Lyonel is deeply passionate about helping others turn their aspirations into reality. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership roles, but one constant remains: his unwavering commitment to supporting students, faculty, and staff in accessing the resources—and confidence—they need to reach their full potential.

One of Lyonel’s favorite quotes, gifted to him in a framed plaque when he stepped into a new leadership position, reads: “A leader’s job is to look into the future and see the organization not as it is, but as it can be.” This forward-looking mindset shapes both his leadership and his coaching philosophy.

Lyonel approaches coaching as a profound responsibility and honor. He often says, “It’s a huge honor to be someone’s coach. My job is to help leaders identify and utilize the tools they need to become the leader they aspire to be in the future—not just the one they see in the mirror today.”

With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Lyonel brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his coaching practice. At the University of Michigan, he has provided leadership across a broad range of areas including strategic planning, change management, crisis response, student affairs, enrollment management, alumni and donor relations, recruitment and retention, project management, and pre-college programming.

Lyonel is a certified executive coach through the Michigan Medicine Executive Coaching Program. He holds a BBA in Marketing from Eastern Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from the University of Michigan.

Beyond his professional life, Lyonel enjoys attending sporting events, reading personal development books, relaxing at the beach, watching crime dramas, grilling outdoors, and spending quality time with friends and family.