Coaching grounded in professional training and rooted in lived experience.
Coaching grounded in professional training and rooted in lived experience.
And before you have to wonder ... yes, my first name is Michael, pronounced just the way you'd expect.
Go ahead and hit play to hear it.
Yes, I’ve been assigned to the wrong dorms, gym classes, and more. And no, my parents weren’t hoping for a boy. The name they picked for a potential boy was Benjamin. 😉
The Heart Behind My Coaching
Life has a way of weaving both beauty and uncertainty into our stories.
In 2016, my husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer and everything familiar seemed to pause. With three children still in school, we had to find new ways to navigate forward. There was no rewriting what was, there was only learning how to live within a new reality.
Almost ten years later, he still lives with cancer, and he’s doing well. That long season of uncertainty changed me. It changed how I support others. It shaped me as I explored what I wanted to offer as a coach. Our family learned lessons along the way that have helped us navigate other transitions in both life and work. Although I wish we hadn’t learned these lessons through cancer, I am grateful for what we learned along the way.
The Heart Behind My Coaching
Life has a way of weaving both beauty and uncertainty into our stories.
In 2016, my husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer and everything familiar seemed to pause. With three children still in school, we had to find new ways to navigate forward. There was no rewriting what was, there was only learning how to live within a new reality.
Almost ten years later, he still lives with cancer, and he’s doing well. That long season of uncertainty changed me. It changed how I support others. It shaped me as I explored what I wanted to offer as a coach. Our family learned lessons along the way that have helped us navigate other transitions in both life and work. Although I wish we hadn’t learned these lessons through cancer, I am grateful for what we learned along the way.
Navigating This Journey I've Learned About:
the quiet power of
presence
the quiet power of
presence
reducing overwhelm by
taking things step by step
the importance of identifying support and
the courage to say yes to help
the surprising opportunities that can arrive when
exploring a situation through different lenses
how valuable it is when somebody
listens without trying to "fix" you
Navigating This Journey
I've Learned About:
the quiet power of
presence
the importance of identifying support
and the courage to
say yes to help
the surprising opportunities
that can arrive when
exploring a situation
through different lenses
how valuable it is when somebody
listens without trying to fix you
In coaching, these lessons became my framework, my anchor, my way of coaching from a deeper place.
Because coaching isn’t about pushing through transition — it’s about having someone walk with you while you find your next step for yourself.
Training and Certifications
The coaching industry is largely an unregulated field. Anybody can call themselves a coach. I'm proud to share my training and adherence to the practices and ethics of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). ICF-trained coaches are professional coaches who have met stringent education and experience requirements, and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies and ethical standards that set the standard in the profession.
I graduated from the CCO Coaching Education Program. Accredited by the International Coaching Foundation (ICF) this rigorous training included both scholarship and ongoing coaching practice.
As a member of the International Coaching Federation, I adhere to the ICF coaching competencies and code of ethics, respected worldwide. I am currently in the process of completing my ACC certification.
I am certified in the Shift Positive® Method for 360 feedback assessments. Grounded in positive psychology, this approach to feedback empowers individuals and teams to thrive through constructive, transparent and effective communication.
As a trained Museum Sage® guide, I am able to offer clients conversations with original works of art to uncover fresh perspectives, gain clarity, and navigate challenges with confidence.
I graduated from the CCO Coaching Education Program. Accredited by the International Coaching Foundation (ICF) this rigorous training included both scholarship and ongoing coaching practice.
As a member of the International Coaching Federation, I adhere to the ICF coaching competencies and code of ethics, respected worldwide. I am currently in the process of completing my ACC certification.
I am certified in the Shift Positive® Method for 360 feedback assessments. Grounded in positive psychology, this approach to feedback empowers individuals and teams to thrive through constructive, transparent and effective communication.
As a trained Museum Sage® guide, I am able to offer clients conversations with original works of art to uncover fresh perspectives, gain clarity, and navigate challenges with confidence.
A Few Things You Might Not Know About Me:
During my graduate internship in the education department at the Snite Museum of Art, I discovered my first true professional calling!
Over the 20+ years that followed, while working as an art museum educator, I saw the same truth repeat itself: learning and growth is best supported when people feel invited in, safe to explore, and able to connect on their own terms.
From preschoolers embodying characters in a Marc Chagall painting, to hesitant adults daring to sit with the art that challenges them, transformation always begins with a connection.
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I am married and have three wonderfully unique adult children.
I have a Master's Degree from the University of Notre Dame.
I served for four years as a K-12 public school board director, including as board chair.
For years, I have traveled with my family to the North Shore of Lake Superior. The small town of Grand Marais has been a source of inspiration and grounding for me.
We have a 14-year-old Yorkie Poo named Carly. She also loves visiting the North Shore!
"Begin Again" work has become a part of my offerings. Based on our experience in navigating change, Andy and I create gatherings that explore the practice of being human when life takes an unexpected turn.
Our retreats, community events, and stage experiences blend group reflection, storytelling, poetry, music, and facilitated dialogue. Each program invites participants to pause, share, and connect, finding meaning, humor, and hope in the interruptions that reshape our lives.
The video clip is an introduction from our 2024 stage event in Lakeville, MN.
A Few Things You Might Not Know About Me
During my graduate internship in the education department at the Snite Museum of Art, I came alive and found my calling!
Over the 20+ years that followed, while working as an art museum educator, I saw the same truth repeat itself: learning and growth is best nurtured when people feel invited in, safe to explore, and able to connect on their own terms.
From preschoolers embodying characters in a Marc Chagall painting, to hesitant adults daring to sit with the art that challenges them, transformation always begins with a connection.
Learn more about my love for combining art and coaching HERE.
I am married and have three wonderfully unique adult children.
I have a Master's Degree from the University of Notre Dame.
I served for four years as a K-12 public school board director, including as board chair.
For years, I have traveled with my family to the North Shore of Lake Superior. The small town of Grand Marais has been a source of inspiration and grounding for me.
We have a 14-year-old Yorkie Poo named Carly. She also loves visiting the North Shore!
"Begin Again" work has become a part of my offerings. Based on our experience in navigating change, Andy and I create gatherings that explore the practice of being human when life takes an unexpected turn.
Our retreats, community events, and stage experiences blend group reflection, storytelling, poetry, music, and facilitated dialogue. Each program invites participants to pause, share, and connect, finding meaning, humor, and hope in the interruptions that reshape our lives.
The video clip is an introduction from our 2024 stage event in Lakeville, MN.
No matter which of my background experiences I draw upon when coaching, I always let you take the lead as you find your way forward. I am passionate about creating spaces where others feel seen, heard, safe, and supported.
Curious if we might be a good fit?