Testimonials
“Working with Monica has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I can confidently say that I am thriving because of her coaching.“
I cannot express how transformative my coaching experience with Monica has been and continues to be. Working with Monica has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I can confidently say that I am thriving because of her coaching.
From our very first session, Monica created a supportive space where I felt comfortable sharing my dreams. More specifically, she has a keen talent in both identifying the behaviors that were preventing me from unlocking my full potential. It was like she had a magic wand to uncover the core issues that had been buried deep within me for years.
Through our coaching sessions, Monica guided me through powerful exercises and thought-provoking questions. As a life coach, she held me accountable for my actions, helping me stay on track. With Monica as my coach, I felt empowered and encouraged to persevere through any obstacles that I experienced along my journey.
Thanks to Monica’s guidance, I’ve exceeded my own expectations for what’s possible. My self-image, career, personal and professional relationships have improved beyond measure.
If you’re looking for a dedicated and relentless life coach who is passionate about their clients’ obtaining transformative growth and achieving more in all facets of their life, I wholeheartedly recommend Monica. I genuinely cannot thank Monica enough for the positive outcome of my life.
N. Ly – August 2023
“I always leave my sessions with Monica feeling energized, upbeat and better than when I came.”
Monica has been such a positive addition to my life. She makes a great effort to process my concerns, responds with the utmost care and makes me feel SEEN. She lifts me up and gives me the confidence I need in my personal and professional life. I always leave my sessions with Monica feeling energized, upbeat and better than when I came.
Victoria L. – February 2022
“I would recommend others to utilize her coaching services.”
Ms. Monica is a beacon of light. She helps me in all aspects of my life. She is relatable on many levels. Talking to her is a safe space where I feel heard. Her opinions are always unbiased. She really sees me for who I really am which makes her advice worth trusting. I began talking to Ms. Monica during a turbulent time at an employer and she has journeyed with me and seen me through better days. I would recommend others to utilize her coaching services.
Alexander George
“Monica has been a tremendous help to me and my career”
She has a very clear and authentic vision of what it takes to navigate office life nowadays. Working in the entertainment industry, it has been great to get her ears and advice and see the situation through her insightful eyes.
Thank you so much for your help ! I feel so much more focused and self assured since I have started navigating the leadership journey with Monica!
Gabriela M.
“After my coaching sessions with Monica, she instilled confidence in me that I never knew I could have.”
I don’t have enough words to describe the impact Monica has had on my life.
I had to have a tough conversation with my manager that I had been putting off for months but was too nervous about making a move. After my coaching sessions with Monica, she instilled confidence in me that I never knew I could have. My conversation with my manager went better than I could have expected.
Monica has the perfect balance of being a great listener and encourager while also being transparent and telling you the right things you need to hear. Most importantly, Monica truly cares about who each person is and their hearts. She’ll be your biggest cheerleader and bring the best out of you. I ALWAYS look forward to my conversations with her, and I’m so thankful she is my life coach.
T.L.
“Because of her, not only is my life more peaceful, my work more productive and my relationships much stronger, but I stand a little taller in everything I do.”
Before meeting Monica, I was stressed, overworked and totally out-of-balance. I work in a fast-paced, high-pressure entertainment studio environment, and after the long hours started taking a toll on my health and my relationships, I knew I needed help. Coaching with Monica changed my life. She’s truly a force of nature! Monica helped me right away, guiding me with the effusive vigor and familiarity of a lifelong friend to make simple, achievable adjustments to my habits and thought patterns that resulted in me reclaiming my energy and sense of calm. She challenged me to look critically at my schedule, too, and with her kind but firm and motivating style, I have achieved what I thought to be impossible: more time for me and my family. But most of all, Monica has my back. Because of her, not only is my life more peaceful, my work more productive and my relationships much stronger, but I stand a little taller in everything I do. She’s a champion of champions.
KH
“One phone call with her and I knew she was going to be my coach.”
I tried different titles, none of them seemed to capture the essence of Monica Blake or Queen Mo as I now call her :-).
Before I began to work with her, I’d never done any coaching. But I was looking for a different result in my career journey and decided to give it a try. I needed someone that would understand my fire and know how to work with it without burning me or themselves.
