Norma Tan, PhD, is the Co-Founder and Principal of Cora Group, Inc., a minority- and woman-owned consulting practice established in 1988. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Tan is widely recognized for her expertise in learning systems design, educational research, and organizational development. She holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology from Columbia University and has spent her career helping mission-driven organizations adapt to change, foster inclusion, and build leadership capacity across all levels.

As a learning systems specialist, Dr. Tan advises clients on assessment design, evaluation research, adult experiential learning, and training implementation. Her work is rooted in the belief that effective decision-making is strengthened by the ability to integrate diverse perspectives. Her customized solutions enable organizations to navigate complex challenges by building problem-solving capacity and developing sustainable strategies that align with both organizational values and public needs.

Dr. Tan brings an exceptionally strong coaching practice to her work, supporting senior leaders, mid-level managers, and frontline teams to fully realize their leadership potential. She uses process coaching, training design, and technical assistance to help individuals and teams reflect on how their values show up in their everyday work. This approach supports the development of inclusive, people-centered systems that drive performance, accountability, and well-being.

She is certified in Human Synergistics’ professional development systems and has applied these tools in leadership development, team building, and cultural transformation initiatives. Her clients span government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and service-based organizations working in public health, healthcare, education, the arts, human rights, and community development. Across all sectors, Dr. Tan is known for her ability to create inclusive learning environments that lead to actionable, lasting change.

In addition to her consulting work, Dr. Tan has held significant academic and leadership positions. She has served on the faculty of Columbia Business School’s Institute for Not-for-Profit Management and as research director at both New York University’s Metropolitan Center for Urban Education and Baruch College, CUNY. She currently mentors rising public sector leaders through the New York Leadership Fellows Program, continuing her long-standing commitment to leadership development and public service.

At the core of Dr. Tan’s work is a deep commitment to equity, systems thinking, and organizational learning. She helps clients not only clarify who they are but envision and actualize who they can become. Through her leadership at Cora Group, she continues to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to lead with integrity, purpose, and impact.