Michelle Watson-Grant, Ed.D., CMC
Jonlieu's Founder
Dr. Michelle Watson-Grant unleashes potential and transforms organizations by coaching educational leaders and non-profit directors to engage in self-discovery, elevate their leadership capacity and achieve their goals.
Leveraging her 30 years of experience in education, Michelle is now a certified master coach and the founder of Jonlieu (pronounced “Jon Loo”), a coaching company dedicated to helping emerging and mid-level school system and non-profit leaders succeed.
Michelle is passionate about developing the potential in leaders and offers one-on-one coaching, team coaching, and transformative team development facilitation. Known for her relaxed demeanor, she’s often “the calm” in the midst of her clients’ chaotic storms.
Prior to launching Jonlieu, Michelle held various roles in education including textbook author, teacher, and adjunct professor. She would later become a highly successful school district administrator who led cross-disciplinary teams at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In this role, she not only accelerated the learning and development of those teams and increased productivity, but also, she and her teams developed a new district-wide curriculum that improved instruction and student learning. In 2017, Michelle received the Award for Excellence in District Administration.
Though she excelled and made a huge impact in the district, ultimately, work-related stress led to Michelle having one of the worst Sickle Cell Disease flare-ups she had ever experienced. That’s when she knew it was time for change. While tending to her well-being she pondered entrepreneurship and discovered that launching a business would be how she would continue supporting the leaders she admired.
Around the same time, she was working with a non-profit, designing curriculum for a youth program. She fell in love with the non-profit’s director (her now husband) and the non-profit sector. Educational leaders and non-profit leaders often face the same types of challenges—high stress, high stakeholder expectations, low budgets, limited support, and constant transitions, to name a few. That’s where Michelle comes in. She supports these leaders through professional coaching, focused on leadership effectiveness, team leadership, and navigating transitions as well as facilitation services designed to promote problem-solving and team development.
Michelle’s coaching and facilitation expertise makes a notable difference for her clients, like Union Capital Boston, a non-profit that assists low-income residents with resources. Michelle worked with their leadership director to develop a leadership program and curriculum while also increasing the leader’s capacity to support team learning and development. With a people-first approach, Michelle dramatically elevates individuals, teams, and organizations to perform at their highest levels.
She holds a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and received a Master’s in Education, Teaching and Learning and an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds professional certificates in Design Thinking and Systemic Team Coaching.
In her free time, Michelle enjoys gardening, nature photography, and writing children’s stories.
"The name Jonlieu is a heartfelt homage to my grandfather, John Lewis, a beloved community leader. Known for his unwavering support and entrepreneurial spirit, he was a beacon of hope in challenging times. Unable to read or write, he mastered countless skills and always found a way to find 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."
Vision
Thriving and impactful leaders and teams, making a difference with their communities
Purpose
Partnering with leaders to cultivate holistic leadership, build systemic teams, and navigate transitions with confidence and renewed purpose
Core Values & Beliefs
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
Tuning in to the now is like seed for the future.
Awareness
Awareness is the first step towards understanding.
Jonlieu's Compass
"Think. Be. Do." is the guiding principle at Jonlieu, where leaders cultivate the power within – thoughts, emotions, and actions – to deepen personal transformation for greater fulfillment and impact.
THINK
Challenge limiting thought patterns and beliefs to realize your leadership vision.
BE
Explore and practice ways of being that nurture emotional intelligence and well-being.
DO
Take intentional, values-aligned action to make a positive impact in your world.
Your Jonlieu Journey
Choose your pathway to more effective leadership.
1:1 Coaching
Collaborate with a trusted partner in a confidential, nonjudgmental space to design and actualize your unique pathway of thriving and impact.
Coaching Teams & Groups
Discover collective purpose and unlock collective power through collaborative and insightful coaching processes.
Facilitation: People-centered Design
Create solutions to challenges with and for the people you serve using collaborative approaches to problem-solving.
Facilitation: Team Development
Foster a supportive, collaborative environment, while increasing team effectiveness and systemic leadership.
Let's Chart Your Course Together.
The best way to start your Jonlieu journey is to connect with Michelle today. In a 1:1 chat, you can discuss your needs in more detail, and explore how Jonlieu can be your closest ally in your voyage towards more fulfilling, impactful leadership.
