The Team

Payton Pels brings energy, precision, and creativity to her role as Director of Operations at LeaderThrive, LLC. She specializes in organizing and executing complex projects that ensure CEOs and executives receive an exceptional experience in their leadership groups. With a natural talent for design and detail, Payton curates customized activities, engaging meeting opportunities, and seamless events that foster collaboration and growth among executive teams.

In addition to her professional work, Payton is pursuing a dual degree in Business and Psychology, deepening her expertise at the intersection of strategy and human behavior. A natural adventurer, she embraces challenges both inside and outside the workplace. Whether training for marathons or traveling to new destinations, Payton brings the same dedication and enthusiasm that define her work with leaders.

Tessa Boyce is a Collin College student pursuing an Accounting degree while serving as a Technology Coordinator at LeaderThrive. She manages technology workflows and oversees integrations across Smartsheet, Zapier, and Excel to streamline processes and improve efficiency. By coordinating data, automation, and reporting systems, she ensures seamless alignment between organizational priorities and operational execution, supporting leadership with reliable and scalable tech solutions.

She combines strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills developed through roles in customer relations and technical service. She's motivated to streamline processes and deliver impactful solutions, drawing on both academic training and hands-on professional experience.

Laurel Anderson serves as Vice President of Training at Intrepid CEO, where she leads enterprise learning strategy and empowers teams at every level. She oversees curriculum design, instructor development, and the rollout of scalable programs—from new-hire onboarding to advanced leadership tracks—ensuring each initiative is data-driven and aligned with business goals. Known for her calm, methodical approach, Laurel partners closely with executives, product leaders, and HR to deliver seamless learning experiences that actually change behavior (not just fill a calendar).

With a background in organizational development and over a decade building high-impact L&D programs, Laurel blends operational rigor with a passion for adult learning and practical innovation. She champions inclusive, accessible training, leverages modern learning tech and analytics, and coaches facilitators to world-class standards. Outside of work, she recharges on trail runs, curates eclectic playlists, and volunteers as a mentor for early-career professionals—always hunting for fresh ideas that make learning stick.