Basil Rouskas, MBA, President and Founder

Basil founded the firm in 1988. His vision was to create a boutique size firm that combined a unique blend of supportive and directive development of human assets in the organizations he was to serve. The firm's success is a testimony to the recognition by the client organizations of that unique approach. No client is treated without dignity and support on a human level. At the same time, no client will be allowed to perform at a level below his / her potential. No complacency permitted. Coaching and development is a serious business at Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc.

His experience after his undergraduate studies in Greece included a three-year service in the Air Force, where he performed duties as Warrant Officer for NATO in Athens, Greece.

After coming to the US in 1969, Basil had a corporate career with the Chubb Group, a diversified international financial services company, for 15 years. In his various assignments with the company he performed duties of Risk Management, Commercial Underwriting, Product Development and International Zonal Management, prior to entering the consulting field.

Basil has worked with clients in a variety of industries both in his corporate and consulting careers. These industries include Power Generation, Banking, Insurance, Durables Manufacturing, Health Care Delivery, Hi Tech, Telecommunications, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Products and select large Not-for Profits.

Basil is an experienced presenter, trainer, coach and facilitator with clientele in a diversified cross section of industries and companies. He and members of his staff have facilitated Strategic Planning retreats and Senior Team Development processes. Furthermore, he has designed and collected data utilizing surveys of executive and professional behaviors along the dimensions of competencies required for successful contributions to the organization. He has extensive experience in coaching executives and professionals regarding their 360-degree feedback and assisting them in driving transformation and effectiveness of their teams. 

He has also taught at several institutions of higher learning and has been a lecturer, consultant and leadership development instructor since 1993 at the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Basil has worked, lived and traveled extensively in many countries and speaks several languages; his diverse perspective is instrumental in his effectiveness with multicultural challenges in today's global organizations.

Since 1988 Basil has served numerous clients in a variety of industries and in companies of all sizes. Some representative clientele includes General Electric, Chemical Bank (currently JP MorganChase), Foster Wheeler, Nabisco (currently Kraft), Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Schering Plough, Warner Lambert (currently Pfizer), Cornell University, Euler -ACI, Bristol Myers Squibb, Masco Industries, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NJ, Chubb, Summit Bank (currently Fleet), Rutgers University, Operation Smile, Prudential, Woodward Clyde, Alpha Net Solutions, Nitta Casings, Barclays Bank, Recruit USA and several smaller organizations.

Basil holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of Athens, Greece. In the USA he earned an MBA in 1972 and rounded his graduate schooling by earning a Masters Degree in the Behavioral Sciences from Rutgers University in 1991.

Basil has been actively involved in several professional societies; he was the International Director of the NJ Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Garden State Council from 1995 to 1998; he also served as President of the Central NJ chapter of SHRM. Basil is currently an active member of the SHRM High Technology network, a Professional Emphasis Group (PEG), focusing on the Human Resources issues of high technology organizations.  He is also a member of a New Jersey-based coalition for Cultural Diversity consisting of Business, Academic and Government organizations.

Dr. Tamara Goldstein, Vice President

Dr.Tamara Goldstein is a licensed psychologist and organizational consultant with 19 years experience in facilitating transformational change and development in groups, organizations and individuals. She has worked with organizations on team effectiveness, performance enhancement, conflict resolution, assertiveness training, communication and work-life integration. She provided executive assessment and development as well as employee coaching for AT&T, Coca Cola Bottling Co., Merck, Bayer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and several high-tech communication start-ups.

Dr. Goldstein has been particularly interested in cross-cultural issues and the impact of diversity on organizations, groups and family life. She has lent her expertise to executives and organizations in effecting high performance by leveraging the talents and energy inherent in truly diverse teams.

Integrating her expertise as psychologist with that of organizational consultant, Dr. Goldstein has worked with senior executives on stress management to minimize the detrimental effects of chronic excessive stress on high performance, sound decisions, and effective leadership. She has worked with multidimensional intervention systems to optimize intellectual, emotional and physical performance of executives utilizing a variety of approaches, including hypnosis.

Dr. Goldstein has utilized experiential workshops, training seminars and individual coaching to develop leadership talent in women and minorities in the workplace. She has also coached executive women in balancing the many demands of career and family life. Her multi-cultural work/ life /study experience has been a powerful resource in working effectively with diversity and gender issues in organizations.

In 1967 Tamara earned her M.A. in International Studies with specialization in Translating and Conference Interpreting from Warsaw University, Poland. She also took courses at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany and Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. She earned her Masters Degree in Psychology from New York University in 1981and her Doctorate in Psychology in 1990 from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University. Dr. Goldstein is licensed as independent practitioner of psychology in New Jersey.

Dr. Goldstein is an active member of the New Jersey Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and past president of the Society of Psychologists in Private Practice.

Elyse Kehoe, Director

Elyse joined Basil Rouskas Associates Inc. in 1991. In her capacity as Director, Elyse designs, and delivers full implementation of group training and customized individualized coaching programs. Some of the training topics include Career Management, Communication, Relationship Building, Organizational Skills/Time Management, Management Skills, Effective Team Skills and Conflict Management. 

