Meet the Founder - John Telyea
"Where leadership meets humanity—one story, one relationship at a time."
John Telyea is the founder of Praxis Pathways Northwest, a leadership development and grief support organization rooted in empathy, insight, and real-world experience. With a background spanning over 15 years in healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and chaplaincy, John brings a uniquely human-centered approach to personal and professional growth.
John is a board-certified chaplain, experienced grief counselor, and former pastor who has supported thousands of individuals and families through life’s most difficult transitions. He is also a leadership coach and retreat facilitator who understands that meaningful change requires both courage and clarity.
Before founding Praxis Pathways Northwest, John spent years helping organizations improve culture, navigate change, and build trust across teams. His leadership style is grounded in authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the belief that healing and growth are deeply interconnected.
A lifelong learner and former stand-up comedian, John brings a blend of wisdom, warmth, and wit to his work—offering practical tools without losing the personal touch. Whether he’s guiding someone through grief or helping a team reconnect with purpose, his mission is the same: to create space where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.
When he’s not facilitating retreats or developing new programs, John enjoys officiating high school sports, training in boxing, and spending time with his wife Shae and their beloved bulldog, Teddy.
Our Story
Praxis Pathways Northwest was born out of a quiet but powerful question: “What if we could create spaces where people heal and lead from who they truly are?”
For years, I worked as a hospice chaplain, sitting with people at the edge of life. In those sacred moments—between breaths, between tears—I learned that what people want most is to be seen, heard, and understood. I also witnessed what happens when organizations and leaders are too overwhelmed or too burned out to show up for their teams in the same way.
At the same time, I was wrestling with my own questions about purpose. After more than a decade in ministry, I stepped away from the pulpit and began redefining what it meant to lead with integrity, live with authenticity, and guide others through meaningful transformation. I knew I didn’t want to just react to crisis anymore—I wanted to help people and organizations build strength before the storm ever hit.
Praxis Pathways Northwest was created as an answer to that call.
The word praxis means putting theory into action. It reflects the heart of what I do: take what we know from psychology, leadership science, and lived experience—and turn it into real, human-centered change. Whether I’m working with someone who’s grieving a profound loss or coaching an executive team through burnout and disconnection, my approach is grounded, empathetic, and transformational.
This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about doing the deep work—together.
Since its founding, Praxis Pathways Northwest has grown into a home for grief courses, leadership retreats, one-on-one support, and team coaching. But at its core, it’s still about what I learned at the bedside: real transformation happens in relationship.
And that’s where our work begins.