Grace Manley
Leadership and Personal Development Coach
I learned through my career, personal experiences, and by coaching others that many of us know what we should be doing, yet lack the personal strategies, clarity, or support to move ourselves forward. I see this effect magnified in those who experience being the “Only,” a trailblazer by choice or lack of representation, and the “Other,” an outsider whose belonging is questioned internally and/or externally. The “Only” and the “Other” face additional challenges, are held to a different standard than the rest, and their success comes at a greater cost or is never fully realized.
So…what is coaching? In coaching, I leverage my training, education, experience, and ability to hear beyond words to help my clients see themselves and their circumstances more clearly. I partner with my clients to develop the awareness and skills necessary to achieve their goals, influence more powerfully, and command their potential. We start with goals and obstacles that we turn into forward momentum and authentic confidence.
My mission is to help more of the “Only” and the “Other” among us unleash their much needed potential, strengths, and gifts into our world. In addition to coaching, I also facilitate workshops and do speaking engagements that aim to shift the collective wisdom we know → the wisdom we live.
As a result, my clients not only achieve their goals, but the increased effectiveness and fulfillment they develop reverberates across the full spectrum of their lives.
My clients not only achieve their goals, but the increased effectiveness and fulfillment they develop reverberates across the full spectrum of their lives.
Certifications & Experience
International Coaching Federation (ICF) - Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
College of Executive Coaching - Advanced Certified Personal and Executive Coach
Prosci-Certified Change Management Practitioner
M.S Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Former Chief of Staff & Executive Coach, National Security Agency
Why work with me?
As a working mom and young minority leader, I both stumbled through and proudly surmounted difficult transitions and exponential leadership growth. The life-changing clarity and confidence I gained from coaching in my own journey is one I now extend to others. I bring over 15 years of private and public sector experience in which I have often represented much of the diversity on the senior leadership teams to which I have belonged. I spent most of my career feeling the pressure of being the “Only” or the “Other” in most of my professional experiences and I am grateful for having experienced the associated challenges of breaking barriers and navigating impossibilities.
Following several years of private sector experience, I joined the National Security Agency (NSA) where I quickly advanced into executive leadership positions as a GS-15. I served as a Chief of Staff to many of the Agency's most critical cyber operations organizations, such as Computer Network Operations, Defensive Network Operations, and Collection, Exploitation, and Cryptanalysis Operations, and led multi-team staffs with oversight of 1,000s+ global workforces, and managed complex, $20M+ budgets.
My success in the corporate world had much to do with my ability to pinpoint what really matters and develop strategies that deliver results. I understand how to balance the people, structures, and mission to orchestrate meaningful and lasting change and have a deep understanding of the unprecedented challenges leaders face today.
In addition to my professional experience and education, I bring compassion and understanding from my own experiences of not only rapid corporate success and shattering glass ceilings, but also overcoming trauma, harassment, and shame.
I consider it a privilege to be able to work with each of my clients. Choosing me as your coach means you will be seen and supported as you design and begin living the life you choose.
Choosing me as your coach means you will be seen and supported as you design and begin living the life you choose.
Why do I coach?
I believe each of us have immense impact in our respective spheres of influence. The more we tune into our unique gifting and learn how to bring more of our most authentic and empowered selves to our challenges, the greater positive impact we can make together. I want you to influence more powerfully and strategically, and experience fulfillment and joy from living the life you choose.
As a coach, there is no greater joy than when my clients achieve meaningful, impactful breakthroughs:
“Working with Grace has helped me develop a clear image of myself and the direction I want my life to head towards.”
“Grace is sincere and truly finds enjoyment when her clients reach the breakthroughs that are possible with coaching.”
“Grace was so helpful in focusing our discussions and look at things from different perspectives, coming up with concrete ways to achieve my goals. I was able to become a better advocate for myself, leverage my strengths to achieve outcomes, and grow as a person and employee.”
Read more from former and current clients.
GET STARTED WITH GRACE.
Schedule a free 15 minute chemistry call.