What our alumni say about their scholarships
We share these quotes from some of the talented alumni of our coaching scholarship programme to offer you a tangible sense of their experiences and the how their coaching scholarship supported them.
Coached by Alia Rose Connor
I had a really great time working with Alia as my coach. She excelled at taking my thoughts and, through thought-provoking questions, guided me to profound insights I wouldn’t have discovered on my own. These “gems” not only gave me a deeper understanding of my professional motivations but also enabled me to become a more effective leader by clarifying my career priorities and what to let go of.
Janice, Engineering Leader
Coached by Amy Rich
Working with Amy was a positive game changer. With each of our conversations, I either learned something new about myself or it reinforced a strong belief that aligned with my values. It was a very holistic way of approaching engineering leadership, going beyond the technical aspects and into the whole self. In doing so, that reaped greater rewards and it had positive ripple effects in my personal and professional life, along with teams and community. I highly recommend Amy!
Guedis Cardenas I would absolutely recommend Amy as a coach. She brings such a positive and encouraging energy to every conversation, listens deeply, and asks thoughtful questions that help you look at things from a different perspective. I especially valued having a space where I could think out loud, untangle what was on my mind, and leave our conversations with more clarity. I always felt supported, but also challenged to find my own answers, which made the experience incredibly valuable for me.
Milica Ostojic, Engineering Manager
Coached by Cara Wilson
Cara supported me with building stakeholder management skills and recalibrating my work-life balance. Her past experience, lines of questioning, and empathy for the lived autistic experience helped me to learn and understand myself better. I’m really grateful to have worked with her.
Senior Software Engineer
Coached by Fiona Siseman
Over the course of our working together [with Fiona], I was able to implement better ways of communicating. I’m now more confident to share my perspective when before I would have held back, and I’m influencing better outcomes by proactively sharing my experience and opinions. I’ve seen a lot of positive changes in my professional life
I was lucky enough to win a scholarship with Fiona, and in advance of us starting to work together I wasn’t entirely sure what we should focus on - I had been struggling with a few things at work, but I couldn’t see the common theme. But in our first meeting Fiona helped me to organise my frustrations and worries into a specific goal: to speak and be heard. There were a number of reasons why I currently didn’t feel like I was being heard, and over the course of our six sessions together we were able to identify and work through each one.
Over the course of our working together, I was able to implement better ways of communicating. I’m now more confident to share my perspective when before I would have held back, and I’m influencing better outcomes by proactively sharing my experience and opinions. I’ve seen a lot of positive changes in my professional life.
I really felt seen and understood by Fiona - she is an insightful, empathic coach who listened to my frustrations and made visible the issues I couldn’t quite identify by myself. I’d highly recommend working with her, and intend to work with her again at the next stage of my career.
Anna Kennedy, Senior Platform Engineer Working with Fiona was incredibly valuable at a time when I felt stuck and unsure what to do to make a change to my career. I knew I didn’t want more of what I had been experiencing, but I was unsure what were things I needed to do differently vs. what was circumstance beyond my control. Fiona helped me identify the patterns behind my frustration and find what was an opportunity to grow
Working with Fiona was incredibly valuable at a time when I felt stuck and unsure what to do to make a change to my career. I knew I didn’t want more of what I had been experiencing, but I was unsure what were things I needed to do differently vs. what was circumstance beyond my control. Fiona helped me identify the patterns behind my frustration and find what was an opportunity to grow.
Her combination of empathy and insightful questions created a space where I could be honest about my self-doubt. She challenged me to see my situation differently and take practical steps forward. I left with greater confidence, a much stronger sense of agency, and a clear direction for what I wanted next - a different level of scope.
Director of Engineering, US I started working with Fiona at a point where I felt stuck and alone — struggling with unclear leadership, constant firefighting and no clear way to influence strategy. Fiona helped me identify the problems and find the opportunities I had to influence differently, including practical ways for me to give our team permission to prioritise the right work. I appreciated her ability to create a safe, practical space where I could be candid about what was getting in my way. I’d recommend Fiona to anyone facing the complexity and stress of engineering leadership – her blend of knowledge, empathy and pragmatic tools is genuinely valuable.
