“I came to Sandy seeking clarity during a major career transition. She helped me challenge my existing perspectives and rigorously evaluate my 5-10 years’ goals. As a result, I now feel fully equipped to steer through complexity and lead with a more authentic, purposeful sense of intentionality.”

— Wendy C, Director of Philanthropy, Healthcare Systems

“Working with Sandy was transformative. She helped me recognize strengths I'd never considered and see how I was already skillfully applying them in my career. I left our sessions equipped to handle challenging conversations with my manager and confident enough to pursue the responsibilities I deserved.”

— Vanessa G, Investment Banking

“When I started my coaching journey with Sandy, I was struggling on how to balance my career in agronomy with my passion for entrepreneurship and well-being. Through her reflective questions and guidance, I gained clarity on my goals, improved my mindset, and learned practical tools for balance and self-awareness. As a result, I have started pursuing my entrepreneurial journey with confidence and even co-founded a nonprofit that supports refugee student entrepreneurs in Kenya and Tanzania. Now, I am more intentional, balanced, and confident in pursuing both my personal and professional goals also viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and progress.”

— Atong A, Research Scholar and Entrepreneur

“Engaging with Sandy has been a transformative experience in my professional journey. Her guidance significantly enhanced my confidence and reaffirmed my sense of purpose and direction. Through our sessions, I gained a deeper understanding of my self-worth and learned to celebrate my achievements while continuously striving for personal and professional growth. This has empowered me to serve my career constituency with greater meaning and impact.

Sandy’s thoughtful and objective questioning helped me maintain focus on long-term goals, steering me away from temporary distractions. Her approach enabled me to navigate challenges with clarity and emotional resilience, ensuring I remain grounded and forward-looking throughout the process.”

— Tsabi M, Humanitarian

“I came to Sandy at a time when I felt frustrated and unsure about my next steps. I was going through several personal and professional challenges and needed clarity and direction.
Through our coaching sessions, Sandy helped me shift my mindset and rebuild my confidence.

We worked on clarifying my career goals and identifying the values that guide my work and decisions. The experience was truly transformative. Before coaching, I felt confused and overwhelmed. Now I feel more confident, focused, and clear about my career path. I also have a stronger appreciation for the values and strengths I bring to my work. Sandy’s guidance helped me see my potential more clearly and move forward with greater purpose and confidence.”

— Faisal A, Community Organizer

"I decided to work with Sandy because, after finishing my studies, I felt lost and unsure about my career path — a feeling made worse when I lost my job and struggled to find a new position. She helped me articulate what I truly wanted: my goals, my vision, and how to network more effectively.

As a result, I now have a much clearer sense of where I want to go in the future and how to get there. I went from doubting my previous decisions to investing the time and energy to figure out what I truly want. It's a process, and having Sandy guide you can make all the difference."

— Enrico A, Environmental Specialist

“I have known Sandy for many years, but this was the first time that I worked with her as a coach. She has an incredible ability to listen to a pure stream of consciousness about your dreams, passions, and excited “what ifs”, and help you identify practical opportunities and next steps.

As a lifelong creative, I’ve always thrived on ideas - the more unconventional and out of the box, the better. It is HARD when you love so many possible career paths, start-ups and side hustles. Everything is possible and nothing is off the table. She helps you channel your energy by thinking through these ideas and coming up with a tangible framework to transform them into concrete goals.

What I really appreciated, among countless other things, is that Sandy helped me to see that I had everything I needed to build my next chapter. I love that she always checks in, gives you gentle nudges and shares articles/insights/ideas that are so helpful. There’s never any pressure - just genuine care and support!”

— Leighla B, Senior Strategist, Communications & Social Media

“I came to coaching during a period of uncertainty in my career and life, hoping to gain clarity about my next professional step. What I quickly realized was that the process would help me in a much deeper way.

Through my sessions with Sandy, I gained a deeper understanding of myself, my priorities, and what truly matters to me. Having an experienced and objective external perspective helped me navigate a challenging period with greater confidence and awareness.

