International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
Certified Coach, Hudson Institute of Coaching
CliftonStrengths Certified
MBA, University of CA – San Diego (UCSD)
MA, San Diego State University (SDSU)
BA, Biology
This is my story
The good news is I’ve built and am building my dream career. I took the time to reflect, receive coaching, get clarity on my values, and begin taking the necessary steps toward a career that energizes and delights me.
But it wasn’t always this way. I worked many years for a company that was stable, well-paying, and regularly promoted me. However, I was never “at home” there. The mission of the company, my role(s), and the style of leadership were never a great match for my skills, strengths, and values. Nevertheless, I stayed much longer than I should have because it was comfortable. I simply didn’t know what else was possible and was frankly too scared to take the risk to leave and find out.
Until one day, the stars aligned. I received some bad medical news, and my husband was also feeling burned out at work. So we decided to quit our jobs to travel for a year. It was the scariest, most invigorating decision we’ve ever made, and we’ll never regret it. It was just the shakeup I needed.
Upon return, I knew I couldn’t return to my old career so I received coaching and began taking small steps to create the career of my dreams.
My Coaching Approach
Simply put, I offer a soft place to do the hard work.
That means I create a warm, safe, welcoming, nonjudgmental space so that clients can do the hard work of growth and change required to achieve their goals. I believe that clients are resourceful and that my job is to support them by providing the process, while they provide the content. I couple internal work (becoming aware of blind spots, uncovering internal resistance, addressing old griefs, etc.) with external work (building awareness, collecting data on self, making small changes). I check in with clients regularly to see how we’re doing on the original goals and we adjust as needed. I also coach the “whole person”, meaning that aspects of a client’s personal life may come up when we’re working on professional goals. People aren’t compartmented, so my coaching helps to integrate the various parts affected by the client’s goals.
Two of my strongest values are connection and curiosity. Coaching allows me to live both of those out through deep connections with clients and curiosity about what makes them tick and what will help them move toward the life they want. This is why I love coaching and often enter a “flow” state when coaching. I’m naturally empathetic, encouraging, and consistent. I listen deeply and reflect what client’s say often. I also appreciate feedback throughout a coaching engagement and bring in tools and assessments when appropriate.
What my clients say
“Kenzi helped me during a particularly challenging inflection point in my career. After decades in various careers, I found myself at an impasse where the next steps for my work and personal life were unclear. Kenzi’s careful, thoughtful, and responsive coaching helped me keep moving forward and to put structure and goals into what had been an amorphous lump of concerns and approaches. I recommend her unreservedly.” – David S., Finance Executive, Chicago
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“It’s been such a pleasure to work with Kenzi. When I started this journey, I felt lost and unsure of what I want to do next in my career. Through this coaching experience, I was able to identify my core values, hone down on qualities that are most important to me, figured out my strengths, and explored various career paths based on my interests. Now I have more clarity on what I want to do next and a path to get there.” – May C., Startup Executive, Sacramento
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“Kenzi led me through exercises and conversations that challenged me to grow and encouraged me to expand my horizons. She gave me tools and strategies to navigate through some major changes. I am much more prepared and confident to face challenges as a result of our time together.” – Kindra A., Teacher, Florida
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“Kenzi has really helped me organize the chaos of my life during my journey through grad school, single parenting and trying to find the right job. I really value our sessions together and I come out of each one with so much. I apply the things I learn instead of sticking them on a shelf, because she draws out the strategies that are already within myself.” – Ashley A., Assistant Behavior Analyst, Atlanta
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“Kenzi is an extraordinarily perceptive listener. The way she was able to guide me, cued by my own words, toward what I was really looking for in the midst of major career change made all the difference. Because of our sessions, I was able to identify the kinds of work I wanted to do through the lens of my values, not the terms of my original field.” – Ellen E., Non-Profit Executive, Philadelphia PA
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“Kenzi is smart and knowledgeable, but also approachable and very supportive. I started my coaching journey kind of hopeless, but eager to make a change in my career. I just didn’t know how and where to start and how to get unstuck from a career that had kept me stagnant and unfulfilled for a long time. Kenzi’s guidance completely changed it around for me. I now know what jobs I really want, how my skills transfer to a new career, and my worth! I feel a lot more confident and prepared at job interviews. I’m finally on the right career path and that’s the greatest gift a coach can offer a client.” – Azadui S., Social Worker, Los Angeles
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“Kenzi’s coaching style is the perfect balance. It is a balance of compassion and accountability that for me fostered growth. Through our coaching journey, I learned several tools that are now integrated into my daily life. Our coaching sessions were also a great balance of today and forward-thinking to the years to come. It helped me grow in my current role, and create the framework for continuous learning and growth.” – Tracey W., Consulting Manager, Kansas City
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“Kenzi has been an amazing coach, a true professional who is compassionate, smart, intuitive and an amazing listener. Her candid feedback was always on point and her ability to pick up on cues allowed me to reflect and progress on my goals. I would highly recommend her services and would absolutely work with her again.” – Rosemary L., Finance Executive, New York City
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“I signed up for Ama La Vida at a particularly low point in my professional life. I was utterly miserable and I felt stuck, unable to move away from my role because I didn’t know where I wanted to go next… My coach Kenzi was super helpful in helping me navigate away from a difficult situation, ensure that I took care of myself (my physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing), and move in an intentional and thoughtful way towards my next thing. Talking through my options with my coach was super helpful, so that I didn’t feel overly stressed about the risks I was taking. My coach Kenzi was really great, and helped celebrate my successes and achievements as I navigated this tough terrain. It was also really wonderful to have someone alongside me, to go deep into the options and avenues I might consider, and to be there at the end of my journey (or at least this phase of my overall journey) to celebrate how far I had come from my starting point. Thank you, Kenzi and Ama La Vida!” – Helen S.
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“I signed up to work with Kenzi after years of switching jobs and trying to find the right fit. She helped me look at my professional goals through a new lens, and determine that it’s not that I was doing something wrong, but that my jobs weren’t meeting my values or utilizing my strengths. Kenzi helped me see my goals more clearly and move in a direction that, while scary and intimidating, is right for me and I’m excited for the first time in a long time for what the future holds! I highly recommend working with her!!” – Katie A., Design Professional, Austin
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“I can’t say enough about how much Kenzi has helped me. There are countless reasons why I’d recommend her as a coach, but the first thing that stands out is her remarkable ability to make me feel truly seen and heard, even when I was overwhelmed and unsure of my direction. Kenzi creates such a safe space for exploration and honesty while also giving just the right nudge to keep me moving forward.
What makes her unique is her seamless ability to shift between deep, spiritual insight and practical, actionable advice. She knows when to tap into profound guidance and when to provide concrete steps I can take right now. Kenzi helped me recognize the fears that were holding me back, and working with her has been a huge step toward breaking through those barriers. I’m already looking forward to our future sessions and can’t recommend her enough to anyone who wants a coach that’s equal parts intuitive and pragmatic.” – Emma S., Educator & Artist, NYC