Head of Engineering, UK Recently returned from maternity leave into a promotion, trying to juggle who I used to be at work and the new leader that I was hoping to become, I found myself struggling the most I have ever struggled in my professional career.
From the moment Fiona and I met I felt comfortable. I felt challenged and pushed to think differently, but it was always a positive, thought-provoking experience. I wasn’t sure what to expect, or how I would find time to fit this in, but the day-to-day changes came a lot more naturally than I imagined. Most of the practices I could use in the moments they were most needed, and that was when they really made the difference
Recently returned from maternity leave into a promotion, trying to juggle who I used to be at work and the new leader that I was hoping to become, I found myself struggling the most I have ever struggled in my professional career.
From the moment Fiona and I met I felt comfortable. I felt challenged and pushed to think differently, but it was always a positive, thought-provoking experience. I wasn’t sure what to expect, or how I would find time to fit this in, but the day-to-day changes came a lot more naturally than I imagined. Most of the practices I could use in the moments they were most needed, and that was when they really made the difference.
My biggest change has been to not only notice that I am going off course, but to be clear on what direction I want to be taking. I am so used to just doing everything for people, but as a leader I need to encourage and inspire people to do things for themselves. I am becoming stronger in my ability to lead people and not just drag them along with me, and the difference this has made in the team has been great to see. Fiona unlocked this potential in me and I recommend her whenever coaching is discussed.
Josie Binley, Delivery Manager, UK [Fiona] created a safe space where I could open up quickly, asked the right questions, and gave practical tools that helped me move from confusion to clarity. I now have a clear two‑year vision, am showing up calmer and more confident in interviews, and can identify the operations‑focused roles that feel true to me. Beyond the practical progress, I feel more grounded, less frantic, and genuinely excited about what’s next. I trusted Fiona from the start and wouldn’t be where I am without her — I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who feels stuck and wants compassionate, results‑driven coaching
Before working with Fiona I felt overwhelmed by too many options and unsure which roles would actually fit me. That uncertainty showed up in interviews, where I wasn’t fully clear on what I wanted. Fiona’s warm, perceptive coaching changed that. She created a safe space where I could open up quickly, asked the right questions, and gave practical tools that helped me move from confusion to clarity. I now have a clear two‑year vision, am showing up calmer and more confident in interviews, and can identify the operations‑focused roles that feel true to me. Beyond the practical progress, I feel more grounded, less frantic, and genuinely excited about what’s next. I trusted Fiona from the start and wouldn’t be where I am without her — I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who feels stuck and wants compassionate, results‑driven coaching.
Laurie Malau, Fractional Chief of Staff, Berlin
Coached by Francis Lacoste
What I appreciated most was Francis’s holistic approach, he doesn’t separate professional and personal development which helped me identify patterns affecting both areas of my life. Our conversations created space for reflection while providing actionable prompts I could implement right away. He integrated tools I was already using, like meditation and journaling, and complemented the therapy work I was doing rather than competing with it. I’d recommend Francis to any leader looking for thoughtful, integrated coaching support!
Sam Ngahane, CTO, Parts Order Thanks to the coaching I have received from Francis, I have gained a new perspective, enhanced confidence in my decision-making as an executive, and greater effectiveness as a leader in managing and navigating challenging situations with my team.
Vanielle Lee, CTO & Cofounder, OdeCloud
Coached by Joel Chippindale (me)
Thanks to [Joel] I took on some experiments in social interactions, and improved my own understanding of what was important to me in both my work and development. With these actions, I landed a new job — moving me in the direction I wanted while also increasing my salary by over 20%.
If you want someone who will just tell you what to do, that’s not Joel. Instead, he will help you uncover what you really want and what is stopping you from getting there, offering suggestions and thought-provoking questions along the way
I cannot recommend Joel highly enough. He is a thoughtful and considered coach who guides you through your own thoughts and limiting beliefs with a sturdy and trustworthy hand.
Thanks to him, I took on some experiments in social interactions and improved my own understanding of what was important to me in both my work and development. With these actions, I landed a new job - moving me in the direction I wanted while also increasing my salary by over 20%.
If you want someone who will just tell you what to do, that’s not Joel. Instead, he will help you uncover what you really want and what is stopping you from getting there, offering suggestions and thought-provoking questions along the way.
