Client Story: Roxanne Hori, Executive Coach

Roxanne Hori is an executive and career coach with decades of wisdom and experience in developing leaders - both in academia and in the business world. Referred by my client  Eric Fridman,  Roxanne came to me recently wanting new personal brand images that would reflect her focus on executive coaching at this stage of her career.

She wrote me, "I'm looking to strengthen my brand as an executive coach. Because so much of my career has been spent leading an MBA career center and coaching MBA students on job search and decisions, I’m seen by many as an expert on career coaching (which I am).  

"I also have a lot o leadership experience and have worked with leaders to help them get better at what they do. This work gives me a lot of energy. I’d like to figure out how to get that message across more effectively without giving up on the career coaching front."

Roxanne described her ideal client as mid-career to senior level executives who are thoughtful, self-reflective, and open with a good sense of humor. "My favorite clients are willing to do the deep dive into their motivations, values, strengths and opportunities for self-development.  They are willing to work hard  to be a better leader, have an impact on their organization or to find their next role."

Collecting reflections from colleagues and clients, we explored how Roxanne relates to her clients, what shows up when she does. The words trust, groundedness and listener emerged again and again. On our calls together she showed up as this rock-solid, grounding presence who genuinely cares.

THAT'S what we wanted to be sure to express in her photos.

And since Roxanne is speaking to a business executive audience, we’d plan to lead with her authority, as opposed to her empathy.

I knew immediately I wanted to place Roxanne in a context of stone for its solidity and stability. I found a local gothic-style stone church courtyard with classic open archways.  (Notice how the gentle arc of the window ridges subtly softens any harsh edges. And how the tangled chaos of vines in the background contrasts with the dependability of the stone.) And the light here is stunning.

Roxanne has an exquisite sense of style and picked a vivid blue jacket with a non-traditional cut that works so well with her glasses. So there's another contrast at work here: traditional setting and contemporary wardrobe.

Compelling photography is often the result of just this kind of vivid contrasts.

Needless to say, Rosanne was a powerful presence at our photoshoot one glorious October morning. The result is an arresting authority image of Roxanne's wisdom, solidity, and trustworthiness.

Own your badassity!