I’m Glen R. Callahan, a chemical engineer turned coach and programme leader, with 20+ years’ experience across FMCG production, HR consulting, nonprofit leadership, education, and coaching. I’m passionate about youth development, men’s mental health, philosophy and wellbeing, and I bring an analytical, evidence-based mindset to everything I build—whether that’s curriculum, mentoring programmes, or practical tools that help people discover purpose and grow. Recently I’ve been combining my coaching foundation with AI engineering, including building an online youth app that uses modern LLM workflows (prompting plus app engineering and data work). I’ve also led culturally grounded wellness and rites-of-passage initiatives informed by te ao Māori, and I’m committed to learning through lived study in Vedanta—alongside my ongoing work creating supportive, measurable experiences for individuals and communities.…

Glen R. Callahan

I’m Glen R. Callahan, a chemical engineer turned coach and programme leader, with 20+ years’ experience across FMCG production, HR consulting, nonprofit leadership, education, and coaching. I’m passionate about youth development, men’s mental health, philosophy and wellbeing, and I bring an analytical, evidence-based mindset to everything I build—whether that’s curriculum, mentoring programmes, or practical tools that help people discover purpose and grow. Recently I’ve been combining my coaching foundation with AI engineering, including building an online youth app that uses modern LLM workflows (prompting plus app engineering and data work). I’ve also led culturally grounded wellness and rites-of-passage initiatives informed by te ao Māori, and I’m committed to learning through lived study in Vedanta—alongside my ongoing work creating supportive, measurable experiences for individuals and communities.…

Available to hire

I’m Glen R. Callahan, a chemical engineer turned coach and programme leader, with 20+ years’ experience across FMCG production, HR consulting, nonprofit leadership, education, and coaching. I’m passionate about youth development, men’s mental health, philosophy and wellbeing, and I bring an analytical, evidence-based mindset to everything I build—whether that’s curriculum, mentoring programmes, or practical tools that help people discover purpose and grow.

Recently I’ve been combining my coaching foundation with AI engineering, including building an online youth app that uses modern LLM workflows (prompting plus app engineering and data work). I’ve also led culturally grounded wellness and rites-of-passage initiatives informed by te ao Māori, and I’m committed to learning through lived study in Vedanta—alongside my ongoing work creating supportive, measurable experiences for individuals and communities.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Māori
Beginner

