Mark Levy

BUSINESS UPDATE! ✨ I realized recently that I have been working full time as an executive coach for over a year now! A year ago had already completed my first chapter at Hudson and was already taking on new clients. In honor of my first full year+ in business, I wanted to share some exciting milestones and what I’m looking forward to in the coming months: -- In my first year in business, I have already worked with over multiple DOZENS of clients I have coached folks in a myriad of industries, including tech, finance, design, consulting, health care, academia, non profit, and more and my clients have ranged from Product Managers to designers to entrepreneurs and executives to CEOs and everyone in between. 🤩 -- I was the first person in my entire Hudson cohort to achieve ICF certification! No small feat IMO ;) 🚀 -- While most of my clients come from referrals, I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into my updated website (catalinafries.com), including my SEO strategy and I’ve already received several clients who found me directly through Google search. 💻 I'm opening up the floodgates! As a coach, I have discovered what I have spent my entire career helping others discover: my own strengths and my purpose as a professional. I was born to do this work and I can confidently say that I know I am an *exceptionally good coach*. It feels good to say that and I will continue to work to help every single one of my clients arrive at that same feeling for themselves. I am absolutely committed to my clients having a remarkable experience in working with me and I’m proud to have collected such amazing feedback already. So what’s next: -- Group Coaching: I offer group coaching through the Peer Advisory Group which has been a huge success. I will be launching my own group coaching cohort later this year. If you are interested, reach out. Spots are limited and are expected to fill up fast. -- Expanded consulting work: My Learning & Development experience isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be taking on more work as an L&D consultant, Fractional L&D leader, and facilitator. For serious inquiries, email me at [email protected] -- Mentorship: I offer limited spots for highly motivated Latinas in Tech who would like to be mentored by me as they build their careers. I've loved doing this and hope to take on more! -- Content development: I’m working on developing content for various platforms, including here on LinkedIn, on Substack, and eventually a podcast. Stay tuned and follow along. To all who have been a part of my journey this year, thank you! 💙 If you or someone you know is looking to work with a Hudson-trained executive coach, lets chat. https://lnkd.in/gMqRyUjW

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✨ Looking for Personal Growth or Clarity? Let’s Work Together! ✨ Hi everyone! As I work toward earning my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), I’m offering coaching sessions—either remote or in-person near Pasadena. If you’re: ✅ Navigating a career change or transition ✅ Working on personal or professional goals ✅ Struggling with balance or clarity in life …I’d love to support you! To get started, I’m offering the first two sessions for just the cost of a cup of coffee ☕. After that, we can discuss rates that feel fair while helping me meet my certification requirements, which need to include mostly paid hours. I’m also happy to chat more about what this would look like if you have questions or are just curious. Coaching is completely confidential and tailored to your needs—whether personal or professional. If this sounds interesting, or if you know someone who might benefit, feel free to comment below or message me directly. Let’s grow together! 🌟 #Coaching #PersonalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #FreeAndPaidCoaching

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LISTEN: Ep. 228 How talent drives value in private capital by McKinsey & Company Hot Take: Big T talent needs a repertoire of intentional initiatives to be retained. 25% say their leadership inspires them 56% say their leaders are mildly or highly toxic 75% say their boss is the most stressful part of their work Key Takeaways: 1. Strategic Talent Acquisition and Retention: The discussion underscored the critical role of sourcing and retaining top-tier talent in achieving value creation goals within private capital-backed companies. Effective talent management is pivotal in driving organisational performance and ensuring sustainable growth. 2. Leadership Excellence through CEO Alpha: Marla Capozzi, a partner in McKinsey's Boston office and founder of CEO Alpha, shared insights into how exceptional leadership contributes to outperformance. CEO Alpha is an initiative aimed at delivering superior results for private company CEOs and future leaders, highlighting the importance of leadership development in value creation. 3. Evolving Talent Strategies in Private Capital: Dr. Claudy Jules, formerly a partner in the Washington, DC office and a leader in McKinsey's private capital practice, discussed the dynamic nature of talent strategies in the private capital sector. His perspectives shed light on adapting talent management approaches to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Talent remains a key value driver in portfolio companies, and effective talent management not only enhances operational performance but also ensures sustainable growth and a competitive edge. https://lnkd.in/eAAaB3an #PrivateEquity #TalentManagement #ValueCreation #LeadershipDevelopment #AfricaGrowthLLC

