Executive & Leadership Coaching

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

— MAYA ANGELOU

I believe we can align success and fulfillment through conscious leadership. For individuals, this means creating careers and lives that are balanced, intentional and full of purpose. For companies, this means investing in supporting individuals to drive exceptional and sustainable results.

I work with entrepreneurs, executives and emerging leaders. While our primary focus is typically professional in nature, I take a whole-person approach that recognizes the personal & professional are interwoven. My clients trust me to create a safe, confidential and empowering space that enables them to courageously explore, grow and navigate important transitions. 

My ideal clients are self-aware, curious, and committed to doing the work. They aren’t content to just settle or survive – they want to thrive. They’re ready to dream big and take bold steps to achieve their goals. They recognize the value of investing in themselves and their development. They are willing to dig deep and carve out time for what truly matters. They’re not just moving upward, they’re moving forward.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step”

— MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Why work with a coach?

What is the life you want to lead? What is the impact you want to have? Who do you need to become to get there? 

It’s not easy to stay at the top of your game, let alone do it while staying connected to what brings you joy and fulfillment. Working with a coach can be a game-changer when it comes to building a career and life that you love. As you develop your self-awareness, skills, and conviction, we will work together on taking your performance to the next level, setting smart, intentional goals, and creating the right accountability mechanisms. A few common topics are below as examples.

It’s not about small, incremental changes. It’s about unleashing transformation that moves you and your teams forward so you can thrive. 

DEVELOP CLARITY & INSIGHT

Identify and connect more deeply with your values and purpose, recognize blind spots, and continue developing the insights & self-awareness to build a career & life you love

STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS

Better understand your impact on others, hone your emotional intelligence, and learn to give & receive effective feedback, allowing you to forge more rewarding relationships

BUILD CONFIDENCE

Many of us struggle with inner critics or imposter syndrome. Coaching can help you recognize your value and develop the confidence & resilience to move forward from a place of strength

NAVIGATE CHANGE & UNCERTAINTY

It’s easy to fall into operating from a place of fear or safety when facing change. Coaching can help you reframe challenges and opportunities and shift to a mindset of expansion

INCREASE BALANCE

We will never have enough time to do everything that we’d like to, but coaching can help you learn to consciously prioritize, set healthy boundaries, and manage your time more effectively in order to create a happier, more sustainable lifestyle

“You can overcome almost any obstacle, unless you are the obstacle”

— LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD

About Emma

I have always been an achiever and an adventurer. 

I know what it’s like to succeed in intense, fast-paced environments. I earned two degrees from Stanford (BA and MBA), cut my teeth at one of the top management consulting firms (McKinsey & Company), and reached the C-suite by the time I hit 30. Before transitioning to coaching, I served as the COO and interim CEO for consumer companies. I most recently worked with a wine importer & distributor, a private equity-backed pet company, and a high-growth beverage startup in leadership roles spanning strategy, operations, people, and innovation. I am familiar with the impact, thrills and rewards of achievement. 

I also know the taste of failure and the tolls these demanding careers can take. I’ve been through layoffs and failed fundraising rounds. I’ve felt the loneliness that can come at the top. I’ve neglected my health and burned myself out. I’ve walked away from environments and trajectories that no longer aligned with my values or the impact I wanted to have. Through these experiences, I’ve learned how to power through adversity, connect into my inner compass, and stay resilient no matter the circumstances. 

As an adventurer, I’ve always been hungry for new experiences, deep connections, and cultivating a sense of wonder. I’ve traveled to more than 40 countries and moved to places where I didn’t yet speak the language or know anyone. I’ve gotten quiet as I focused on my own inner work, learning from a range of teachers and modalities. I know what it feels like to be at a crossroads and to make big changes in order to build the life you want.

Ultimately, I became a coach in order to support others on the journey of becoming the leaders and people they want to be. My mission is to aid them in creating lives that are both successful and meaningful, rich with intention and impact. 

My experiences as a consultant & operator allow me to bridge perspectives in coaching, to understand the context in which you’re operating. But our work will go deeper than that. Just as the caterpillar must go through its own process of transformation into a butterfly, so must we do our work of becoming. Who are you becoming?

Credentials:

  • MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business

  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Co-Active Training Institute

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation 

  • Certified practitioner of the Leadership Circle Profile assessment tool

  • Mental Health & Wellness Yoga Teacher Training (50 hour), Yoga Medicine

“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want”

— LAO TZU

Work with me

I partner with individuals & teams to do the inner work that leads to results on both the inside and the outside. I have worked with a diverse set of clients, including entrepreneurs, current and upcoming business executives, doctors, artists and architects, and public servants to name a few.

If you’d like to learn more, please reach out (emma@caterpillarcollab.com) or schedule a complimentary discovery call.

1:1 COACHING

How do we grow as humans in order to grow as leaders? This question is at the forefront of my work with individuals.

I take a solutions-focused, forward-looking approach to coaching leaders as they tune in, expand their awareness and skills, and place values at the forefront of how they operate.

Each engagement is custom-tailored to you and your goals – this may include assessments, 360 feedback on your impact, and, if applicable, meeting with stakeholders to align on goals, feedback and our focus areas

TEAM COACHING

What might be possible if your team was more collaborative, creative and aligned?

I work with teams to build connection and deliver results. This includes working with them to create a clear shared purpose and commitments, develop trust and handle conflict constructively, create a culture of curiosity and learning, and improve their decision-making and operating patterns.

In a rapidly changing world, dynamic teams that can work together effectively will separate the great organizations from the good ones

WORKSHOPS & OFFSITES

I work with companies to create and deliver workshops and offsites to develop their leaders and teams.

Workshops include topics such as giving & receiving effective feedback, creating your personal operating model, and communication & executive presence.

