Hi, we are “Anima Speaks” aka Rebekah and Michael…
Anima Speaks is a consulting and coaching practice that supports leaders, teams, and organizations navigating complexity, change, and high-stakes human systems. Our unique approach works best in moments when clarity matters—but oversimplification can cause harm. We integrate strategic insight, developmental awareness, and relational intelligence to help clients hold tension, make sound decisions, and move forward with integrity. Rather than offering formulas or quick fixes, we create conditions for deeper understanding, wiser action, and sustainable coherence across people, systems, and purpose.
Client Reviews
“Providing coaching services from Rebekah for everyone on my team (myself included) has transformed our outcomes and increased our social and task cohesion. I strongly recommend her work to any leader who wants to experience a unique, low-stress pathway to improving performance for 100% of their team.”
— Nancy Kolas, Senior Manager, Customer Implementation“Nothing is more important than how a coach listens, takes in, reflects, questions, and gives feedback in the context ofthe coaching dialogue. Michael and Rebekah do an awesome job with pacing and not being afraid to keep conversations focused and on target. When providing feedback, they strive to make it clear, relevant, helpful, and inspiring. They understand the limited resources and time constraints and work efficiently to support busy clients.
— Arun Dutt , Principal“They are skilled at understanding and empathizing with their clients while providing amazing new perspectives and their ability to reframe situations is amazing; all while teaching a theory or a model for those of us ( like me) who like to understand the “why” or who may want to do more research and reading on their own. They have an amazing ability to connect what seems to be disparate thoughts and concepts into a sensical framework that produces results rapidly.”
—Erika McCoy, Senior Executive Director, IBSS Corp.
CLIENT FEEDBACK FROM EXECUTIVES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
“Michael and Rebekah are really experienced and practical coaches. They understand how culture evolves and what is involved.”
“The content and presentations Rebekah and Michael deliver are well-dimensioned with appropriate life examples. No beating around the bush.”
“The coaches were able to keep participants engaged, and exchanges throughout the sessions were robust.”
“The coaching they presented to our team about what we say and how we say it as leaders goes a long way to help us solve our problems in the midst of pressures and financial targets we must meet.”
“The coaching role play Michael and Rebekah delivered highlighted my engagement style, which came across as apologetic, and not wanting to offend. I now have the tools to balance empathy with accountability.”
BIOS
Michael DE Pass
Lead Coach/Consultant/ COO
Michael is the Lead Coach/Consultant and Chief Operations Officer of Anima Speaks.
Previously, Michael spent over a decade at the Center for Creative Leadership, holding positions such as VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Director of the portfolio consistently K-12 Education, where he grew in terms of lives touched and revenue. Michael led efforts to clarify customer personas, standardize core offerings, and create new digital learning options that were more cost-effective for nonprofit education clients and scalable for CCL.
Before joining CCL, Michael worked as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and held research and leadership roles in international development organizations. As a management consultant, he specialized in system-wide capability and leadership development to support large-scale network transformations.
Michael has experience in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, agricultural production, and human capital analytics, and has also worked on USAID-funded projects in Africa and the Caribbean. He served as a strategic advisor for the education division of a Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods company and for 3 startups that worked to scale human capital management software, coaching, and team development.
Michael’s interest in group identities and issues related to justice and equity began with living in Liberia as a child and beginning to make sense of the American experience from outside of America. He has consistently taken direct action to support building the capacity of leaders and communities that have historically been undervalued in the U.S. and abroad, as an activist, faith community member, project manager, leader, and educator.
Educational Background
Michael received his MBA from Harvard University, a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Theology degree from Hope Bible College.
Rebekah De Pass
Founder/CEO
Rebekah’s almost 30- year journey as a national board certified teacher, principal, leadership coach/consultant, and most recently mom has given her the chance to live out her personal mission of inspiring courageous and fulfilled living in herself and others.
As a New York City Principal, Rebekah received national recognition for her leadership of a school turnaround in East Harlem, and she continues to use what she learned during that epic adventure to support people and organizations in the midst of change as a Strategic Intervention Coach.
Rebekah is a nomad at heart, happiest on long-distance flights to places like Thailand, Hong Kong, Fiji, Nigeria, and Australia, where she has been known to sleep under the stars in the Outback and float down rivers at midnight- so it makes sense that she and Michael are now delightedly world-schooling their son, introducing him at a young age to the wonders of this world.
Educational Background
Rebekah received her Ed.M degree from Harvard University in Human Development and Psychology with an Arts in Education Focus, a BS in Early Childhood Education and Political Science from the University of South Florida, and a School Administration Certification from Baruch College.