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It’s an honor to have been recognized among these extraordinary executive coaches. Following my own career as a Global C-Suite and Executive Team leader, I’ve been a specialist coach to C-suite, executive management and talented leaders making quantum leaps in their careers for 20 years. An extraordinary personal and deeply spiritual journey paralleled my career in finance, honing my intuition and inspiring my passion for authentic contribution through actualized leadership, What underpins a good leader? They know that change starts with them. To make positive evolutionary change, derive inspired outcomes and transform your own world in ground breaking sustainable ways, there is one thing we must inherently understand - change happens from the inside out. https://lnkd.in/ghwKqvyb

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I'm excited to share a recent conversation with Peter Winick on the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast. 🎙 In this episode, we explore: -- The power of live, interactive learning vs. pre-recorded training content --> More than 9 out of 10 employees prefer live.   -- Why we need to change the definition of who a "corporate trainer" is and can be --> there are too many amazing experts overlooked in this market simply because they don't have "corporate trainer" on their LinkedIn profile. -- Solving the "content curation" problem instead of the "content creation" problem for People/HR/L&D teams who can't keep up pace with the demands of today's workforce. -- The future of Electives, including our AI-driven approach to aligning business objectives with necessary skills and classes to achieve goals. #CorporateTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement #FutureOfWork #AI https://bit.ly/45TxmXX

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Is "quiet quitting" quietly sabotaging your team's performance? In this video, we dive into why disengagement is more than just a trend—it’s a critical leadership challenge. Learn how shifting employee expectations are changing the way we lead, and get practical strategies to stop quiet quitting from derailing your team. We also have an upcoming Influential Leader Workshop starting October 7 where we’ll dive even deeper into these challenges and equip you with the tools to re-engage your team and boost productivity. Don’t miss out—check out the video and secure your spot using the link in the comments!

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When I tell people layoffs and overhiring can be avoided, they expect wizardry. I guess you can say that’s one way to describe “resource management”. Peloton's recent leadership changes and layoffs serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of resource management in any organization. By ensuring employees are in roles that suit their skills, constantly seeking undiscovered talent in the existing workforce, companies can avoid unnecessary turnover and financial strain. It's a clear example of how working smarter, not harder, is key to long-term success and stability. #ResourceManagement #Skills #Workforce #Layoffs

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Go listen to this convo with Patrick Lencioni and Jason Jaggard on the Beyond High Performance podcast!

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"Our CLO just told me we need to pilot a new skills program in less than 2 weeks." 😟 That's what a global talent leader recently confided in me, their voice shaking a bit with stress and overwhelm. Maybe the requests you get from stakeholders are unreasonable—this one certainly was. My client knew it, and so did I. But how you handle these situations can make or break things for your company, not to mention your career. What’s an effective path when you find yourself in this situation? ☕ / Get space: Resist the urge to react immediately. Take a step back, even for 30 minutes, to calm your mind and get centered. Use this time to reflect on the root of the request and your emotional response. 🧑 / Find a "friend": Seek out a trusted colleague to discuss the request and understand its real intent . Often, the underlying business objectives that the senior leader is trying to accomplish, even if the timeline or specifics are off-base, are actually quite right. Get clarity on the core problem they want to solve. 📒 / Develop a "back of the napkin" plan: Consider "what must be true" to create a practical path forward. Frame everything from the business's perspective - ask how you can balance their needs with what's truly possible. Jot down a high-level plan that you can present. 🖥️ / Speak with your stakeholders: Share your thoughtful plan, including what you believe is feasible and the potential risks. Present an alternative timeline or approach you think has a better chance of succeeding. Avoid flat-out rejections and instead focus on constructive problem-solving. Remember, as a talent leader, you are being called to step up and demonstrate leadership - not just comply with unreasonable demands. Your expertise and judgment are valuable, so don't be afraid to use your voice. You may still find yourself in a tough spot, but your response will reveal a lot about your leadership abilities – not to mention the senior stakeholders that you’re betting this chapter of your career on. Use unreasonable requests as an opportunity to show YOURSELF why you're the right person for the job. 💪 With the right approach, you can navigate these tricky situations and learn about where you’ll want to head in the future. #Leadership #ExecutiveMindset #TalentDevelopment #TechTalent #PeopleFirst #TalentStrategy #FutureOfWork

