My Leadership Story

We all start with a story. Mine begins in a small, steel industry town in Pennsylvania, where I was born with an inclination toward radical authenticity… but found the social climate wasn’t conducive. As a child, I learned to go numb, shielding myself from the pains of growing up. With one exception: dance. When I was moving to music, I felt fully alive. Dance was my Joy, with a capital J.

By the end of college, I had started down the path I vowed I’d never take.

Having been told I wouldn’t make it in the “real world” if I pursued a heart-centered career, I went after a degree that I didn’t love, but hoped would help me “get ahead.” Luckily, my gut gave me the message I needed to hear.

After several years on this track, I started to wilt. It was all I could do to drag myself out of bed on some days. In a stroke of inspiration (that scared my family and re-lit a fire in my soul), I decided to leave and spend a year living in China, in search of a deeper sense of meaning in my work. Something greater was calling to me.

That move was the beginning of a pilgrimage that, in many ways, I am still on today.

It was a journey toward wholeness, with a goal of re-awakening the flame I knew in my younger days as a dancer. Through a series of fortunate events, I landed in San Francisco, teaching leadership development at a kick-ass boutique firm… and getting re-acquainted with my physical body through the practice of conscious dance.

Today I am committed to helping leaders and teams thrive, by stopping the energy leaks that lead to burnout and poor performance. I support my clients to embrace the deeper values that feed them, body mind and spirit.

I believe that we are all here to experience the richness of life. I believe in not compromising between success and well-being. And I believe that means using our bodies well, in order to serve a purpose that is deeply meaningful in our daily work. Hearing the call requires today’s leaders to listen to the inner wisdom that gets drowned out by should’s and obligations. I support leaders to find meaning and build energy through powerful mindfulness practices, coaching, and a deep willingness to trust the wisdom of their own bodies.

In my opinion, success is not just about looking good or grasping for the next promotion. It’s about dancing with the circumstance, and living our legacy one day at a time.

I really appreciate LeeAnn’s style of support. She has a depth of emotional knowledge and experience, and gets things on many levels. Her approach makes me feel really comfortable laying it all out on the table. I don’t feel I have to hide who I am when I work with her. I also don’t have to explain a lot to her. It’s as though she’s already got me, even before I start talking sometimes. Since our work together, I’ve stopped making myself run a marathon every day, and started recognizing that I want to enjoy today. I’ve started making myself the most important thing in my life… even when it means I have to say “no.”

Lee Pope, Small Business Owner, Virginia

LeeAnn’s coaching style is very direct yet compassionate. Through her coaching, I learned the real meaning of empathy and opening my heart while improving my work life balance. She also helped me in defining the leader I most want to be, re-sparking my passion, and gearing up for a role change.

Cetin Duransoy, Fortune 200 Financial Institution

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