Founders
Amy M. Gardner, JD, MPPA, CPC
Amy M. Gardner works with law firms and corporations to reengage teams and help them thrive by utilizing Apochromatik’s proprietary Team Driven Leadership approach to build leadership skills, improve relationships, strengthen emotional intelligence, have difficult conversations, and more. She also works with lawyers to advance or transition in their careers through 1:1 coaching and Apochromatik's industry leading attorney masterminds.
Amy's work with teams and lawyers draws on her unique experience as a former Big Law litigator, partner at a mid-size Chicago firm, and dean of students at the University of Chicago Law School.
She received her MA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, JD from the University of Chicago, and BA from Luther College, as well as certifications in team and leadership coaching, 1:1 coaching, and various assessments.
She is an appointee of the Illinois Supreme Court on its Committee on Character & Fitness and serves on the Institute for Well-Being in Law governance committee. Amy is a member of the Illinois and U.S. Supreme Court bars.
In her free time, she is an enthusiastic traveler, avid reader, and would-be runner.
Amy is a frequent speaker for professional organizations and bar associations on career, leadership, and team development topics. Her expertise has been featured in media including American Bar Association publications, Law360, Corporette, Glassdoor, Health, Monster, NBC, and Women’s Running magazine. She has appeared on podcasts including Be that Lawyer, Coffee Break, Exhibit (A)ttorney, Hustle & Flow, Irresistible Brand, and the Resilient Lawyer.
Connect with Amy at amy@apochromatik.com.
Team
Suzanne Massel, JD, ACC
Suzanne Massel works with attorneys and professionals at pivotal moments to strengthen leadership presence, navigate transitions, and move forward with clarity and direction. She partners with clients who are stepping into increased responsibility, evaluating next steps, or seeking to lead more effectively within their current roles.
Her work draws on more than 30 years of experience across law, human resources, and business leadership, including roles as a litigator, general counsel, and business leader. Suzanne brings a practical understanding of the challenges professionals face and helps clients translate insight into clear, actionable next steps.
Suzanne’s coaching is grounded in International Coaching Federation standards and integrates structured frameworks with deep listening and strategic perspective. She frequently incorporates tools such as the Energy Leadership Index assessment to help clients better understand their mindset, strengths, and leadership patterns.
Her coaching focuses on leadership presence and communication, career direction and transitions, relationship building and influence, business development, and job search strategy.
Suzanne is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation and an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP). She received her JD from Washington University School of Law and her BA from Tufts University.
Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn.
Carla Smocks
Carla Smocks works with senior leaders and high-performing professionals to strengthen leadership effectiveness, executive presence, and strategic influence in complex organizational environments.
She brings more than 35 years of experience in human capital management, labor and employee relations, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, Carla has partnered closely with employment attorneys and senior leaders in highly regulated, high-accountability environments where decisions carry legal, organizational, and reputational considerations.
Carla has led labor and employee relations teams, including attorneys, and has worked extensively on matters involving performance management, discipline, investigations, compliance, and organizational change. She has also served on national negotiation teams and facilitates advanced leadership and negotiation training for professionals at all levels.
Her work includes executive coaching, facilitation, leadership development programs, and team-based learning experiences designed to help individuals and teams navigate complexity, strengthen alignment, and improve decision-making.
Carla is an International Coaching Federation-certified executive coach and a certified mediator in Kansas and Missouri. Her approach is grounded in clarity, accountability, and practical results, helping clients grow as leaders while supporting stronger outcomes across their organizations.
Connect with Carla on LinkedIn.
Keith R. Sbiral, MBA, MS, CPC
Keith R. Sbiral brings to Apochromatik a career in management and process improvement. He draws on that real-world experience, earned in often contentious and politicized environments, to help teams and leaders in both corporations and governments reach their full potential. In addition to his MBA and MS degrees, he has certifications in team and leadership coaching, 1:1 coaching, and assessment certifications including the EQ-i 2.0 and 5 Behaviors of a Team.
Prior to co-founding Apochromatik, Keith had a nearly 20 year career in management, most recently serving as City Manager for a Chicago suburb. Keith is a member of the International Coach Federation of Chicago, and previously earned the certification of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the ICMA Credentialed Manager designation.
His community service includes serving as Chair of the Northeast Illinois Phillip D. Peters Fellowship Board of Directors at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and served as President of the Clinton Street Lofts Condominium Association for fifteen years.
Keith earned his M.B.A. with a Certificate in Leadership and a Certificate in Innovation from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business and his M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning with emphases in development finance and land use planning from the University of Iowa. Keith earned his B.A. from Luther College with a major in Political Science and minor in Economics.
In his free time, Keith is an avid traveler and photographer; he has visited all 50 states and more than 50 countries, and is a member of the Circumnavigators Club. His photography has been featured in three solo gallery shows, a group show, and multiple publications.
Keith's expertise has been featured in media including Harvard Business Review, NBC, Fast Company, Forbes, Glassdoor, and Monster.
Connect with Keith at keith@apochromatik.com.
Jen McDowell, JD, ACC
Jen McDowell works with leaders and organizations to navigate complexity, strengthen alignment, and move forward with clarity and confidence, particularly in high-stakes or fast-changing environments.
She brings nearly two decades of experience as a healthcare attorney and advisor within Fortune 25 organizations, where she guided leaders through mergers, compliance challenges, and organizational change. Jen draws on that experience to help leaders address breakdowns in trust, stalled momentum, and competing priorities.
Jen partners with executives, boards, and teams across healthcare, technology, professional services, and nonprofit sectors. Her work includes executive coaching, team facilitation, and strategic support, helping clients clarify priorities, improve communication, and execute effectively.
She integrates a range of assessment tools into her work, including DiSC, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CliftonStrengths, The Five Behaviors, and 360 feedback tools, to support self-awareness and team development.
Jen is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation and holds a certification in mediation from the Illinois State Bar Association. She received her JD from the University of Georgia School of Law and her BA from Lindenwood University.
Connect with Jen on LinkedIn.