One phone call with her and I knew she was going to be my coach. She’s amazing, so very insightful and just gets it. I’m appreciative of the years of experience and wisdom she brings to the table and the ease with which she guides you towards action.
M.O.
“Her honest approach and genuine support helped me create a pathway to building my confidence, set realistic goals, and formulate steps to reach my optimal potential.”
Working with Monica has been a great experience. She taught me to find my voice and trust in my skills and ability to create the change I want for myself. Her honest approach and genuine support helped me create a pathway to building my confidence, set realistic goals, and formulate steps to reach my optimal potential. Since working with Monica, I have changed my outlook on life, and it has given me the insight and skills I need to continue the journey forward. Thank you, Monica!
B. Moua
“She helped me to embrace a different way of living and I see the results.”
I am incredibly grateful for Monica and her holistic approach to coaching. I first started working with Monica five years ago and have achieved goals in that time that I hadn’t envisioned when I signed up for my first session. She helped me to embrace a different way of living and I see the results. Our relationship has changed over time, but I always know that if I need a sounding board or a reality check I can get that from Monica. I also appreciate her willingness to give so generously of her time and expertise. Thank you for the work you do!
MB, PhD
“Thank you Monica so much for sharing this last 6 months of discussion and discovery with me.”
Thank you Monica so much for sharing this last 6 months of discussion and discovery with me. As we end this journey I hope you know that I appreciate your authenticity, as well as your delivery to get me to think, adjust, and adapt to a plan. So interesting how soon that plan has become exactly the road into stable income in very very uncertain times.
On a personal note, thank you thank you thank you. I am a disabled vet with issues we haven’t even discussed and you working with me in a gentle manner, but assertive way is helping me adjust my telephone etiquette against inner conflicts. With social distancing as our new reality, it’s been invaluable. I like talking to you because you are honest but gentle. Assertive, but flexible. You have the gift to inspire and motivate without trying to influence and persuade.
Janice W.
“Monica is someone anyone would be incredibly fortunate to have in their life and in their corner.”
For over a year Monica has provided outstanding support to me in my personal and professional life. I was amazed by how in our first session she understood who I was, what I was grappling with, and quickly brought insight and counsel that immediately improved my state of mind and state of life. Monica is someone anyone would be incredibly fortunate to have in their life and in their corner. She is positive, encouraging, supportive but, equally important, astute and smart in what she sees and what she recommends. But Monica’s secret sauce is in her how: her greatest gift is that she genuinely cares for and respects individuals for who they are, the value they bring, and the potential they have. I can’t emphasize enough how highly I respect and recommend Monica Blake. She’s someone you’ll want to keep in your personal and professional life as a coach, confidant, advisor, and friend.
Jill Siegrist
Sr. Specialist, Talent Acquisition at Banfield Pet Hospital
“As a result of working with Monica, I feel confident as I take my next steps toward pursuing new career ideas.”
Monica Blake has been an extremely valuable thought partner that I have enjoyed working with as I expand my professional goals. Monica’s vast experience in the area of business and human resources has helped me clarify my vision and think more creatively about my objectives. In addition to being knowledgeable, Monica has a comfortable interpersonal style that is supportive and encouraging, yet straightforward. As a result of working with Monica, I feel confident as I take my next steps toward pursuing new career ideas.
June C. Parks, Ph.D.
Lecturer at University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration
“Monica is an absolute pleasure to work with across all arenas of life and provides a holistic coaching perspective.”
Monica Blake was tremendously helpful to me during a critical period of transition in my life. Not only did she help guide me to take my next key step in my career, she also made me feel supported and encouraged throughout the process. Working with Monica gave me the accountability and confidence I needed to be decisive and take action to propel my career forward.
Monica brings her extensive experience to the table along with a truly empathetic and understanding point of view. She was able to work with me to determine what was best not only for my professional career, but more importantly, my personal life and how to keep my health and wellness a top priority.
Monica is an absolute pleasure to work with across all arenas of life and provides a holistic coaching perspective. This, combined with her upbeat attitude and spirit of positivity and constant enthusiasm, make her an outstanding coach and asset to anyone who is looking for support and guidance in their life. Monica is an absolute joy!
Kate
“Monica’s wealth of experience in corporate America equipped her to guide me strategically and knowledgeably, resulting in outstanding career moves.”