Leadership offsites are bespoke based on your team’s needs

“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”

— OPRAH WINFREY

What my clients say

  • “As the founder of a start-up, I’m faced with pressing doubts and decisions every day. Emma and her coaching have been invaluable during this tumultuous season of personal and professional growth. Emma uniquely combines her real-world business experience with an empathetic and wise spirit – this combination is hard to find in other executive coaches, and I couldn’t recommend her enough.”

    — Founder & CEO, Communications & PR

  • "Deciding to work with Emma has been one of the best investments I've made in my career. She has helped me navigate complex areas of work that stood in the way of realizing my vision for my company. Entrepreneurship will always be challenging, but with her help I have made tangible progress.”

    — Founder & CEO, Food & Beverage

  • “Emma is more than a coach, she is your champion. Through this process we've taken time to look deep into who I truly am and what values matter to me both personally and professionally. On the professional front, the sense of clarity and purpose I've gained has positively impacted my comfort level in communication with leadership, directly resulting in title promotions and salary improvements. On the personal front, I feel more well-connected and present in my relationships with friends and loved ones. I can't thank Emma enough for guiding me through this pivotal time in my career.”

    — Director, Consumer Products

  • “I could not be more grateful to have Emma as my executive coach. She's been instrumental in helping me navigate various challenges in my professional life from difficult relationships at work, to stressful job searches, and long-term goal setting. What makes Emma so special is her innate ability to listen actively and deeply and then ask thought provoking questions. Often during our coaching sessions, I have been able to surface deeper level thoughts and feelings, which have led me to learn a great deal about myself. Emma has been an invaluable asset to my personal and professional growth, and I couldn't recommend her more highly. If you are looking for a coach who can help you reach your full potential, Emma is the one for you!”

    — Vice President, Private Equity

  • "I reached out to Emma when I was making a big shift from working in tech startups to becoming an entrepreneur. She helped me navigate this uncertain time and really get to the heart of my ambitions. Her mix of deep, reflective coaching and tactical advice was incredibly helpful. Emma's thoughtful questions, empathetic coaching style, and ability to bring out the best in me have been invaluable. Working with her has been a joy, and I leave every session feeling energized and inspired. As a founder and startup enthusiast, I can't recommend Emma highly enough!"

    — Founder & CEO, Tech

  • "I approached Emma seeking out guidance in anticipation of an upcoming promotion and a salary negotiation for the same, that I assumed would follow. Emma’s calm, grounded, & personable nature make her the perfect person to have in your corner. Our initial conversation was dominated by a barrage of my anxious thoughts paired with tremendous self doubt/imposter syndrome. Not only did Emma help me see my self worth, but she also converted my anxieties into concrete actionable tasks. She gave me numerous resources and incredibly helpful tactics — all of which helped steer me through my negotiations successfully. Emma has the innate ability to make you feel truly valued & heard, which is crucial to have in an executive coach — I cannot recommend working with her enough!"

    — Creative Director, Consumer Products

  • "When my career faced challenges due to imminent layoffs at my company, I sought Emma's guidance. She assisted me in discovering my real ambitions and transformed a trying time into an opportunity for advancement. Her compassionate wisdom and tactical methods guided me through 3 shifts in management and another layoff, ultimately leading to a promotion. My Director acknowledged a significant surge in my growth, something I believe I wouldn't have attained without Emma's support in my corner. Emma's skillful guidance quickly aligned me with the right path, transforming challenges into positive outcomes."

    — Senior Program Manager, Tech

  • “I started working with Emma right as my business was experiencing a lot of big changes and challenges – including the team missing sales targets in a big way leading to layoffs, organizational changes, and a new strategic direction. Working with Emma has been invaluable in figuring out how to stay steady and clear headed amid a lot of uncertainty and newness as a first time founder. Emma asks the right questions to help me figure out what steps I need to take next, and is an accountability partner once I’ve made up my mind. Beyond that, Emma’s experience as a business leader and operator provides really useful and helpful context. I walk away from every session with Emma with a renewed sense of confidence in myself, and tools and frameworks to think differently about my business and my leadership. Highly recommend!!”

    — Founder & CEO, Sports & Athletics

  • “Emma has helped me navigate a pivotal and unforeseen career transition after a layoff. Emma approaches each session as a true partner, leading with empathy, heart, and a talent for breaking down seemingly insurmountable challenges into actionable steps. The biggest growth over what has been one of the most challenging years of my life has been learning to own my journey with confidence and authenticity, and Emma has been my partner in that growth in every sense of the word.”

    — Associate, Politics

  • "I engaged Emma at a challenging point in my career involving a major assignment shift and couldn't be more grateful that I did. As a public sector professional with limited access to professional development opportunities, working with Emma has given me the insights and the tools I needed to ensure that I approach my work from a place of confidence rather than that of fear. In under six months, I've gone from feeling overwhelmed and anxious in my workplace to empowered and inspired. That's a transformation that I could not have experienced without Emma's help and guidance. Enlist Emma today for the support you need through navigating a career change or challenge in the workplace — you won't regret it!"

    — Manager, Public Sector

  • “Emma's calm, compassionate and thoughtful guidance was and is exactly what I need to guide me through the challenges of career and personal development. I came to her in a moment of uncertainty and disorientation, and she worked with me to clear a path forward and set my sights on something truly exciting and motivating. When I started working with Emma, I was completely new to coaching, and was pleasantly surprised by the process. I was plagued with imposter syndrome, self doubt, and general uncertainty in my profession. She helped me find my voice and take ownership of my narrative. Emma doesn't just coach for a certain outcome (although she did help me negotiate a promotion and a 20% raise) but instead takes a holistic approach and really embraces the betterment of her clients as a whole.”

    — Architect

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom”

— VIKTOR E. FRANKL

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