Our Team
Sarah Patrick
Founder & Principal
Sarah is an innovative strategist with a background in project management, operations, program design, and event management primarily in the arts and nonprofit industries. Employing systems and Design Thinking tools in conjunction with an empathy-based approach, Sarah helps clients identify strategic solutions that lead to proven outcomes. An outgoing, mission-driven professional, Sarah thrives when turning impactful ideas into tangible results.
Sarah has been solving complex problems and helping organizations design new systems throughout her career, boasting a range of experience managing across teams in diverse settings. She has approached this work from different stages of the production arc - from ideation to implementation - gathering critical perspectives along the way. Certified in Business Innovation from IDEO, Sarah has worked as the Director of Operations for Conscious Dying Institute, Sr. Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Berklee College of Music and Project Manager for GlobalHue. She also served as the Founding Filmmakers Summit Coordinator for the Berkshire International Film Festival, Events Manager for Seed Club, and VIP Experience Coordinator for HubWeek.
An active supporter of the Arts and passionate about DE&I work, Sarah currently sits on the board and diversity committee at The Advent School, the corporation at Community Music Center of Boston, and the advisory committee for the Berkshire International Film Festival. Previously, she served on the boards of The Peace Studio and the Atrium School, where she co-chaired the diversity committee. Sarah holds a B.A. in Philosophy from NYU and has trained as a Coach with Conscious Dying Institute.
Sarah and her family live in Dorchester, MA where they spend a lot of time cooking, hiking, considering the state of the world and building LEGOs.
Rachel Gans-Boriskin
Partner & Principal
A storyteller, educator, and coach, Rachel has over 20 years experience teaching, researching, and writing in the field of communication. She uses the tools of narrative, storytelling, and Design Thinking, to help clients identify and implement creative solutions to complex challenges. Rachel employs empathy, humor, and charisma to facilitate engaging and dynamic workshops that leave clients with practical skills and actionable plans.Rachel holds a BA in History from Brandeis University, an MA in Media Ecology from New York University, and an MA in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. She trained as a Coach with the Coaches Training Institute and has certificates in Strategic Management and Innovation Certificate from the Copenhagen Business School and Human-Centered Strategy from IDEO. She has run grants for the Pew Charitable Trusts on the journalistic display of political information online, the Kaiser Family Foundation on the entertainment-education strategy in health communication, and for the Institute of Museum and Library Services on misinformation and disinformation.
An award-winning educator, Rachel worked as an Associate Professor of Practice at the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities at Simmons University for seven years. Throughout her career, Rachel also worked as a Visiting Lecturer at Northeastern, Brandeis, and Clark Universities. With a diverse set of interests and expertise, she taught courses in storytelling, leadership, organizational and crisis communication, political communication, media law and ethics, interpersonal and group communication, and health communication.
When not working, Rachel can be found gardening, sewing, and telling stories on stages in the Boston area. Rachel and her family live in Central Massachusetts with their 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 11 chickens.
Kristina Markos
Kristina Markos M.LS. is an Associate Professor at Lassel University and Graduate Program Chair in Communications. She has close to 20 years of experience in branding, PR, content strategy, and strategic communications and implementing digital communications programs. Past clients include: Hitachi Consulting, Fuld+ Company, Panera Bread, CarGurus, Chicago Board of Options Exchange and The Socially Responsible Investment Conference. Kristina leverages her considerable experience to support NOVL as an external consultant and subject expert.
Kristina holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Bowling Green State University and a dual Master's in Liberal Studies and Communications from the University of Toledo. She's also a National Association of Career Education certified Career Coach. She uses her training to offer career development training using the industry's best research-backed practices.
Her research area includes studying the environmental, psychological, and personality factors that lead to creativity and innovation. Her academic research and career coaching training allow her to embrace curriculum development, consulting, and communications tactics using a well-rounded and outcomes-based approach .
Kristina has lectured to international audiences at The University of Malta about fostering connection and community in online classrooms. She is well-versed on best practices and methodologies to use digital platforms to reach Gen Z and has been quoted by PR News and Ragan Communications in articles addressing inter-generational workforce issues. Kristina is also a PR Club board member.
Outside of work, Kristina enjoys being a mother to 3 active sons, visiting her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, cooking, and traveling with family.
Lyrical Serenity
Lyrical Serenity is a dynamic program development specialist committed to holistic personal and professional growth. With expertise in coaching, counseling, workforce development, relationship building, and learning design, she creates and implements impactful programs that drive meaningful change.
Armed with a Master of Education in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a Business minor from Western Michigan University, Lyrical brings cutting-edge educational strategies to enhance engagement and success. Her professional training at Harvard in learning design, coaching, AI, and design thinking, coupled with leadership training at MIT through the LEAPS program, underscores her innovative approach.
Lyrical excels in curriculum design, program development, and providing tailored support to diverse communities. Her strengths in relationship-building and stakeholder engagement ensure that her programs are both effective and inclusive. Combining empathy, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of diverse needs, Lyrical develops sustainable programs that make a lasting impact.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Lyrical is an avid reader, active stationery collector, and enjoys nature walks and a healthy dose of Korean dramas.