TESTIMONIALS
Working with Tara
"Tara’s coaching style is transformative. We set clear objectives for our time together and made measurable progress in areas of leadership, presence, and work-life balance. Her work helped me grow in confidence, create the space for proactive strategic focus, and gave me new ways of thinking that have changed me for the better."
Meghan Hertel, Director, CDFW
“Tara listens to her clients, hones in on the key spoken and unspoken issues, and offers an array of practical, easily implemented tools to address the root causes. Because of my work with Tara, I have experienced a profound shift in how I manage my time, how I support my team, and the way I feel about and approach challenges.”
Pete Skala, Energy Division Director, CPUC
“Tara’s coaching was truly transformational. I have more confidence in my coaching skills and more clarity in where I want to take my career. I now feel empowered to advocate for myself on both a professional and personal level. For the first time in my almost 20 year career I feel really great about where I am and where I’m going.”
Elizabeth Yura, Deputy Supervisor, CalGEM
“Tara helped me develop a leadership style that aligns with my values. Her coaching was highly attuned and tailored to my needs, helping me discover new areas for growth along the way. I was fortunate to meet Tara at a critical juncture in my career, and I'm confident I will draw on her teachings for years to come.”
Andrew King, Deputy Director, CA Office of Data and Innovation
"Working with Tara is such a gift! Whenever I shared challenges that seemed insurmountable, Tara used her tools, strategies, and resources to help me shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Her guidance helped me grow in my confidence, as well as strengthened my leadership and ability to trust in myself."
Chanell Fletcher, Deputy Executive Officer, CARB
“Tara’s guidance has been transformational, strengthening my leadership by helping me become more a present, responsive, and balanced person. She is insightful, strategic, constructive and always honest. It’s not an exaggeration to say that my career and life are now different, and much improved, thanks to Tara.”
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, CA Natural Resources Agency
1:1 Coaching
“Tara’s coaching was truly a life changing experience for me. The insights she offered have been lasting and help me become the best version of myself. She is an informed advisor and her breadth of knowledge, fantastic listening skills, and objective approach always left me excited for our next session together.”
Natalie Krout, ISD Director, CDFA
“Tara’s coaching was instrumental in assisting my transition to executive management. She provided tailored, practical insights and recommendations covering a wide range of everyday challenges in personnel management, strategic planning, and building a strong culture.”
Brian Brown, Chief Financial Officer, DTSC
"Tara’s honest feedback and practical, action-oriented style helped me make immediate progress on evolving my approach to solving problems more centered on my values— lessons I have taken even outside of the workplace. My time with Tara was a life-changing gift.”
Courtney Prideaux Smith Principal Deputy Executive Officer, CARB
“I benefited remarkably from Tara’s mastery of leadership coaching. Every hour had a measurable impact on my efficiency and effectiveness as a state employee and leader. Her coaching is an investment that translates to many more hours of time and money saved at the individual and group level—truly exceptional.”
Kannan Krishnan, Assistant Deputy Director for Scientific Programs, OEHHA
"Tara’s coaching has been truly transformative to me as a leader. She helped me create bandwidth to focus on my own priorities in my work. Tara gave me the tools to not only address the challenges I was having, but also to feel like I have a strong foundation to navigate challenges that will come.”
Laurel Firestone, Board Member, CA SWRCB
"The modern workplace is chaotic and demanding. Tara helped me reset with concrete steps to bring my authentic self to work and maximize my positive impact through leadership.She doesn’t shy away from hard truths and honest feedback and challenges you to be the best version of your professional self. I am so grateful to have worked with her!”
Tony Andersen, Executive Officer, BOF (Forestry & Fire Protection)
Group Training
“The Trusted Leader Course enhanced the meaning, efficiency, and productivity of my work, creating ripple effects that strengthened relationships and collaboration with staff and partners.”
Madeline Drake, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity, CNRA
“Tara challenged my team to explore new perspectives and approaches that we could then immediately put into practice. This training catalyzed a paradigm shift in how I will approach leadership development in the future, both for myself and for my teams.”
Doug Ito, State Oil and Gas Supervisor, GalGEM
“The Trusted Leader Course provided invaluable insights and knowledge, and Tara’s uplifting energy made the experience even more impactful. I’m leaving the training feeling significantly more confident!”
Xiaoying Zhou, Supervisor, DTSC
“The training Tara facilitated didn’t just help address the immediate issues of shifting to remote work before us; it allowed the division to step back and better structure our communication. The positive outcomes are already apparent across the leadership team.”
Dan Bout, Division Director, CPUC
“Tara has helped me and my team grow tremendously through multiple training programs. She is exceptionally talented in working with people, listens carefully to identify needs, and thoughtfully puts together customized workshops to help individuals and teams develop new perspectives and truly grow.”
Barzin Moradi, Branch Chief, CDFA
"I can't say enough great things about Tara’s training style, materials, and knowledge of the latest concepts and best practices. Was a huge amount of knowledge transfer to myself and my other team members. Thank you so much Tara."
Eric Jenkins, Chief, FI$Cal