Brad Sugars

ActionCOACH Founder

Where it ALL started!

Already a successful entrepreneur in his 20s, Brad started coaching other business owners using his proven system to grow revenue and profit while giving business owners the freedom to step away and know their business will continue to grow and thrive. Founded in 1993 ActionCOACH's mission is "World Abundance through Business Re-education." When you invest in business coaching with ActionCOACH Dane County, not only do you get a certified, experienced coach to help you simplify your business, keep you on track, and make more money in less time, but you get a network of thousands of coaches in over 80 countries to help you provide solutions to the challenges you face. 

Susan Thomson

Founder and CEO

After 25 years of successfully leading manufacturing companies, Susan found Action Coach Dane County in Madison, WI in late 2005. She brings CEOs, business owners and leaders the resources and tools you have been missing - an outside, unbiased perspective, on-the-spot, real-time leadership development, accountability, and support. At ActionCOACH Dane County, you’ll have a confidential environment to vet your experiences, and you’ll gain confidence in your ability to transform your company. Susan enjoys adventures in Europe and places with beautiful sand and coral life, gourmet cooking, gardening, the outdoors, and a great bottle of wine.

Sharon Lundholm-Nielson

Executive Coach, Leadership and Teams Development

Sharon is a seasoned empowerment coach, trainer, and presenter and specializes in developing leaders and teams. She excels in emotional, social, and systems intelligence, helping you identify strengths and create tailored action plans so you can show personality and professionality. She integrates cutting-edge neuroscience and organizational behavior research to help you achieve significant improvements in productivity, time management, motivation, leadership effectiveness, goal attainment, stress reduction, and work/life balance.

Amy Atherton

Business & Corporate Coach

With 30 years of experience in the medical device and health/fitness industries, from a small medical device startup that didn’t survive, to a large, global company, Amy is thrilled to be part of a team that helps entrepreneurs and executives build thriving businesses. She's motivated to help you transform your business so it does what business is supposed to do - create a life for yourself that you never dreamed possible. Amy enjoys exploring the world through travel, the outdoors, and healthy living.

Sheena Marie

Business Development Manager

Sheena joined the ActionCOACH team in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience from Real Estate, Coaching and direct-to-consumer sales and marketing. Sheena has strong networking skills and loves empowering entrepreneurs to create a powerful vision for the future and help achieve their goals. Outside of work, Sheena volunteers in Women United, children’s ministry, and loves painting abstract art and spending time with her daughter.

Mark McNulty

Hall of Fame Coach

The founder of two ActionCOACH franchises, Coach Mark will help you find your way to success the way his coaches helped him find his. No two journeys are the same, but the decisions to be made, the priorities to be set, and the actions to take all come from the same place inside of us. Coach Mark’s Top Strength is his ability to break down your complex challenges into manageable pieces that you can handle. He balances work and play by collecting bourbon (a huge collection), traveling, and rooting for Notre Dame.

Michelle Jolly

Office Administrator

Michelle is the engine that keeps this busy office running smoothly! With a diverse background in multiple small businesses – from running her family’s rental property, to health and wellness consulting, to design and interior architecture, she can relate to the many balls that small business owners juggle every day. As our administrative assistant, Michelle is chief organizer, planner and connector! Outside of work she enjoys family and friends, spending time in nature and volunteering for her church and the Madison community.

Addison Edge

Digital Marketing & Social Media Strategist

Addy is currently working as our marketing intern. She graduated Belleville High School and specializes in digital/social media marketing. She will be attending UW-La Crosse this coming fall to pursue a degree in marketing with a minor in digital media design. Addy is also very busy being a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and running track. She enjoys boating, coffee, working out, and traveling!