About Us

Dave is no longer accepting new appointments.

Dave Ellis is a world-class workshop facilitator and best-selling author who has written seven books, including Falling Awake, Life Coaching, Creating Your Future, and Becoming a Master Student, which was the best-selling college textbook in America for over two decades. He has taught all across North America and around the world.

He has coached national and international nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, an NBA coach, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Dave has developed a variety of powerful programs assisting people to realize their full potential. He and the thousands of teachers and coaches he has trained encourage people to think what they have never thought and to take actions they have never taken. Through the workshops, books, coaching, videos, and interactive online classes, Dave has helped over six million people create a more wonderful life.

Dave held the following positions at National American University:

• President
• Assistant Dean of Student Services
• Member of the Administrative Board
• Computer programming faculty
• Designer and teacher of an innovative first-year experience course for students to discover ways to be successful in college

Education:

• Honorary Ph.D., Naturopathic Philosophy
• Work towards Ph.D. in Psychology
• Master’s in Computer Sciences
• Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Psychology

Dave started The Brande Foundation and has contributed millions of dollars to the work of his foundation and other organizations. He has four daughters and six grandchildren. His hobbies are running, singing, photography, and travel.

Cathy Niezen builds communities of 100,000’s for leaders and businesses that are ready to create global impact. In the first 16 months Cathy reached 1 million followers by building her own impactful online community on Facebook - Preguntas con Proposito.

Cathy Niezen the founder of Community Build Consultancy and Room for Leadership and is passionate about personal truth and social responsibility. It means that she stands beside visionaries and leaders of social projects that impact individuals and the world.

"We help change-makers and organizations with causes close to their hearts to take action by creating awareness in others about the issues that will impact generations to come."

Community Build Consultancy offers solutions to create, build, sustain and financially leverage communities. We strategically help leaders and businesses target products and services through socially responsible practices.

Since the age of 12 years Cathy has been building communities. High School and College community building lead to non-profits, churches, parenthood support, healthy marriage foundations and Hispanic lobbyists. Community development is her passion. It’s her purpose.

Bill Rentz is an executive coach and a Master Certified Coach from the International Coach Federation. He is Vice President of Dave Ellis Leadership, the organization that presents the Falling Awake Retreats and other workshops.

Bill is a self-taught generalist who has partnered with Dave Ellis for over 30 years. Bill has been responsible for the coaching team and coach training, and he manages most of the day-to-day operation of the Dave Ellis Leadership programs.

JoAnne Bangs has been coaching individuals, business owners, couples, and leaders of nonprofit organizations for over 35 years. She has worked with Dave Ellis for over 24 years. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and has two children.

JoAnne is a confidential thought-partner, she encourages individuals to think for themselves and manifest their dreams. She also encourages others to be accountable for their own productivity and results while also being responsible to those in their personal and professional life. Her specialty is to help others foster their best attributes in order to create the best results.