Laura Bennett

My personal biography/journey...

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and attended college at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I have one older brother and a large extended family in Chicago. I sang in high school and in an a cappella group in college, and music has always been an important part of my life. Both of my children were born in Chicago (I have a 11 year old daughter and an 8 year old son) and we now live in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and have been here since 2015. I have also been divorced for several years. I enjoy being outdoors hiking and skiing, and especially on my paddle board in the summer. I also enjoy cooking and sharing food with people I love, reading, and singing and playing music with my children. I value authenticity, deep connection, adventure, health, and family.

My professional/coaching journey...

I am an experienced leadership coach and facilitator who empowers my clients to lead more consciously and create transformational change in their leadership and life. I bring a genuine, compassionate, and straightforward approach to create a safe and trusting space for individuals to deepen their awareness and feel challenged to take meaningful action toward stepping into their full selves and potential and achieving their goals. I am also the co-founder of Her Brilliance, a company dedicated to accelerating the development of women leaders through a group coaching approach. I have a coaching emphasis in women’s leadership, strengths-based leadership, building self-confidence, deepening emotional intelligence, and creating balance. I also leverage my organizational development and change management expertise to help clients navigate transitions and uncertainty with clarity and confidence. Coaching builds upon almost 20 years of experience in leadership development, talent management, organizational effectiveness and corporate communications in the both the corporate and non-profit sectors, across industries including restaurant, professional services, technology and international education. In that time, I served as a trusted advisor and coach to senior leaders and teams, designed and led group coaching experiences, managed and facilitated leadership and team development programs, and led the strategy and execution of organizational brand, communication and change management efforts.

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

• Compassionate, genuine and straightforward approach to building a safe and trusting space
• Balance of deepening awareness of who you are becoming, with courageous action toward your goals
• Co-designed, empowered relationship and experience that meets individuals where they are
• Supporting individuals to step into their full selves and potential

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

• Be present, in the moment, life is precious
• Spend time with people and doing things that create meaning
• Always lead with compassion, heart and seek to understand
• Find and live with a sense of purpose

My education and certifications...

• Professional Certified Coach (PCC), from International Coaching Federation (ICF)
• Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) from Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
• Certified Practitioner of the Leadership Circle Assessment
• Bachelors in Science from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

My community involvement...

• Volunteer career coach for the Mom Project, an organization that connects women seeking careers with women-focused companies
• Member of ICF Colorado
• PTA and Parent Coordinator at elementary school