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Ever wondered how to transition into a C-level executive role?? For so many talented leaders, getting to that next level isn’t just about more hard work; it’s about strategy, positioning, and timing. Here are some critical steps to transition into an executive role: 1️⃣ Build a Strategic Network Connect with other executives and influencers in your industry. They often know about openings before they're posted. 2️⃣ Strengthen Your Personal Brand Make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume scream “executive material.” Highlight achievements that showcase vision and leadership. 3️⃣ Gain Cross-Functional Experience The best C-level leaders understand various facets of a business, so seek out roles or projects that broaden your perspective. Moving into the C-suite is a journey that requires planning and finesse, but the rewards are worth it. 🌟 Does it helped? #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CLevelRoles #CareerGrowth

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If you're great at a lot of things, you might be unsure about what your unique value proposition is. But you have a unique opportunity — to build a portfolio style career. In my workshop, "How do you package your unique expertise into a portfolio style career?", I teach audiences concrete strategies to help you articulate what you know into a unique selling proposition that will motivate your customer to take action. Learn about this keynote — and my others — at https://lnkd.in/e69EH-Bm #leadership #keynotespeaking #portfoliocareer #entrepreneurship 

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The POWER of Grace. As entrepreneurs, we focus on hustle, strategy, and growth, but how often do we think about grace? Studies show that leaders who practice grace foster more engaged and productive teams. According to research from UC Berkeley, compassionate leadership improves employee well-being and increases loyalty, leading to greater organisational success. The Biblical definition of grace is "Undeserved Favour." It cannot be earned, it is freely given and not given so as to receive. TODAY I AM ASKING EACH READER TO BLESS SOMEONE WITH AN ACT OF GRACE. JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN. Grace in business means handling setbacks with calm, treating others with respect, and leading with empathy. It’s not just a personal trait – it’s a leadership advantage. The strongest leaders are those who navigate challenges with dignity and support others along the way. How do you bring grace into your leadership style, even in the toughest moments? Please share your moments of grace below. #Leadership #EmpathyInBusiness #CompassionateLeadership #Entrepreneurship #EmotionalIntelligence 

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Open Org are looking for 500 of the worlds most progressive, passionate, pioneering people + culture builders as we continue to expand our intentionally capped community! Who should be in here? 👀 ✔ It's for you if... 👉 You're in a People & Culture role in-house 👉 Startup/scale up, roughly 20-1000 employees (not a deal breaker!) 👉 You want unreal levels of support, advice, guidance, on how to design, build, embed progressive ways of work 👉 You have a 'give back generously' mindset. You want to learn but you also want to contribute 👉 You're fed up with culture being de-prioritised by the business 👉 You believe transparency is the #1 level to pull to build org health ❌ A few reasons you might not like it here... 👉 You dont love engaging on Slack (We also use Notion, Gitbook, Luma, Zoom) 👉 You're take, take, take. We need folks who are prepared to give back generously and help others + we do a bit of co-creation from time to time! 👉 You're looking for traditional HR / People advice, or purely ER/Legal support We have 3 core community values here: 🖤 Give Back Generously 🖤 Be Excellent To One Another 🖤 Learn In Public These are about giving your time to others that lack time, resources & support, lifting others up, building confidence and giving reassurance & validation; something that most solo people leaders don't get, and also being brave enough to ask for help, learn out loud and lean on others. 🎁 Some of the things you'll get out of this... 👉 240 (& counting) of some of the best humans in People & Culture, in your corner, ready to help at a moments notice. 👉 Me & John, always online (Always!) to help, soundboard, advise over slack or coffee ☕ We are at your service. 👉 An incredible knowledge base across Notion & Gitbook which just keeps getting better and better 👉 Genuine connections with people you start to get to know properly because we're so small 👉 Monthly roundtables; recorded & shared too 👉 Monthly guest speakers. People Leaders, not thought leaders or pitchy platforms. I'm talking folks like Jessica Z., JooBee Yeow, PhD, Thomas Forstner, Jenn Bouyoukos, Luke O'Mahoney and some others planned! Ok, so this isn't a job ad, but I try to think a little like that when looking for people to join this community. We're being selective, targeted, and want to attract & repel the right people here. If the above gets you nodding, you should apply: www.openorg.fyi/community We'll be waiting in our little corner of the internet 🙂

