Olive Branch
Coaching & Consulting
Inspiring Others to Hope
As the flowers begin to bloom, there's rain showers regularly on the forecast instead of snow, and buds are forming on the trees, I'm renewed with hope. Growing up and currently living in Minnesota brings a deep appreciation of spring and it's statement "we made it through winter." The promise of spring calls forth hope through the winter.
Besides the cold winters and beautiful summers, Minnesota is rich and unique in diverse cultures. In the Twin Cities alone we have over 1 million immigrants from about 100 different nations/people groups. Since I was a young girl I've always had a curiosity and appreciation for other cultures.
I went on my first international trip abroad to Nepal- which was like nothing I had experienced before and I discovered my love for other cultures and people. Since that time I have traveled to Thailand, Cambodia, France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, and Italy for humanitarian projects, teaching English, an academic semester abroad, culture study, coming alongside of refugees, and to experience other cultures. I currently live in Morocco where I am expanding my coaching business as I live abroad.
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I lived in Cambodia and completed an academic internship while learning the local language, finishing an ethnographic research project, and simply living in a new country and culture. I had experienced culture shock and transition before on my prior trips but this was more intense and longer as this wasn't just a quick trip...I was living in a new country. I found myself comforted and intrigued while learning about cross-cultural transition, shock, and stress. It is one of my deep joys to help others process and transition well while experiencing a cross-cultural transition.
What brought me to coaching?
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Transition, moving, starting new jobs, and trying to thrive while staying true to my core character combined together and led me to coaching. When my plans for the present and future continually changed for over a year, I felt drained making decisions and with no specific direction to follow I struggled to look at the future through the lens of hope.
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During this time I found myself wishing that I had a "guidance counselor for life" or at least something close to it. I was looking for someone to help guide my own decision-making and not someone telling me what to do with my life. I wanted to process and dig deeper to the reasons why I felt so stuck, confused, and paralyzed to make decisions- all of these things quite contrary to my personality when I'm in a healthy state. My desire was to have someone walk with me, help uncover and clear the fog of the direction and opportunities to pursue, while understanding my values in choosing them. I stumbled upon coaching and found it be the match that I was searching for.
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I want to provide that same service to others going through transition and my sweet spot is those also experiencing cross-cultural interactions and or transitions.
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After a long road of pursuing different options to become a certified professional coach, I came across Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). I completed the training in Washington DC in 2018 and have been officially coaching ever since. I'm a certified coach as a CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) in addition to ACC through the ICF (International Coaching Federation).
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...basically all of those letters just mean that I'm qualified and committed to coaching my clients to the best of my ability!
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When I'm not coaching you'll probably find me outdoors. Anything on the lake you can count me in and especially when water skiing is involved. I'm also a huge fan of cooking and bringing people together through sharing a meal or dessert!
Even though my love for nature and food goes deep it doesn't come close to my loved ones. My family, friends, and community shape me and I wouldn't be who I am without them. I love the classic African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Everyone needs people to walk life with! I'd be honored to hear your story and walk with you in part of yours!
Qualifications
Coaching
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CPCC, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
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ACC-ICF, Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation
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I have completed 200+ hours of professional training as a coach through CTI (Co-Active Training Institute), one of the world's leading companies in training coaches
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For more than 4 years now I have been coaching clients across the globe
Cross-Cultural
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I have personally experienced different countries and cultures abroad as well as my home country- America (I'm very excited to currently live in Morocco)
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For years I have mentored small groups preparing to study/move abroad
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I have studied culture for 10+ years
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Growing up in Minneapolis brought a diverse mindset and curiosity for other nations/cultures
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Graduated college with a Bachelor's Degree in Global Studies
Speaking & Facilitating
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I have given 150+ speeches including formal education, motivational events, sharing of my experiences, and a variety of other topics
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Audiences ranging from small groups to 500+
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I have had the privilege to speak in America as well as internationally
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Training and Facilitating small groups and audiences:
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preparing to move and/or study abroad​
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leadership training at university and high school levels
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cross-culture preparation and knowledge
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