Our Story
The name of our company comes from the small, obscure symbol that falls between the day you were born and the day you die: The small little symbol that represents your life and legacy. We believe that leaders who are intentional about their dash will change lives and those lives change organizations.
We leverage our expertise to help leaders improve the capabilities of their top leadership and managers, create a healthy, thriving culture that maximizes employee potential, and create a well-developed bench for expansion or succession.
We leverage our expertise to help leaders improve the capabilities of their top leadership and managers, create a healthy, thriving culture that maximizes employee potential, and create a well-developed bench for expansion or succession.
Our Mission
To empower our clients to create healthy organizations and develop masterful leaders in order to leave a legendary legacy
Our Values
For The Dash Group, our values are the organizing principles of how we do everything to maintain the culture of our organization and ensure our best for our clients.
Courage - We choose the courageous over the comfortable.
Integrity - We do what we say we will do and will be who we say we are.
Trust - We actively work to be worthy of trust by being honest, consistent and
authentic.
Excellence - We strive to do our best, continuously step outside of our comfort zones, focus on learning and professional growth; and we challenge our clients to do the same.
Fun - We believe that life is too short to not enjoy doing what you do and we want our clients experience that with us.
Integrity - We do what we say we will do and will be who we say we are.
Trust - We actively work to be worthy of trust by being honest, consistent and
authentic.
Excellence - We strive to do our best, continuously step outside of our comfort zones, focus on learning and professional growth; and we challenge our clients to do the same.
Fun - We believe that life is too short to not enjoy doing what you do and we want our clients experience that with us.
Our Team

Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Catherine Hickem has over 35 years of experience in developing people, assessing corporate cultures, and/or coaching C-level executives. She consults companies who are desirous of maximizing their talent, reducing their costs, lowering their attrition, and improving their efficiency. Catherine and her team conduct gap analyses for companies who are struggling to comprehend all the variables impacting their business.
In 2005, Catherine became the exclusive consultant to Ryder Systems where she remained until 2011. During her tenure, she worked with the CEO and EVP of HR to create a values-based culture and assisted in launching a comprehensive culture change to its 29,000 employees. Since that time, Catherine has worked in private equity, medical services, manufacturing and the service industry. Succession planning, talent management, leadership training, values integration, and employee engagement are just a few of the services she implements with organizations. She has also
facilitated the transitions associated with mergers and acquisitions.
Catherine is certified in at least 7 assessments and is a Certified Facilitator in The Daring Way, a leadership program developed by Brene’ Brown, used by industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies. She also works intimately with the only assessment company whose validity was nominated for a Nobel Prize. Catherine’s expertise in creating corporate environments fosters growth, creativity, and innovation while building a foundation of trust, integrity, and transparency.
Catherine graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Counseling and Masters in Clinical Social Work. Catherine is a graduate of Coach U, is a credentialed member of the International Coach Federation and is a Certified Everything DiSC Trainer and is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator(CDTLF).
Catherine Hickem has over 35 years of experience in developing people, assessing corporate cultures, and/or coaching C-level executives. She consults companies who are desirous of maximizing their talent, reducing their costs, lowering their attrition, and improving their efficiency. Catherine and her team conduct gap analyses for companies who are struggling to comprehend all the variables impacting their business.
In 2005, Catherine became the exclusive consultant to Ryder Systems where she remained until 2011. During her tenure, she worked with the CEO and EVP of HR to create a values-based culture and assisted in launching a comprehensive culture change to its 29,000 employees. Since that time, Catherine has worked in private equity, medical services, manufacturing and the service industry. Succession planning, talent management, leadership training, values integration, and employee engagement are just a few of the services she implements with organizations. She has also
facilitated the transitions associated with mergers and acquisitions.
Catherine is certified in at least 7 assessments and is a Certified Facilitator in The Daring Way, a leadership program developed by Brene’ Brown, used by industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies. She also works intimately with the only assessment company whose validity was nominated for a Nobel Prize. Catherine’s expertise in creating corporate environments fosters growth, creativity, and innovation while building a foundation of trust, integrity, and transparency.
