Carole Stizza

My personal biography/journey...

Supporting a military spouse and family around the U.S. for 26 years I was fortunate enough to have a wide variety of leadership roles and exposure to diverse cultures, organizational needs, and interesting bosses. Because of that, I’ve coached top leaders in IT, Security Software, Health care, Government, and Finance. On top of getting to work with people at every level of the ladder, I have survived 3 car accidents, traumatic losses and injuries, serious cancer, and still found a way to lead through each to embrace the life I love. Leadership is not a title; it is within your character to be the leader others will gladly follow at every step of the way up.

My professional/coaching journey...

Coaching brings forth my understanding that we each get up every day trying to be our best. And that is not as easy as it sounds simply due to the culture and society norms we grow up embracing. Coaching executives and emerging leaders, I challenge outdated thinking from trying to be someone else to shift perspectives and embrace leading, connecting, and building teams from a place of authentic energy. This allows each to excel exceptionally well. We all can lead from where we are, if we know who we are, at our best.

Four succinct words or statements that describe my strengths, engagement with my clients, or passions as a coach...

Strengths: I connect the way people naturally think to the actions needed to rethink and embrace where they want to be, at work and in their life.
Passion: We are all unique and want to be successful, yet we measure ourselves by things that don't matter and try too much to be like someone else - I am passionate about changing that.
Clients: My clients consistently share how they love the way I listen because I challenge them with alternate perspectives that are relevant to seeing their situation with new eyes.

Four words or succinct statements that describe my unique approach to life or recreation...

Be kind, it matters.
Have great goals that are specific for YOU.
Have no expectations from those you cannot control.
Be open to what life shows you - you may find the life that shows up, is better than you ever imagined in the first place.

My education and certifications...

• Bachelors of Industrial/Organizational Psychology - George Mason Univ.
• Masters of Industrial/Organizational Psychology - Colorado State Univ.
• Professionally certified coach (PCC) via International Coach Federation (ICF)
• SHRM-SCP - Sr. Certified Professional via Society of HR Management
• Certified Strength Finders Strategist via People Acuity
• Certified in Meyers Briggs Indicator
• Certified in Key Polarity Index

My community involvement...

• I have offered coaching for non-profits in D.C. via ICF - 'Food for Others' to facilitate the success of their emerging leaders (2021).
• I was a volunteer coach to coach health care professionals at the height of their pandemic burn out in 2020.
• I have successfully mentored two Young Entrepreneurs within the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce 'YEAH' program - both won first place to compete nationally (2018, 2019).