In addition, she has participated in the design and delivery of programs to develop and retain the “knowledge worker” in industries where intellectual property and rapid product development were crucial. She is certified in Quality and Process Improvement methodology and has served in the evaluation of training and other processes of Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc.

Furthermore, she has designed computer based training (CBT) and coauthored the design of distance education programs with a major university.

Elyse’s work experience, prior to joining Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc. includes Training and Development as well as Human Resources Management for the Corporate Trust Division of a major New York bank. There she was in charge of developing train the trainer programs and implementing motivational and incentive processes.

She received her undergraduate degree in French from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, with a minor in Business Administration. She has also completed graduate course work at Rutgers University in counseling psychology, educational program planning & development and distance education.

Michelle DeBlasi

Michelle DeBlasi, Resources & Technology Consultant, has been with Basil Rouskas Associates since 1992.  She is the designer of the company’s four websites, maintains the sites, and participates in the development of their content.  She is responsible for the production of multimedia programs, including audio, video, web-based training and computer-based training (CBT).  She is also a valuable contributor to the company management team, participating in regular meetings and managing projects.  Her areas of expertise also include marketing communications, presentation development, and DTP.  Michelle received her Bachelors degree in Communications from Marist College.

Lisa Fontanes, Office Manager

Lisa has been with Basil Rouskas Associates Inc. since 2003. In her capacity as Office Manager, Lisa oversees all administrative functions for the office, staff members, associates and clients of Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc.  She updates and maintains all databases, manages the accounts receivable and accounts payable functions, maintains the corporate calendar, and functions as the major communications link among all associates.  She is also involved in the company’s marketing functions and interfaces with the web designer of the firm.   Lisa ensures the accuracy of all coaching and training materials and arranges all the necessary administrative support for training and coaching events.

Lisa’s work experience, prior to joining Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc. includes over 10 years in a variety of human relations responsibilities in corporate settings.   She has effectively supervised the work of others and has developed communication skills to interface clearly, accurately and tactfully with all levels of management.

Partners in Excellence

THE PLAYERS:  OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST TIER INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS 

Our coaches are carefully selected from the best the independent consulting field has to offer.  They are trained and certified to facilitate our programs.  Once they have been certified, the independent consultants become our Partners in Excellence.  We hold frequent meetings, under the facilitation of our VP, Dr. Tamara Goldstein.  In the Partners in Excellence meetings, all of us learn from each other.  We become sounding boards to each other.  We problem solve situations where the coaching process needs revisiting.  We brainstorm options for the coach to take.  We find ways to learn from each other's successes and challenges.  We share new learning, cutting edge readings, and new findings.

This is the spirit of the Partners in Excellence!

Below are brief profiles of the Partners in Excellence, in alphabetical order:

Lilian Abrams, Ph.D.
Ann Barrett, Ph.D.
Robin Fogel, MA
Maureen Klecha, BA
Peter Muniz, MBA
Marie Panyko, MBA

Lilian Abrams, Ph.D.

Dr. Abrams has consulted in Organizational Effectiveness / Development, Training, and Applied Research for over fifteen years.   Her specialty areas include Organization Development/Effectiveness; Leadership Development and Executive Coaching; Diversity; Performance Management; Instructional Design and Delivery; and Applied Research (Focus Groups, Surveys, Interviews).   Her experience includes leading companies in International Banking, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Investment Banking, and Consumer Products.

Prior to entering the consulting field, Dr. Abrams was Senior Manager, Organization Effectiveness, for Nabisco (Corporate Headquarters).   In this role, she developed and oversaw a successful company-wide leadership development program for high-potential early-career leaders.   She also utilized her extensive applied research experience to oversee the implementation of a new annual employee survey, which featured ties between survey results and important Nabisco performance indicators.

Based on the West Coast until 1998, Dr. Abrams held Organization Development and Research Consultant positions in two prominent HR consulting firms, Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt.   She also held positions within Kaiser Permanente (California) as an Organization Effectiveness Consultant and Researcher.   Her consulting work in these roles included leadership coaching and training; performance management design and implementation; diversity; merger/acquisition integration; competency development; and both national and global employee research projects, utilizing a combination of focus groups, interviews, and surveys.   Industry experience on the West Coast includes:   Financial Services, Publishing, Healthcare Delivery, and Aviation.

Dr. Abrams earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior (Psychology) in 1995 from The Claremont Graduate University, and an M.B.A. from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate Management Center at the same institution in 1990.   She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from UCLA, with Phi Beta Kappa, College of Letters & Science, and Latin (magna cum laude) honors.

Ann Barrett, Ph.D.

Ann has had a diverse career in the Educational, Consulting and Professional Association Research fields.

Her experience includes psychological assessment and counseling in Hospital settings, Career Development and Counseling in High School and University settings, with a heavy emphasis on coaching for success.

Dr. Barrett has also been an adjunct professor at Fordham University teaching graduate courses in Multiculturalism/Diversity and Program Design & Evaluation.   She also taught undergraduate courses in Research Methodology and General Psychology.

