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Hi, I’m Susan!

As an integrative leadership coach, I show emerging HR leaders and new C-Suite Executives how to increase their impact, confidence and results so they can thrive at work and at home.  

I have a growing specialization in Human Resource leadership, and have mentored a wide variety of women leaders in various industries.

So, if you’re not in HR, you’re welcome here too if my approach resonates with you!

So, how did I get here? 

I started my coaching and consulting practice after looking around the rest of Silicon Valley and consistently seeing burned-out women leaders leaving the workforce. This was particularly the case for women starting families and facing the strain of climbing the corporate ladder. The unrealistic expectations placed on them by others (and themselves) left them feeling overwhelmed and sacrificing their personal life for work.

While many emerging leaders and executives in various fields struggle with this challenge, HR Leaders, in particular, often feel like their role is misunderstood and their efforts are under-appreciated.  Many feel like second-class citizens in the C-Suite.

I’ve been there too. I was burnt out as an HR leader in Silicon Valley and struggled to find a suitable balance between my family and my role as a senior leader in a Fortune 500 tech firm.

That’s when I realized there had to be a better way to stay in the game, do meaningful work, and make a lasting impact. 

This led me to develop my signature system for coaching leaders to reclaim their power at work and at home, by elevating their leadership role and function in their organization, and making it okay to bring your whole self to work.

My approach combines the best of my 20+ years of HR experience, best practices, leadership development and strategies in blending work and life for busy career moms.

 
 
Testimonials

“Coaching with Susan was very empowering and a career game-changer for me.  It was all about ME: my personal growth and attaining my goals. Her coaching was customizable with her right alongside supporting my growth.” 

Danielle Valliere
Customer Success Manager — Boulder, CO

“Susan really cares about helping her clients succeed.  It was clear that she did her research and was well prepared for each session.  She made good use of our time together and kept the conversation focused on what was most important to me.”

Sara Wildman
University Educator and Instructional Designer — Campbell, CA

“Susan’s coaching helped me gain greater awareness about my values and what my true priorities were. I was able to let go of what I thought I should be doing and realized that I valued time with my daughter and changing careers was less critical at this stage in my life.”

Carolina Gavilanes
Education Specialist — Austin, TX

“Coaching with Susan has been one of the most beneficial investments I’ve made in myself and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with her. She helped me to grow and develop as an individual and the process helped me learn so much more about myself.”

Thanh Barretto
High School Teacher & Homeschooling Mom of 6 — San Jose, CA

 
 

Credentials — (I’ve got you!)

  • 20+ years hand-on experience in HR and leadership roles throughout Silicon Valley technology organizations

  • MBA from Santa Clara University

  • SPHR & SHRM-SCP Certifications

  • Contributing Author to International Best-Selling Book: “What Every Mompreneur Needs to Know”

  • Working mom to 2 children!

 
 
SF Bay Area Golden Gate Bridge and Baker Beach

Bay Area native…almost!

I was 2 years old when my family moved to the SF Bay Area, 40-something years ago. 

Yep, I’m one of the rare ones who grew up, went to school and built my career here.  I consider myself a native, although technically, I’m not.

I love to travel the world and explore new places, but the Bay Area has always been home to me - you can’t beat the weather and diversity!

 
 
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Family —

Living this long in the Bay Area, surrounded by tech companies, I suppose it’s fitting that I’m married to a Software geek (who is from the midwest originally). 

We live in San Jose with our daughter (11), son (7) and cat, Mochi (14)!

 
 
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My Real Life —

When I’m not busy goofing around with my kids and shuttling them to/from their various activities, I can be found:

  • working up a sweat at bootcamp (yay for fitness & self-care!)

  • inventing new froyo creations (yum!)

  • aspiring to take part in a flash mob pillow fight (my silly side!)

 

The ‘why’ behind it all:

I believe in living your best life by being grounded and present for the moments that matter.  Setting your intention and taking steps to align your work with your personal priorities makes this possible.