Leona started working with Nayé when she felt she had reached a ceiling in her career at the World Bank in Paris. She believed she needed to get a graduate degree to advance. Her dream was to obtain a Master’s of International Development at the Harvard Kennedy School. However, when she looked at the school’s statistics which indicated that only two percent of those who applied were admitted, she thought it was out of reach for her. Leona convinced her that she was a strong candidate and worked with her to develop a strong application package and she was admitted! Obtaining a Master’s degree from Harvard was the catalyst that enabled her to be promoted into her current managerial role.
For more than four years, Leona has been coaching Dr Ticora Jones, Chief Science Officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council. She provided guidance and support during her desired transition from government, and worked with her to set herself up for success in her new role. Ticora explains how Leona enabled her to grow on a personal level while helping her address some key issues in the rest of her organization, with a particular focus on strategic planning and change management. Ticora shares what she believes is Leona’s superpower: “She helps you see who you are and helps you pick out the best of who you want to be.”
“Research has shown that firms with more women in senior positions are more profitable, more socially responsible, and provide safer, higher-quality customer experiences — among many other benefits.” (Post, Lokshin, & Boone, Harvard Business Review, 2021). However, according to a new report from S&P Global Market Intelligence, for the first time in nearly two decades, the percentage of women in the C-suite at publicly traded US companies has dropped. More specifically, in 2023, women held just 11.8% of the roughly 15,000 C-suite roles assessed, down from 12.2% the year before. It’s the first time women have lost C-suite seats since 2005, the year S&P started measuring the data.
As a certified and seasoned executive coach, change manager, and organizational development expert, I will work with you to determine the areas we need to focus on to help you (re)define your unique leadership brand, develop your personal leadership strategic plan, and enable you to lead with authenticity, confidence, and impact. Some of the challenges past clients have overcome through my coaching and advising include:
Whatever your challenge, I want to reassure you. You don’t have to walk alone. I will be your strategic partner, coach, and advisor. Using tailored strategies and programs, I specialize in empowering women leaders like you to overcome challenges, build confidence, excel in their careers, and live fulfilling lives.
The Center for Creative Leadership (2022) indicated that coaching was one of 3 strategies to propel more women into the C-Suite. A 2024 Forbes article added that “coaching enables retention and prioritizes the well-being of women in C-suite roles. Coaching should be part of every executive's role and compensation package. Not only is it a valuable benefit to the new executive, it is also a critical element to their success. By sponsoring an executive coach, an organization demonstrates its investment and commitment to that success.”