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This NYT article deeply resonates with my experience as a therapist-turned-executive coach. As a therapist, I left behind a prescribed framework that over time felt too narrow and rigid. However, I carried with me a deep understanding of how the self develops and how early experiences shape core aspects of our identities, sometimes limiting our adult functioning. What I love about coaching is that it allows me to use this knowledge to help people see themselves more clearly in their roles and environments. This clarity fosters growth that benefits both their external goals and their internal sense of identity. Garry Tan, president and chief executive of Y Combinator, speaks to this when he says, “A lot of startups die not because of technical or engineering reasons but purely people reasons”.  Tan blames most of those ‘people problems’ on how deeply a startup “penetrates the self”. Jerry Colonna refers to  this same phenomena as the “conflation of start up and self” where a founder's self worth and identity becomes overly tied to the success or failure of the business.  There is so much tied up in these dynamics and it’s a lot to navigate alone.  It’s always harder to have perspective on these complexities when you are spinning in the middle of them. As a couples therapist, I often told my clients that their relationship serves as a powerful vehicle for personal and spiritual growth. By choosing to approach it this way, they could elevate their entire partnership experience. I now bring this same principle to my coaching practice. Every executive and entrepreneur encounters complex systems and dynamics that present challenges, but these challenges also offer opportunities for growth. By embracing them, one can achieve both personal fulfillment and professional success. The conversation about therapy versus coaching is one I am passionate about. I am thankful for this article and the doors it opens. #executivecoaching #foundermentalhealth #entreprenuermind

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A few weeks ago, I shared here about the wicked problem the disgraced former CEO of Steinhoff, Markus Jooste, faced that drove him to suicide. In my latest blog, I share what we as leaders who also face complex, systemic problems can learn from his situation. Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/dz2ftiSM

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It's hard to believe that it's been eight years since I embarked on the incredible journey of Executive Coaching, beginning at the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute Some days, it feels like a lifetime; other days, reconnecting with a kindred spirit from the Berkeley tribe makes it feel like just yesterday. The lessons I've learned—and continue to learn—about myself and others throughout this experience have been truly transformative. It's a journey that constantly inspires and motivates me, witnessing the countless ways people are empowering one another to be their best selves. It's a testament to the power of coaching, inspiring individuals to discover their own unique gifts and live out their purpose. 🦋 The accompanying photo showcases how one can find kindred spirits worldwide who will continue to inspire you. For instance, Agnes, my morning running partner at Berkeley, hails from Hungary and is a former Olympic gold medal swimmer. A few years after Berkeley, she shared her wisdom with my competitive swimmer son, and he still remembers some of her words: "Always have three goals ahead of you." My son was 9 then, and he found it astonishing to think that even after winning Olympic gold medals, one doesn't rest on one's achievements. This has led to many conversations about how we try to remain open and committed and persevere to become our best version, even when we miss the mark on what we had hoped to achieve. Remember, each of us carries a unique gift that only we can share with the world. Your contribution, no matter how small it may seem at the time, can have a significant impact. And we may only know how much impact it will have many years later! If you're inspired to share something uplifting, I'd love to hear it! Your story could be the spark that ignites someone else's journey. #inspiration #coaching #executivecoaching #goals #purpose #CoachApril🦋 #berkeleycoachinginstitute

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In conversations today, a curious trend seems to be creeping into our collective mindset. When asked about work, we often hear, "Not that bad."     But is "not that bad" good enough? We all need to make this decision for ourselves but consider this: instead of asking if things are "that bad," ask yourself if they're “good enough”.     The “not that bad" paradigm might provide temporary comfort, but it can prevent us from pursuing our true potential. Instead of settling for "not that bad," strive for a life that's genuinely fulfilling. After all, you deserve nothing less than the best for the next 20, 30, or 50 years of your life. Create a life you don’t want to escape from.  Don't wait for things to get "bad enough" before you act.    https://lnkd.in/gEj5egKs 

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Thrive through adversity with resilience and authenticity! Find out how to develop your inner strength and lead with authenticity in my latest interview for Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI), Social Impact Review by Betsy Schwartz. I shared insights on building inner strength and resilience. We talked about how I fought a life-threatening illness and what a miracle it was that I made it out alive. A terminal illness can be a tough but valuable teacher. There were many challenges I had to overcome by focusing on each small step forward kept my vision alive. After learning how to be back on my feet again, the journey to building a solid foundation began, and in my next chapter, I thrived as a forward-thinking CEO. My hope is that by sharing our stories, we can lift each other through life's challenges. It was fun and inspiring to reminisce about how I turned setbacks into stepping stones and carved my path from adversity to success. Challenges don't define us – they refine us. I'm grateful to Betsy and the entire team at the Harvard (ALI) Social Impact Review. View the Article >>> https://lnkd.in/gVPk8TpR #AuthenticVision #BusinessAdvisor #GrowthMindset #EmpoweringLeaders #CEOAdvice #Priorities #RiseAboveAdversity #ShirinBehzadi #doingwellbydoinggood #AdvantageTroughAdversity

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