About Us

Dave Ellis is a leadership coach, author, educator, and philanthropist. His critically acclaimed book Becoming a Master Student, currently in its twelfth edition, is the best-selling college textbook in America. It has been published in three languages and is considered core material by college students and faculty alike. In addition to this book, he has authored and co-authored several others including Falling Awake and Creating Your Future. Dave is currently writing a series on leadership.

Dave Ellis is a respected lecturer and electrifying workshop leader who has captivated audiences worldwide since first sharing his principles in 1979. He is regularly called upon to guide leaders along the path of long-lasting, breakthrough performance results. Past clients include national and international nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, an NBA coach, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Dave Ellis puts into practice the principles he teaches; utilizing his remarkable system in his own life. His friends and colleagues often describe him as the happiest person they know with an amazingly wonderful life. He is president of Breakthrough Enterprises, a publishing and consulting company. He is founder and president of The Brande Foundation; a non-profit organization offering assistance to organizations working towards world sufficiency, environmental integrity, human rights, and personal transformation. Dave has contributed millions of dollars to the work of his foundation and to other organizations.

Dave Ellis resides in the bay area with his wife Trisha. Together they have four daughters and one brand new granddaughter.

Life Coaches

	JoAnne Bangs JoAnne Bangs is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) as certified by the International Coach Federation. . She and her husband began a coaching practice 20 years ago while raising two young children, and ever since then JoAnne has been coaching individuals, business owners, couples, and leaders of non-profit organizations. After a major health challenge in 2000, she transformed all aspects of her life such that her life is now vibrant, accomplished, and joyful. Her goal is to assist her clients to achieve the same through coaching and our trainings.
	Peter Chandonnet In addition to being a coach, Peter teaches yoga at the Yoga Studio in San Francisco. Peter has a great love for coaching and yoga, because these two forms of transformation have brought great love, abundance, purpose, and passion to his life and to the lives of others. His purpose is to be an inspiration to himself and to others and inspire others to their greatness. It is Peter's dream that we live in a world that is environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling. He feels coaching and yoga have the potential to create such a world.
	Francine Campone Francine Campone, Ed.D., PCC coaches leaders in education and nonprofit organizations, organization teams, and mature professionals making significant transitions in life and work. Her coach training is complemented by experience in humanistic mediation, group dynamics and facilitation, Constructive Living Practice, and 30 years of experience in higher and adult education. A member of the founding faculty of University of Texas at Dallas' graduate coaching certification program, Francine developed and teaches an introduction to research practices for coaches. Dr. Campone is active in the International Coach Federation's research arena and the Foundation of Coaching in the development of a repository of coaching research.
	Dave Ellis Dave Ellis started training coaches in 1983. He specializes in high net worth clients and leaders of non-profit organizations. He donates all his coaching revenue to providing life coaching to leaders of national and international non-profit organizations. He is the founder and president of Breakthrough Enterprises, Inc. and The Brande Foundation. Dave facilitates workshops and has written seven books including: Creating your future, Human Being, Falling Awake, Becoming a Master Student, and Life Coaching . He operates a Coach Training School accredited by The International Coach Federation.
	Rick Ingrasci Rick Ingrasci, M.D., M.P.H. is an author and teacher in the fields of integrative medicine, community development, organizational learning, and holistic education. Rick has a rich background in psychiatry, holistic medicine, and personal and social transformation. He lives on Whidbey Island near Seattle with his wife and two dogs. He is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College and the Harvard School of Public Health. He is the co-author of the best-selling book Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life.
	Stan Lankowitz Stan Lankowitz, M.Ed., L.P.C., dedicates his career to helping leaders in non-profit organizations and businesses resolve problems, explore new possibilities, design and implement strategic plans, and achieve success. The coaching he has provided for over 30 years help people improve the quality of their lives in both personal and professional domains. Stan writes a standing column entitled "Life Coach" for the in-flight magazine of Frontier Airlines.
	Rosemarie Perla Rosemarie Perla is a Licensed Psychologist, coach, and entrepreneur who brings 30 years of experience to her clients. She has successfully coached business owners, non-profit leaders, executives, professionals, and major league athletes to achieve significant life and career transformations. She inspires her clients to believe in their capacity to change and grow in order to create the future they want.
	Bill Rentz Bill Rentz has worked with Dave Ellis for over 22 years. He is the Vice-President of both Breakthrough Enterprises, Inc., and The Brande Foundation. Bill is a Master Certified Coach through International Coach Federation. He is responsible for developing and operating our fully accredited Coach Training program. Bill is also responsible for much of the day-to-day operation of our organizations. He lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota and is a dedicated husband for over 21 years who loves the outdoors.

Breakthrough Enterprises, Inc.

Breakthrough Enterprises is a publishing and consulting company incorporated in 1981 in South Dakota. It provides life coaching, workshops, books, tapes and other materials to assist people to improve the quality of their lives. It is a for-profit company that donates all of its profits to The Brande Foundation.

The Brande Foundation

In 1987, Dave Ellis founded The Brande Foundation and endowed it with royalties from the sale of, “Becoming a Master Student.” This best-selling college textbook is designed to assist students to be successful in school and beyond. Ellis formed the foundation to sponsor projects and contribute money to a wide variety of local, state, national, and international organizations.

 

The purpose of the foundation is to promote life and aliveness on the planet in five basic areas including: 1) world sufficiency (adequate food, water, and shelter for all people); 2) environmental integrity (a healthy and sustainable ecosystem); 3) human rights; 4) world peace; and, 5) personal transformation (human effectiveness and education).

 

The projects of The Brande Foundation have included Native American education and leadership development, community health and education, bias awareness workshops, fundraising for micro credit lending, and eradicating poverty around the world.

Organizations that have been major recipients of funding have included CARE, OXFAM, United Way, Working Against Violence, Inc., Youth & Family Services, The Hunger Project, RESULTS Educational Fund, The Institute of Noetic Sciences, The Gorbachev Foundation, Pachamama Alliance, and Amnesty International.

Currently, the primary project of The Brande Foundation is to provide life coaching and workshops to leaders of large, national and international, non-profit organizations. To find out more about the Brande Foundation, click here.

 

The Brande Foundation does not accept proposals from other non-profit organizations or individuals since its long-term budget has already been set and is devoted to projects that it coordinates.

Our Privacy Policy

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Contact Us

E-mail:

South Dakota Office

Breakthrough Enterprises, Inc.
The Brande Foundation

2650 Jackson Blvd.
P.O. Box 8396
Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone: 605-394-0038
Fax: 605-343-7553
Toll free: 866-Fall-Awake (325-5292)

California Office

Breakthrough Enterprises, Inc.
The Brande Foundation

303 Laurel Place
San Rafael, CA 94901

Phone: 415-785-3900
Fax: 415-785-3892