fbpx

I help founders and executives grow their self-awareness and emotional intelligence so that they can lead from a place of authenticity, curiosity, and JOY.

Data Speaks

Since you’re here, you probably know — like me — what the data says.
And I bet we’re both passionate about tackling it in new ways.

of our
decision making is
unconscious

and that means that we become better leaders when we lean into our authenticity and playfulness. I’m less interested in your serious, “professional” self than I am in your humanity: being with you in it, speaking truth, and identifying and shifting patterns together

the average person
will spend at work
over a lifetime

so let’s spend it well: being real, following our curiosity, and not taking ourselves so seriously — not only in our businesses but also in our work together

of leaders’
job performance
is attributed to EQ

our work together is based in knowledge that our effectiveness as leaders depends on our body-brain beliefs: those are complex things, which is why we approach them from many angles, using techniques from the International Coaching Federation, accredited coaching (?), as well as ones based in psychology, body-mind practices, social emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and more

There is a 96% likelihood that nothing will change in your organization — until you do.

These clients did — and
here’s what they got out of it

Michelle Yu, CEO, Josie

"Working with Krissie was one of the best decisions I've made for my career.  As a CEO of a startup, there are a lot of ups and downs to manage, and having Krissie by my side as copilot, guide, empathetic mentor and champion was invaluable.  She helped me challenge long held beliefs that were holding me back from realizing my full potential, and helped me build a deeper sense of self-awareness.  I would highly recommend Krissie to anyone who is looking to unlock their potential and build their confidence as a leader and professional!"

Tim Huelskamp CEO, 1440

"Without question, partnering with Krissie has been the single most valuable decision I've made for my well-being. Krissie is the rare breed of strategist and real-world executor/coach.  She has a wealth of knowledge, tactics, and playbooks to help me overcome obstacles both personally and professionally, but also has the soft skills to drive meaningful personal improvement as a human, husband, friend, and company executive."

The leaders I’ve coached have been recognized in many ways

Winner of the 1871
Momentum Awards

Backed by Brookfield
Asset Management

Funded by Google Ventures, Warburg Pincus, DFJ Growth, Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers.

No. 1 in Chicago Crain's Fast 50 fastest growing companies in Chicago

Spoken at

Spoken at:

More About Me

I am on a mission to spark aliveness. To make this world a more
compassionate and conscious place by challenging people to ask HUH?
to get curious about themselves, each other, and the world. To grow in
authenticity. I bring a kaleidoscope of experiences, skills, education, and
most of all…ENERGY to my clients.

My energy, my gift

My whole life people have asked me where I get my energy from. I get it from people. I am finally doing exactly what I want to be doing: using my energy to create spaces for people to be their most authentic selves, for us to get curious together, to play, to question our beliefs, and to do something about changing them.

Global lens

I have worked with entrepreneurs from more than 150 countries, had beliefs about different cultures and religions shattered, spoken on stages all over the world in person and virtually–from Albania to Serbia, Qatar, Lisbon and Morocco. I attended delegations to China and Hungary as a teenager. Both my parents grew up outside of the United States. I took my first flight to Finland, my second homeland, at six months. I speak Finnish, French, and Spanish. I took a year sabbatical to travel the world, and it changed my life.

I understand how embedded our cultural, religious, and ethnic belief systems are. I create belonging wherever I go, and I bring this unique perspective and an anti-racism lens to all the work I do.

Know what really matters

Language matters

I have a degree in English, Creative Writing from Barnard College, Columbia University.

Emotional intelligence matters

I have a second masters in transformational leadership and coaching, which looks at EQ, human potential, and how we transform as humans through six core disciplines: developmental, Adlerian, and humanistic psychology; educational methodologies; neuroscience; and Existentialism. I bring all of this to my clients.

Anti-racism work matters

I launched the DEI committee at the early stage startup after having conversations with more than 20 DEI practitioners all over Chicago. I am in an anti-racism book/ discussion group that meets every other week, and I regularly attend Black facilitator-led DEI, anti-racism, and social justice workshops. I believe it is critical for white people to be doing this work.

Mindset matters

I am always working on myself. I truly believe that a coach can be the biggest block to their clients’ growth if we are not evolving ourselves. I am open about the work I’m doing because I believe vulnerability leads to deeper human connection.

Business matters

My MBA is from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.  

Experience matters

(from startups to Fortune 500 and everything in between). I’ve watched a public company hiccup, contort, and find its way back to its core values after the passing of its founder. I was employee number nine at an early stage startup, joined the leadership team while we raised our Series A, and contributed to 10X revenue growth and cultural shifts as we fit 45 people in the same space that once fit 15. I know what it takes to lead and influence without authority in gigantic corporations, and how embedded norms are.

Mind-body connection matters

I am always researching new modalities to deepen this connection. Alexander technique, myofascial release, breathwork, yoga, energy work are some of the many modalities I have tried.

 I’m glad you asked!

I’ve been boots-on-the-ground at a startup, and I’ve worked with many founders with similar challenges and opportunities.
I’ve been on my own journey of breaking out of imposter syndrome, over-working, and being more truthful in my goals and relationships. 
I have the tools to share with you as a founder and human! In addition to my MBA from Kellogg, my master’s in transformational leadership and coaching provided me with a deep toolkit of resources that lives in my back pocket at all times — resources to build new habits and neural pathways, to become more emotionally intelligent and self-aware, to self-soothe instead of self-beatup, and to evaluate and shift team dynamics.
Here’s the thorough version: https://staging-askhuh.kinsta.cloud/who-are-we/

Startup founders who are conscious of their own mental health and wellness and want to create great teams, culture, and dynamics — as well as senior-level folks who are wary of burning out and looking for more fulfillment in their day to day.
I also specialize in managing co-founder dynamics.

Momentum is 

I practice emergence coaching, which means our work together is not just about work in the C-suite sense ˆ—it’s about showing up as a whole human in all of your contexts and emerging into the next authentic version of yourself. What sets my coaching apart is a focus on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the practice and neuroscience of changing our brains and behaviors.
This whole process is co-creative, which means that I will facilitate a strong process for you by holding space, asking questions, seeing and pointing out patterns and limiting thoughts, making observations (with your permission), and providing support resources. 

My role as coach is to support you, in all of the above ways, in making the changes you want to see.
Your role is to come to sessions as you are with any emotions, thoughts, judgments you may have — or exploration you want to do — with the goal of gaining insights and making changes based on those insights. It’s on you to do the heavy lifting of making the changes you want to see.

At the end of every session, we co-create an assignment or goal or plan to do between sessions, which might look like one or two small changes, intentions, or if/thens for you to practice over the week.

At the end of every session, we co-create an assignment or goal or plan to do between sessions, which might look like one or two small changes, intentions, or if/thens for you to practice over the week.

I am always working on myself. I’m open about the work I’m doing because I believe that vulnerability opens the door for others to be vulnerable, too. I’m also committed to giving back in the spirit of self-development being tied to community and world-development: I give a percentage of proceeds from our work together per year to a nonprofit of your choosing.

Continuity

Sign up for information on free upcoming
workshops, new podcast episodes, and
other fun tools and tricks to ask more HUH of your life!