Work Experience

AI Tutor / Editor at Toloka
April 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Refining AI prompts and responses to improve AI-generated content quality and accuracy.
Freelance AI Tutor / Prompt Engineer at Mindrift (formerly Toloka.ai)
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024
Provided freelance AI training and prompt engineering for an AI data-labelling platform. Trained models via prompt engineering and response evaluation, assessed AI-generated content for accuracy and quality, and refined prompts across multiple domains to improve output reliability.
Programme Director at Mātua Rautia
January 1, 2024 - Present
Led a pilot programme for young men (14–17) integrating wellness philosophies, rites of passage, and te ao Māori frameworks to strengthen wellbeing. Designed the programme and curriculum, facilitated workshops, managed logistics and reporting, and supported stakeholder relationships. Maintained compliance requirements for working with vulnerable populations.
Founder & Director at MyBridge Limited
January 1, 2024 - Present
Created and developed an online app for youth to discover their unique nature and purpose. Wrote curriculum and built online curriculum workflows. Engineered the AI-assisted web app using LLM prompting plus cache and harness engineering, and performed data analytics. Led business development including business planning and investor relations, and prepared shareholder agreement (SHA) documentation.
Program Director and Facilitator at Graeme Dingle Foundation – Project K
January 1, 2024 - Present
Youth development course director and facilitator for boys aged 13-17; responsible for structure, policy/procedure development, impact assessment, values alignment, and funding outreach.
Youth Mentor (Volunteer) at Graeme Dingle Foundation – Project K
January 1, 2024 - Present
Volunteer youth mentor supporting individuals within Project K, focusing on personal development, goal setting, resilience, and positive youth engagement in Tauranga.
Training Coordinator at Frey's Food Brands (Talleys Group)
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Coordinated staff training across an FMCG production facility. Designed and delivered training programmes, managed training records and compliance documentation, and supported health & safety audits. Applied Vedantic principles to operational practice, processed payroll via ADP, and managed staff rostering and scheduling.
Founder & Wellness Coach at Alight Coaching
January 1, 2020 - Present
Founded a coaching practice applying Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci) and Immunity-to-Change (Kegan & Lahey) for personal and professional development. Delivered 145+ hours of one-on-one coaching focused on career transitions, wellbeing, and growth, including men’s mental health and wellness. Managed client acquisition, scheduling, and invoicing and maintained a coaching website.
Training Coordinator at Frey’s Food Brands
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Development of values-based training modules and staff training within a values-based business framework.
Founder at Alight Coaching
January 1, 2020 - Present
Founder and sole operator of a registered NZ business delivering personal development coaching, curricula development, media production, and organizational training.
Volunteer Farm Hand at Shemesh Farms / Malibu Jewish Center
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2020
Farm maintenance; supported young adults with varying special needs through instruction and supervision.
Court-Appointed Special Advocate at CASA of LA
January 1, 2019 - Present
Volunteer advocate working with youths in foster care; assess needs, plan housing/education/emotional well-being, and prepare court reports.
Co-founder & Director at Vedanta Institute Los Angeles (VedantaLA / VILA)
January 1, 2014 - Present
Co-founded and directed a nonprofit educational institute teaching Vedanta philosophy through public lectures, study groups, and community programmes. Developed curricula and managed programmes, facilitated learning for high school and university students, and supported youth-focused online programme development with AI integration. Managed website design/maintenance, marketing campaigns and automations, donor and financial administration, and production of video content.
Co-founder at Vedanta Institute LA
January 1, 2014 - Present
Co-founded a non-profit organization; taught classes, built community, contributed writings and proofs, and managed operations.
Student, Proofreader & Yoga Instructor at Vedanta Academy
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2014
Completed an 8-year residential study of Vedanta philosophy while serving as a proofreader and yoga instructor. Produced proofreading work for the Complete Works of Swami Parthasarathy, taught yoga and pranayama for six years, created and managed yoga schedules, and designed a yoga instruction book. Performed philosophical analysis and summaries of the Bhagavad Gita and distilled key principles to guide action.
Human Resources Consultant at Kelly Scientific Resources
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Provided recruitment and HR consulting focused on scientific and technical placements. Conducted sales and marketing of recruitment services, managed client relationships and business development, and supported candidate sourcing, screening, and placement with account management responsibilities.
HR Associate at Kelly Scientific Resources
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2006
Interviewing and vetting scientifically trained candidates for manufacturing and research lab roles.
Validation Technician at Pfizer (NZ) Ltd
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2005
Performed process and equipment validation at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Created and worked with SOPs and supported Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) documentation and quality/compliance processes.
Validation Technician at Pfizer
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005
Ensured regulatory compliance (FDA and others) for a global pharmaceutical manufacturer; created and validated SOP documentation.
Sales Representative at Combined Insurance
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2004
Completed door-to-door and direct sales of insurance products. Managed client acquisition and relationship building and worked toward sales targets.
Insurance Sales at Combined Insurance
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2004
Relationship-building and sales focused on high-risk groups for accident insurance coverage.
Production Technologist at Fonterra Co-operative Group
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2003
Worked in chemical engineering roles across two major dairy processing sites. Improved and troubleshot processes, developed project proposals with costing and management, and supported production scheduling including run/down times. Managed staff rostering, analyzed production data and reporting, and led continuous improvement initiatives.
Production Technologist at Fonterra
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2003
Analysis of dairy production, process improvements, and staff hiring recommendations for NZ’s largest dairy producer.

Education

Bachelor of Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1999
Master of Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2000
Diploma in Vedanta Philosophy at Vedanta Academy, India
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2014
Level 3 Te Reo Māori at Toi Ohomai, Tauranga, New Zealand
January 1, 2023 - March 25, 2026
Certificate in Evidence-based Coaching at Fielding Graduate University, USA
January 1, 2022 - March 25, 2026
Course: Introduction to Self-Determination Theory at Coursera / University of Rochester, USA
January 11, 2030 - March 25, 2026
High School Graduation (A-bursary) at Tauranga Boys’ College, New Zealand
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1994
High School A-Bursary at Tauranga Boys' College
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1994
Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Chemical Engineering, 1st Class Honours at Massey University
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998
Master of Chemical Technology (MTech) with Honours at Massey University
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2000
Diploma in Vedanta Philosophy at Vedanta Academy
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2014
Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching (ICF-certified) at Fielding Graduate University, California
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Level 3 Te Reo Māori at Toi Ohomai
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Introduction to Self-Determination Theory at University of Rochester (Coursera)
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023

Qualifications

Diploma in Vedanta Philosophy
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2014
Certificate in Evidence-based Coaching
January 1, 2022 - March 25, 2026
Level 3 Te Reo Māori
January 1, 2023 - March 25, 2026
Course: Introduction to Self-Determination Theory
January 11, 2030 - March 25, 2026
ICF-certified coaching qualification
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
NZ driver licence
January 11, 2030 - September 27, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Manufacturing, Healthcare

Skills

Experience Level