Leadership that moves systems forward.

First Forward helps organizations cut through the noise of one-size-fits-all training by delivering leadership and communication programs that are hands-on, highly customized, and built for real-world results.

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Our Services

Certified in Advanced Hogan Assessments & Interpretation
Certified to administer and interpret the full suite of Hogan personality assessments (HPI, HDS, and MVPI) to support leadership development, team effectiveness, and organizational alignment. These tools help identify strengths, mitigate potential derailers, and align values for more self-aware, effective leadership.
Certified TTI Partner – DISC, Emotional Intelligence, and Motivation
Certified to administer and apply TTI Success Insights assessments in DISC, EQ, and Motivators to improve communication, collaboration, and leadership performance. These tools offer powerful insights into behavioral styles, emotional awareness, and personal drivers—helping individuals and teams work smarter and lead with greater impact.
Certified CliftonStrengths Coach & Instructor
Certified to deliver coaching and workshops grounded in Gallup’s CliftonStrengths framework to help individuals and teams identify and activate their natural talents. This strengths-based approach enhances engagement, performance, and leadership by focusing on what people do best.
Certified in Fierce Conversations, Fierce Accountability, and Fierce Feedback
Certified to facilitate the Fierce suite of communication and leadership trainings designed to transform workplace culture through candid conversations, personal responsibility, and actionable feedback. These tools help teams build trust, improve performance, and navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.
Certified in Blanchard’s SLII® Leadership Model
Certified to deliver SLII®, a proven leadership framework that teaches managers how to adapt their leadership style based on the development level of their team members. This approach builds trust, boosts performance, and equips leaders to meet people where they are—accelerating growth and accountability across teams.
Certified Change Management Practitioner (CCMP™)
Certified to lead strategic, people-centered change using ACMP’s Standard for Change Management. This global framework supports effective transitions by aligning people, processes, and goals—reducing resistance and increasing adoption across organizations.
Certified Executive Coach
Certified to provide executive coaching that enhances leadership presence, decision-making, and performance at the highest levels of an organization. This approach supports senior leaders in navigating complexity, building influence, and leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Certified in CheckPoint 360°™ Feedback Assessment
Certified to administer and interpret the CheckPoint 360°™ assessment, a leadership development tool that gathers feedback from direct reports, peers, and supervisors. This multi-rater approach helps leaders identify strengths, uncover development opportunities, and build targeted action plans for growth.
Certified in Instructional Design
Certified in designing effective, engaging learning experiences grounded in proven instructional frameworks and adult learning principles. This expertise supports the development of custom training programs that drive knowledge retention, behavior change, and measurable results.
union member studying computer mockup

Why First Forward

First Forward exists to help organizations lead with purpose, clarity, and equity. With deep, on-the-ground experience across every level of the industry—from first-year apprentices to superintendents, administrative staff to executive leaders—First Forward brings a rare, full-spectrum perspective that connects the dots others miss. This real-world understanding informs everything we do, from leadership coaching to curriculum design.

Combining lived experience with a robust set of research-backed tools, certifications, and strategic frameworks, First Forward delivers practical, people-centered solutions that create lasting impact.

Our Approach

  • Grounded in systems thinking and equity at every level
  • Informed by insight from both the field and the office
  • Rooted in behavioral science, leadership frameworks, and emotional intelligence
  • Centered on trust, transparency, and people-first design
  • Customized to meet each organization where they are—and move them forward

Impact Highlights

WSCC

As the architect and driving force behind the Professionalism in Construction Program at the Western States College of Construction, I was responsible for designing a comprehensive curriculum tailored for leadership development in the union mechanical construction industry. 

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MCAWW

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mechanical Contractor’s Association of Western Washington (MCAWW) faced the urgent challenge of moving its in-person training programs to a virtual platform. 

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MCAA

As an approved instructor for the Mechanical Contractor’s Association of America (MCAA) National Education Initiative (NEI) program, I am committed to advancing professional development and industry excellence for contractors and Mechanical Contractor Association affiliates nationwide.

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Clients & Partners

NEI logo
PIPM logo
WSCC logo
SAPT logo
Plumbing by Lexington logo
MCA logo
MCA of Georgia logo
MCA of Chicago logo
CPMCA logo
AM logo
ARPEC logo
UA 58 Southeastern CO logo
SVM logo
Local 15 logo
"Leah has done numerous workshops for CPMCA and we always receive incredible feedback on her classes! She keeps her audience engaged with her high energy and gets participants involved using multiple teaching modalities. Leah is knowledgeable in the subject area, and has been a pleasure to work with time and time again."

Tiffany McGee Education Director | CPMCA
"Leah is an incredible facilitator and instructor. Ensuring that she effectively understands the needs of her audience, Leah creates comprehensive and engaging content to meet the needs of an ever-changing industry. Our students consistently rave about Leah's instruction methods, with a special emphasis on appreciating her unique and effective activities that reinforce the learning objectives. Beyond our program participants, Leah has also been essential in our instructor development trainings. She ensures that our content-knowledge experts are also exposed to teaching best practices in an approachable way. Overall, Leah is one of the most responsive, collaborative, and skilled instructors I have ever had the pleasure of working with."

Brittany Akkurt (She/Her) Director of Education Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington (MCAWW)
"Leah’s knowledge of the mechanical contracting industry and no-nonsense approach enables her to get straight to the core of any issue. Her training is precise, tackling tough topics head-on while building rapport with our contractors, service managers, and field team leaders. She understands the human element, making her a crucial partner in developing effective training programs. Leah has also equipped our apprenticeship school instructors with the tools they needed to become more effective educators, and we’ve seen significant improvements as a direct result. Her contributions are on point, practical, and highly effective, and exceed the role of a traditional trainer. She is an ally who understands our goals and provides targeted training to help us accomplish them."

Julie Dietrich Executive Vice President Mechanical Contractors Association of South Florida
"I’ve worked with Leah Gutmann for over 15 years and have consistently been impressed by her dedication to developing her craft. Leah’s background in the mechanical contracting industry is a tremendous benefit, as she understands the challenges of our stakeholders. In her role on the MCAWW Board of Education, Leah brings fresh ideas and readily takes on key initiatives. She is also a gifted instructor, consultant, and course designer. Leah approaches every session with care and attention to detail, tailoring content to the audience and consistently meeting learning goals. Her course designs are thoughtful, creative, and innovative, and she cares deeply about her clients and works hard to exceed their expectations. She has a natural ability to connect with a wide range of learners—from executives to field crews and provides a high level of engagement in her courses. With a natural ability to infuse warmth and humor into her teaching, Leah continuously earns the highest ratings and glowing reviews for her classes."

Robin Cowper, Executive Director, MCA of Western Washington
"Leah Gutmann delivered an outstanding presentation at our DeWalt/MCA Education Summit with practical, high-quality content. Her engaging style and deep expertise in coaching, mentoring, and decision-making provided real, actionable insights. Leah’s ability to connect with the audience and deliver impactful instruction left a lasting impression. Our contractor members and their teams walked away stronger, more thoughtful leaders because of her."

Corey Martino Director of Operations, Mechanical Contractors Association of Maryland

Ready to move your mission forward?

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Certified in: TTI Approved Partner | Clifton Strengthsfinders | Fierce, Inc | MCAA NEI | & More