As a coach, I am a partner in your transformative growth.
FAQs
What kind of coaching is this? What can I expect?
We will use a non-directive executive coaching model to work through questions and opportunities in your leadership/professional development. This is a proven practice grounded in the philosophy that you already have all the answers inside yourself; by making space for inquiry and self-reflection you can come to new realizations and clarity.
This might feel new if you're more used to mentoring/advising where someone tells you what to do — instead it's all about digging into your values and interests to find your own path. I've personally experienced a lot of coaching and am always surprised by how much I learn!
You can learn more about BECI and the approach here.
What's expected of me as a coachee?
Be sure to schedule a time with me where you can be fully present in our 1:1 conversation with your camera on — it makes for a much more productive coaching conversation!
I’ll also ask you to let me know when my coaching might be 'barking up the wrong tree' to make sure our conversation can be as helpful for you as possible.
Otherwise, just bring yourself — we'll set up any goals together based on your capacity and needs!
Please sign up for one to three sessions (ideally spaced 3-4 weeks apart) — having more sessions allows us to work toward some bigger goals together.
You’ll also be asked to agree to my client agreement on signup.
How should I prepare? What will we discuss?
There's no need to prepare anything — we can check in together to identify any topics/goals you might want to use our time to work through, or feel free to bring any top-of-mind topic(s) that you know already you want support in working through.
The topics can be anything, really; we can talk through professional/workplace challenges and growth opportunities, your leadership style and influence, your values and how to incorporate them into other areas of your life, or to more generally think through how to help you grow in an area of interest (note that coaching is not meant to replace therapy and we'll flag together if the topic feels more appropriate for a mental health professional.)
Meet Allison
Excited to meet you! I’m a leadership coach — and a product designer, professor, entrepreneur, and sailor… Coaching is where I bring it all together: guiding individuals and teams to bring their whole selves to align with what matters most.
With over a decade of experience leading design in Silicon Valley startups and Fortune 500 innovation labs and now teaching communication and leadership in the MBA program at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, I found my calling in bringing my ethnographic research and design skills to helping people unlock their individual creativity and impact.
I support clients in their unique growth journeys with my blend of design thinking, deep passion for helping people and professional non-directive coaching skills from Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute’s intensive training (final certification in progress).
I also love dancing (mostly flamenco!), working on my sailboat, walking my dog and singing in a community choir.
CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
logo
An ocean-centered philosophy
You already have the answers inside yourself — and I believe we can look to the natural world for valuable metaphors too.
I’ve found my greatest joy — and so many metaphors for coaching, leading, communicating, and life..! — on the water, whether sailing in a race on the Bay, puttering around on my little sailboat in San Francisco, scuba diving, kiteboarding, or just watching the sunset, and I just love to share this with others.
Please get in touch especially if this resonates with you (or if you’re just open to inspiration from our natural world!).
Offerings
Free Newsletter
Get regular insights about leadership, communication and coaching strategies in your inbox.
1:1 Coaching
Non-directive coaching sessions to unlock the answers already within you.
Workshops & Retreats
Let’s tailor a workshop to help your team grow together.