Coach Spotlight: Coach Alexandra

This week we welcome Coach Alexandra! A seasoned Org.Development and Talent Management executive with over ten years of global experience. Certified in embodiment coaching, and recently accredited as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Coach Alexandra specializes in working with leaders and expats across a range of sectors including start-ups, NGOs, and international corporations. Welcome Coach Alexandra!

1) Where did you grow up and what are your favourite childhood memories of living there?

I was born in Vladivostok, Russia, a major port city in the Far East, located just a few kilometers from the Chinese border and across the sea from Japan. When I turned 11, my family and I moved to Saint Petersburg, which was nine hours away by plane and seven hours behind my friends back in Vladivostok due to the time difference. Even though we were still in the same country, life was very different. I believe, moving at a young age definitely helped me adapt faster compared to my parents.

One of my fondest childhood memories is walking with my parents along the city embankment in Vladivostok: feeling the fresh sea breeze, catching the scent of fish in the air, and eventually arriving at the local seafood market. There, you could find an astonishing variety of freshly caught seafood like crabs, shells, calamari, and octopus—all right in front of you. To this day, I haven't encountered anything quite like that experience in all my travels!

2) You're now based in Colombia, a place I have always wanted to visit! Which places would you recommend someone visit when coming for the first time?

Colombia is truly a magical place! It's the first country where I've felt I don't need to leave to go on vacation. The diversity here is astounding: landscapes, cultures, climates, food, traditions, and people – it's all so rich and vibrant.

If you're visiting Colombia for the first time, start your journey in Villa de Leyva. This charming town is known for its preserved colonial buildings and quaint cobblestone streets. It played a crucial role in Colombia's fight for independence, adding historical richness to its picturesque setting. Next, dive into Colombia's coffee culture in the Coffee Triangle, surrounded by green farms and breathtaking scenery. Finally, explore Cartagena's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, with its colonial architecture and Caribbean beaches.

These destinations will give you a taste of Colombia's diversity and leave you wanting more. I bet you'll be planning your next trip back before you even leave!

3) I understand you volunteer with Internations, an expat global community. Can you tell us a little about that?

As a Newcomers Ambassador in Bogota, I'm like the unofficial tour guide to the city's expat scene. Picture me organizing meetups and monthly get-togethers where I introduce new arrivals to the best spots in town, from where to buy the freshest bread to uncovering hidden gems you won't find in guidebooks. Back in Nicaragua, the Internations community was my lifeline, making me feel less like a fish out of water. So, when I landed in Bogota, becoming an Ambassador was my way of paying it forward and keeping my mission alive: helping expats and global professionals on their journey.

And it's not just about finding the best empanadas or the top salsa clubs. I also share practical tips, like navigating local bureaucracy or insider visa advice that most expats overlook. After all, nothing beats feeling like a local in a new city, armed with all the insider knowledge to make life easier.

4) Can you talk us through your professional career in Learning and Development, and Organizational Development roles?

My career began in sales and event management, but I later transitioned into international recruitment. It’s hard to recognize what comes naturally to you. It took me some time to realize that managing team dynamics and creating an appealing internal brand were skills that stood out to others. For me, it was just, "I don't know how I do it; I just do it. Doesn't everyone?" Training and enabling my team was something that happened effortlessly.

From 2010 to 2014, I worked with AIESEC, an international NGO focused on developing leadership skills in young people. This experience made leadership topics quite familiar to me.

In 2015, I moved to Nicaragua and started working with a local leadership coach who aimed to expand his practice to more corporate clients. This was my official introduction to the world of coaching.

In 2017, I was headhunted by a large international corporation to build and lead a Learning & Development function for their Nicaragua office. I spent a few years with them, eventually overseeing LATAM and Caribbean regional strategy and local focuses for nine countries, impacting +25K employees.

In 2022, I took on a new role in Organizational Development in the same BPO industry. As the Head of OD, I was responsible for the end-to-end employee cycle, including learning and development, engagement and retention, corporate culture, DEI, talent management, performance management, and internal benefits for 5 offices in Nicaragua and Colombia, while designing a strategy to open a new markets in Latin America.

From 2021 onwards, I have cultivated a parallel path as an independent organizational and talent consultant. My goal is to help individuals and businesses tackle complexity and cultural challenges, delivering personalized support for sustainable, long-term success.

5) You've just been certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as a Professional Certified Coach - Congratulations! Why do you feel accrediting bodies such as the ICF are important in coaching?

I believe It’s crucial. It sets the standard. It protects clients and coaches.

I've been on my professional coaching journey for nine years now, but it wasn't until three years ago that I fully committed to pursuing ICF credentials.  I felt "coaching" had become a very fashionable word used to describe any activity when people don't know what to call themselves. I was asked whether I do "mushroom  coaching" or "angel coaching" (YES, it happened for real and SEVERAL times). I was compared to "LinkedIn coaches" who help you write your CV or facilitators who do corporate trainings. I felt the urge to differentiate myself and let my credentials speak for themselves.

