Jeff Benton
Founder & CEO
As many of these stories go, I founded Paragon based on my journey. I’ve always been curious about human performance and the more profound connection to the mental, emotional, spiritual and…
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Founder & CEO
As many of these stories go, I founded Paragon based on my journey. I’ve always been curious about human performance and the more profound connection to the mental, emotional, spiritual and…
Co-Founder
For over three decades, I have been fortunate to advise, coach, represent, and build businesses with accomplished high performers across various fields. From world-class professional…
Head of Program Operations
Kristin Granillo is Head of Program Operations at Paragon and a lifelong learner in what helps people feel and perform better. After personally navigating burnout and chronic overwhelm, she…
Partners in your growth
Sandra Solano, M.D., M.S., was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and is a healthcare professional with 30 years of experience as a healthcare executive and…
Erin Toppenberg is driven by a mission to inspire deeper connections through the heart. Her work spans multiple charities and organizations, all of…
My passion lies in personal- and leadership development with the objective to optimize performance. Optimal performance and conscious…
Empowers others to see themselves outside of their current reality, ground them in the present, and move them into conscious…
Kevin Cherep is a dedicated leader and Navy Veteran with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on global health, poverty…
Sonya Mujeeb is a high-performance and international Integrative Health Coach specializing in neuroplasticity and trauma-informed wellness. With…
Debra Heslin is an internationally recognized trainer and transformational coach, certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Timeline…
Julie Graham is a seasoned leadership development expert with over two decades of experience at esteemed institutions like Harvard University, the…
Pierre DeBar has over 25 years of experience as an educator, human performance coach, and holistic practitioner, dedicating his career to optimizing…
As many of these stories go, I founded Paragon based on my journey. I’ve always been curious about human performance and the more profound connection to the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical. I’ve also consistently cherished studying with true Masters of their trade, learning how they acquired and developed their gifts and skills.
My deep dive into the human experience escalated drastically after a family tragedy, testing the boundaries of my resilience, purpose and well-being. I realized my external world looked ideal on paper, but the truth was that fear, anxiety, anger, and the imposter syndrome were all driving me.
My family tragedy finally had me in a place to make real change in my life. I committed to finding the path of my truth and a better way to exist in the world. This commitment prompted my transformational world tour, flying to retreats, workshops, and meditations. I studied with spiritual masters and brain scientists, learning ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology. Throughout the process, I became obsessed with self-development and self-awareness.
A few years into my journey, I woke up one morning, realizing my path had evolved from being reactive to becoming proactive. Instead of focusing on eliminating the pain inside, I concentrated on how far I could push my human performance in all areas of life. Gratitude was a driving force each day.
Paragon allows me to combine my deepest passions of connecting people and supporting individuals in their journey of transformation, and to be a human lab exploring what is possible in this lifetime.
For over three decades, I have been fortunate to advise, coach, represent, and build businesses with accomplished high performers across various fields. From world-class professional athletes and head coaches to visionary entrepreneurs, respected business leaders, educators, and global humanitarians, I’ve worked with individuals at the pinnacle of their craft. My career spans diverse industries – sports & entertainment, finance, technology, and luxury travel.
My journey has been defined by pivotal moments of adversity and the resilience to overcome them, molding me into the person I am today. Despite outward success early in my career, I grappled with inner turmoil—experiencing tension, conflict, anxiety, and insecurities while struggling to find genuine fulfillment in pursuit of happiness.
Amidst this inner chaos, I found clarity and purpose through mindfulness and heightened self-awareness, reinforced through integration of the very tools and techniques that we teach our clients for cultivating self-regulation and achieving peak performance.
Driven by a passion for human behavior and a deep desire to create meaningful change in the world, my mission is to empower others to transform stress to coherence so they can evolve to their highest potential.