Catherine graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Counseling and Masters in Clinical Social Work. Catherine is a graduate of Coach U, is a credentialed member of the International Coach Federation and is a Certified Everything DiSC Trainer and is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator(CDTLF).

President
Cindy works with executive leaders across various industries to eliminate vulnerabilities that affect their business outcomes. She advises leaders in the prioritization of strategic solutions to best capitalize on the health of their organization, creating a competitive advantage over other industry players. Using various methodologies tailored to the needs of her clients, Cindy works with leaders to build healthy organizations that are sustainable, resilient, innovative and more profitable.
Cindy brings over 25 years of experience working with clients to better help them achieve their business objectives. Over her career, that has taken on different forms. She spent 15 years working in advertising for industry giants like J. Walter Thompson and BBDO creating strategic broadcast media solutions, managing clients, leading teams of broadcast negotiators and serving in elected leadership roles within the advertising community. After taking some time off to raise her children, Cindy made a career change that allowed her to merge her skills in leadership, business and organizational health with her passion for human growth potential resulting in a career truly organic to who she is. Cindy is an authentic thought leader who has earned the trust and loyalty of her clients through her integrity, courage and ability to deliver results.
Cindy is a sought-after resource for leadership development and cultural diligence for acquisition by both private equity firms and privately held companies. Cindy graduated from The University of Alabama with a BA in Communications. She is also a graduate of Coach-U, is a credentialed member of the International Coaches Federation, is a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF) and a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator (CDTLF) in the work of Dr. Brene´Brown and is a Certified Everything DiSC Trainer.
Cindy works with executive leaders across various industries to eliminate vulnerabilities that affect their business outcomes. She advises leaders in the prioritization of strategic solutions to best capitalize on the health of their organization, creating a competitive advantage over other industry players. Using various methodologies tailored to the needs of her clients, Cindy works with leaders to build healthy organizations that are sustainable, resilient, innovative and more profitable.
Cindy brings over 25 years of experience working with clients to better help them achieve their business objectives. Over her career, that has taken on different forms. She spent 15 years working in advertising for industry giants like J. Walter Thompson and BBDO creating strategic broadcast media solutions, managing clients, leading teams of broadcast negotiators and serving in elected leadership roles within the advertising community. After taking some time off to raise her children, Cindy made a career change that allowed her to merge her skills in leadership, business and organizational health with her passion for human growth potential resulting in a career truly organic to who she is. Cindy is an authentic thought leader who has earned the trust and loyalty of her clients through her integrity, courage and ability to deliver results.
Cindy is a sought-after resource for leadership development and cultural diligence for acquisition by both private equity firms and privately held companies. Cindy graduated from The University of Alabama with a BA in Communications. She is also a graduate of Coach-U, is a credentialed member of the International Coaches Federation, is a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF) and a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator (CDTLF) in the work of Dr. Brene´Brown and is a Certified Everything DiSC Trainer.
Executive Coach/Consultant

María Elena Retter is a management consultant and executive coach who is passionate about helping leaders transform themselves and their organizations to achieve results. She works closely with her clients in creating an aspirational vision that maximizes the talent and strengths of each team member.
Prior to The Dash Group, María Elena held positions with IBM and The Coca-Cola Company across a wide range of functions including strategic planning, process improvement, and institutional change initiatives. She later served as Executive Director of a large private foundation, where she led a team that partnered collaboratively with over 300 non-profit organizations.
María Elena graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Biology. She is a graduate of Coach-U and is a credentialed member of the International Coaches Federation, and is a certified Everything DiSC Trainer.
María Elena is a thoughtful, passionate, and caring coach whose expertise enables individuals to bring forward the best version of themselves as both leaders and team members.
Prior to The Dash Group, María Elena held positions with IBM and The Coca-Cola Company across a wide range of functions including strategic planning, process improvement, and institutional change initiatives. She later served as Executive Director of a large private foundation, where she led a team that partnered collaboratively with over 300 non-profit organizations.
María Elena graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Biology. She is a graduate of Coach-U and is a credentialed member of the International Coaches Federation, and is a certified Everything DiSC Trainer.
