Claire E.F. Knowles
Human Resource Management Professional
Married to Richard N. Knowles, Ph.D., 1 daughter, 3 step-daughters, 5 step-grandchildren
Over the course of 34 years in large manufacturing organizations, my professional journey took me through a remarkably diverse range of responsibilities—from Personnel Management and Labor Relations to Benefits, Compensation, Administrative Services, Contract Administration, Purchasing, Traffic and Shipping, Training and Development, and Safety, Health, and Environmental Services.
Each of these experiences taught me something different about organizations, but more importantly, about people. I learned that effective leadership begins with the ability to communicate, listen, build trust, and navigate the often-complex relationships that shape the workplace. Along the way, I developed a strong foundation in Principle-Based Management and Contract Bargaining, became a Certified Mediator, and later expanded my work as a Certified Personal and Life Coach.
My experiences also deepened my commitment to issues affecting women, an area that has remained particularly meaningful to me throughout my career. Whether working one-on-one, facilitating difficult conversations, leading workshops, or communicating through the written word, I have always been passionate about helping people find their voice, recognize their possibilities, and create meaningful change.
That passion ultimately found expression through years of communication, workshop presentation, and writing, including numerous newsletters and published articles. Across all of these roles and experiences, one thread has remained constant: a genuine curiosity about people and a belief in our capacity to learn, grow, connect, and transform.
“I would recommend this annually! I think it is important to take a break from the routine and rediscover yourself. Claire, you’re an outstanding workshop leader, whose warmth and caring nature made us open up very easily. Thank you.”
RL
Workshop participant in a Lights On!
Workshop for Personal & Professional Path-finding
Education
- Empire State College (SUNY) – B.S. Business, Management & Economics Concentration: Human Resource Management. & Labor Relations – 1993
Certifications
- Certified Facilitator The Process Enneagram© at the Center for Self-Organizing Leadership©
- Certified Personal/Executive Coach – National Institute for Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICAMB)
- Dispute Resolution/Mediation – Better Business Bureau – for internal application within DuPont Company
- OSHA Certified Trainer – OSHA #501 Voluntary Compliance Safety & Health
- OSHA 1910 Process Safety Management – Certified Internal Auditor – administrative compliance – DuPont Company
- ISO 9000 Quality Standards (Internal Auditor – DuPont Company)
Professional Experience
- FOUNDER, Nagele, Knowles & Associates, consultant for reducing the risk of workplace violence. Co-Author of “Guide to Reducing the Risk of Workplace Violence…the Absolute Essentials 2020“
- Situational Awareness Specialist – Acuri Group 2021
- 2006 – Present: Buffalo Niagara Partnership – Women to Women Mentoring Program
- 2004 – Present: Creator/Owner of Lights On and Lights On Workshops
- 2003 – Present: Co-Founder and Director of The Center for Self-Organizing Leadership, Inc
- 2000 – Present: Independent Consultant – Richard N. Knowles & Associates, Inc and Partner in The SOLiance Group
- 2006 – 2010: Subcontractor – AmTrust North America Insurance Company Small Business Workers Compensation/Safety Compliance Auditor
- 2002 – 2006: One of three-member HR Advisory Group to Personnel Manager, Municipal Government – City of Niagara Falls, NY
- 1966-2000: DuPont Company, Human Resources, Safety, Environmental Management , Mfg Leadership Staff Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY
Authorship
Three ways we can help you and your organization
Each grew out of decades spent inside real organizations solving real problem.
Pick the starting point that matches what you're facing.
The Process
Enneagram©
A proven nine-step framework for working through complex, high-stakes problems, used across manufacturing, healthcare, and civic organizations.
Self-Organizing Leadership©
Coaching and organizational design that helps leaders build teams capable of adapting on their own, instead of waiting on top-down direction.
Safety Leadership
ProcessTM
Workshops and culture-change work that helps plants and field operations move from compliance-driven safety to genuine safety leadership.