Meet Our Founder
Chou Hallegra, Wellbeing & Belonging Consultant
Chou Hallegra — affectionately known as the “Be Well Lady” — is a wellbeing and belonging consultant, bestselling author, executive coach, and licensed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainer dedicated to helping individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations thrive. As the Founder and CEO of Grace & Hope Consulting, LLC, Chou partners with corporations, nonprofits, higher education institutions, government agencies, and community groups to strengthen resilience, enhance workplace psychological safety, improve mental health outcomes, and foster cultures of belonging where people feel valued, heard, and empowered.
With over two decades of experience in human services and organizational development, Chou brings a rare blend of professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She has supported diverse populations affected by mental health challenges, trauma, substance use disorders, homelessness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, chronic illnesses, and complex caregiving dynamics. Her approach moves beyond instruction — she equips individuals and teams with actionable strategies to reduce stress, build capacity, increase productivity, and find balance and purpose in life and work.
Chou holds a Master’s degree in Human Services with a specialization in Executive Leadership and completed a post-graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is certified in multiple disciplines, including trauma-competent practice, emotional intelligence coaching, mindfulness training, executive leadership development, suicide prevention (QPR), and person-centered thinking, among others. Her certifications reflect her deep commitment to trauma-informed, equity-focused work that nurtures wellbeing and unlocks human potential.
As a sought-after speaker and trainer, Chou has delivered engaging keynote presentations and interactive workshops at national and international conferences, helping audiences grapple with issues like psychological safety, inclusive leadership, workforce wellbeing, DEI implementation, and adaptive strategies during times of change. She is a certified Maxwell Leadership teacher, trainer, coach, and speaker, licensed in multiple Maxwell leadership curricula.
Chou is also a passionate storyteller and communicator. Through The Chat With Chou Podcast, writing, and speaking, she invites listeners and readers to explore resilience, emotional wellness, self-leadership, and personal growth with both heart and practical strategies.
Rooted in compassion and grounded in evidence-based practice, Chou’s mission remains clear: to help people and organizations be well, do well, work well, and lead well.
Chou was recognized on the 2023 Central Pennsylvania Forty Under 40 List for her transformative work, and featured on Women’s Week, She Rises, and Women of Solution Magazine. She can be reached at chou@graceandhopeconsulting.com or (+1) 717-216-0230 (also available on WhatsApp).
Among her many accomplishments, Chou holds the following certifications:
Certified Trauma-Competent Professional
Certified Racial Equity Consciousness Institute (RECI) Facilitator
Certified Leadership Trainer, Coach, and Speaker
Licensed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Trainer
Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach
Certified Employee Performance Coach
Certified Mindfulness Coach and Trainer
Certified QPR Instructor (Suicide Prevention)
Certified Cognitive- Behavioral Group Therapist
Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
Certified in the Discovery Process of Customized Employment
Certified Trainer for Person-Centered Thinking
Speaking Engagements
You can book Chou to speak at your conference, team retreat, leadership summit, and more. She is available to present virtually and in-person.
Some of her workshop topics include:
Recognizing Psychological Safety Hazards
Engineering Psychological Safety to Avoid & Mitigate Hazards
Person-Centered Leadership: Building a Successful Team, One Individual at A Time
Getting the Best Out of Your E.A.P. (Employee Assistance Program)
Mental Health as a D.E.I Priority: Stories & Strategies from the Field
Navigating Workforce Reduction Impacts
Managing Communications & Wellbeing in Times of Distress
Everyone At The Table (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training)
Being A Trauma-Informed Organization
Mental Health in the Black Community
From Time Management to Self Management
Work-life Balance: Myth, Fad, or Lifestyle?
The Stress R.E.L.I.E.F. Method
From Compassion Fatigue to Self-Compassion
Chou is licensed to use the following Maxwell Leadership curricula:
Becoming a Person of Influencer
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
How to be a REAL Success
Leadership Gold
Put Your Dreams to the Test
15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
Connect with Chou at chou@graceandhopeconsulting.com
What People Are Saying About Chou
“Chou helped me to get started on things I’ve been needing to do for years that I was too overwhelmed to face. She is a great coach without judgment. Now she’s helping me keep at it instead of give up. Thank you, Chou!” -RH
“Chou, from Grace & Hope Consulting, is a true pleasure to work with. Her professionalism, can-do spirit, and love for others are evident in all she does. Chou is able to focus on the final details of a project, lead with positivity, and empower others to stick to deadlines through open communication and ongoing correspondence. Chou has brought a project to life that’s been in my heart for over three years. If you are looking for someone to support you at any stage in life, I would highlight recommend Chou from Grace and Hope Consulting. "-TLW
“Chou and her staff are very professional and a true blessing to work with. She’s helped to transform my mental health journey. I’m now able to pass my experiences on to others just as she has. She was there when I didn’t know who else to turn to during a very tough time in my life. She went above and beyond when I was in need. She was out of town at a conference and made the time to call me! I’m so thankful for her!” -MS
“I love how realistic they are. The advice and guidance they offer are things that are really possible, not just pie in the sky. Chou is so friendly and approachable and really inspirational.” -CS
“Such a honor and a privilege to work with Chou and her amazing team! Chou goes out of her way to be responsive, supportive and encouraging as a publisher, consultant and coach! I highly recommend her services!”-SM
“ Chou Hallegra is a highly professional and knowledgeable leader in the disability community. In addition to her own lived experiences, she has also invested in years of professional education and training, which provide a solid foundation on which she establishes her offerings. I highly recommend Chou as a trustworthy and valuable advocate.” - MLC