Testimonials

“Kirsty is a wonderful executive coaching psychologist who brings a calm, grounded presence that makes it easy to connect and engage in meaningful work. She offers practical, high-quality tools that are straightforward to implement and genuinely useful in both a professional and personal context. I would highly recommend Kirsty to anyone looking for thoughtful, effective coaching and leadership support.”

— Chief Operating Officer, Large regulated organisation (as a MindMatters Associate)

“Kirsty was wonderfully adaptable – introducing me to new models and ways of thinking when I had the capacity to engage with these, and also being able to just support me well through some challenging times.”

— Executive Director, Not-for-profit

“Kirsty helped me to look to the future and helped me rediscover and define my key strengths and skills. After many years in one industry it can be hard to know what your core skills and values are. Kirsty was integral in allowing me to understand what I want from my working life moving forward, what is important, what is noise getting in the way and how to strive for my lifetime goals rather than a purely work-based existence.”

— Amanda Merhtens: Operations Manager, Large public service organisation

“I was a returning coachee and came to Kirsty for the second time as I was starting a new job. I could see a number of challenges ahead and knew I would value Kirsty’s coaching along the way. In the end, the transition to the new job went really well. Things moved fast we found ourselves covering lots of topics. It was great how adaptable the program was. We were able to respond to shifting needs in almost every session, which made sure we were concentrating on the most important topics. I made particular progress in the field of creating and harnessing the power of my network, thinking about “gardening rather than hunting”. Thank you, Kirsty, for an enjoyable and enriching experience of growth once again.”

— Matthew Webber: Group Leader RDTI, Callahan Innovation

“Coaching created a space for me to reflect and think, be more purposeful in practices, and helped me make choices. I see the difference and the value in making small changes again and again, so the differences accumulate. The biggest changes are within, and how I now position myself in situations, and the feeling of being enough in those situations.”

— Danni Williams: Director, PwC (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I was new to my General Manager role and didn’t know how to move from TM to GM role and who I wanted to be as a GM. I also wanted to challenge myself to find my voice in senior management meetings and relationships. Kirsty’s vast knowledge and expertise guided me both professionally and personally. Through Kirsty’s guidance and strategies, I was able to increase my confidence, find my voice with management and find my metaphor of who I am as a GM. Kirsty challenged me against dropping down into TM role, and to coach others to do it versus me doing it all myself…. Kirsty was patient and compassionate and supported me with some personal struggles I also experienced over this time. I can’t recommend Kirsty enough, she was amazing.”

— General Manager: Large NGO

“I am particularly interested in women in leadership which was why I chose Kirsty. Kirsty has a deep understanding of gender issues and how they affect women in leadership. She has helped me develop my leadership, my confidence in my own abilities, and inspired me to become a mentor for other women in leadership positions.” 

— Dr Sally Ure: Regional Clinical Director: Te Whatu Ora (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I sought out professional coaching last year because I did not know which direction to take in terms of my next career move, and I needed to improve my self-confidence to lead in the way I wanted. Through the coaching sessions with Kirsty, reading, and practice assignments, I worked on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, speaking up more, finding stretch opportunities and taking on strategic work, evaluating my own strengths and values, and pursuing career options that built specifically on those strengths and values. As a result of coaching, my leadership and work are more visible. I put up my hand for strategic projects and built my network. I am now clear on the type of work I want and love, and found the confidence to secure a new role. I still have lots I want to work on going forward, and I’ll do that feeling more comfortable in myself and with what I have to offer and the value I bring to the table. I really think it has changed my life.”

— Grace Preston: Director of Finance, Medical & Health Sciences Faculty, University of Auckland

“I got immense value from my coaching experience. I have learned a great deal about how to process situations that are tricky to navigate and how to show up in the best way to ensure great outcomes for all. Kirsty is such a supportive, knowledgeable and inspirational coach. She has a gentle, kind and guiding way of imparting her knowledge and is just what I needed at the time. I would 100% recommend working with her to support any personal and leadership growth. I feel lucky to have been able to be paired up with her.”

— Vanessa Kennedy-Casas: Insights Capability Manager, Callahan Innovation (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I’ve had so many insights into how I think and what I do. It changed the way I interact in my role with stakeholders. I have more confidence and would genuinely make changes after every meeting. I was looking for maturity and I think coaching was the best and most efficient way to mature my professional self.”

— Steph Bright: Finance and Operations Business Partner, PwC (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“Before working with Kirsty, I was stuck with a lack of motivation to complete my PhD. Kirsty helped me reconnect with the bigger picture of why I was doing this work and unlocked multiple motivations. After each coaching session, I felt I had some practical tools to work with around managing my workload (including letting some things go) and balancing study with life responsibilities, including carving out space and time to enjoy relationships with others. I would recommend working with Kirsty to anyone who is looking for a coach who listens and is able to work with the primary concern and coach beyond the immediate presenting issue.”

