We believe every individual - and organization has the capacity to succeed
Working relationships are the bedrock of organizational success.
Teamwork and communication are the building blocks of innovation
and effectiveness. That's why high performance organizations are made up of high
performance workers, at every level-people who are
confident that they can rely on one another every time, all the time.
The starting point is with individuals building working relationships
that enable each individual to excel.

The competitive environment is important, too. Today's marketplace
whether local or global is fluid and fast-paced. Change is a
necessary part of the growth process for individuals and organizations.
Effective change requires awareness, acceptance, and action.

Compass Development Group can help you, or your company,
build productive working relationships, plan for smooth transitions,
and create successful, sustainable change.

Who are our clients?
Our clients include individuals, small businesses, mid-size corporations,
and Fortune 500 companies, schools, colleges, hospitals and
non-profits of all kinds and sizes, professional partnerships
and associations, local and state governments,
federal government agencies, and the military.

Who are we?
Melisa Gillis and Jennifer Cohen, managing partners of
Compass Development Group . We have more than 45 years' experience
helping individuals and organizations create better futures.
Sharing a common philosophy and values, we have helped
hundreds of individuals and organizations through teaching, coaching, collaboration, and skill building.

We bring to our work a unique blend of skills in human psychology and organizational behavior, training and education, business management and strategy. In addition we maintain working partnerships with more than 100 professional colleagues-specialists we consult with on an as-needed basis, to meet each client's needs.

What is our experience & expertise?

  • Understanding issues from both individual and organizational viewpoints
  • Solving dilemmas by analyzing and addressing institutional or individual-systems
  • Guiding organizational development
  • Teaching team leadership skills
  • Coaching career and personal development
  • Administering and interpreting the industries most respected and trusted personality/behavioral assessments and skill-building tools

Jennifer Cohen
Jen is a career, team, and leadership coach, management development consultant and group facilitator. An experienced human resources professional, she has partnered with senior executives and line managers as well as individual clients in a number of industries, including finance, print, broadcast media, technology, and healthcare. She is qualified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and other industry standard tools, and is highly skilled in applying these tools, as well as her own insight and expertise in guiding individuals and groups to solve strategic issues and achieve success through challenge, collaboration, and action.

Jen has holds a B.A. in Psychology/Sociology from the University of Connecticut. She has, in addition, completed post-graduate programs in Human Resources Management at Bentley College and professional coaching at Cambridge College. She is a member of the Organizational Development Learning Group, Association of Career Professionals and International Coaching Federation.



Melisa Gillis
Melisa is a management development consultant, team coach, and leadership facilitator. She is an expert in guiding senior teams in the formulation of successful strategies that are based on an in-depth analysis of their organizations systems, culture, and resources and a realistic understanding of the competitive environment. She is qualified in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DiSC, Firo-B and knows how to leverage the insights gained from these tools to design experiential learning activities that result in highly successful development, planning, and management programs.

Melisa holds both a B.S. and an M.S.Ed. from Boston University. She has consulted with a number of Fortune 1000 Companies, Non-Profits and Academic Institutions providing world-class training in culture change as well as learning and development programs to both private and public sector organizations. She has worked successfully with a variety of clients representing industries including insurance, finance, health care, consulting and education.