The biggest shift has been in my mindset. Rather than feeling stuck or overwhelmed by uncertainty, I now feel more grounded, intentional, and comfortable with not having all the answers right away. The coaching process encouraged me to reflect, challenge my assumptions, and recognize strengths and opportunities I had previously overlooked.

I highly recommend working with Sandy. She is insightful, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in helping people grow. Her ability to listen, ask the right questions, and provide perspective made a real difference during an important period of my life.”

— FG, Language Assistant

"Coaching with Sandy has been transformative in helping me answer the question "What's next?" With retirement on the horizon, I wanted to start uncovering how I might intentionally craft the life I want — and Sandy has been the ideal partner for that work. She brings energy and focus to every session, and I consistently walk away with fresh perspective and real things to think about. Highly recommend her if you're navigating a big life transition."

— Jen H, V.P. Marketing/INTL Sales Orthotic & Prosthetic Manufacturing Industry

“I first came to Sandy at a time when I was questioning my place in the Humanitarian sector and unsure of my next steps. Over the past year, she’s helped me navigate complex work challenges with a mix of honesty, insight, and genuine support. Through our sessions, I developed clearer career strategies, shifted my mindset, and started showing up differently—more grounded and intentional. I used to feel stuck and defeated; now, I feel equipped. confident, and driven for what’s next.”

— Olivia F, Humanitarian

“When I found myself at a crossroad in my career and personal life, a kind friend referred me to Sandy. I was unsure about my next step; I was frustrated and confused. I didn’t know if it was better to stay where I was or make a change — and I felt stuck and drained. 

From our first conversation, Sandy became not only my mentor and coach, but a true ally. In our sessions, she created a space where I could slow down, reflect, and be honest about what I really wanted. She challenged me to think differently, and push myself to ask bigger questions. She is incredibly intuitive, wise and rational. It was because of her coaching style that I reconnected with my strengths, reframed how I saw my experience, and approached my next step with a completely new mindset. 

Working with her gave me the clarity and confidence to pursue opportunities that I previously wouldn’t have. More than that, she really helped me see my own value and strengths. 

I owe Sandy a huge debt of gratitude. I am at a job where I feel challenged and fulfilled. What makes her great isn’t just her experience or wisdom (which are incredibly valuable), but she’s a someone who combines deep listening, genuine care and practical ideas to help you uncover your own best version. And the wonderful thing about Sandy is that she genuinely cares about her clients, and that’s really rare!”

— Sara W, Humanitarian and Development Sector

“I started the company ESPRIT and over the next 20 years, turned it into a global fashion and lifestyle phenomenon. I loved it, but in my early 50s I was getting restless.    That's when I had the great fortune to have Sandy Westlake come into my life. I hired her as my Chief of Staff, but now that I think back on it, she became my life coach. For years, I had worked to make my company ESPRIT a more human place that spread my values of environmental consciousness, social justice and ultimately women's empowerment. Sandy helped me take that passion to the next level and transition from doing that work as a secondary part of my business, to making it my primary focus through the world of politics. She helped in a critical moment of transition in my life to become more involved in what I loved, and helped me be a more satisfied person. That would not have happened without Sandy.    

Sandy has always been that friend you can confide in who can help you think through a problem or goal, but over the years, she has gotten the training, experience and credential to bring that talent to a whole new professional level.

Through skillful encouragement, opening up my curiosity, helping define specific steps, Sandy was able to get me to make the transition I wanted. She never told me what to do, but helped me pull these new talents out of myself. I joke she is like the Marie Kondo of organizing one's life - helping me find my joy. I could not have gotten to where I am without Sandy's insights, skills, and encouragement.

She finds ways to make you believe in yourself and become the person you want to be. I could not recommend working with Sandy more highly, she will change your life, like she did mine!”

— Susie T.B, Founder, ESPRIT de Corp.