— Amanda Booth: Development Consultant

“I found coaching sessions with Kirsty incredibly valuable. Kirsty helped me see myself in a new light. I was able to look at my role from the perspective of the future rather than just the day-to-day. She also helped me develop great faith in my capabilities and to think bigger than I was currently thinking. I was really empowered to continue being the leader/manager that I wanted to be. I have become less people-pleasing, and more confident in my own management of situations, management, and leadership style and although I remain collaborative in my approach to things, I am more confident in doing so and standing by my decisions as a manager. Kirsty was fantastic, highly, highly, highly recommend.”

— Marcelle Mafi: Charge Nurse Manager ICU, WDHB

“I left coaching actively determined to work with more courage… I am being more bold, saying more, reacting more strongly (rather than just politely) in those discussions. I don’t worry about being wrong in the leadership meetings…. While at times I feel the heat of speaking up, I feel like I am adding more value – having more of the impact of the role.  I get great satisfaction from that, while knowing that the journey continues.”

— HR Manager, ADHB

“The work we did together was hugely impactful on my career and how I work with my team. At the beginning, I was so involved with everything. I’ve learned to delegate, I sit back on things, I’ve been able to prioritise things better, and let people do their job and make their own mistakes.”

— Aimee MacAskill: Associate Director, Campus Life, University of Auckland

“Kirsty was fantastic to work with. At the start of coaching I shared results from the Clifton Strength profiling I had done and from that alone she understood so much about me and my behaviours and tendencies. She gave me great, relevant tools to help deal with my ‘work-ons’, that we uncovered throughout the coaching process. Would highly recommend!.”

— Kylie Williamson: Senior Business Director, Raydar (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I really valued my sessions with Kirsty. Her approach to coaching is so relaxed and at the same time so deep and meaningful. She knows how to draw things out of you, and has such a wealth of knowledge to back up all of her observations and advice with resources or examples. We covered everything in my goals and more. I chose Kirsty because I knew she would push me outside of my comfort zone and that’s what I wanted to learn and grow, and the feedback from my boss noting that she can see the impact the sessions had is the icing on the cake. I highly recommend Kirsty as a coach for leaders and managers wanting to continue their personal journey.”

— Adie Johansen: Community Services Manager, Manawatu District Council (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I got to address issues that I thought were big taboos. I thought that I shouldn’t talk about it and that I had to figure it out on my own, which wasn’t working, and things lingered. I had very open conversations and it was a huge learning curve for me. My confidence has improved in leaps and bounds. Thanks Kirsty!”

— Ashwini Nadarajah: Finance Business Partner, WDHB

“This was my first experience with a professional coach and will not be my last. The coaching sessions increased my general level of self-awareness and got me in the habit of regularly evaluating my goals and progress. I now more openly share my goals and my progress along my development journey. My improved knowledge management has really helped me to maintain focus on big-picture, longer-term priorities and be less distracted by daily events. It has led to more knowledge sharing in my immediate network, to the benefit of everyone.“

— Matthew Webber: RDTI Assessment Team Manager, Callahan Innovation (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I’m now in a great role as service development manager at X. Valued, respected, trusted, and managed by one incredible woman and our CEO. Having a great working life and involved in and leading lots of cool pieces of cross-agency and strategic work.” 

— Michelle Wilkinson: Operations Manager, Specialist Rehab Services

“My team and I really appreciate your ability to get us to focus on what we knew and to see beyond was blurring or confusing our decision making.” 

— Team Coaching: Health Vision

“We often reflect on the coaching sessions with you both individually and as a team. I am seeing the confidence build up. One of the team asked three questions in a row to (a senior leader) in a meeting which she would never have done before. Another team member commented to me later: “Wow, you can see that coaching made a difference with her”.”

— Team Manager, Finance Business Partners: WDHB

“I really want to again thank you as without your support I would not have found the strength to stand my ground with (seniors and contract partners)”.

— National Manager, Private Healthcare Organisation

“Kirsty was very good at meeting my energy and lifting me up when I needed it. She stretched my thinking, without leading me to feel silly or dumb. I felt respected by her but also cared for. The most value came from exploring other perspectives and getting the chance for a fresh and positive conversation. I was reminded that I’m kind, which has actually had a huge impact on my day-to-day life.” 

— Senior Programme Advisor, Crown Research Institute (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“Thanks again for all of the support you have provided me over the past 6 months. I have really valued our sessions and have learned a lot in the process. From here, I go on with a clearer path and some actions that will help me take control of my future career.”

— Director, PwC (as a Mind Coach Associate)

“I have found the coaching a valuable tool to develop confidence and guide me on my career pathway and would recommend it highly to anyone who was offered this.”

— Margaret Rhind, Associate Charge Nurse Manager, Outpatients, WDHB

“There was a really positive response to Kirsty, we thought she made space for people, and ran the online format smoothly. We all really like the fact that she has significant qualifications, and experience in the employment space and that she’s evidence/science based.”

— Team Coaching