Who We Are

jim_hJim Hessler

… brings over 25 years of business management and executive leadership experience to Path Forward, which he founded in 2001.

Jim has been an award-winning salesman, sales manager, general manager, and executive. He has specialized in turning around underperforming operations, and in the mid 90’s he helped lead a massive national reorganization for a Fortune 150 company.

Jim’s experience in general management has resulted in broad and deep knowledge of nearly all aspects of a well-run business. From building and managing a sales organization, to managing complex inventories and delivery systems, to generating vision and trust in demoralized organizations, to leading complex restructuring efforts, Jim has earned a depth of knowledge and insight that serves his Path Forward clients exceedingly well, regardless of the leadership challenges they face.

Jim lives in Issaquah, Washington, and has been married for 32 years to Paula Weiss, a teacher in the Issaquah School District.

steveSteve Motenko

… is a nationally acclaimed, Harvard-educated leadership trainer and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) specializing in integral development.

His coaching training and experience, combined with a strong service orientation, led Steve into leadership development and executive coaching, where he has built a broad and eclectic resume:

  • training managers at Boeing and Microsoft in leadership qualities and skills
  • as a partner in Path Forward Leadership Development Services, developing leaders in some of the largest companies in the Puget Sound region
  • as a certified trainer, keynoter and coach for the Center for Ethical Leadership, introducing a values/integrity-based leadership approach in business, education, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations across the country.

A long-time performing musician, Steve is a highly-acclaimed presenter and keynoter.  His interactive workshops, for groups from 6 to 1500, have been called “life-changing.”

For more information about Path Forward’s executive coaching opportunities, click here.  For more info about Steve’s personal coaching offerings, click here.