Each client at Briefcase Coach receives personalized attention from our founder, Sarah Johnston, who collaborates closely with a dedicated team of North American executive writers. Team members bring not only excellent communication skills, but best-in-class expertise and academic qualifications from renowned institutions such as Emory, Washington University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Columbia.
Those who hire us appreciate being able to tap the wealth of experience our writing, HR and career transition experts have gained during successful careers in fields including executive search, medicine, law, federal grant writing, and public relations.
Meet our Team of Experts
Sarah Johnston
Founder and CEO
Sarah Johnston, a former corporate recruiter and founder of Briefcase Coach, has globally empowered job seekers. Holding an A.B. in Communication Studies from the University of Georgia, she’s been celebrated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career sector.
Lindsay Koons
Senior Career Branding Strategist
Lindsay Koons is a former Senior Vice President and Senior People Strategist within the Human Capital Strategy and Insights practice at Truist Financial Corporation. Lindsay has experience working across various industries and size companies ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500s.
Cathleen Sullivan
Senior Career Branding Strategist
Cathleen is a former leader in sales, marketing, and product development. She has conducted hundreds of interviews to shape vision, branding, and content strategy and now translates her deep expertise to help our clients hone and present their career stories and rise above the competition.
Nicole Eshelbrenner
Lead Executive Resume Writer and Instructor
Nicole Eshelbrenner, a former NYC PR professional and Abbott Nutrition’s Public Affairs specialist, has been a key writer for Briefcase Coach since 2019. With a background in media and communications, she holds a degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
Christina Lee
Lead Executive Resume Writer and Instructor
Christina, a former teacher and editor with Pearson Education Canada, has a PhD in American Literature from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She now leverages her expertise and global experiences to guide clients in showcasing their stories during job searches.
Steven Gaultney
Senior Executive Resume Writer
Steven Gaultney, a Senior Executive Resume Writer and acclaimed playwright, translates stories into standout resumes. With roles in The Theatre of Others and a background Off-Broadway, he’s an MFA graduate from Columbia and a Davidson College alum.
Rae Yan
Senior Executive Resume Writer
Rae Yan, a former university-awarded literature professor, uses ten years of research, mentoring, and teaching experience to define clients’ career narratives. She holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a Wellesley College alum.
Caitlin Weaver
Senior Executive Resume Writer
Caitlin Weaver is a seasoned talent management professional with over 15 years of experience in various industries. Caitlin holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from New York University.
Susannah Baker Khayat
Senior Executive Resume Writer
Susannah Baker Khayat, an attorney with a passion for writing, is Briefcase Coach’s specialist for legal narratives. A Rutgers and Emory Law alum, she brings extensive legal experience and is an active Georgia bar member.
Katherine Bonner
Client Manager
Katherine oversees client experience and onboarding at Briefcase Coach, ensuring every client has a seamless and personalized journey. Before joining Briefcase Coach, Katherine worked as a member specialist for a credit union and served as a senior recruiting coordinator at Korn Ferry. She holds a BBA in Human Resources from Boise State University.
Sarah Pociask
Director of Strategic Marketing
Sarah leads business development, marketing, and operations at Briefcase Coach, with prior roles at notable institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital. A Georgia Tech alumna, she’s an active volunteer, currently serving as treasurer for Fernbank Elementary Foundation.
Alicia Bellezza-Watts
Marketing Coordinator
Alicia is an experienced marketing professional and former adjunct faculty member with a passion for helping individuals achieve their career goals. She is skilled in content creation, social media management, and marketing campaign development. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering in her community and spending time with her family.