Anna J McDougall, Field CTO Joel helped me get out of my own head in a practical, not-fluffy way. We worked through real situations that I am facing in my role. By the end, I wasn’t just handling those situations differently; I was going into them with more confidence.
I finished the programme with a clearer sense of the leader I am (not the one I thought I needed to be), and enough confidence to make a big decision I’d been putting off.
If you’re at a crossroads or just feeling like you’re not operating at the level you know you can, I’d recommend Joel without hesitation.
Aoife McLarnon, Director of Product, Tech and Data, Oddbox Joel’s style of coaching resonated with me and I found our first conversation very engaging, with an healthy dose of challenge. Joel managed to pick up on a lot of nuances on what I was saying. He gently questioned and challenged some of my thoughts and perceptions of myself, and situations around me. Even when it made me feel (physically) uncomfortable, with his help, I was able to navigate my ways of thinking and identify where I was heading into negative thinking/behaviours and adapt my approach
Joel’s style of coaching resonated with me and I found our first conversation very engaging, with an healthy dose of challenge. Joel managed to pick up on a lot of nuances on what I was saying. He gently questioned and challenged some of my thoughts and perceptions of myself, and situations around me. Even when it made me feel (physically) uncomfortable, with his help, I was able to navigate my ways of thinking and identify where I was heading into negative thinking/behaviours and adapt my approach.
In leadership positions it may feel very lonely as you need to be the leader, to guide other people on their own journeys and instill confidence. If you have doubts yourself there may not be a friendly ear to turn to. Joel’s coaching broke down the barriers in my own mind and helped guide me towards your best path for me.
Arabela Silva, Director of Transformation and Product, Ground Control Throughout the journey, Joel encouraged me to reflect and introspect deeply. He would challenge me where I needed to be challenged and he would support me where I needed to be supported - while continuously sharing relevant experiences and insights along the way.
I’ll always look back at this period of my life as a significant turning point in my career and I have Joel to thank for that
Joel helped me identify what I really wanted from my career. He helped me navigate my thoughts, aspirations, and emotions and supported me in transitioning to a new role that aligned much more with my personality, skillset, and overall career ambitions.
Throughout the journey, Joel encouraged me to reflect and introspect deeply. He would challenge me where I needed to be challenged and he would support me where I needed to be supported - while continuously sharing relevant experiences and insights along the way.
I’ll always look back at this period of my life as a significant turning point in my career and I have Joel to thank for that.
Ben Mmari, Founding Engineer Throughout our sessions, Joel’s questions, active listening and advice nudged me in the right direction and allowed me to focus and deliver on more strategic and important issues. He also helped me build some sustainable practices that I’ll keep using to manage myself and my team. Most importantly, having Joel to support me allowed me to grow more confident of my abilities of doing a great job as CTO. I’d definitely recommend any leader going through challenging and stressful times to be coached by Joel
Joel coached me at a very important moment of my career. I had recently been promoted to CTO and had some additional challenges such as leading the product organization and going through an M&A and important cultural and strategy changes. At the beginning of our conversations I was feeling very overwhelmed and worried about doing a great job in my new role and ensuring my team and my company succeeded through all these changes.
Having Joel as a coach was very valuable to me and had great impact on my team and company. As my confidence in my role grew, I’ve been able to better direct my team and we’ve been hitting our targets and constantly delivering value to the company.
Throughout our sessions, Joel’s questions, active listening and advice nudged me in the right direction and allowed me to focus and deliver on more strategic and important issues. He also helped me build some sustainable practices that I’ll keep using to manage myself and my team. Most importantly, having Joel to support me allowed me to grow more confident of my abilities of doing a great job as CTO. I’d definitely recommend any leader going through challenging and stressful times to be coached by Joel.
Camila de Andrade Scatolini, CTO, Sanar What I appreciated most about Joel’s coaching was his calm and thoughtful style. He didn’t just address the symptoms but helped me through a process of discovery to get to the root causes holding me back. He challenged me with tough questions, sometimes to the point where I didn’t have immediate answers and then guided me through frameworks and solutions.
