About Us
Dare to Dream
Alturas is a coaching practice for people ready to take bold action and realize their personal and professional potential.
We work with individuals at defining moments in their lives - those who know they want more and are ready to do something about it. They may have a vision, a feeling, or a sense that something needs to change, and they’re ready to move forward with intention.
Whether just starting out, rethinking what they’ve built, or preparing for a new chapter, we support people who want to get it right. Through tailored coaching experiences, we help our clients gain clarity, build confidence, and take meaningful action toward what’s next.
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Chad Carlson, M.Ed., is the co-founder of Alturas Coaching & Consulting and serves as a lead coach and consultant, where he helps leaders and teams thrive at the crossroads of leadership, strategy, culture, and change.
With more than 25 years of experience in leadership, education, and entrepreneurship, Chad has led organizations through growth, transformation, and systems change. His background includes founding and leading education startups, serving in executive leadership roles, coaching individuals and teams, and advising nonprofit boards. He is the co-founder and co-designer of the One Stone Lab School and the founder and leader of its national scaling initiative, One Stone Ventures - work that is widely recognized for advancing innovative, future-ready education.This diverse experience gives him a deep understanding of governance, strategic planning, organizational alignment, and the challenges leaders face in balancing vision with execution.
Much of Chad’s work has focused on helping schools and learning organizations redesign systems to better serve people and purpose. He has supported leaders and communities in moving from traditional, compliance-driven models to more human-centered approaches, including competency-based assessment, learner agency, real-world relevance, and student mentorship. He has designed professional learning experiences, communities of practice, and strategic planning processes that help educators and organizations turn bold ideas into sustainable practice. Across roles as a teacher, administrator, school leader, and consultant, Chad has worked closely with students, educators, leaders, and families, giving him a deep appreciation for the human dynamics that make change succeed or stall.
As a coach, mentor, and advisor, Chad is known for his curiosity, clarity, and human-first approach. He works with leaders to sharpen their strategy, strengthen their culture, and unlock personal and organizational growth.
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Nerel Winter is the co-founder of Alturas Coaching & Consulting and serves as a lead coach and consultant, partnering with leaders and organizations to develop strong leadership, build organizational coherence, and navigate complex change.
With extensive experience as an executive leader, school founder, and systems leader, Nerel has built nationally recognized work focused on future-ready learning. His expertise spans personalized and competency-based learning, career-connected pathways, global and experiential education, and youth apprenticeship systems that bridge education and industry. He is widely respected for his ability to translate bold vision into aligned strategy, culture, and execution.
Nerel’s leadership is grounded in deep, firsthand experience across the full spectrum of education — as a classroom educator, assistant principal, public school principal, and founder and CEO of innovative school and organizational models. He has worked closely with executive teams, boards, foundations, and cross-sector partners to strengthen assessment systems, align organizational structures, and build leadership capacity for sustainable impact.
As a coach and advisor, Nerel brings a human-centered, equity-driven approach rooted in empathy, clarity, and purpose. His work helps leaders align identity, mission, and systems so individuals and organizations can grow with intention and prepare people for meaningful, real-world futures.
The Beliefs Behind Our Work
Mission
To empower people to build lives and careers that actually work for them.
Vision
A world where people live and work in alignment with who they are and what matters most.
Values
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The willingness to make honest choices and take bold steps toward a life that fits - even when it’s uncomfortable.
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The belief that a better path is possible - and that with the right direction and action, you can create it.
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Showing up consistently to do the work required to create meaningful change and follow through on what matters.
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Seeing challenges and uncertainty as opportunities to learn, adapt, and move forward - not reasons to stay stuck.
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Clear purpose drives meaningful action. Leaders and organizations thrive when their decisions, strategies, and behaviors align with a well-defined mission and values. Purpose guides priorities, shapes culture, and ensures that every effort contributes to lasting impact.
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Taking full responsibility for your choices, direction, and future - and actively shaping a life that works for you
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We stay open and ask questions - challenging assumptions, exploring new perspectives, and discovering what truly fits.
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We take action to create progress - testing ideas, learning from experience, and refining our path through doing, not just thinking.n