Hi, I'm Leslie. I'm so glad you're here!
About Me
I left my long-time corporate job to pursue being a full-time executive, leadership and life coach. I have 20 years of experience in the tech industry: 15 years as a product management leader and 5 years as a Chief of Staff. I have spent years leading teams, managing people and mentoring and coaching executives and leaders of all levels. My mission is to help others imagine and reach their fullest potential, thrive in their chosen careers and live their most fulfilling, joyful and authentic lives.
My love for adventure takes me on an annual journey, splitting my time between Seattle during the warmer months and Lahaina, Maui in the winter with my partner, Eric, and tiny Maltese pup, Thor.
My Background & Expertise
I spent my first 15 years at Microsoft leading Product Management teams. I have a deep understanding of how to identify opportunities in the market to inform product vision and strategy. I am an expert collaborator, adept at influencing across organizational boundaries to deliver complex products on tight timelines without sacrificing team morale.
As a seasoned people manager, I have spent my entire career mentoring and coaching others to help them grow. My greatest gift is my ability to deliver timely, constructive feedback while being direct, clear and kind.
As a Chief of Staff, I leveraged my wheelhouse of skills and expertise to serve as a trusted advisor to CVPs and their leadership teams. I excel at building trust and rapport quickly so I can coach leaders to maximize their effectiveness as individuals and together as a cohesive LT.
I have extensive experience crafting executive communications for high stakes scenarios including global conference keynotes, customer meetings with C-suite execs, and addressing the team with empathy and authenticity during times of instability and uncertainty. Helping my executives navigate COVID-19 and the hybrid return to work is one of the most challenging and fulfilling things I've ever done. I help leaders create an energizing and transparent environment where everyone can thrive.
My Coaching Journey
My entire life I have always wanted to help people and make their lives better. Growing up, this meant volunteering and community service. In my professional career, I did this on a global scale reaching hundreds of millions of users as a product manager putting software into the world. As a leader and people manager, I loved supporting my team and helping them grow and succeed at work while caring for their well-being. But I always felt like something was missing - that I was meant for more.
In 2023, my family was personally affected by the tragic wildfire that devasted the town of Lahaina, Hawaii. Seeing those I care about lose everything was a huge reality check. It cemented for me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. I had been experiencing corporate burnout and stress-induced chronic physical and mental heath challenges, including PTSD from the fire.
I was feeling stuck in a rut and knew something had to change. I had been training to be a professional coach on the side, but always prioritized my day job first. After deep reflection, I decided to take a huge leap. I thought "if not now, when?"
I left the stability of Microsoft to pivot to a career more aligned with my life purpose. I want to help others get in touch with their values and live with more intention. Leslie Chen Coaching was born and I feel like I've found my sparkle again!
My Approach
I am a professionally trained Co-Active® coach, having completed 104 hours of coaching training bolstering my previous experience coaching direct reports as a people manager and executives as a Chief of Staff. My coaching approach is tailored to each individual client. I use a combination of assessments, exercises and one-on-one coaching sessions to help my clients get in touch with their core values, deepen their self-awareness and gain clarity on their goals and priorities. My style is clear and direct, yet supportive and kind. My goal is to empower you and cheer you on, but push you outside your comfort zone to stretch and grow. Together we will co-create a roadmap with concrete steps to get you to where you want to be. I'll be your partner and ally on your journey to help you maintain focus, overcome obstacles and stay accountable.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB) & Women and POC in Tech
I reserve a portion of my coaching practice for women and POC (people of color) in tech. As a child of immigrants and AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islander) female, I understand the additional emotional energy that women and people of color must expend to succeed and can support with empathy and authenticity based on my own lived experience.
I have extensive experience pioneering culture initiatives and led DEIB efforts at scale (Women of Windows & Devices - 3K women, Allyship for 8K employees in the Web XT Division) and led monthly mentoring rings for Asians at Microsoft and Early In Career employees.
I have proven success advising leaders on how to use data driven approaches to drive cultural change in their organizations and attract and retain talent.
Let's talk!
Book a free consultation to chat about how coaching may benefit you.
Leslie Chen Coaching
International Coaching Federation Member
