Embracing Possibility
At Magnolia Pathways, we believe in the power of growth, transformation, and unwavering support. We are more than just coaches—we are guides, encouragers, and advocates for mindful living. Rooted in compassion and driven by purpose, our mission is to help individuals unlock their potential through intentional reflection, self-awareness, and meaningful action. Like the magnolia flower, we see resilience and beauty in every journey. Here, you’ll find a space to explore, heal, and step confidently into the life you were meant to live. Whether seeking clarity, empowerment, or inner peace, Magnolia Pathways is your partner in embracing possibility and creating lasting change.
Our Team
Matt Carden
Matthew Carden is a seasoned mindfulness practitioner and leadership coach with a passion for fostering personal growth and organizational excellence. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, mentoring, and coaching, he integrates proven techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals and teams unlock their full potential.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and Training, along with certifications in Workplace Mindfulness Facilitation, Project Management (PMP), and Leadership Development, Matthew specializes in cultivating resilience, emotional intelligence, and collaborative dynamics in professional settings. He is currently pursuing the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certification, reflecting his dedication to expanding his expertise in supporting behavior improvement and developmental progress.
Matthew’s holistic approach empowers clients to navigate challenges, embrace innovation, and thrive in both their personal and professional lives. Beyond his coaching work, he is an advocate for lifelong learning and diversity, equity, and inclusion, combining his expertise and passion to create meaningful change, one mindful moment at a time.
Nancy Doyle
As a mindfulness and personal well-being-based coach, I guide clients to cultivate greater self-awareness and presence, empowering them to live a more fulfilling and intentional life. To help individuals achieve their goals with greater ease and joy. I also specialize in helping government workers navigate the challenges of displacement. With over 30 years of federal government service specializing in education, mindfulness, and life coaching, I understand the unique needs and concerns of individual. I help clients develop practical tools and strategies to navigate daily stressors, build resilience, and reclaim a sense of calmness to their daily lives. These practices empower individuals to find balance and cultivate a greater sense of well-being creating lasting positive change.
Kelly Morin
Kelly has a passion for transformation and more than two decades of experience helping people grow. With 20+ years in training and development and more than a decade in leadership, she has guided individuals and teams through meaningful change. She brings a unique blend of strategic insight and compassionate guidance to her work, transforming organizations, empowering individuals, and building high-performing teams. Kelly thrives on helping others become the person they envision and understands that growth isn’t one-size-fits-all.
With a master’s degree in education and a graduate certificate focused on human performance, Kelly has provided individualized tools to help people enhance their skills in leadership, communication, resilience, and collaboration. She is an experienced facilitator, leader, and mentor, and will begin working on her coach certification later this year. Kelly is a runner, mother, veteran, and military spouse. She has lived through continuous change and uncertainty, benefiting from the strength and resilience it required.
She experienced how the right support can help turn challenges into growth and is enthusiastic about helping others find their path.
Renee Madden
Renee Madden is a dedicated organizational leadership coach with a passion for helping individuals and teams grow. As a graduate of HHS’s Federal Internal Coach Training Program (FICTP), she thrives on guiding others toward personal and professional development. Her holistic approach integrates mindfulness, ensuring that growth extends beyond skills to well-being and self-awareness.
With years of experience as a certified trainer in leadership, communication, and productivity, Renee fosters connection, collaboration, and resilience in every session she leads. Whether in the classroom or virtual spaces, she empowers individuals to reach their full potential.
Renee Madden is a dynamic training specialist with the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), where she has been making an impact since 2014. Bringing science to the forefront of employee training, she fosters collaboration and connection across CFSAN headquarters and research facilities nationwide.
Her expertise is built on a rich and diverse background, spanning roles as a Forensic Scientist, Medical Technologist, and Adjunct Professor. Since joining the FDA in 2012, she has continued to expand her influence in compliance and enforcement while remaining committed to education.
A certified trainer with credentials from CompTIA, Crucial Learning, and the Arbinger Institute, Renee delivers engaging programs on leadership, communication, productivity, and mindset development. Her holistic approach includes facilitating mindfulness, ensuring that learning goes beyond knowledge—it empowers.
With a Medical Degree from the Dominican Republic and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University, Renee’s foundation in science supports her passion for teaching and coaching.
Beyond her professional achievements, Renee has embraced adventure, from soaring over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon to unique experiences with FEMA. Her enthusiasm for lifelong learning and personal growth makes her a truly inspiring leader within her field.
Our Journey to Now
Magnolia Pathways was founded by Matt, Nancy, Renee, and Kelly, four professionals whose shared passion for valuing people and empowering growth brought them together. Their journey began at the FDA Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN) Staff College, where they worked as training specialists and instructional designers. In this environment, their dedication to supporting others and fostering meaningful connections became the cornerstone of their partnership.
Matt and Renee discovered a shared interest in mindfulness after reading The Book of Joy. This pivotal moment sparked their journey into deeper practices, leading them to complete the MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) program and earn certifications as Workplace Mindfulness Facilitators. Through their daily mindfulness sessions, which they’ve been leading for over two years, Matt and Renee have created spaces for individuals to develop awareness, resilience, and clarity—core elements that align seamlessly with the values of coaching.
Nancy and Renee strengthened their connection through their participation in the inaugural course of the Federal Internal Coach Training Program for FDA accreditation. The program refined their coaching skills and reinforced their commitment to empowering others to achieve their fullest potential. With several years of coaching experience, Nancy and Renee have cultivated a deep understanding of how coaching helps people take mindful reflection and transform it into purposeful action. Matt later joined their coaching journey, graduating from the same program and contributing his own perspective with over a year of experience.
Kelly and Matt played pivotal roles in guiding Staff College through its initial IACET accreditation, bringing their leadership and instructional design expertise to ensure the institution met the highest standards of excellence. Their distinct yet complementary perspectives strengthened their ability to collaborate effectively. Kelly brings strategic vision, decisiveness, and innovation to the team. Matt, balances this with a deep sense of empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to meaningful connection. This dynamic synergy has shaped Magnolia Pathways, reinforcing the importance of blending logic with intuition, structure with adaptability, and leadership with deep emotional awareness.
Over the years, the four recognized the profound synergy between mindfulness and coaching. Both approaches emphasize presence, awareness, and growth—qualities that form the foundation of Magnolia Pathways. Their shared belief in the transformative power of valuing and uplifting people has shaped their mission to inspire connection, self-discovery, and personal transformation through their work.