- Kristen Kavanaugh
Former Marine, Top 40 executive at Tesla, Truman Award Recipient,
Vice Chair, Dept. of Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
- Larry Brand, Executive Board Leader and CHRO, Justrite
- Larry Brand, Executive Board Leader and CHRO, Justrite
LARRY'S STORY
Through our work, I’m leading from a space that feels much more natural to me, rather than how I used to come in as an intimidating executive charging in and taking over.
I’ve been amazed at what I’ve learned about myself. When we started, I was operating on all cylinders on a regular basis. Working long weeks and weekends. Spending countless hours overpreparing and maintaining high expectations on myself for over-delivering in any circumstance.
Vanessa helped me see new perspectives on what’s made me successful over the last 20 years and I realized I wanted to do some things differently as I looked forward to the last decade of my career.
Now, I’m less scripted, less buttoned up and more at ease. I’m allowing myself to approach work in new ways that has been really energizing. The result is I’ve taken a leading role at a new company, and with a lot more time to relax on my porch and spend time with my wife.
I’m so glad I started this journey with Vanessa when I did, but I have to admit, I wonder what my life would have been if I did this for myself 15 years ago.”
- Larry Brand, Executive Board Leader and CHRO, Justrite
LARRY'S STORY
Through our work, I’m leading from a space that feels much more natural to me, rather than how I used to come in as an intimidating executive charging in and taking over.
I’ve been amazed at what I’ve learned about myself. When we started, I was operating on all cylinders on a regular basis. Working long weeks and weekends. Spending countless hours overpreparing and maintaining high expectations on myself for over-delivering in any circumstance.
Vanessa helped me see new perspectives on what’s made me successful over the last 20 years and I realized I wanted to do some things differently as I looked forward to the last decade of my career.
Now, I’m less scripted, less buttoned up and more at ease. I’m allowing myself to approach work in new ways that has been really energizing. The result is I’ve taken a leading role at a new company, and with a lot more time to relax on my porch and spend time with my wife.
I’m so glad I started this journey with Vanessa when I did, but I have to admit, I wonder what my life would have been if I did this for myself 15 years ago.”
- Larry Brand, Executive Board Leader and CHRO, Justrite
The conversations I have had with Vanessa have been both therapeutic and action-oriented. They’ve helped me move forward and I cannot thank her enough for the gifts that she brings to every interaction!
- Tatyana Mamut SVP of Product, Pendo.io
The conversations I have had with Vanessa have been both therapeutic and action oriented. They’ve helped me move forward and I cannot thank her enough for the gifts that she brings to every interaction!
- Tatyana Mamut SVP of Product, Pendo.io
I work with a limited number of clients each year, and often have a waitlist.
Before working with Vanessa, I was in a rut. I had the Senior Vice President title, but I wasn’t owning my leadership position. I was still trying to serve everybody, rather than identifying my opportunity to impact the company on a broader, more significant scale.
After the first two sessions with Vanessa, I realized there was more opportunity than I gave myself or the title credit. I could learn how to better utilize my team. I could ask for resources. I was so used to productivity being measured in output, but now I’m in a place where I am focusing on strategy and the high-level contributions I can make as an executive.
Vanessa helps me explore the opportunities that I was struggling to wrap my head around. She has helped me tackle the complexity of being an executive and the challenges I have to navigate. Working with Vanessa, she helps me unpack difficult situations that feel overwhelming.
I have to say, Vanessa has this uncanny ability to uncover a critical learning moment in every conversation. I can’t help but think, ‘How did we get here?’ At the end of every conversation, I have a clear perspective and know how to move forward.
Coaching can seem like a somewhat intangible investment that’s hard to measure. I can say, working with Vanessa has been worth every penny. I feel completely different about myself as a leader than I did when we started. Our entire time together has made me feel more confident in my ability to own my role as Senior Vice President.”
- Kate Holsapple, SVP of People, Remind
Before working with Vanessa, I was in a rut. I had the Senior Vice President title, but I wasn’t owning my leadership position. I was still trying to serve everybody, rather than identifying my opportunity to impact the company on a broader, more significant scale.
After the first two sessions with Vanessa, I realized there was more opportunity than I gave myself or the title credit for at first. I could learn how to better utilize my team. I could ask for resources. I was so used to productivity being measured in output, but now I’m in a place where I am focusing on strategy and the high-level contributions I can make as an executive.
Vanessa helps me explore the opportunities that I was struggling to wrap my head around. She has helped me take the complexity of being an executive and the challenges I have to navigate. Working with Vanessa, she helps me unpack difficult situations that feel overwhelming.
