Meet Us
Joan M. Starkowsky, MA, BCC
Joan M. Starkowsky is the Founder and Principal of Sirocco Coach-Consulting, LLC.
I help individuals and organizations lead with authenticity, clarity, and impact.
As the Founder of Sirocco Coach-Consulting and co creator of the Self-CEO Coaching System, I guide leaders and growth-minded individuals to harness their strengths, navigate transitions, and thrive with purpose.
Rooted in decades of leadership, coaching, and business experience — and grounded by the wisdom found in nature at Winds of Change Farm — I believe self-leadership is the foundation for success. As a result, I help people connect to their authentic self and take the lead on a journey to a more empowered, passionate, and purposeful life.
Whether coaching individuals to their next chapter, building team chemistry or cultivating thriving learning communities, my mission is simple:
To inspire transformation — from the inside out.
I am a Board-Certified Personal and Professional Coach, Leadership Coach-Consultant, and a Certified PI Talent Optimization Partner and Consultant.
Previously, I served as President and Founder of the former Roadway Reverse Logistics, Inc., where I earned a patent for a groundbreaking business method and web portal in reverse logistics — a major factor in establishing the former Roadway Express, Inc. as a leader in the industry.
Throughout my career — from mentoring as a young sales manager, to counseling as a Master’s-level Rehabilitation Counselor, to coaching individuals and teams — my passion has remained constant:
Helping others discover their direction, embrace their potential, and live with purpose and impact.
Rooted in Authenticity, Powered by Purpose
I have always believed that the most powerful way to lead is to live authentically and to serve with purpose. These are not just principles I coach — they are the values I have lived throughout my leadership journey, my personal life, and my work today.
Trust, growth, and resilience are the foundation of who I am and the heart of every partnership I build.
Let’s Connect
If you are seeking a coach, consultant, or speaker who brings both depth of experience and a passion for authentic transformation, I would love to connect.
Together, we can explore new possibilities for your life, leadership, or organization.
Mary Ellen Garofalo, MSN, RN, CRRN, SPHR
Mary Ellen Garofalo is Managing Consultant at Sirocco Coach-Consulting, LLC. She is an integrative health nurse, health and well-being coach and consultant.
Mary Ellen Garofalo has a Masters Degree in Nursing Leadership with a background that bridges years in human resources and extensive experience as a Rehabilitation Certified Nurse and leader in home health care.
Her multifaceted expertise allows her to bring a holistic approach to healing, addressing the physical, emotional, and organizational dimensions of well-being. Throughout her career, Mary Ellen has demonstrated a deep commitment to empowering individuals and teams, fostering resilience, and promoting personal and professional growth.
As a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Mary Ellen cultivated workplace cultures that prioritize collaboration, wellness, and development. She played a key role in supporting employees during times of change, building cohesive teams, and creating strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness. Her HR experience shaped her leadership philosophy, enabling her to lead with empathy, vision, and a dedication to nurturing both people and processes. She is a Certified Talent Optimization Consultant, helping people find their strengths, talents and purpose.
In her work as a rehabilitation nurse and home health care leader, she has guided patients through challenging recoveries, developed care plans that restore independence, and led teams to deliver compassionate, high-quality care. Her ability to balance clinical expertise with a deep understanding of human dynamics has been a cornerstone of her success, allowing her to connect meaningfully with patients, families, and colleagues.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mary Ellen is involved in Christian ministry and small group leadership. Her faith is a driving force in her life, inspiring her to promote spiritual renewal and build communities of encouragement and hope. Through ministry, she supports individuals on their journeys of healing and transformation, integrating her professional skills with her spiritual mission.
For Mary Ellen, healing is more than a profession—it is a calling. Her unique combination of experience in nursing, human resources, and ministry equips her with a holistic perspective, enabling her to address challenges with compassion, strategy, and faith. She is dedicated to helping others achieve restoration and renewal in every aspect of life and considers it an honor to walk beside them as they strive forward.
When she’s not working, Mary Ellen enjoys a host of outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with family and friends which help her stay balanced and energized.
Testimonial
Mary Ellen Garofalo is one of the most hard working, passionate, committed, and grounded people I have had the pleasure of working with.
Mary Ellen’s tenacity to develop relationships with all whom she comes in contact with, learn every market that her program serviced, create start- up programs in hospitals throughout the country, and really nurture those relationships with the utmost of care, are some of the reasons for her success.
As a nurse, Mary Ellen’s compassion is evident in everything that she does. She is such a hard worker, an innovator, super creative, and has a great sense of humor. Her knowledge of the home care industry is excellent, given her years in the business.
I would highly recommend Mary Ellen. She is a passionate professional and a true asset to any organization!
Susan Ingalls
Regional Director
BAYADA Home Health Care