Anyone can call themselves a coach, but not everyone can say they're an accredited ICF coach. Having ICF credentials signifies that you've put in the work and know your craft. Comparing an ICF coach to someone without accreditation (assuming they're even doing coaching, as it's not guaranteed) is like comparing a Harvard graduate to a graduate from a local university.

It's crucial to set this standard not just for the sake of credibility but also to protect both clients and coaches alike.

6) Drawing from your experience in talent management , what insights have you gained about leveraging coaching as a tool for talent development?

In 2018, while pursuing a post-graduate degree in coaching, I focused my research on integrating coaching and mindfulness techniques within corporate culture and leadership development. Simultaneously, in my role as the Learning & Development Lead at a multinational corporation, I oversaw employee training, upskilling initiatives, and leadership pipeline management, providing a practical testing ground for my theories.

From this experience, I discovered that coaching significantly drives business success. In my study, 80% of employees recognized its impactful role. Half of them reported that coaching helped them build more trusting relationships with colleagues, and 73% felt more confident and assertive in expressing their ideas.

My experience shows that coaching not only helps individuals grow but also fosters a more collaborative and empowered workplace culture, which ultimately leads to organizational success.

7) You've worked across diverse regions like Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, India, and Russia, how do you incorporate cultural sensitivity and awareness into your coaching approach when working with clients from different backgrounds?

I'm mindful of my language and communication style, adept at reading between the lines and understanding the cultural context of my clients. I recognize how deeply rooted cultural traditions and upbringing might influence their decision-making and values. Often, simply bringing this observation to my clients' attention elevates their self-awareness, helping them recognize aspects of themselves that have been ingrained and overlooked, much like fish unaware of the water they swim in.

But ultimately, working with clients from all corners of the globe takes coaching to a whole new level. You can't assume anything. The key tools become being fully present and genuinely curious. It's like embarking on a journey where every encounter enriches your understanding, challenging you to adapt and grow alongside your clients.

8) How do your coaching methods provide guidance and support to female leaders in traditionally male-dominated environments?

In supporting female leaders in male-dominated environments, I emphasize the use of embodiment tools in my coaching approach. These techniques are effective because they help clients immediately embody their desired state, making it feel achievable rather than just imagining it.

As a Certified Embodiment Coach, I've noticed that women often start by talking about what they want to avoid instead of focusing on their ideal situation. This tendency shows the importance of shifting from reacting to proactive envisioning. Embodiment coaching grounds clients in the present moment, guiding them to articulate and embody their desired future with clarity and confidence.

I've noticed that I introduce embodiment techniques to female clients much earlier and more frequently in our coaching process.

9) You also work with expats leveraging your firsthand experience living in 5 countries and working with over 20 cultures. How does coaching in a business context help your clients to smoothly adapt to their new workplace?

Why do I work with executives and expats, two seemingly different audiences? Because at the end of the day, both must navigate high levels of uncertainty and complexity in their lives and careers. Succeeding in these contexts demands the same set of skills: ultimately, it’s about reinventing yourself without losing your identity.

10) Can you provide examples of tangible outcomes or success stories resulting from your coaching? 

1. A young woman entering an executive role in a predominantly male-dominated industry initially doubted her abilities and struggled to find her place. Through coaching, she gained confidence, improved stress management, resilience, and conflict resolution skills. These enhancements empowered her to lead effectively through critical business transitions, demonstrating strong presence and leadership in the boardroom.

2. After a 3-year long maternity leave, this client struggled to find any direction and self-belief. With coaching, she regained focus and clarity, successfully transitioning into a more fulfilling phase of life by starting her own marketing agency. This transformation allowed her to rediscover her professional identity and achieve personal fulfilment.

3. A musician achieved a significant creative breakthrough through coaching. Learning to tap into emotions and translate them into inspired compositions with newfound ease and efficiency, this client experienced a transformative shift in their creative process and artistic expression.

11) Lastly, for companies considering executive coaching, what are some key considerations or indicators that suggest their employees could benefit from engaging with a coach, and what should they expect from the coaching process in terms of structure, outcomes, and time commitment?

For coaching to be effective, personal motivation and commitment are essential from the individual seeking coaching. If your employees are content with their current situation and processes, coaching may not be the best fit. However, in any other scenario, I would be happy to meet and discuss how I can support your team. 

My standard coaching proposal includes 8 one-hour sessions, spread over approximately 3 months. We start with an Intro session to align expectations and goals. Throughout our engagement, I conduct mid-term and final assessments to monitor progress. I provide additional resources, exercises, and practices tailored to their needs. I also offer preparatory materials to help clients make the most of our sessions and encourage reflection on the insights gained.

Thank you so much for joining us Coach Alexander and for all the insights you shared! To book a coaching chemistry session with Coach Alexandra, or to learn more about the full range of services BOLDLY has to offer, contact connect@boldly.app

About the Author:

Lisa Singh is an Australian, living with her family in the beautiful South Pacific. As Coach Business Partner Lead for BOLDLY, Lisa's team screen and onboard coaches onto our global marketplace, then enable the matching and engagement process so that coaches can do what they do best: deliver exceptional coaching journeys to our coachees. In her role with BOLDLY she loves meeting top coaches and promoting their work for a win:win. Connect with Lisa here.