“After a successful 35-year career as a leader in nonprofit management and fundraising, I was looking to make a career shift.  I was interested in utilizing my contacts and expertise to help build a new career plan which maximized results in a timely manner.  But after years of helping others realize their professional goals, I was lost as to how to make mine into a reality.

With Sandy's advice and guidance, I have built a clear and concise new career path roadmap.  We organize weekly meetings, have clear objectives and actionable items and along with Sandy's advice, I am building a strategy for success that would not have happened otherwise.  

My online sessions with Sandy have given me the structure I need to realize my professional and personal goals.”

— Peter P, Non-profit Executive, Senior Strategic Advisor & Author

“A colleague recommended Sandy to me when I mentioned that I was advised to apply for a new job but I was unsure if I should.  One trial session is all it took for me to sign up. Throughout our sessions, Sandy helped me get inside my head; to identify and then to articulate my priorities for my career and in life.

Speaking to her renewed my sense of confidence, as she unearthed advantages that I was forgetting I had. We came full circle at the end of our six-month period, when I took on a new job – a step up in my career. What’s great is that she continues to send me bits of info and articles and checks in on me to remind me that advancing my career is not done when the opportunity arises, but as consistent rituals turned into fun habits.”

— Tanya J, Communications Specialist, the United Nations

“I first got in touch with Sandy early in my career, when I was just starting out as a freelancer and didn’t really know how to navigate things. Thanks to her expert understanding of the job market, and her ability to support, understand, and motivate, I slowly found my direction. Over the past year, after several sessions with her, I’ve become more structured in my work, more confident, taking on new projects, managing clients better, and building a stronger professional network. It’s been a challenging path, but also a really fun and enjoyable one, thanks to Sandy’s good vibes and personality.”

— Lorenzo M, Freelance journalist and TV Writer, Media Industry

“I first connected with Sandy during a time of uncertainty, when I was struggling with anxiety and trying to make sense of what the future might hold. As an introvert, I had always viewed social media and networking with hesitation, but Sandy helped me see them as spaces for genuine connection rather than obligation. She also helped me realize that my lifelong dream of having a home was really about finding peace and belonging, not ownership. Her warmth and insight have been a constant anchor, helping me embrace change with calm and confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone on a similar journey.”

— Sadhana M, Regional Lead, Asia Pacific, Emergency Response

“When I signed up to work with Sandy, I was stuck in my job search. I wasn't even sure how I could benefit from coaching but from the very first session I felt sparks of motivation that built momentum as we worked together. It was powerful for me to hear my own voice reflected back through Sandy as she carefully listened, highlighted and connected themes she was hearing from me. From our work together, I felt new energy to take baby steps in my networking and to better articulate my enthusiasm for my work as I connect with potential employers.”

— Rachel G, Family Support Specialist, Healthcare

Feeling stuck and not sure what to do next?  Should you take on that new project, change jobs, or just figure out which way to turn?   That's when you need to work with Sandy.   I did.   She is an excellent coach – warm, skilled at listening, and really insightful.  She helps you dig deeper, get focused, take action step by step, and ultimately figure out what you want, but didn't even know what that was or how to pull it off.   Invest in yourself, Sandy will show you how.”

— Doug H, Filmmaker 

“I have been working with Sandy as my coach for over a year and a half now, and it has been transformative. From our very first session, Sandy created a session that felt safe, honest, and deeply thoughtful. She has this incredible ability to listen, not just to what I’m saying, but to what’s underneath it, and gently guide me towards clarity.

Her coaching has helped me navigate some complex decisions, stretch into new challenging roles, and stay grounded during moments of uncertainty. Sandy doesn’t push; she partners. She asks the kind of questions that stay with you long after the session ends, and she always brings a calm, steady presence that makes even the toughest conversations feel manageable.

What I appreciate most is how real she is. There’s no pretense, no formula, just a genuine commitment to helping me grow in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. I’ve come away from our work not just with better strategies, but with a deeper sense of who I am and how I want to lead.”

— Rushini P, Climate Resilience Specialist