María Elena is a thoughtful, passionate, and caring coach whose expertise enables individuals to bring forward the best version of themselves as both leaders and team members.
Executive Coach/Consultant
Jill is a professional consultant as well as a counselor/therapist who is passionate in supporting leaders as they develop their skillsets in the workforce. Using a combination of her educational background and positions in various counseling settings, she specializes in assessing highly charged situations, supporting clients as they initiate difficult conversations, and navigating complex decisions where conflict is present.
Prior to The Dash Group, Jill has worked in a variety of therapy settings such as working with families in the hospital setting during an unexpected death/dying process, providing trauma-focused therapy to abused children, and taking clients individually who have needed additional support in their life journey. Jill has created and held an international parenting academy and has spent many years supporting parents as they navigate the tricky terrain of parenting. Jill graduated with a BS in Clinical Counseling from Liberty University and a Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. Jill is certified in The Judgment Index™ |

Executive Coach
Jille Bartolome is a Master Certified Coach, Author, and Speaker with an authenticity and sense of humor she brings into all she does. She is an expert in guiding her clients to ever higher levels of leadership, achievement, and fulfillment. She has led workshops with thousands of clients from direct sales organizations, large corporations, small businesses, non-profits and personal growth communities since 1996.
Jille specializes in leadership and career development. She has expertise in creating healthy teams, and thriving cultures with high employee engagement. When working with Jille, you can expect to experience leaps and bounds in self-awareness, executive presence, personal empowerment, and motivation.
After working with coaching clients for thousands of hours, Jille has discovered that while successful people have many things in common, what is more important, is that each person has awareness and understanding of their unique gifts and abilities. When these are applied with confidence and belief, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
Before becoming a Coach, Jille was the owner and founder of an Executive and High-Tech Placement Firm. Her experience also includes Career Advising and High-Level Corporate management. It seemed only natural for Jille to combine these experiences and skills with her gift in guiding others to help themselves so in 1996 she began her coaching practice. Since then, people all over World have benefited from her "I coach, you win" approach.
Jille has earned a solid reputation as strategic coaching partner with credentials that include: MCC - Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, Coach University Faculty Member since 2004 ADDCA Faculty (A.D.D. Coach Academy) since 2011. She is certified in the Myers-Briggs Assessment Tool, the Print Assessment Tool, the Being at Full Potential Assessment Tool and is a Certified Facilitator of The Coaching Clinic. Jille graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a Certified Graduate of Coach University. She has also co-authored several books alongside other top business coaches.
Jille Bartolome is a Master Certified Coach, Author, and Speaker with an authenticity and sense of humor she brings into all she does. She is an expert in guiding her clients to ever higher levels of leadership, achievement, and fulfillment. She has led workshops with thousands of clients from direct sales organizations, large corporations, small businesses, non-profits and personal growth communities since 1996.
Jille specializes in leadership and career development. She has expertise in creating healthy teams, and thriving cultures with high employee engagement. When working with Jille, you can expect to experience leaps and bounds in self-awareness, executive presence, personal empowerment, and motivation.
After working with coaching clients for thousands of hours, Jille has discovered that while successful people have many things in common, what is more important, is that each person has awareness and understanding of their unique gifts and abilities. When these are applied with confidence and belief, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
Before becoming a Coach, Jille was the owner and founder of an Executive and High-Tech Placement Firm. Her experience also includes Career Advising and High-Level Corporate management. It seemed only natural for Jille to combine these experiences and skills with her gift in guiding others to help themselves so in 1996 she began her coaching practice. Since then, people all over World have benefited from her "I coach, you win" approach.
Jille has earned a solid reputation as strategic coaching partner with credentials that include: MCC - Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, Coach University Faculty Member since 2004 ADDCA Faculty (A.D.D. Coach Academy) since 2011. She is certified in the Myers-Briggs Assessment Tool, the Print Assessment Tool, the Being at Full Potential Assessment Tool and is a Certified Facilitator of The Coaching Clinic. Jille graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a Certified Graduate of Coach University. She has also co-authored several books alongside other top business coaches.