From COO to Coach: Turning Workplace Challenges into Success

My career has been a journey of resilience, leadership, and growth. From running operations as a COO to leading teams nationwide as a National Director, every challenge pushed me to level up. Now, as a professional life coach, my mission is to educate others on navigating workplace dynamics with confidence and clarity.

Embracing the Challenges of Leadership

Being a COO meant wearing many hats—driving strategy, improving operations, and keeping teams aligned across different departments. It was exciting, but it wasn’t always easy. Managing diverse teams, balancing competing priorities, and handling workplace conflicts came with the territory. But one of the biggest challenges—the one I didn’t see coming—was navigating microaggressions.

These subtle, often unintentional comments or actions had a profound impact on my ability to perform at my best. Rather than allowing these experiences to diminish my confidence, I used them as opportunities to develop strategies for resilience and effective leadership.

Turning Pain into Purpose

As I moved through my career, I realized I wasn’t alone. So many professionals—especially women and people of color—face the same struggles. The more I had conversations about workplace dynamics, the more I saw a massive gap: People needed real strategies, real support, and real solutions.

That’s when Konversations with Karis was born. I took my background in psychology and leadership, combined it with my certifications as a Professional Life Coach, and created a platform to help professionals and organizations tackle workplace microaggressions head-on. Through workshops and seminars, I now empower others to navigate these challenges and thrive—not just survive—in their careers.

Coaching with Compassion

As a certified Master Life Coach, my coaching approach blends practical tools with emotional intelligence. I equip individuals with strategies to protect their mental well-being, maintain professional composure, and leverage workplace challenges as growth opportunities. Whether working with students preparing to enter the workforce or seasoned professionals seeking advancement, my goal is to instill the confidence and skills necessary to turn obstacles into stepping stones.

Lessons for the Journey

If I’ve learned anything from my journey, it’s this: Challenges don’t have to break you—they can build you. Facing microaggressions, navigating tough workplace environments, and pushing through self-doubt only made me a stronger leader.

To anyone going through similar struggles, know this: Your experiences have power. You can take what was meant to shake you and turn it into the very thing that propels you forward.

That’s the heart of Konversations with Karis—helping others embrace their power, find their voice, and step into the careers they deserve. My journey from COO to life coach is proof that with resilience, purpose, and strategy, success is always within reach.

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Have questions for Karis? Book a free consultation with Karis here.