At 38, I was the CMO at Carol’s Daughter. Coming to this role with only media & agency experience, I had unforeseen challenges and growth ahead of me. Monica was my executive coach and a real blessing to my career. She diligently worked with me and counseled me regarding navigating politics and gave me tough love that was invaluable. Monica’s wealth of experience in corporate America equipped her to guide me strategically and knowledgeably, resulting in outstanding career moves. Her words of wisdom were incredibly valuable, and her as an exec coach was THE key to my professional success at the brand and she also supports my work as an entrepreneur! I don’t know where I would be without her.
Olivia S.
Brand/Partnership Marketing Strategist + Educator/Speaker + Yogi
“Monica and I quickly established an awesome rapport on our first phone call.”
From that point on, I knew she was going to be my coach. Since we connected, she has been so real with me, digging into what I was saying and what I wasn’t saying. I appreciate that she can bring me down to Earth when I need to be grounded or give me a boost when I need a little shove. She has helped me to capitalize on my strengths and expand opportunities for improvement. I appreciate that I bring a topic, we discuss it for awhile, and she movies me into action to work towards achievement. It’s been beyond easy to work with Monica, whether it’s biz, personal, or career, she nails it!
Staceylyn M.
Senior Innovation Specialist at EQT Corporation, ACC
“It’s rare to find someone who is able to not only achieve but also exceed your expectations. Monica Blake has done that for me.”
I’ve had the good fortune to have worked with Monica for over 5 years. She has a keen business insight that has aided immensely in my professional/career development. Monica was first referred to me by a colleague when I was competing for a Division Chief position within a University hospital. Her executive development experience along with her knowledge on successfully preparing and presenting oneself for positions of leadership were invaluable. After obtaining the Division Chief position, her vast business and Human Resources expertise helped me in obtaining my Associate Professorship. Most recently, when I identified a need for a mid-career job change, she was there again to assist me in transition planning and execution with awareness of my strengths and opportunities for development. As a result, I identified and secured a highly competitive regulatory position.
Over the years, I have come to consider Monica more than a coach. She is also a friend, whom I would, and do, recommend without reserve.
Sara H., M.D.
Medical Office – FDA Office of Hematology and Oncology Products
“I consider myself very fortunate to be coached by Monica.”
She has helped me to realize my business goals by helping me develop a plan based on my expectations and achievements; and has always been there and available in a supporting collaborative role keeping me committed to my journey.
Peter A.
VP Underwriting at Pacific Commerce Bank
“I have experienced a tremendous amount of growth in various aspects of my life during the six months I have worked with Monica.”
From our first meeting, I learned that Monica pairs a positive outlook on life with strategic planning/thinking to help you do the work necessary to make tangible improvements in your life. With Monica’s support, I have achieved goals that I longed to meet, but really had no idea how to achieve after years of trying.
During our sessions, Monica provides strategies that I can implement on a daily basis that make it easy for me to see if I am making progress or not. While some may scoff at the idea of hiring a career/life coach, I have found it to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I truly feel supported as I take on a major transitional period in my career. Monica has helped me reassess the way I approach tasks and my productivity at work has markedly increased as a result. I also feel a level of satisfaction in other aspects of my life because I am now less likely to get in my own way. I have found Monica to be a great listener and a flexible coach who truly acts like a partner who helps me achieve the goals I have set. In obtaining a coach, I hoped to find the accountability I knew I needed, but I have really gained a new outlook on life.
Marsha B., PhD
Historian, Researcher, and Writer
“I got the job and it would not have happened without Monica.”
