I partner with tech leaders, managers, and high-level individual contributors to help you focus your energy, navigate tough moments, and build vibrant, quality teams.
What I bring to the table
- A nuanced understanding of what’s needed as a leader: I was VP of a 50-person Experience group at Code for America, oversaw multiple teams working on VA.gov, and ran a consulting business. Read more about how I manage and what folks have to say about it.
- A depth and breadth of tech knowIedge: I’ve worked as an individual contributor in engineering, research, and design, and have degrees in Computer Science and Information Management & Systems.
- A proven record of successful leadership initiatives: I led experience projects related to design systems, accessibility, and multi-lingual design that measurably improved products like VA.gov and IRS’s direct file.
- A focus on internal operations: I’ve built IC and manager career paths, performance evaluation structures, and practice health frameworks. Read more about design ops initiatives I’ve led.
I partner with intentional leaders like you to:
Focus your energy and boost your personal well-being, helping you answer questions like:
- What do I actually want to get done in this role?
- How do I effectively drive the initiatives I think are important?
- What should I focus on this quarter/year in my role?
- How do I stay centered and stable and prioritize my own life and health?
Navigate tough moments in your work or your organization’s journey, helping you answer questions like:
- How do I have tough conversations with my direct reports, peers, or manager?
- How do I support my team through a lay-off, and/or keep my team engaged post-layoffs?
- How do I support my team and organization through a collective bargaining agreement?
Sharpen your team’s purpose, drive, and efficiency, helping you answer questions like:
- How do I accurately measure the health and quality of my team?
- How do I ensure that my team is doing work that matches organizational goals, while not giving up the things that matter to deliver good products and services?
- How do I surface the work my team is doing to the executive level?
- How do I staff my team in an efficient and flexible manner, while still retaining depth of expertise?
- How do I keep my team engaged in a remote environment?
- How do I manage folks with different abilities and neurotypes?
Shawna is one of the most effective operational leaders that I have ever worked with – I have been amazed at how well she moved us toward alignment on even the toughest, thorniest, organizational issues.
I learned so much from Shawna on how to stay authentic and true to myself as a leader and also to stay vulnerable and make sure to prioritize ruthlessly in order to make time for what’s most important, in life and at work.”
– Jenn Thom, Senior Director of Experience Insights, Code for America
My offerings
My coaching offerings are tailored to your specific needs and goals. We’ll work collaboratively to identify your key challenges and develop a customized plan to overcome them. My approach combines practical strategies, effective communication techniques, and a focus on personal well-being.
Types of sessions I offer
Set blocks of sessions
If you’re struggling with a specific topic area, I can work with you to set up a coaching schedule to address this topic within a specific timeframe.
Recurring check-ins
You may want to access a coach at regular intervals. We can meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
One-off sessions
I offer one off sessions if you feel like you just need a coach / hype-person / brainstorming buddy every once in awhile.
Pricing
To make my services accessible to a wider range of leaders, I offer coaching sessions on a sliding scale. Schedule a free intro session with me to learn more.
Interested?
Or, send me a note at coaching@shawnahein.com
