Purpose
Helping education and nonprofit leaders cultivate the conditions for thriving—within themselves, their teams, and their communities—through coaching and education grounded in positive psychology.
Vision
A world where education and nonprofit leaders lead with self-compassion and courage—creating cultures where people and purpose thrive together.
Core Values
People
People are whole, resilient, and resourceful.
Leadership
Leadership starts from the inside out.
Learning
Learning unlocks limitless possibilities.
Psychological Safety
People must feel safe to learn and thrive.
Presence
Here and now is the seed for new possibilities.
Awareness
Awareness is the first step towards understanding.
Michelle Watson-Grant, Ed.D., ACC
About Michelle
Leaders come to Jonlieu because they want to grow—but also because they’re tired.
Tired of navigating change alone.
Tired of carrying more than they replenish.
Tired of trying to lead well in environments that rarely slow down enough to care for the humans doing the leading.
I know this experience well, because for many years, I lived it too.
My Journey to This Work
I’ve spent over 30 years in education—teaching, coaching, leading teams, designing curriculum, and serving as a district administrator. I loved the work deeply, and I cared fiercely about the people I served. We created meaningful change: healthier team cultures, better learning environments, improved instruction, and a more connected district experience for students and staff.
But behind the scenes, I was running on empty.
The pace was constant. The expectations were high. The transitions were nonstop. And like so many mission-driven leaders, I kept pouring out—long after my own well-being was depleted.
Eventually, the stress caught up with me. It triggered one of the worst Sickle Cell Disease flare-ups I had ever experienced.
That moment forced me to pause. To breathe. To ask harder questions about the kind of life and leadership I wanted to build. And to consider what thriving could look like—not just for others, but for myself.
Where Jonlieu Began
As I healed, I started exploring a new way to support the leaders I admired: one that centered humanity, emotional intelligence, resilience, and whole-person well-being—not just performance or productivity.
Around that same time, I was volunteering with nonprofit leaders and realized something important: education and nonprofit leaders carry the same weight—high stakes, limited resources, heavy expectations, and constant transition.
They didn’t need more pressure.
They needed support that helped them stay connected to who they are, what they value, and how they want to lead.
That insight became the foundation of Jonlieu.
Today, I help leaders grow the inner capacities that make leadership sustainable—emotional awareness, purpose and values alignment, positive relationships, strengths-based confidence, resilience, and whole-life well-being.
How I Support Leaders
Through 1:1 coaching, team and group coaching, and transformative learning experiences, I help leaders reconnect with the parts of themselves that often get buried:
• the desire to lead with clarity, not urgency
• the need for meaning and alignment
• the longing for healthier relationships and communication
• the hope for a leadership approach that feels more human
• the belief that they can thrive without burning out
My clients often describe our work as grounding and clarifying—“the calm in the storm”—because it gives them space to understand themselves, see their strengths clearly, and make decisions that reflect what truly matters.
As one nonprofit leader shared:
“Michelle helped me uncover strengths and ideas already within me. I now feel equipped to improve my life, achieve my goals, and lead myself—and others—with purpose and intention.”
That’s the heart of what I do: help leaders live well, so they can lead well.
My Background & Training
I hold a Master’s in Education, Teaching and Learning, and a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University.
I'm a Certified Master Coach through the Center for Coaching Certification and a credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation. My professional training includes:
• Positive Psychology
• Navigating Transitions
• Team Development Essentials
• Design Thinking
• Agile Project Management
These frameworks blend into a people-centered coaching approach grounded in both research and lived experience.
Beyond the Work
When I’m not coaching or teaching, you’ll almost always find me outdoors. I’m most at home in nature—walking mountain trails, breathing in the ocean air, tending to my garden, or simply noticing the small details the natural world offers when we slow down enough to see them. I also love spending time with my husband, Kevin, and our two dogs, and we often enjoy camping as a way to recharge and reconnect.
I also love nature photography and writing children’s stories—creative practices that bring me joy, remind me to stay curious, and help me reconnect with the rhythms that support my own well-being.
"The name Jonlieu (pronounced john-loo) is a heartfelt homage to my grandfather, John Lewis. Known for his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, he was a role model, particularly in times of transition and challenge. Unable to read or write, he mastered countless skills and always found solutions where others saw only obstacles. Jonlieu is more than just a name. It’s a nod to my grandfather’s legacy, and a reflection of my commitment to replicating it. The "lieu" also signifies my aspiration to stand in his stead, cultivating leadership not only in myself but in every individual I serve, and the people they serve, creating an ever-widening ripple effect of positive change."
How We Help You Grow
Think. Be. Do.
Our offerings help leaders move from awareness to aligned, sustainable change—especially during seasons of transition.
Coaching
(1:1, Group, and Team)
Coaching with Jonlieu gives leaders space to understand themselves more deeply and lead with greater clarity and humanity. Together, we explore emotions, values, and patterns so you can navigate transition with confidence, strengthen relationships, and make decisions that align with what matters most. You’ll build habits that support well-being, use your strengths more intentionally, and lead in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
Professional
Learning
Our professional learning programs help leaders and teams grow the human skills that make workplaces healthier and more connected. Through series focused on well-being, resilience, and emotional intelligence, you’ll learn practical tools to navigate emotions, build stronger relationships, strengthen purpose, and support whole-person well-being. Leaders leave with insights they can use right away and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
All services are grounded in principles from positive psychology and the International Coaching Federation’s Code of Ethics and standards.
Jonlieu's Compass
“Think. Be. Do.” is the guiding principle at Jonlieu—helping leaders understand their inner landscape, align with their values, and take intentional action that supports well-being, strengthens relationships, and leads to more human, purpose-filled leadership.
THINK
Identify and challenge limiting thought patterns and beliefs.
BE
Explore and practice ways of being that nurture emotional intelligence and well-being.
DO
Take purposeful, values-aligned action to make a positive impact.
Let’s explore what’s possible for your leadership—and your life.
The best way to begin your Jonlieu journey is with a conversation. In a 1:1 chat, we’ll explore what you’re navigating, what you’re longing for, and how coaching or professional learning can support you in leading with more clarity, connection, and well-being.