About Us
Steven Yorra
Co-Founder
Steven empowers senior level executives in new roles and career transitions to accelerate their performance, so they can deliver better results with greater impact. He specializes in coaching executives in new leadership roles, strengthening EQ/leadership competencies, and developing executive presence. Steven works with a diverse clientele across media, entertainment, technology/digital, financial services, engineering/architecture, fashion/retail and non-profit institutions in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, London, and Mexico City.
Clients appreciate Steven’s strategic business acumen, insightful approach, and how he creates the space to enable his clients to stretch beyond their comfort zones, while ensuring alignment between their needs and their organization’s business objectives. Steven creates authentic relationships built on trust, sparking tangible behavior change, skill development, and ROI on each coaching engagement. In 2007, he co-founded The Illumination Group, leveraging his corporate experience to empower executives.
Previously, Steven was SVP, Director of Client Services at Grey Entertainment (WPP), and advertising agency executive at Lintas and Berenter, Greenhouse & Webster (Interpublic). He was also a branding consultant for Sterling Brands and Consumer Dynamics, New York. Before entering the corporate world, he performed as a pianist aboard Cunard’s QEII, and assisted Broadway producer Cameron Mackintosh (Les Misérables, Cats) and general manager Albert Poland (Little Shop of Horrors).
Steven received his MBA in Strategic Marketing from Northeastern University, as well as a Bachelor degree in Music from the University of Massachusetts. He is a Certified Executive Coach through the Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching (IPEC). Steven is a certified Hogan Assessment and MBTI practitioner and has received Leadership, Management, and Training Certifications from the American Management Association, New York. He also trained at The Actors Institute, New York in their Executive Presence program.
David Lees
Co-Founder
David successfully reconnects people to who they are at their core, so they can be better at what they do. He uses his infectious spirit, inspired creativity, and insightfulness to empower people to discover and transform their professional and personal lives.
David’s passion is to help people at a career crossroads take a journey of self-discovery to successfully transition to a new job or completely reinvent themselves. He reconnects them to their strengths, passions and values, and inspires them to achieve transformational results in their careers and lives. In addition to his individual career transition coaching, David leads The Illumination Group’s Packaging and Marketing Your Personal Brand public and private workshops.
Since 2008, David has been coaching professionals in career transition at the NY State Department of Labor. He has also proudly worked with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including returning Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan re-entering the workforce. David has been a featured motivational speaker for corporate retreats, aboard the Queen Mary 2, and with non-profit organizations in New York City, including The Science Industry and Business Library (SIBL), The New York Public Library, Grace Institute and Dress for Success.
A native of San Francisco, David studied design at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the Art Center College of Design/LA. He launched his own special events company, David Lees Productions, where he designed and staged product launches for some of the world’s best known brands, including Microsoft, Maybelline, Avon, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, and eBay.
Executive Coaching
Executive Coaching engagements empower you to be a more effective leader, by building on your core strengths, becoming more mindful of what’s in your way, and owning your vision for what you want to achieve.
Executive Presence
If you want to be a better presenter or run more effective meetings, we can help you learn skills from the worlds of branding and the performing arts so you can connect with your audience — and motivate people to act.
Career Transition
Whether advancing to a new role, transitioning to a new job or career, or striking out on your own, Personal Core Branding™ helps you identify your unique strengths and value, so you can position yourself for success.
David Lees Coaching
If you’re seeking greater clarity or searching for a new career direction, David’s career coaching, workshops and seminars will inspire you to move forward at every stage of your career. The key is connecting to who you are!