Kristin Granillo is Head of Program Operations at Paragon and a lifelong learner in what helps people feel and perform better. After personally navigating burnout and chronic overwhelm, she became passionate about testing tools, practices, and science-backed strategies on herself first—so she can confidently share what actually works with the individuals and teams she supports.
With over a decade of experience in holistic health, mindfulness, fitness, and human performance, Kristin brings a grounded, integrative approach to leadership and well-being. She is a HeartMath® Certified Practitioner, integrative health coach, certified nutrition specialist, and personal trainer, blending physiology, mindset, and practical application to help people create sustainable change in their daily lives—not just during workshops.
Kristin is deeply committed to helping people step out of survival mode and into a way of working and living that feels more intentional, connected, and human.
Sandra Solano, M.D., M.S., was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and is a healthcare professional with 30 years of experience as a healthcare executive and consultant. Dr. Solano has successfully implemented large-scale transformational projects in both the private and public sectors, earning recognition as a successful disruptor and change agent.
Throughout her career, Dr. Solano has witnessed the detrimental effects of burnout, stress, and lack of emotional regulation on productivity, communication, and overall effectiveness in both workplace and family life. Dr. Solano now teaches these tools and skills to empower individuals, teams, and organizations, helping them enhance emotional self-regulation and stress management for optimal performance and a more joyful, fulfilling life.
As a certified HeartMath® master trainer, Dr. Solano has coached and trained executives and professionals from some of the largest healthcare systems in the United States, Fortune 500 companies, social service agencies, and community organizations.
Currently, Dr. Solano operates her own practice in New Albany, Ohio. She also serves as the Chief Medical Officer of The Fyera Foundation, contributing to consultation with organizations such as the United Nations, the C20/G20, and the California Assembly to address the mental health crisis.
Erin Toppenberg is driven by a mission to inspire deeper connections through the heart. Her work spans multiple charities and organizations, all of which share a common goal: to expand consciousness and compassion across the world. As a mother of two daughters, Erin’s commitment to empowering women and children globally is fueled by her personal passion.
As the co-founder of The Waterbearers, a women-led nonprofit providing clean water to communities in need worldwide, Erin is dedicated to creating sustainable impact. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the All You Need is Love Foundation, supporting education and development for underprivileged children. Erin has been a delegate at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Children, collaborating with Pathways to Peace to advocate for global change.
In addition to her philanthropic work, Erin is a certified HeartMath® trainer. She leads individuals and teams through the practice of heart coherence, helping them unlock the power of the heart’s intelligence.
My passion lies in personal- and leadership development with the objective to optimize performance. Optimal performance and conscious decision-making, both individually and collectively is the roadmap to the transformation of corporate culture.
As a HeartMath® Certified Trainer, I use the tools and resources of the HeartMath® Institute to support my clients in their personal-, leadership- and cultural development. These tools dramatically help individuals and leaders to gain more poise and clarity in the face of change, challenge, overwhelm and adversity.
I’m certified and registered with Barrett Values Centre®, a global consulting firm providing powerful diagnostic instruments to support the growth and development of organizations, leaders, societies and schools through the proprietary Cultural Transformation Tools® program.
Currently, I work as a Paragon Master Coach & Trainer for Paragon Performance Evolution. Areas of expertise: cultural transformation, team building, personal- and leadership development, financial advising, conscious awareness.
Empowers others to see themselves outside of their current reality, ground them in the present, and move them into conscious action.
Prior to becoming a professional coach, Catherine spent over 20 years in the workplace having held senior roles in management and leadership. An accomplished facilitator and leadership coach since 2009, she is highly knowledgeable in the fields of emotional intelligence, resilience, and mindfulness as pathways to transformational, sustainable change and impact.
Her coaching philosophy is steeped in a holistic perspective, allowing clients to see and experience themselves differently to achieve the desired results. She is an advocate of an aligned human system, creating clarity and coherence at the level of the mind and body to access higher cognitive function, emotional balance, and presence.
