About Me
Hi, I’m Jess
Two fun and unique facts about me:
Although I’m from France, my first name is English and my last name is German! My mum liked the idea that her children’s names reflected our European background. I like it too. 🙂
I’m a Child Of Deaf Adults (CODA). Both my parents are deaf.
The long overview
Where I come from
I grew up in a little town near Lyon, France. I assumed I would find a job close by, settle down and have a family on my own. It did not take me long to realize that I did not fit in my own life vision. Things did not feel quite right. I had no idea what it was but I wanted “more”.
The more looked like traveling at the time. So I traveled. First for my studies, then for work, then for fun, then for self-discovery. I worked in Dublin for 15 month, and I was exposed to a life I could not have imagined. Again, I wanted more, but this time, I was clear that more was about pushing my own limitations and beliefs of who I was and what I am capable of. I left for Toronto in 2011, and lived there happily for 10 years (and where I met my husband).
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
What I learned about Leadership
I view leaders as relationship experts. By empowering those around you, you make people feel seen and valued, and when that happens, they will step up. Your leadership will be contagious and more leaders will be created. I really believe in what Simon Sinek says: “The greatest contribution of a leader is to make others leaders.”
The first friend I connected with in Toronto, played the role of a leader for me. He is still a very dear and close friend of mine. He taught me about climate change and about our impact in the world. He encouraged me to volunteer and supported my attempts to step into something bigger for myself. After trying out a lot of environmental grassroots and organizations, I chose and settled with Sustainability Network, whose mission is to strengthen environmental nonprofit leadership for collective action.
“The greatest contribution of a leader is to make others leaders.”
How I embraced a new career
Toronto has not only offered me great relationships, a safe job and opportunities to develop environmental leadership. It also gave me coaching. My coaching journey started when I felt stuck in a job where I didn’t feel fulfilled anymore. I hired a career coach to gain clarity on what my purpose was, what I want to do with my gifts and talents, what my gifts and talents were, but most importantly of all what did I really really want?
After my work with the coach, I knew I needed to change careers and I knew I wanted to help people. Great, but what does that look like? I continued to dig deep, looking for what was possible. It became clearer and clearer that coaching was a path for me to explore. I enrolled in courses and certification at Coaches Training Institute (CTI) a worldwide renowned coaching school. I loved it. I felt at home and aligned with myself, my values and the way I want to show up in this world.
It is a lifelong journey, and I am still working on myself. I am continuously growing into my better inner leader and creating and implementing new beliefs that are serving my life goal to live a wholehearted life.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ”
My top values
Clarity & Curiosity are the top values I live by!
My purpose in life is to live a life and work with quality. In everything I taste, smell, touch, say, think and do, I’m trying to keep in mind, “where is the quality?” - quality in my behavior, for me, it means, do I take care of my partner, friends, family, colleagues, clients, well?
“The quality of your life ultimately depends on the quality of your relationships . . . which are basically a reflection of your sense of decency, your ability to think of others, your generosity.”
What I enjoy doing
I’m very grateful for enjoying what I do for a living! I love coaching, mentoring and training!
As an experienced coach with over 1400 hours of coaching, I work with leaders and individuals to help them gain clarity, courage and confidence to empower themselves so they can live, love and lead as they are.
I specialize in personal and leadership development, resilience and emotional agility.
I coach and mentor in my private practice and I’m also a leadership coach with BetterUp, EZRA and a wellbeing coach with Modern Health.
I train and mentor coaches with the Institute of Coaching Studies.
I collaborate with clients from various industries around the world and have worked with many of the top Fortune 100 organisations.
How I do it
Passionate about brain stuff and neuroscience, my coaching is anchored in evidence-based frameworks, somatic techniques and values and strengths based tools.
I approach all my sessions with a holistic mindset. I coach YOU as a whole and resourceful human being. It helps the people I work with to feel at ease right away and that it’s okay to be vulnerable in our coaching space - it’s safe. We’re human and we’re imperfect and that’s perfect that way! Also swearing is okay!
My style is often described as warm, empathetic and fun. I like to use humor while diving into deep introspection work. I like to challenge my clients on how they think and why they think that way.
Coaching Qualifications
Completed ACE Coach Accelerator™ course (8.5 hours) developed by David Goldsmith and David Peterson
Received a certificate of participation for 2 days training on Self-Compassion and Emotional Resilience with Kristin Neff, Phd
Completed The Neuroscience of Change course with the Coaches Rising (21 hours)
Trained in HOGAN, PROFILOR and Six Second Brain Talent Profile assessments.
Certified Professional Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) with over 1500 hours of coaching experience
Certified as a Co-Active Certified Professional Coach (CPCC) with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) (200 hours of training)
Hold a certificate in Applied Neuroscience from the School of Neuroscience (24 hours of training)
Received Daniel Goleman EI+ Continuing Ed certificates on Foundational and Relational Skills of Emotional Intelligence (40 hours of training)
Hold a certificate “Coaching for Motivation” on Motivational Interviewing with BetterUp and Dr. David Rosenberg (7.5 hours)