How many years have you been coaching, and what inspired you to become a professional coach?

I've been coaching for two years. My inspiration came from wanting to support people while pursuing my doctoral studies in clinical psychology. What drew me to coaching is how it complements therapeutic work—coaching offers forward-focused, action-oriented perspectives that therapy doesn't always provide. I plan to continue both practices because each serves people in distinct but valuable ways. Coaching empowers clients to unlock their potential and create meaningful change, while my clinical background helps me bring depth and trauma-informed awareness to the coaching relationship.

What is the primary focus or niche of your coaching practice, and If you could have any fictional character as a coaching client, who would it be? 

My coaching practice centers on wellness-focused transitions. I specialize in helping people navigate life changes, particularly unplanned transitions, by using these pivotal moments as opportunities to reset and repurpose. I love guiding clients through the process of identifying and releasing habits and patterns they've accumulated over time that no longer serve them. Transitions, even difficult ones, hold tremendous potential for growth and positive change. As for a fictional character... that's challenging because most are either already taking bold action or clearly need therapy! I'd maybe choose Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. He's incredibly loyal and supportive of others, but often undervalues his strengths and contributions. I'd love to help him recognize his natural leadership abilities and build confidence in his decision-making. He has all the qualities needed for success. He just needs to see them in himself.

What unique skills, experiences, or perspectives will you contribute to our ICF chapter as a board member? 

My coaching practice centers on wellness-focused transitions. I specialize in helping people navigate life changes, particularly unplanned transitions, by using these pivotal moments as opportunities to reset and repurpose. I love guiding clients through the process of identifying and releasing habits and patterns they've accumulated over time that no longer serve them. Transitions, even difficult ones, hold tremendous potential for growth and positive change.

As for a fictional character... that's challenging because most are either already taking bold action or clearly need therapy! I'd maybe choose Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. He's incredibly loyal and supportive of others, but often undervalues his strengths and contributions. I'd love to help him recognize his natural leadership abilities and build confidence in his decision-making. He has all the qualities needed for success. He just needs to see them in himself.

What is one goal you’d love to achieve as a board member to strengthen our chapter and support its members? 

My primary goal is to transition our chapter into its next phase of growth by becoming more community-focused and education-centered. Hawaii needs to understand the true value of professional coaching and the incredible human resources our chapter offers. I want to build stronger bridges between our coaching community and the broader Hawaii population through targeted educational initiatives and community outreach programs.

This means creating opportunities for our members to showcase their expertise while simultaneously educating potential clients about how coaching can transform their personal and professional lives. By positioning our chapter as a go-to resource for coaching education and connecting our talented members with community needs, we can strengthen both our chapter's visibility and our members' practices. When Hawaii truly understands what coaching offers and sees the caliber of professionals in our chapter, everyone benefits. Our members grow their practices, the community gains access to life-changing support, and our chapter becomes an integral part of Hawaii's wellness landscape.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know, and how does it shape who you are as a coach or leader? 

I'm a Daoist, which fundamentally shapes how I see life and people through connected duality. I believe that "good" and "bad" are perspectives influenced by time and place rather than absolutes. This philosophy allows me to help clients find opportunity and growth in situations they initially view as entirely negative.

As a coach, this perspective is invaluable during transitions, especially the unplanned ones that can feel devastating at first. When someone loses a job, faces a health challenge, or experiences a major life disruption, I can genuinely help them explore how this moment might also contain seeds of positive change. It's not about toxic positivity or dismissing real pain; it's about recognizing that most situations contain multiple truths simultaneously.

This Daoist foundation also makes me a more patient leader. I understand that apparent setbacks often lead to breakthroughs, that what seems like resistance might actually be necessary processing time, and that balance emerges naturally when we stop forcing outcomes. It helps me create space for people to find their own wisdom rather than pushing them toward predetermined solutions.