Hi, I’m Will.
I’m a leadership and career coach who helps thoughtful professionals align their work with what matters, navigate change with clarity, and lead authentically—combining performance with purpose.
Calm attention. Clear structure. Real growth.
My Coaching Philosophy
Work takes up a big part of our lives. The most meaningful careers bring together direction—staying true to your values—and energy—doing work that lights you up. Pursuing that can feel daunting; I’ve been there myself. Coaching offers a steady way to pause and reflect, make sense of your context, and break down obstacles. We’ll clarify what matters, co-create a growth plan, and chart a path that fits who you are, so the work you do feels more alive and more your own.
My Path into Coaching
I’ve spent nearly 15 years in consulting, including international assignments and graduate study, working inside complex systems and diverse teams. The throughline was consistent: I lit up in the conversations where people made sense of change and took steps that felt true. During graduate school, my own experience of being coached made something clear: the questions I cared about most weren’t side interests; they were the work. I trained in Integral Coaching so I could bring both a business lens and a human lens to these conversations. Today I partner with thoughtful professionals to align work with what matters, navigate change with clarity, and lead authentically. I bring calm attention, useful distinctions, and practical structure so insight turns into momentum.
-
I’ve built my career in consulting, spending fourteen years supporting complex projects and global teams. I loved learning across functions and cultures, from long-term assignments abroad to graduate study at Berkeley Haas. Along the way, a pattern emerged: the moments that stayed with me weren’t deliverables—they were the conversations where someone found clarity, courage, and a next step that felt true.
During graduate school, I worked with a coach for the first time. That experience shifted something. I realized the questions I kept returning to—purpose, values, how to show up as myself—weren’t side notes. They were the main story. I trained in Integral Coaching so I could meet people in the full context of their lives and help turn insight into habits that hold.
Compass & Flame began as a reminder during my own transition. Compass is discernment and direction—your values and the path that makes sense for you. Flame is energy and aliveness—the felt sense that your effort matters. Bringing direction and energy together is still the heart of my work: calm attention, clear structure, and simple practices that translate reflection into movement.
Today, I coach thoughtful professionals who want meaningful work and a sustainable life. We slow down enough to see what’s true, and we build capacity one practical step at a time.
The Compass & The Flame
The Compass stands for orientation and discernment. It is your values and the direction that makes sense for you.
The Flame is energy and aliveness. It is the feeling that your effort matters and your work lights you up.
Compass & Flame Coaching began as a personal reminder during my own transition. I had chased big goals, like living and working in China, and later felt my priorities shifting. The throughline was still there: curiosity, adventure, and helping people back their own calling. Today, I help clients bring direction and energy together in a way that feels real and doable.
How I Work
Coaching is a partnership that looks at the full context of your life—not just the immediate problem. We work in a clear rhythm:
-
We start with where you are—what fuels and drains you—and name the deeper themes at play.
-
We design a simple guiding framework and tailored practices that fit your goals and reality.
-
You try things in real life. We review what happens, learn from it, and refine the plan as new insights emerge.
This isn’t about advice or quick fixes. It’s a structured way to uncover new insights and build capacity for lasting growth.
Why Work with Me
Whole-person lens, real-world edge.
Integral coaching meets enterprise experience to bring the right context to your goals.
Calm, trustworthy partnership.
Clients feel seen, supported, and usefully challenged—never judged.
Perspective that unlocks action.
Distinctions, insights, and practical actions that make complex situations clearer.
Sustained growth.
We build habits that fit your life, then keep refining as your context evolves.
14+ years in consulting, including global assignments in Shanghai & Adelaide
Equity and belonging leadership at KPMG and Berkeley Haas
Business-proficient Mandarin, two-year rotation in Shanghai
Ethics, confidentiality, and psychological safety are key
Credentials & Experience
Integral Coach®, New Ventures West
MBA, UC Berkeley Haas
Master of Information & Data Science, UC Berkeley School of Information
BA (Hons) Economics & Chinese, Davidson College
I coach to bring direction and energy together—your compass and your flame. We focus on what matters, design simple practices, and keep refining as your insight turns into sustained momentum.
A Little More About Me
I live in Greensboro, North Carolina with my family. I care about community, good questions, and work that moves people forward. Outside of coaching, you’ll find me running, biking, cooking, and exploring great coffee. I am available for coaching via video for clients throughout the US (and the world), or in-person in the NC Triad.
If any of this resonates, please get in touch for a 30-minute chemistry call to find out if working with me is a good fit.