The Authentic Communication Group is led by Anisha Pandya, Chief Executive Officer; Martha Lasley, Founder; and Kunal Kankhare, Operations Manager. Our team is excited about showcasing our work in our new book: Facilitating Groups: Inspiring Change through Authentic Relationships. You can pre-order the book in October so stay tuned for that!
Our purpose: We are catalysts for a more empathic, bold, and liberated world. We support groups to have gutsy conversations that spark healing and ignite social evolution.
Our vision: We are co-creating a world that’s unapologetically authentic, fiercely compassionate, and unwavering in our stand for social justice. We envision a future where transformative conversations disrupt injustice and heal old wounds.
Our Team
Anisha Pandya, Chief Executive Officer
Anisha Pandya is a psychotherapist, leadership coach and transformation facilitator from Mumbai, India. She specializes in many conceptual approaches such as Transactional Analysis, Appreciative Inquiry, Nonviolent Communication, Emotional Intelligence, NLP, and Process Work. Since 2006 her work has been about helping people lead more fulfilling, authentic lives. Anisha Pandya offers individual as well as group psychotherapy and she has more than 4,000 hours of experience in coaching and psychotherapy with people across sectors. She particularly enjoys facilitating experiential labs and long-term groups for tangible transformation. Anisha Pandya has designed and facilitated multiple workshops on diversity and inclusion, parenting, intimacy, leadership development, conflicts, difficult conversations, gender, power and group dynamics. She is passionate about creating a culture of NVC in families.
Martha Lasley, Founder
Martha Lasley works with small groups to explore power dynamics and transform the domination culture. She has authored three books: Coaching for Transformation; Facilitating with Heart; and Courageous Visions. She supports social justice activists to realize their visions and develop heart-centered authentic relationships. As a founding partner of Leadership that Works, Martha Lasley and her team developed the Coaching for Transformation program where thousands of coaches have been certified. She has presented several programs at the annual conference for the International Association of Facilitators, including “Facilitating Difficult Conversations,” and “Coaching for Personal & Organizational Transformation.” She is an Applied Behavioral Scientist, has an MBA from Syracuse University. She has studied Internal Family Systems with Richard Schwartz, NVC with Marshall Rosenberg, and Focusing with Eugene Gendlin. At theCenter for Nonviolent Communication she serves on the board of directors and is a certified trainer. She lives in Ecovillage in Ithaca, New York where she likes to garden and cook with her neighbors.
Kathy G. Brown, Facilitator
Kathy G. Brown has spearheaded many peer-led Interactive Communication Groups that continue to enrich her life on a personal and professional level. She is passionate about creating safe environments where people can learn to better understand all the complexities of who they are, as well as, who others are. A journalist, mediator, NVC & IFS facilitator, and parenting consultant, Kathy has more than 30 years experience as a reporter and editor, and more than 20 years as an NVC facilitator. She also spent 10 years as a certified Aware Parenting Consultant. In addition to participating in and facilitating groups, she mediates in several Judicial Circuit Courts in Florida. Kathy incorporates NVC and IFS into her mediation practice, called Relationship Conflict Resolution.
Kan Yan, Facilitator
Kan Yan is a first generation Chinese American living in Austin, TX and Berkeley, California. He works as a consultant and executive coach helping purpose-driven leaders and organizations realize their visions through cultivating wisdom and effectiveness. He has worked for the UN, US Federal Courts, and McKinsey & Company where he consulted Fortune 500 clients on leadership development with a focus on mindfulness. His recent work has focused on organizations advocating for psychedelic medicine including developing the strategic plan for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Kan has spent hundreds of days in silent meditation retreat and teaches about Buddhism. He has facilitated process groups focused on shared identities including groups for men, BIPOC, and Chinese heritage people. He teaches contemplative movement practices and loves to bring embodiment into his facilitation.
Manisha Jayaraman, Facilitator
Manisha Jayaraman is a facilitator, coach, and organizational development consultant with over 25 years of experience working with individuals and groups to unlock their innate potential. She specializes in human process work, leadership development, group dynamics, and emotional intelligence. A professional member of the Indian Society for Applied Behavioural Sciences, Manisha has facilitated countless T-groups (also known as sensitivity groups), guiding culturally diverse participants through deep self-exploration, trust-building, and relational growth. She is certified in the Emotional Capital Report and teaches Nonviolent Communication in organizations. With a deep passion for lifelong learning, she walks alongside people as they navigate their personal and professional journeys. She earned postgraduate degrees in science and education, along with an MBA, and is a certified Coaching for Transformation coach. When she is not facilitating, she loves exploring new places.
Kunal Kankhare, Operations Manager
Kunal Kankhare is a tech enthusiast driven by his passion to contribute to a nonviolent world. In his multifaceted role, he oversees operations, ensures smooth workflows, and provides valuable guidance to the team, maintaining high standards while prioritizing well-being. His expertise in managing the company’s accounting is complemented by a proactive approach to streamlining processes and improving efficiency, all while staying ahead of technological advancements and customer needs.
