ABOUT.
"Law, island life and transformation" - here's my story in an alum interview with Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm and my former employer.
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Since 2014, I’ve coached hundreds of people through life’s twists and turns with deeply transformative one-on-one and group coaching. It’s both my passion and my mission - I truly have the best job in the world.
Prior to coaching, I dedicated 13 years to a legal career in a global law firm, working in London, Moscow and Singapore. Dual-qualified in England & Wales and Russia, I specialised in project finance and M&A in the energy sector.
My transition from lawyer to coaching came from my own experience of life shifts – moving countries, trying not to lose myself while adapting to new cultures, bereavement, growing through the ranks in private practice and looking into partnership track, navigating a shocking identity shift after becoming a mother, becoming an entrepreneur and building a business.
These experiences shifted my perspective on what it means to be a human, on happiness and success on your own terms, and on what it means to be an effective leader. They also gave me a passion for helping others who are going through change.
My family is a mix of Russian, British, French and Italian cultures. One day I plan to write a book on 200 mistakes in bringing up tri-lingual children.
My husband and I and our two boys live in London. When not coaching, I love walking and talking, watching tennis, reading, trying new things, and snowboarding (with no intention of switching to skis - despite my growing wisdom!).
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Fun fact: My family took a gap year on Reunion Island. There I wrote and voiced the rum production audio guide for Isautier Rums. If you are ever on Reunion Island, the museum is fascinating and the degustation is delicious!
Qualifications & EXPERIENCE.
Professional and personal experience I bring in service of your success and fulfilment:
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13-year career as a dual-qualified lawyer at a top-10 global law firm
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10+ years of coaching experience, with a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation from the International Coaching Federation - a mark of advanced training, extensive practice, ongoing CPD and supervision
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Skilled in reputable diagnostic tools like the Hogan suite, Inclusive Leadership Compass 360, and Strengths Profile
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Strong business, strategic and financial acumen
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Lived experience of international relocations, career transitions, bereavement, health challenges and parenthood - which inform an empathic yet practical real-world coaching approach
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Speaker at UK Government roundtable on improving postnatal care (1 of only 12 speakers)
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Curated book/resource recommendations and a trusted referral network
Qualifications:
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Accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation
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Certified Co-Active Professional Coach (CPCC) with the Coaching Training Institute (CTI), 2015-2022
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Trained Executive Coaching & Health Coach with the Academy of Executive Coaching (AoEC), 2020
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Certified Hogan Assessments practitioner
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Certified Inclusive Leadership Compass 360 practitioner
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Certified Dare to Lead practitioner
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Trained Professional Group Coach
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Qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, 2011; non-practising status since 2024
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Qualified as a lawyer in Russia, 2005
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my COACHING approach.
There is an old story about two salesmen sent to a foreign country to assess the market for shoes. Salesman One scouts around for a few days and reports back to the company headquarters: "Research complete. Absolute disaster. Nobody here wears shoes." Likewise, Salesman Two does his research and telegraphs back: "Research complete. Glorious opportunity! Nobody here wears shoes!"
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We see the world through a narrative we tell ourselves. This internal voice shapes our feelings, fears, decisions, self-image and what we see more present in our life - anxiety or confidence, dissonance or balance, feeling stuck or seeing opportunities. I help my clients connect with the supportive voice, gain confidence in self and learn to use their internal resources. Such self-discovery and integration of internal resources become your powerhouse in meeting life challenges and creating a sustainably fulfilling and successful life.
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To learn more about my approach, continue reading here.
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The first step is for us to have a chat (phone or zoom) to meet each other, clarify the challenges and map out how to approach them. You will get a taster of my coaching and if it feels like a resonant fit, we will agree on the next steps.