From CPA To Professional Coach - A Career Change Success Story

I never imagined in the process of serving others I would embark on my new career.

As a volunteer in 2001 I saw a unique opportunity to address the digital divide, serve a community severely ignored and engage a group of talented and underutilized professionals.

I formed a team of diverse technical experts to develop an unprecedented technology workshop for the Robert Taylor Housing Project community in Chicago's South Side.

This was very radical for me since I'm often dumbfounded by "techies" and experience a sense of overwhelm by technological advantages.

In fact, I'm one of the few who has yet to open a Facebook account (this may not be true for much longer) and abandoned my Palm Pilot to return to a paper calendar

In one year we surpassed our initial goal. We developed and facilitated four successful Technology Days! Our team was the catalyst in changing the organization's traditional notions of measuring success.

After the first Technology Day it dawned on me that I had just lived out one of my life-long dreams. I had made a real difference in lives of others.

I've always been drawn to and intrigued by people, their life experiences and their dreams. I'm just deeply curious about how people and life works.

That's one of the reasons why I pursued a career in accounting. I was attracted to the principles of accounting, the way that financial statements tell a company's story and how CPAs help organizations operate more effectively.

I also enjoyed the respect, opportunities and influence that comes with being a CPA. However something really important was missing from my career. I later discovered it was aspects of myself, my strengths, my uniqueness and my innate gifts.

It was while working in Corporate America that I discovered my interpersonal skills were a huge asset. It set me apart from other CPAs.

My ability to connect with and understand people is one of my natural strengths. It has helped me lead teams, serve diverse clients and develop creative solutions to everyday workplace challenges.

The volunteer experience deepen my thirst to further discover and develop my natural strengths.

I decided not to pursue a MBA education and entered a masters program in Organizational Development, where I focused on Leadership Development.

In graduate school I learned that professional coaching is widely recognized as one of the top practices in developing leaders and that my natural strengths were best suited for the field.

My graduate school experience was rich, challenging and rigorous and I loved every minute of it.

It didn't take long for me to say, “That's it! That's the work that I see myself doing.”

I have a passion for helping others succeed. I enjoy developing ideas, programs and people. Helping others make lasting changes is one of my gifts.

I realized that I could make a bigger impact on others and for myself and experience greater levels of success and fulfillment by working as a Professional Coach rather than a CPA.

I had found work that I felt called to do. In 2005 I completed a rigorous professional coaching training program (which I loved, loved, loved) and continued on my path to a new career.

I founded ARM Career & Life Coaching Services to help others make lasting changes in their lives and to fulfill my passion for helping others succeed.

When I'm not working I enjoy spending time with family, good friends and those who share my faith, being in nature (summer by the lake, winter at Garfield Park Conservatory), practicing yoga, having adventures, salsa dancing, traveling to the Caribbean, reading a juicy novel and keeping abreast of trends in women's fashion and home decoration.

What Makes Me Different

I spent 9 years of my professional career in Corporate America and understand the challenges that managers and directors face, the pressure your under and the support you need.

I have made several career (and life) transitions. My most significant career transition was from CPA to Coach. I have experienced first hand how challenging it is to transition and advance in your career. I understand your desire to have a career that showcases your strengths, passions and skills. I know the time, effort, energy and focus that is required to do so successfully.

I am professionally trained and certified as a Coach. I've received extensive training (over 300 hours) in the skills and techniques of professional coaching, specifically Co-Active Coaching. I received my masters degree in Organizational Development with an emphasis in Leadership Development from Loyola University of Chicago.

As a Coach with a strong managerial and financial background I am multi-dimensional in my approach. I am both creative and analytical, visionary and practical, rigorous and gentle-hearted, risk-taking and conventional, down-to-earth and spiritual.

My faith has changed my life, transformed my approach to work and is a fundamental part of who I am. This often creates a deeper connection and a more powerful coaching relationship. I believe that you have what it takes to live a more successful and satisfying life. My job is to help you live confidently by choice and possibilities versus by fear and doubt.

Learn more about my education, professional experience, and credentials.