development, onboarding strategy, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and training evaluation methodologies, including the ADDIE model and Kirkpatrick methodology. Her work focuses on creating practical, engaging learning experiences that support both employee and leadership growth and organizational performance.
She holds certifications and continuing education credit in Articulate, Leadership Evolution, Crucial Conversations, Adult learning strategy and development, and Change Management. Known for her collaborative and energetic leadership style, Jenell has extensive experience coaching facilitators, mentoring teams, managing onboarding initiatives, and leading enterprise-wide training deployments.
In addition to her consulting work, Jenell has served in corporate learning and educational leadership roles, partnering with organizations to design scalable development programs and drive sustainable performance improvement.