Sharing tools and techniques learned as a Master Trainer with the HeartMath® Institute, as a workplace mindfulness facilitator, and long-time meditator, she is a proud team member and coherence coach with Paragon Performance Evolution.
Kevin Cherep is a dedicated leader and Navy Veteran with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on global health, poverty relief, education, and social services. His career reflects a commitment to creating meaningful impact and empowering others to excel.
Throughout his leadership journey, Kevin has held key roles, including Chief Development Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, he served as CEO of Chicago Youth Centers for seven years, where he led initiatives to support youth development and strengthen communities.
As a Master Trainer at Paragon, Kevin works to enhance leadership and team collaboration. He helps develop programs focused on managing stress, improving communication, and fostering team alignment.
Kevin’s belief in the connection between well-being and performance drives his approach. He supports leaders and teams in building resilience, making intentional decisions, and creating positive environments where people can thrive.
Sonya Mujeeb is a high-performance and international Integrative Health Coach specializing in neuroplasticity and trauma-informed wellness. With degrees in Liberal Arts, Communication, and Psychology, she brings over a decade of experience in holistic health, mindfulness, and brain rewiring for chronic conditions, helping clients cultivate self-trust, build awareness, and break limiting patterns.
Passionate about stress management and peak performance, Sonya’s transformational coaching framework empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to build resilience and align with the wisdom of their heart to create a purposeful, fulfilling life. As a certified HeartMath® trainer with specialized expertise in trauma and positive neuroplasticity, she offers a compassionate, science-backed approach to well-being and optimal performance.
Sonya partners with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and major universities, delivering coaching and leadership training that enhances workplace culture, fosters resilience, and supports high-performing teams in achieving sustainable success.
Debra Heslin is an internationally recognized trainer and transformational coach, certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Timeline Techniques, Hypnosis, and High-Performance Coaching. She is also a Certified Trainer of the HeartMath® Coherence Advantage, Activating HeartMath for Teams, and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.
With a passion for helping others improve their personal and professional lives, Debra has trained and coached people worldwide. She served as the in-house coach for one of the largest transformational training companies globally, where she mentored coaches and trainers to increase their impact and refine their skills.
Debra brings over twenty years of leadership and corporate experience to her work. Before becoming a full-time coach and trainer, she served as the General Manager of a major airline at JFK Airport, where she led a team that oversaw more than 1,800 flight attendants.
Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Philosophy, Debra combines modern coaching and neuroscience with ancient wisdom traditions. She believes in holistic transformation, emphasizing mindset, energy, and purpose.
Julie Graham is a seasoned leadership development expert with over two decades of experience at esteemed institutions like Harvard University, the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), and Embrace Home Loans. Throughout her career, Julie has been dedicated to creating environments where individuals and teams can unlock their full potential and thrive.
Julie’s journey into leadership development was deeply influenced by her own experiences navigating the complexities of professional life. She recognized the profound impact that intentional space, reflection, and connection have on personal and organizational growth.
At YPO, Julie served as the Executive Director of Champion Development, where she was instrumental in recruiting, educating, and retaining over 10,000 member leaders. Her tenure at Harvard Business School involved designing and delivering executive education programs for global senior leaders.
Julie holds a B.S. in Communication Studies from Northeastern University and is a certified executive coach and HeartMath facilitator.
Pierre DeBar has over 25 years of experience as an educator, human performance coach, and holistic practitioner, dedicating his career to optimizing neuromuscular, mental, and emotional performance.
He has worked with elite athletes, coaches, and organizations across the NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NCAA, and Olympic levels, as well as with the City of Chicago and various businesses. Pierre has presented nationally on topics including social-emotional and mental performance skills, hypnotherapy, breathwork mastery, nature-based healing, and clinical massage and bodywork.
As the only Extreme Focus Performance Coach in hockey and a Certified Unbeatable Mind Performance Coach, Pierre brings a unique blend of expertise to his work. He is now co-owner of a Neuro-Performance & Pain clinic in Chicago.
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