In her consulting career, Ann developed programs & curricula addressing intergroup relations and conducted diversity training for volunteers.   Additionally, she was responsible for the design and execution of research utilizing focus group, polling, and phone interview data analysis methods.

With the Conference Board she consulted, presented, and wrote on topics such as Leadership Development, Coaching, Assessment of Personal Characteristics, and Engaging the Mature Workforce.   Ann has worked as an adjunct professor and consultant in the areas of diversity/multiculturalism and program evaluation.   She also has expertise in mentor/intern programs, and corporate-sponsored education programs.

Dr. Barrett earned her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University (1998) and she is a NY State Licensed Psychologist. She is member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the NJ Organizational Development Network (ODN).

Robin Fogel, MA

Robin has had a diverse career in private industry, Government and consulting.   In her career with the Government of the State of New Jersey, she served in leading roles as Human Resources Director and Assistant State Treasurer.

In consulting, her areas of specialty have been coaching professionals of many disciplines such as consultants, planners, non-profit executives, lawyers and business executives for success.

She is particularly skillful in coaching for effective use of client time, priority setting, management of staff, and work life balance. She is also successful in coaching professionals in transition issues, including new career roles and redefining the factors of effectiveness and success.

Robin holds a BS in Finance and Accounting from Stockton College, and an MA in Human Development from Farleigh Dickenson University.   She is also a graduate of Coach University.   Additionally, she is a member of the International Coach Federation, the NJPCA- NJ Professional Coach Association and the CJWN- Central Jersey Women's Network

Maureen Klecha, BA

Maureen advanced her career in the Human Resources field, where she progressed to the level of the Chief Human Resources Officer for $200m division of Fortune 100 Electronics Company. In that capacity she provided hands-on HR leadership supporting employee population of 500.

In the consulting field Maureen specializes in organizational assessment, individual executive coaching programs, custom curriculum design, and classroom style instruction.

She has facilitated the growth and development of numerous professionals and managers through facilitation in the areas of communication, influencing, emotional intelligence, selection, coaching, delivering performance feedback, setting goals and planning for employee development.

In 1986, Maureen earned a BA in Communications Studies from Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ

Peter Muniz, MBA

Peter Muniz is the president of a consulting company that bears his name.   He is bilingual and bicultural.   He provides consultation and training services in both English and Spanish, to organizations in the private and public sectors, in the United States and abroad.

His educational background includes both the technical and human resources areas.   Mr. Muniz is a member of the New Jersey Organization Development Network (ODN) and a co-founder of the Latino OD Network, a unit of the National Organization Development Network.   His organizational experience includes line and staff positions at managerial and non-managerial levels.   His consulting and training activities include Organization Development, Teambuilding, Executive/Management Coaching, Needs Analysis (organizational, unit, and individual), Management Development, Management of Diverse Work Environments, and Trainer and Consultant Training.   He has completed the Training for Coach Certification Program presented by Basil Rouskas Associates, Inc.

Mr. Muniz has also spent one year in Panama training Panamanian trainers and consultants.   He has published on a wide range of training and consulting topics, and has served on the Editorial Advisory Board of Supervisory Management.   He has been a presenter at numerous professional conferences in the United States and abroad.

Mr. Muniz is a co-developer of The Cultural Awareness Hierarchy(, a widely accepted model for improving productivity, communications, and understanding in diverse work settings at the national and global levels.

He recently launched a job focused Spanish language training and consulting initiative:   ¡Aquí Se Habla Español!sm for Spanish-dominant employees in U.S. organizations.   The major goal of this initiative is to accelerate the development of Spanish-dominant employees so they can contribute to productivity and participate fully in the organization as soon as they become employed.

Marie Panyko, MBA

Marie Panyko is a performance consultant, coach, seminar leader and professional speaker.   She works with corporate clients, sales organizations, professional associations and delivers public workshops.   With more than 25 years of training and coaching experience, Marie focuses on management and leadership competencies as well as team and communication skills.

Marie spent more than a decade of her career in a fortune 500 company in the insurance and financial services industry.  She headed the Leadership and Executive Development Team, responsible for communication, leadership, team and diversity training throughout that organization.  While there, Marie was instrumental in creating and implementing the Performance and Development strategic change process and in rolling out the Quality Program.  In addition, Marie's experience includes creating an executive leadership curriculum and developing corporate frameworks for implementing organizational change.

Marie works closely with managers and executives providing feedback and developmental coaching.  She enables individuals and work groups to develop frameworks and techniques to implement behavioral change on both an individual and organizational level.

Marie is an adjunct faulty member of the Community and Professional Programs, Raritan Valley College, NJ.  In addition, she has been a guest speaker at the NJ Governor's Conference on Women in Business and keynote speaker for a number of small business functions.  She is a member of Toastmasters and the National Speakers Association.

Marie received her Human Resources Certificate and MBA from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA.  She also holds numerous certifications - MBTI, LIFO, LBA -II, Human Element and the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science Change Management Leadership Certificate.

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