I have to say, Vanessa has this uncanny ability to uncover a critical learning moment in every conversation. I can’t help but think, ‘How did we get here?’ At the end of every conversation, I have a clear perspective and know how to move forward.
Coaching can seem like a somewhat intangible investment that’s hard to measure. I can say, working with Vanessa has been worth every penny. I feel completely different about myself as a leader than I did when we started. Our entire time together has made me feel more confident as and ability to own my role as Senior Vice President.”
- Kate Holsapple, Senior Vice President and Board Member, Remind
- Vandana Bhagtani, Director of Talent at VISA
- Vandana Bhagtani, Director of Talent at VISA
I brought these same tools to my leadership team and they also found them extremely valuable. I definitely recommend Vanessa as a coach to help guide you towards your ideal leadership style and to help you reach your goals.
— Bre Russel, CEO/Founder, Girls Leading Girls
- Rachel Cougan, Vice President of People, Logixboard
- Rachel Cougan, Vice President of People, Logixboard
RACHEL'S STORY
As a people leader, I don’t have many safe spaces where I can go to discuss problems at work in a professional setting. You can ask friends, but it’s not the same as having someone who’s truly invested in you and your success. More than anything, Vanessa is fully invested in me as a human, and as a professional.
She’s brilliant, down-to-earth, and can frame any problem in a way that helps you see it more clearly.
Sometimes I show up to a call with everything I’ve been carrying around with me and feel so disorganized. But she gives me the language I need to reframe those problems, organize them, and bring clarity to everything.
This is an intense partnership. Much different than any other coaching relationship I’ve had. And I resisted it for a long time because I knew it would be more challenging. But she comes with the attitude of “I’m not only here to help you today. I’m here to help you figure out what you really desire professionally and personally. And to make sure we’re constantly tracking towards that. We are charging towards big things. But doing it together.
Having Vanessa in your corner is so powerful. Just her presence, commitment, and magic pushes me to do bigger, harder things — things I never thought were possible. I’m now more aligned and focused on both the unconscious and conscious opportunities for change. She has helped me find the words to speak directly about desires for what I want to create and the vision I have for my teams as a leader. I much more focused on possibility and able to see beyond the tangible problems in front of me.
- Rachel Cougan, Vice President of People, Logixboard
RACHEL'S STORY
As a people leader, I don’t have many safe spaces where I can go to discuss problems at work in a professional setting. You can ask friends, but it’s not the same as having someone who’s truly invested in you and your success. More than anything, Vanessa is fully invested in me as a human, and as a professional.
She’s brilliant, down-to-earth, and can frame any problem in a way that helps you see it more clearly.
Sometimes I show up to a call with everything I’ve been carrying around with me and feel so disorganized. But she gives me the language I need to reframe those problems, organize them, and bring clarity to everything.
This is an intense partnership. Much different than any other coaching relationship I’ve had. And I resisted it for a long time because I knew it would be more challenging. But she comes with the attitude of “I’m not only here to help you today. I’m here to help you figure out what you really desire professionally and personally. And to make sure we’re constantly tracking towards that. We are charging towards big things. But doing it together.
Having Vanessa in your corner is so powerful. Just her presence, commitment, and magic pushes me to do bigger, harder things — things I never thought were possible. I’m now more aligned and focused on both the unconscious and conscious opportunities for change. She has helped me find the words to speak directly about desires for what I want to create and the vision I have for my teams as a leader. I much more focused on possibility and able to see beyond the tangible problems in front of me.
- Rachel Cougan, Vice President of People, Logixboard
King County - Equity & Justice Leadership Development
Thanks to our coaching session I am more self-aware. Healthier. More successful. More driven. A stronger leader. If you're struggling in your personal and/or professional journey and are looking for a coach who will compassionately and boldly support you along this journey, Vanessa is your coach.
Harvard Business School, MBA Candidate
Design Team Lead, Atlassian
Vanessa really cares about every person she works with. I'm a better leader because of how Vanessa challenged me to show up in a bigger way for myself.
Vanessa really cares about every person she works with. I'm a better leader because of how Vanessa challenged me to show up in a bigger way for myself.
- Rachel Martinez, Director, Product Design
- Dante Nuno, VP
Thanks to our coaching session I am more self-aware. Healthier. More successful. More driven. A stronger leader. If you're struggling in your personal and/or professional journey and are looking for a coach who will compassionately and boldly support you along this journey, Vanessa is your coach.
