DEFINITION
What is Mind-Body-Spirit Executive Coaching ?
Mind-Body Executive Coaching brings together two things that are usually treated separately: professional development and personal wellbeing. The premise is straightforward — how you feel in your body and mind directly shapes how you show up at work, how you lead, and how sustainable your success is over time. Coaching that ignores this connection leaves half the picture out.
This service is offered through GWCIM's partnership with True North Executive Coaching and Four Directions Wellness, led by Mara Benner — GWCIM's Mind-Body-Spirit Director. Mara's approach combines over 25 years of corporate and nonprofit leadership experience with deep training in mindfulness, meditation, QiGong, Reiki, and integrative wellness. The result is coaching that is grounded in both the real world of organizational life and the ancient wisdom of whole-person healing.
Sessions are available for individuals seeking career guidance alongside wellness support, and as structured corporate wellness programs for organizations ready to invest in their teams.
Qualifications & Background
Mara Benner brings an unusually broad range of credentials to this work. She spent 25+ years in senior leadership roles in nonprofit, corporate, and government relations — including 15 years reporting to the CEO of a $2 billion national healthcare company and leading both national and state nonprofit healthcare associations. Alongside this career, she pursued extensive training in integrative wellness traditions, studying with QiGong Masters, Reiki Masters, and Lakota Native American healers, and completing a two-year interfaith seminary program. Her certifications include Ordained Interfaith/Interspiritual Minister (Rev.), Reiki Master Teacher (RMT), Certified QiGong Instructor, Mindfulness Teacher, and Integrative Reflexologist. She is affiliated with GWCIM and has overseen alternative health offerings at GW Hospital.
ADVANTAGE
Why do we offer TrueNorth Program?
Most executive coaches come from business. Most wellness coaches come from health. Mara does both — and has the lived experience to make that integration real, not just theoretical. She has navigated boardrooms and led large organizations, and she has also walked a serious personal path through mindfulness, meditation, and healing traditions. When she says your career and your well-being are connected, she means it from both directions.
GWCIM's integrative medicine environment means that if your coaching work surfaces deeper health needs — stress-related illness, burnout, anxiety, sleep difficulties — you already have a full team of specialists around you. Coaching here doesn't happen in isolation from your health. It happens inside a practice that cares about the whole person.
APPROACH
TrueNorth Approach
Mara's coaching is guided by the 8 Dimensions of Wellness — an evidence-based framework developed by Dr. Margaret Swarbrick at Rutgers University — which recognizes that wellbeing encompasses eight interconnected areas: occupational, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial. Rather than treating career success as separate from personal health, this framework treats them as part of a unified whole.
In individual sessions, Mara helps you clarify your values, identify what is working and what isn't, and develop practical strategies for advancing professionally while protecting your wellbeing. She draws on mindfulness practices, QiGong and breathing techniques, and integrative reflective exercises alongside traditional coaching tools like goal-setting, strengths assessment, and leadership development.
For organizations, the corporate wellness program — offered in collaboration with GWCIM's medical team — is doctor-led and evidence-based, tailored to the specific culture and goals of your workplace. It addresses performance metrics, mental health and burnout prevention, mindfulness for focus and resilience, and personalized coaching for employees at all levels.
Mind-Body Executive Coaching is well-suited for:
- Professionals navigating career transitions, advancement, or reinvention'
- Leaders experiencing burnout, stress overload, or diminished energy
People who feel successful on paper but disconnected from purpose or well-being - Organizations seeking to build a culture of sustainable performance and employee wellness
- Individuals who want to develop mindfulness, stress management, or QiGong practices alongside career coaching
Care Options
Individual Coaching Session
One-hour virtual or in-person session with Mara Benner. Ideal for professionals seeking personalized career and wellness guidance.
Coaching Package
A series of sessions (typically 4–6) focused on a specific goal — career transition, leadership development, burnout recovery, or work-life balance.
Stretch Professionally, Savor Wellbeing Class
One-hour virtual group class open to professionals at all levels. Multiple dates and times available. Register at truenorthexecutivecoaching.com — use code GWCIM for a discounted rate.
Corporate Wellness Program
A customized, doctor-led organizational wellness initiative for teams and companies. Includes group sessions, workshops, mindfulness training, and optional individual coaching. Contact Mara directly at mara@truenorthexecutivecoaching.com to begin a consultation.
Reiki and Integrative Healing Sessions
Available through Four Directions Wellness, including individual Reiki sessions, Reiki training and certification (Levels 1, 2, and Master), and a complimentary self-care Reiki introductory class.
Virtual and In-Person
Individual sessions are available both virtually and in-person. Corporate programs can be delivered on-site at your organization or virtually.
EXPERTISE
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What to expect as a patient
- Discovery Conversation: Your first session is a one-hour exploratory meeting to understand your goals, current situation, and what success looks like for you — both professionally and personally.
- Personalized Coaching Plan: Based on your goals, Mara designs a coaching approach that may include individual sessions, mindfulness practices, QiGong or breathwork exercises, and reflective assignments between sessions.
- Ongoing Sessions: Individual coaching typically continues monthly or biweekly. Sessions are available virtually, making scheduling flexible regardless of location.
- Group Classes: The Stretch Professionally, Savor Wellbeing class is a one-hour virtual session open to working professionals. It covers career advancement, stress management, work-life balance, and two key practical exercises. Use code GWCIM for a discounted rate when registering at truenorthexecutivecoaching.com.
- Corporate Programs: Organizational engagements are customized in scope, format, and duration. Mara will consult with leadership to design a program that fits your team's needs and culture.
Q&A
Q&A
Not at all. Some clients come with a concrete challenge — a career crossroads, a leadership dilemma, a difficult work environment. Others come simply wanting to feel more energized, purposeful, and balanced in their professional lives. Both are welcome starting points.
Many organizations reimburse executive coaching and professional development. The Stretch Professionally, Savor Wellbeing class in particular, is structured as career development, which many employers will cover. Check with your HR department or manager.
Quite a lot, it turns out. Stress and mental overload directly impair decision-making, creativity, and interpersonal effectiveness. Mindfulness and QiGong practices improve focus, emotional regulation, and resilience — skills that translate directly into leadership and professional performance. Mara teaches these not as spiritual exercises but as practical tools for working life.
No. Programs are customized to fit organizations of any size — from small teams to large institutions. Mara will work with you to design something that makes sense for your culture and budget.