Steve Gahagen: Founder and Executive Director

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

Steve Gahagen established Play to Your Strengths out of a lifelong passion for developing leaders and creating environments that inspire people to reach their full potential.

Steve earned a doctorate in Strengths-Based Leadership from Bethel University in partnership with the Gallup organization. His training included an intense focus on the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment, the Seven Demands of Leadership, the Power of Partnership and employee engagement. He is gifted in creating leadership tools that help participants put principles into practice in a fun and engaging way. Steve has facilitated workshops for businesses, non-profits, schools, and churches. Through his various roles, he has also had the opportunity to coach over one hundred individuals.

Steve’s strengths of Ideation and Strategic enable him to imagine and implement new ways to challenge people to thrive. He has taken the concepts of the Gallup teaching on the Power of Partnership, and created a marriage workshop that helps couples use those same principles to build the “Ultimate Partnership.” His strength of Restorative helps him when encountering problems. And his strengths of Responsibility and Belief empower him to work hard, remain steadfast, and get things done.

Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Ideation, Strategic, Restorative,  Responsibility, Belief

Melissa Durand: community outreach coordinator

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

Melissa Durand develops connections with individuals and groups in the community, and builds partnership opportunities. She enjoys seeing people grow in love and compassion for others by providing opportunities for them to share their unique strengths and talents. She is a skilled coach who encourages others to thrive in life as they discover and play to their strengths. Because of Melissa’s passion to see young people thrive, she has played a major role in establishing Strengths Mentoring Clubs with local schools.

Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Sociology and Early Childhood and Family Education from Winona State University.

Melissa’s strengths of Empathy and Developer allow her to see the needs and potential of people around her. Those strengths have played a role in her being part of a dog fostering program. She has used her strengths of Connectedness to bring people and organizations together to make a difference. Her strength of Adaptability helps our team successfully navigate the different school environments in which we work.

Melissa has been married to her husband, Pat, for 25 years and they have two adult children.

Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Empathy, Connectedness, Developer, Belief, Adaptability

Rachael Ingersol, MA: Programs consultant

Rachael has eight years of experience managing projects for non-profit organizations. She has a bachelor's degree in Music and International Studies from Southern Nazarene University, and a master's degree in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at University of Denver.

Rachael uses her strengths of Analytical and Responsibility to monitor and evaluate programs and ensure team objectives are completed. With Learner and Input, she enjoys finding resources to share with the team and learning new skills that she can put to use to further our mission.

Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes: Learner, Responsibility, Analytical, Harmony, Input

Carla Schimmelpfennig: Program Coordinator

Carla coordinates PTYS programs in the Kankakee, IL area, including mentoring clubs for students and training events for adults. She helped launch the Strengths Mentoring Club at Kankakee Junior High and is expanding our student programming in the area. Carla also helps with fundraising and financial development.

Carla has been a Registered Physical Therapist for 30 years, with a passion to help people function at their best in everyday life. She has taught as an adjunct professor and is a former university Resident Director, which allowed her to develop relationships and mentor as many as 125 college students each year.

With her Learner strength, Carla is never intimidated by a new task. Her Positivity injects energy and enthusiasm into every group she works with. Her strength of Harmony helps people work together to accomplish a common mission.

Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Learner, Context, Responsibility, Positivity, Harmony