King County - Equity & Justice Leadership Development
Harvard Business School
Vanessa really cares about every person she works with. I'm a better leader because of how Vanessa challenged me to show up in a bigger way for myself.
Design Team Lead, Atlassian
- Rachel Martinez, Director, Product Design
- Dante Nuno, VP
- Lisette Miranda, CEO/Founder, PINC International
- Lisette Miranda, CEO/Founder, PINC International
I was unsatisfied and frustrated with my work, but the fear of failure, going in the wrong direction, and wasting time had me paralyzed. In the coaching sessions with Vanessa, we dove into an exploration, experimenting with small incremental steps to find clues about what I really wanted. She kept me honest while always reminding me to be compassionate and gentle with myself as well. This led to some major breakthroughs and big decisions, which Vanessa guided me through, helping me to feel confident.
My coaching experience didn't merely help me with this one moment in life, but it also allowed me to recognize some of my negative behavioral patterns and provided me with an entire toolbox of exercises and approaches that I can use to work through challenges in the future. Vanessa connected with me and gave generously of her knowledge, experience, expertise, and time while always remaining professional and respectful. I highly recommend her as a coach.
— Laura Elliot, Founder and business owner
When I think of collaboration or community building Vanessa ranks at the very top. She knows how to create an environment of fun, safety, experimentation, and support.
What I didn't expect was the *extra* Vanessa brings. Vanessa pushes you to dig into the "Why" behind your questions...she could easily give you the answers, instead, she constantly challenges you to think about why we're asking in the first place, and realign your questions with your goals, vision, and mission.
Working with Vanessa proved to be an extremely valuable experience.
— Andrea Ballard
I feel so much more confident in my abilities as a leader now and the confidence I get from the coaching with Vanessa stays with me for the time between our sessions. During our session, we go deeper into issues and I always feel calmer about the workplace and team challenges I’m facing.
But, I’m not just more confident, I’m also calmer. Overall, my work output has been stronger. My team has been growing and because of how I’m showing up as a leader, they are more connected and empowered to do their work. One of the things Vanessa has helped me improve on is how to guide my team to be leaders, too.
It’s hard to know when and how to invest in your professional well-being, but working with Vanessa has been so worthwhile.”
— Eliza Bell, Senior People Operations Manager, Canvas Construction
- Kristen Kavanaugh
Former Marine, Top 40 executive at Tesla, Truman Award Recipient, Vice Chair, Dept. of Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
- Kristen Kavanaugh
Former Marine, Top 40 executive at Tesla, Truman Award Recipient,
Vice Chair, Dept. of Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
KRISTEN'S STORY
When I started working with Vanessa, I was overwhelmed and pretty burned out, but I had hope. Serendipity was what initially brought us together, and the successes I saw in myself and my team made it an obvious choice to continue our work.
I went from being a first hire for the team as a manager, and ended up being part of the Top 40 leaders at Tesla where I worked closely with the SVP and advised the Board. I've always wanted to serve as an advisor and create a wider spread impact. I can now say that's also true. I was invited and now serve as Vice Chair of the Department of Defense Council on Diversity & Inclusion.
Vanessa showed up for me and guided me to show up for myself. She has always led with respect and compassion. She pushed when I wanted it. She gave grace when I needed it. She was the copilot during a very challenging chapter.
I can say, working with Vanessa is a win for everyone because it’s all done for the greater good. The more I talk about working with her, the more excited I get, and I end up passing out her number to everyone.
- Kristen Kavanaugh, Former Marine, Top 40 executive at Tesla, Truman Award Recipient, Vice Chair, Dept. of Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
KRISTEN'S STORY
When I started working with Vanessa, I was overwhelmed and pretty burned out, but I had hope. Serendipity was what initially brought us together, and the successes I saw in myself and my team made it an obvious choice to continue our work.
I went from being a first hire for the team as a manager, and ended up being part of the Top 40 leaders at Tesla where I worked closely with the SVP and advised the Board. I've always wanted to serve as an advisor and create a wider impact. I can now say that's also happening. I was invited and now serve as Vice Chair of the Department of Defense Council on Diversity & Inclusion.
Vanessa showed up for me and guided me to show up for myself. She has always led with respect and compassion. She pushed when I wanted it. She gave grace when I needed it. She was the copilot during a very challenging chapter.
I can say, working with Vanessa is a win for everyone because it’s all done for the greater good. The more I talk about working with her, the more excited I get, and end up passing out her number to everyone.
- Kristen Kavanaugh, Former Marine, Top 40 executive at Tesla, Truman Award Recipient, Vice Chair, Dept. of Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
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