In September, 2015, I had been out of the job search arena for 18 years. I found myself in a new market where I had limited referral sources and apparently a less than stellar resume. Nonetheless, I set a launch date for my search and started at the National Black MBA Association National Conference. I had a plan and target companies that I was interested in. My number one target let me know that my resume was my problem and gave me a couple of hours to improve it so they could consider me for a position. That’s when I met Monica Blake. On the spot she reviewed my resume and set out a plan for me to go after the position I wanted. She helped me edit my resume enough to get an initial interview with my primary target and laid out a plan going forward. The work of revising my resume was extremely difficult but Monica refused to lose and encouraged me to do the hard work of getting into the 21st century. Once I was past the second interview, Monica was able to change gears and work with me on my interview skills. She coached me to be able to recognize the various interview formats and how to approach each, depending on what format was utilized. For my third interview, the target used not one, but three different interview types in the same session. Thanks to Monica, I was prepared for them all and was able to pivot right along with them. I got the job and it would not have happened without Monica. Her services were invaluable to this process. She is clear eyed and perceptive, customizing her approach to your individual needs. I feel like she could see the light at the end of the tunnel when I still thought it was an oncoming train! A true armour bearer! I would do it all again if I had to but only with Monica along for the ride!
Trina R.
“What began as coaching sessions to help me to establish my financial independence has blossomed over the years in ways that I never could have anticipated.”
Monica’s support has been integral to my growth over the years, spanning from my transition to living on my own for the first time to my recent successful navigation of the complexities of interviewing for a tenure-track academic position. After receiving her interview training, I became more comfortable talking about my qualifications and achievements in a confident and effective way. Monica’s advice has consistently left me not only better informed and better armed to make sound decisions.
Over the years, Monica has become an important figure to my family. She currently coaches my brother in international business and helped my sister to take the plunge into graduate education. With Monica’s help, they were both able to overcome some major barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals.
Thank you Monica for all your support and guidance. I highly recommend Monica to people from all walks of life.
F. G.
“My career has felt stale for some time, but I had trouble identifying a new path to take. I contacted Monica as part of a search for a career coach.”
This first call was not vague; she asked very pointed questions and we arrived at a new career path that had been percolating below the surface. When I hung up with Monica, I had a plan of action and the reassurance that she’d be available if I ran into trouble. Monica suggested that I do not require ongoing coaching even though she had yet to collect a fee from me (first call was complimentary). That speaks volumes about Monica’s integrity. She is really out to help people above all else.
Pete R.
“Executive Coach Monica Blake has been the answer I needed to guide me through the complex organization of academic medicine.”
You have to have the necessary tools of leadership and ability to make a decision, but making the right decision again and again, requires training through coaching. Thank you Monica for helping me make right decisions with equanimity, where the wrong decisions would have ended my tenure as chair the first year. Managing is as difficult as leading, a skill set not taught in medical school.
Oscar E. Streeter, Jr, MD, FACRO
Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
Howard University College of Medicine
Washington, DC
“Monica helped me to get started”
Changing careers is a frightening proposition. Monica Blake has been a great resource for me in the difficult transition. She combines extensive HR experience with an expert knowledge of human nature to be Coach, Cheerleader and Adviser all in one. Without her help, I could not have applied for my Masters Degree at UCLA nor navigated the complex issues at work to make it happen.
In a time when Human Resources departments have been cut back to primarily administrative functions, Monica can provide her extensive HR background and current consulting work experience to fill in the gaps. I started with a LifeHacker article on hiring a Career Coach for a job change which led me to the Intemational Coach Federation web site where I found Monica. After four years of procrastinating on my career change, Monica helped me to get started and keep going when I had doubts. I will be started work
on my Master degree this fall.
Monica, thanks so much for all your help and I look forward to working with you as I begin my new career.
Sonia C. – Systems Administrator
“In seven weeks, Monica got me on track”
Hi, I am a doctoral student at a Research 1 university and when I contacted Monica I was feeling like my life was in shambles. There were assignments that I hadn’t been able to finish for my classes. There was work that I was way behind on for my job and I was in serious danger of alienating my coworkers. There were so many deadlines coming in rapid succession that I just couldn’t keep up. Worse, my physical and emotional health was deteriorating because I just didn’t have time to take care of myself. I knew I needed a coach—needed one fast—and that even coaching probably wasn’t going to be enough.
I contacted Monica and at the end of the introductory conversation I immediately signed up for twice-weekly sessions. Monica’s ability to listen is unparalleled. She is able to quickly identify the thoughts and feelings that are underneath the words. I’ve had coaches who spend so much time trying to figure out the ‘diagnosis’ that there isn’t much time for the ‘cure.’ This is not the case with Monica. Her years of experience developing the potential of others really showed. She could tell me things about myself that I didn’t know. For example, I was stressed out about a paper that I was writing for my statistics class. Monica said that I’m a person who works things out in my head; that I already knew more than I needed to know in order write the paper. I was doubtful… but she was right! Seven weeks after starting coaching with Monica, I am amazed at how much I’ve accomplished. I successfully completed my classes. My coworkers are happy with me because by the end of the semester I was able to do my part (and even help out one of them). I was even able to meet a deadline for submitting a paper to a scientific journal. Best of all, I am healthier and happier now because my life is on track.
