By April of my senior year in college, I had secured a research economist position at an economic forecasting firm. This led to a research job at the OECD in France, admittance to a top-tier graduate school and eventually, to a managerial role in American Express’s Strategic Planning group.
Over the next two-and-a-half decades, I married, brought up two kids and my career took on a life of its own.
During those years, I gained invaluable professional experience:
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- After two years in Strategic Planning in NYC, I led corporate card marketing for American Express in France;
- I raised more than $1.5 million, co-founded, and then sold a direct marketing company;
- I built and led a publicly traded technology services business in five European countries;
- I developed strategic marketing programs for global companies, including Sunlife Financial, NY Life, State Street, AXA/Equitable, WorldPay, IKEA.
As the years passed, however, I became increasingly aware of an uncomfortable inner truth: my work was rarely enjoyable. Despite early warning signs, I neglected to pay attention. I lacked the courage to explore what I knew to be true: despite many moments of excitement and signs of success, I was not maximizing my personal or professional potential.
That’s a little unfortunate. If I could go back in time, I would offer myself the following advice: be mindful of your thoughts and emotions and recognize the abundance of possibilities. I would also remind myself of this: “this is my life. Only I, and I alone, decide.” Unfortunately, I can’t go back in time.
What is possible, however, is harnessing my knowledge and expertise to guide organizations and individuals to new possibilities and choices for success that they might never discover on their own.
I’m now a professional career and leadership coach, working with individual clients and organizations, certified by the International Coaching Federation and The Gestalt International Study Center. I infuse my coaching with proven Gestalt methods that help individuals discover more about who they are, their set of possible choices and taking responsibility for reaching the destinations they desire.