This is our team.
What if everyone communicated with clarity and truly connected? Imagine what we could get done.
Lighthouse Communications was founded in 2013 to support non-native English speakers in Silicon Valley. Over the years, we’ve worked with clients from around the globe—startups, professional speakers, and underrepresented groups in tech, including women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities.
Our diverse team of coaches specializes in areas like presentation skills, storytelling, business writing, ESL, and executive coaching. At Lighthouse, we focus on helping people sharpen their ideas and communicate clear, compelling messages.
Our approach is simple: learn by doing. We minimize lectures and maximize hands-on practice. Workshops are built around real-world needs, like refining talking points for an upcoming meeting or tackling team priorities, so participants gain valuable skills while making progress on their work.
No matter your background or experience, Lighthouse is here to help you strengthen your voice and ensure your ideas are heard.
Founder & Principal
Anne Ricketts
In 2013, Anne founded LHC to help professionals communicate with confidence. Initially focused on non-native English speakers, LHC quickly grew to support leaders across industries—from emerging talent to seasoned executives.
As an executive coach, Anne has worked with leaders worldwide, including Stanford MBA students, TED speakers, and presenters at SXSW and other major conferences. When she’s not coaching or leading her team, she enjoys life in Berkeley, CA, as a proud mom to her young son and daughter.
Administrative & Operations Manager
Shannon D. Silva
Shannon brings a unique mix of training, learning ops, and program management experience—and she’s led global initiatives for companies like Facebook and Google. At LHC, she’s the engine behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. She works directly with clients, schedules workshops, and simplifies the logistics so our trainers can stay focused on what they do best: helping people communicate with more clarity and confidence.
Outside of work, you can find Shannon riding her onewheel with her husband or hanging out with her two cats, Bella and Luna.
Facilitator & Coach
Hilary Spreiter
Hilary's career as a communication coach began in 2011 while she was a graduate student at Stanford University studying rhetoric. She works with individuals and teams in academia and the business world, from Stanford University MBA students to successful tech executives. Also certified as an Integral Coach, Hilary helps her clients excel through expanded self-awareness and effective communication that complements their unique leadership and communication style.
Moderator — Virtual Workshops
Gregory Brown
Gregory is a moderator extraordinaire for LHC’s virtual workshops, which supports his passionate pursuit of lifelong learning and self-development. Gregory began his studies in electrical engineering and handles breakouts and the technical aspects of moderating, behind the scenes. Outside of Lighthouse, Gregory is designing his own artisanal cereal.
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Facilitator & Coach
Tani Peelgrane
Tani works with individuals and groups to develop executive presence, construct effective messages, and communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences. With her experience as an executive coach, former position as lead training designer and facilitator at the California Academy of Sciences, and years as a high school and college educator, Tani has a wealth of knowledge and experience.
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Facilitator & Coach
Louise Wo
Louise is a facilitator who works with individuals and groups to communicate and connect more effectively. She holds a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and is passionate about cultivating well-being through workshops and coaching. She specializes in creating engaged, playful learning experiences that foster belonging, connection and joy.
Facilitator & Coach
Win Chesson
Win works as a leadership coach at Stanford, Harvard and Winspired Coaching. His facilitation focuses on strengthening interpersonal influence, improving communication, and building a culture of feedback.
Win previously worked at Goldman Sachs as an investment advisor, IDEO as a design entrepreneur, and Immigration Equality as a champion for LGBTQ immigrants. A lifelong swimmer and daily meditator, Win is passionate about Broadway, bitcoin, and bicoastal living.
Facilitator & Coach
Lauren Rauch
Lauren helps individuals from diverse backgrounds communicate and lead more effectively. With 10 years of experience in Silicon Valley, Lauren facilitates workshops on communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership. As a coach, she works with clients on finding their authentic voice, building trust and confidence, and communicating through conflict.
Facilitator & Coach
Jack McCarthy
Jack coaches teams in improving communication, collaboration, and culture. He specializes in remote and hybrid work environments. He’s helped leaders from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and more build camaraderie with confidence and authenticity.
Channeling skills from being an award-winning director, Jack won season 10 of The Blox, the largest TV show about entrepreneurs. He has spoken at Loyola Marymount and Santa Clara University. He’s a proud alum of the University of Southern California.
Facilitator & Coach
Keiko Schlabach
Originally from Japan, Keiko brings passion and experience to teaching cross-cultural communication and presentation skills. In her boutique business, English-Empowered, Keiko coaches Japanese researchers, scientists, and business professionals on how to transform into effective English communicators. Keiko resides in Boston with her husband and two children.
Facilitator & Coach
Rebecca Williams
Rebecca has been helping people tell stories for over two decades, in two languages, and in five countries. She has worked with hundreds of founders and professionals to help them speak clearly, speak for impact, and craft compelling narratives. Her mission is to help purpose-driven overachievers rise and shine so they can change the world with their ideas.