Doctoral Candidate, Cambridge, Massachusetts
“Without [Monica’s] help, we would not have been able to achieve such outstanding results within a very limited timeframe.”
Since the start of the year my associate and I have been meeting regularly with Monica on issues relating to overall work performance and have thus far, witnessed a remarkable transformation. With Monica’s help, we’ve been able to drill down into the issues using real life examples, and to speak candidly about them in a relaxed, private environment.
Like the great coaches, Monica is a keen listener who seeks first to understand before recommending simple, straightforward solutions and providing unbiased encouragement.
I unequivocally recommend Monica to anyone seeking a coach that listens, provides solution, encouragement and support every step of the way, and enjoys helping others. Without her help, we would not have been able to achieve such outstanding results within a very limited timeframe.
Thanks Monica for helping us become better at what we do and who we are!
Thomas S. – Vice President, Sales
“Monica Blake has done an excellent job coaching the cross-functional Team that I came on board to lead.”
She helped turn a relatively low-morale and accountability team to a highly effective and empowered Team that has began to deliver results.
What helped make it happen is Monica’s dynamic personality, her candidness and her ability to tailor her coaching style to individual members’ opportunities/needs. I personally benefited by sharpening my leadership skills.”
Yiota A. – Marketing Director, CPG/Entrepreneur
“I have worked with quite a few experienced leadership coaches over the years and Monica stands out from the others by her direct but highly supportive approach towards personal and professional growth.”
In the past two years, she provided me with high quality “reflective back-talk”, or the plain but often unspoken truth about perceptions others had of me that I needed to face into and address to increase my organizational impact.
This, combined with helping me to more clearly articulate my career goals, enabled me to realize I needed to switch companies to get closer to achieving my goals. Monica is very people-perceptive and knowledgeable about how to improve one’s performance in organizations as well as how to better manage their career. And at all times, I truly felt she cared about me which comes from her caring nature. I highly recommend having a leadership coach and that Monica Blake be that person!”
Steven D. – CEO, Consumer Products Company
“Monica helped me put my life and career back together again.”
Working with Monica I have become a more effective manager, and found my spark of inspiration again. She has helped me remove “career blockers” that no one else has had the courage or insight to share with me in the past.
When I am about to take on difficult interpersonal situations, I consult Monica. She provides clarity to problems and new perspectives, and has given me extremely good advice time and time again. She is clear, concise and courageous enough of a communicator and individual to tell it like it is, skillfully guide me into solving the problem.”
Robert R. – Director Finance
“Monica Blake is an excellent coach.”
I have changed jobs/careers several times in my life, and had always done my own research and made my own decisions – with decidedly mixed results. Monica was extremely helpful in my most recent career/life-change decision process.
She listens well, provides excellent feedback and guidance, and was very helpful in keeping me focused on what was important to me. I am sure that I arrived at a better career decision than I would have reached on my own, and I feel very strongly that it is an excellent decision.
I am very happy I had the opportunity to have Monica as my career coach and would recommend her highly to anyone.
Judith S. – Director Market Research
“Monica is the answer, finally.”
Being diagnosed and treated for ADHD for over a decade, Monica led me in just a few sessions to structure my personal life and my home. She made it easy and at times fun. She partnered with me to create a strategy that I was comfortable with and we agreed to specific actions which were prioritized and for which I willingly took accountability. I got the results I wanted. I’ve had two “professional organizers” visit, but Monica was the best person for me.
She clearly knew how to adapt her sharp business style to meet my unique needs. Monica is an outstanding professional coach with expertise in personal lifestyle and business coaching.
Robin M.
“Thank you very much for your coaching and support.”
It really helped me to achieve my goal!
Cheers,
Bruno R.
Sr. Technology Engineer at Whirlpool Corporation