Manogna Machiraju, Head of Engineering Working with Joel has been transformative for my career as a senior technical leader. His unique blend of coaching and mentoring combined with deep expertise helped me navigate complex leadership challenges, guiding me to understand myself better than I could’ve ever imagined in the process.
Joel creates a space where you can think clearly, challenge your own assumptions and discover solutions you didn’t know you already had. I’m endlessly grateful for his guidance, it’s genuinely been life-changing for me.
Priscilla Nagashima, VP Data and AI, Pleo Joel’s coaching sessions were nothing short of exceptional. I felt heard and empowered during these sessions. They made space for deep thinking and were also action driven. I’ve experienced an immense amount of growth as a result of these coaching sessions. I highly recommend coaching with Joel.
Riyanat Shittu, Head of Engineering Joel’s coaching has been genuinely transformative for my career toolkit, giving me the strategies, mindset, and support to not only identify my goals, but a clear path to achieve them. I’ve dialed up my bravery and learned to voice, and even run towards, the things that scare me. Even my friends have felt the ripple effect and benefited indirectly, because his strategies and insights are impossible not to share
Joel has a great ability (that I both love and hate!) to ask the difficult questions and articulate the truths I’ve been working so hard to hide. His approach consistently nudged me out of my comfort zone, but always within a space that felt safe, supportive, and free of judgement. That balance allowed me to open up, get honest with myself, and finally confront what was actually getting in my way.
Joel’s coaching has been genuinely transformative for my career toolkit, giving me the strategies, mindset, and support to not only identify my goals, but a clear path to achieve them. I’ve dialed up my bravery and learned to voice, and even run towards, the things that scare me. Even my friends have felt the ripple effect and benefited indirectly, because his strategies and insights are impossible not to share.
Shana Dacres-Lawrence, Founder, ArchitectHer What stood out most to me was Joel’s ability to gently challenge and guide me toward a clearer understanding of the kind of leader I want to be—and the kind of organization I want to work for. Through our work together, I’ve gained more confidence in my leadership style and a stronger sense of direction for the next chapter of my career.
Sophia Li, CTO It’s no exaggeration to say that Joel has had a deeply positive effect on how I view my career and myself within the tech industry. As an active ally, Joel offered a scholarship which I was lucky enough to receive at a critical moment in my career and offered me a profound turning point.
Before joining Joel’s program, I grappled with low confidence and uncertainty about my future in tech. By the end, I emerged reinvigorated, with clear direction and renewed enthusiasm to tackle new challenges
It’s no exaggeration to say that Joel has had a deeply positive effect on how I view my career and myself within the tech industry. As an active ally, Joel offered a scholarship which I was lucky enough to receive at a critical moment in my career and offered me a profound turning point.
Before joining Joel’s program, I grappled with low confidence and uncertainty about my future in tech. By the end, I emerged reinvigorated, with clear direction and renewed enthusiasm to tackle new challenges.
As a result, I feel much more able to be true to myself and to stand behind my experience and my unique approach so me and my teams can thrive.
Valerie Dryden, VP of Engineering
Coached by Stefan Ross
If you’re looking for a coach who empowers you to find your own way forward, Stefan is an excellent choice. He creates a supportive and non-judgemental space for exploration, guiding you with thoughtful questions rather than providing direct answers.
Jane Saunders, Director of Engineering, Secondmind Working with Stefan has been genuinely transformative. He has helped me not only to navigate my job search but to rediscover confidence in my own abilities that I had not fully recognised.
What sets him apart is his ability to shine a light on the achievements you’ve accumulated over a career but somehow never stopped to acknowledge. He helped me to see the real value in what I have done, articulate it clearly and walk into interviews with a confidence I simply did not have before.
Teresa Reynolds
Coached by Tobi Tonner
It’s been really fantastic to work with Tobi as my coach. Tobi has a remarkable way of asking insightful questions that challenge my assumptions, spark new insights, and help me see things from fresh perspectives.
Through thoughtful inquiry, he empowers me to find my own path forward, rather than just waiting for someone else to give me the answers.
If you want to understand yourself better, and gain clarity on your goals and challenges, I highly recommend working with Tobi.
Nikita Rathi, Engineering Manager, TaxFix
Find out more about our coaching scholarship programme.