At Forge Forward Counseling, the founder—a clinical therapist with an MBA and LCSW—recognizes the distinct challenges that senior leaders encounter. I offer confidential, impactful therapy and resilience coaching specifically designed for senior leaders and C-suite executives. My goal is to help you thrive in your role and or career transition. Shelly Mark Lewin, MBA, LCSW, is a seasoned leader in healthcare operations and strategy, boasting over 30 years of experience in steering teams and organizations through complex transformations. Renowned for merging business acumen with emotional intelligence, he has successfully led large, multidisciplinary departments within prestigious institutions such as Mount Sinai Health System, Kaiser Permanente, Aurora Healthcare, Common Spirit and the Joint Commission.

Specializing in quality improvement and team culture enhancement, Shelly is adept at creating systems that foster clarity, collaboration, and sustainable performance. His leadership has resulted in multimillion-dollar gains in efficiency, care coordination, and workforce stability. Drawing from his clinical social work background, Shelly employs a compassionate, steady, and human-centered approach to counseling and coaching, empowering leaders and professionals to navigate transitions, build resilience, and lead with purpose.

Understanding your leadership realities

I understand the realities of leading through rapid change, remote work challenges, and the lingering effects of global health crises.  My services empower healthcare executives to overcome isolation, the erosion of professional networks, and the unique stressors of high-stakes leadership—helping them restructure for resilience and thrive in hybrid or in-person environments.

Committed to accessibility and discretion

My commitment extends to addressing the often-overlooked age-related digital divide, ensuring every client receives support that is both relevant and accessible. Discretion, empathy, and measurable results are at the heart of my practice.