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

Six years ago, I stumbled into coaching thinking I’d simply “learn a new skill.” What I discovered was far more profound: coaching is an essential and rigorous profession that impacts the lives of individuals in meaningful ways. From a young age, I have been interested in understanding what makes them tick and what makes a life experience truly gratifying. I pursued a psychology degree but did not like studying psychological pathology so I ended up graduating with a business degree. My career path took me into sales and I worked for large organizations in the financial, banking, technology and medical industries. I started an internet marketing business in the early 2000s and loved that entrepreneurial adventure! After I committed to starting my coaching practice, I was relentless in building it steadily, relying on my sales skills and supportive network of friends and family. I was active in connecting with the broader coach community across the US and really credit the many friends I have made through the ICF and other coaching organizations for coming along side me to support and affirm my purpose. After reaching a point of sustained momentum, I rebranded my practice in 2023 to People-Centered Leadership and thoroughly enjoy coaching individuals and teams in personal growth and wellness for productivity, achievement and quality of life. I’m deeply grateful to have found a vocation and global community through the ICF that relentlessly pursues excellence and creates lasting impact for others.

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? 

The purpose of People-Centered Leadership is to support human thriving in the new world of work. That means we help companies develop healthy and agile leaders by addressing both wellness and effectiveness simultaneously. In tandem to being a leadership coach, I am a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach - a designation that enhances my Functional Medicine Health Coach certification. I believe that health and mental wellness are two sides of the same coin so I take a whole-person approach in my coaching so I factor in lifestyle factors like nutrition, sleep, physical activity and social connection to name a few.

A fictional character I’d love to coach is Elastigirl from Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles. As a superhero and mother of three, Helen struggles with balancing her family responsibilities and her role as a crime-fighter. Her competing priorities—protecting society, maintaining family harmony, and supporting Bob’s adjustment to being a stay-at-home dad—strain her relationships, particularly with her children and husband, as she navigates guilt, exhaustion, and the pressure to succeed. Thereʻs a point at which she knows she’ll “stretch” until she physically breaks, and I believe my style of coaching could help her gain better clarity around the priorities in her life that better define her boundaries and truly align with her sense of purpose. Weʻd work on shifting to perspectives and habits that will better nurture her body, mind and spirit.

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

As a founding member of ICF Hawaiʻi and the current President-Elect and Treasurer, I have already been leveraging my professional background in sales, organizational governance and passion for coaching over the last two and a half years, and supporting my fellow board members in getting our chapter off to a healthy start. I have done my best to bring creativity and focus to benefit chapter members in activities like board governance, International Coaching Week and informal member pau hanas and coffees.

Additionally, I am realistic about the time I am able and happy to commit to being the next chapter President. My practice is operating at a sustainable pace and I sense I have moved beyond the "start up" phase of my business. I am doing what I absolutely love so I have the energy, the time and the drive that comes from aligned purpose to give my very best to our chapter. I am very comfortable with networking within our community and within the ICF global network to bring resources and actionable ideas to our members. ICF Hawaiʻiʻs participation in the upcoming Aulani Benefits & Wellness Showcase in October is a good example.

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

It is my vision to see ICF Hawaiʻi as one of the most dynamic and sought-after chapters in the ICF network. That means we have a very high rate of member engagement, we have a source of revenue generation that allows us to bring the impact of coaching to our community, and our member coaches have vibrant and growing businesses.

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? 

Underneath it all, I am really a nerd. As a kid, I’d ask Santa for chemistry sets and each following year Iʻd ask for a more elaborate one 🔬. I’d do my own experiments like plant corn seeds in paper cups and water them with different solutions (in carefully measured amounts) to see what the effect would be. I’d record my observations in a notebook (oh brother what a nerd!). I thought I’d go into the sciences, but after struggling with and getting my worse grades ever in chemistry, I dropped that idea. That’s when I became a cheerleader - how prophetic! 🤣Hahahahaha!!!!