Career Coaching

I've spent more than 30 years inside the kinds of careers I now coach. Across Deloitte, KPMG, Rolta, and Amazon Web Services, I rose into senior leadership, built and led teams, and sat on the side of the table where promotion, hiring, and "who's ready for what" decisions actually get made. I know how those calls are reasoned. I also know what gets capable people overlooked even when the work is good. I've lived the harder parts personally too: the plateau that won't move, the transition that looks like a step up but feels like starting over, the pivot you can't yet explain to anyone. I'm not coaching from theory. I'm coaching from the chair. What turns that experience into real coaching is craft. As an ICF-ACC certified coach, I'm trained to do more than hand out opinions or war stories. I ask the questions that move your thinking, hold you to your own standards, and help you reach decisions you can own, rather than ones you've borrowed from me. That combination, genuine leadership experience and disciplined coaching, is what I bring to every career conversation.

Welcome to my profile! With extensive experience in talent acquisition and management, I have successfully coached numerous individuals in their career development journeys. As the Head of People and Talent at XTI and a former Global Recruiting Manager at Meta, I have led teams in hiring and developing talent across diverse regions and industries. My expertise spans resume writing, career mentoring, interview preparation, and career pivoting, ensuring that my clients are well-prepared to achieve their professional goals. Whether you're looking to enhance your career trajectory or navigate a significant career change, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's connect and create a tailored plan to help you succeed!

I’ve spent the last several years helping people navigate high-impact career decisions while building and leading teams at fast-growing startups. As CTO & co-founder at Leland, I’ve worked closely with hiring, interviewing, mentorship, leadership development, and team building across engineering and cross-functional roles. My experience includes: CTO & Co-founder at Leland Former Head of Engineering leading and scaling engineering teams Hiring and mentoring engineers across internship, entry-level, senior, and leadership roles Conducting technical and behavioral interviews for candidates from a wide range of backgrounds Advising people on career direction, compensation, promotions, leadership growth, and startup vs. big tech decisions I work best with ambitious people who want clear, practical, and honest guidance on questions like: What should I optimize for in my career right now? How do I position myself for better opportunities? Should I pursue startups, big tech, management, or entrepreneurship? How do I become a stronger communicator, leader, or operator? How do I stand out in competitive hiring processes? My coaching style is direct, strategic, and highly actionable. I focus less on generic advice and more on helping people make thoughtful decisions that compound over time.

I have mentored and coached hundreds of transitioning military service members, spouses, and executives through career and industry transitions. I have completed more than 7,000 professional resume reviews and have mentored and coached via a variety of platforms and programs. I have extensive expertise in career development, LinkedIn, resumes, interview preparation, offer negotiation, and just about any other career development topic. I have hired, trained, and mentored dozens of executives and have experience in international markets and organizations as well.

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience as the President and Change Catalyst of my own coaching firm, I specialize in inspiring leaders and teams to reach their next level of performance and career advancement. My background includes being a Master Certified Coach, holding a PhD in Public Administration, and having extensive training in executive coaching from Energy Leadership, Conversational Intelligence, Positive Intelligence, and Coach U, equipping me with the skills to develop trusting, "we-centered" organizational cultures and facilitate strategic thinking. I have successfully guided numerous clients through leadership transitions, career promotions, business development, and board development, among other areas. Let's work together to unlock your potential and achieve your career goals. I look forward to starting your journey with you today!

My qualifications are rooted in the reality of navigating Silicon Valley’s most competitive environments, including 13 years at Google where I served on the Hiring Committee for five years. That experience gave me an insider’s view on exactly what separates a "good" candidate from a "hired" one, allowing me to successfully prepare many individuals for the interview process. Beyond getting people in the door, I have guided dozens of employees through the rigorous path to promotion, helping them master the executive narratives and strategic roadmaps required to level up. I remain in close contact with many of these mentees today, a testament to the lasting impact of our work together. My approach is built on the fact that I have lived this journey, extracting the lessons from my own rapid career progression to offer you actionable, battle-tested advice. I know the difference between working hard and working strategically, and I can help you identify the specific levers that will accelerate your growth. I lead with empathy and experience, meeting you where you are to help you navigate your next career move with confidence.

I am a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft with over 10 years of experience in Big Tech, spanning Technical Support Engineering, Software Engineering, and Program Management roles. My background in areas like Learning & Development, Career Development, and Business Development has given me unique insights into what it takes to grow and thrive in any professional landscape. Throughout my career, I’ve navigated major career pivots, climbed the ranks in highly competitive fields, and helped others do the same. I understand the challenges of finding clarity, developing key skills, and positioning yourself for success in ever-changing industries. I specialize in helping professionals identify their strengths, build their confidence, and map out actionable plans for achieving their career goals. Whether you're exploring a career change, preparing for interviews, or seeking to grow in your current role, I’ll provide the strategies to get you there. With a focus on practical guidance, personalized support, and real-world insights, I’ll help you unlock your full potential and take control of your career. Together, we can make your next move your best one yet.

While getting my MBA and since completing it, many family and friends have asked me if they should pursue a graduate degree. Getting an MBA or any graduate degree is not for everyone and I will share my candid experience while learning more about what it is you are ultimately trying to achieve. I have also worked for a variety of Fortune 500 companies in various functions and roles, which have helped me to coach others that feel stuck in their career and are considering making a change. The grass is not always greener on the other side and I am passionate about helping people make those tough decisions!

I help high-performing professionals gain clarity, confidence, and direction as they navigate career transitions, promotion readiness, and moments where success no longer feels fully aligned. I am an experienced career coach with a deep background in talent development, leadership, and performance. Over the course of my work, I have coached 25+ individuals through career transitions, performance challenges, and preparation for increased responsibility, supporting them in building momentum toward meaningful professional outcomes. Before coaching professionally, I spent 12+ years in corporate professional services and executive search, where I led high-performing teams and partnered closely with senior leaders and stakeholders. My experience includes supporting performance improvement, promotion readiness, navigating complex stakeholder dynamics, and strengthening executive presence and decision-making under pressure. My coaching blends self-awareness with practical strategy. Together, we clarify direction, build confidence in how you show up, manage competing demands, and translate insight into grounded action. I am especially passionate about supporting capable professionals who feel stretched, underutilized, or ready for more and want thoughtful support navigating what comes next with intention and focus. I’m best suited for mid-career to senior professionals in consulting, tech, finance, or professional services who are navigating growth, transition, or increased leadership expectations.

I started in M&A at Morgan Stanley and left for strategic finance rather than private equity. At Deliveroo I rebuilt the forward-looking subscription model. Then I crossed to the other side of the table, into early-stage VC at Triple Point - and then chose to come back to operating. I'm now Strategic Finance Lead at Plum, a UK fintech, where I run strategic finance, fundraising and investor relations. So I haven't just made one exit. I've made the move, tried the alternative, and come back deliberately - which means I can tell you what these paths actually feel like from the inside rather than how they look from a recruiter's deck. I've also been on the hiring side, running the process for a strategic finance hire on my own team, so I know what moves a candidate through a process versus what analysts assume matters. I work with analysts and associates who know they don't want the PE conveyor belt but can't picture what the alternative looks like in practice. How to position an M&A background for strategic finance, VC or an operating role. What those jobs actually involve day to day. How to answer "why are you leaving banking" without sounding lost. And when to move, versus when to wait. I write about all of this at Off Track By Design, without the highlight reel.