About
I’m Rae— an Executive Coach, Facilitator and OD Consultant with over 25 years’ experience in HR, Leadership, and Organisational Development.
I’ve spent the majority of my career in the NHS, working as an HR Business Partner, OD Partner, and System Leadership Development Lead. I’ve led large-scale change, coached senior leaders, facilitated strategic planning sessions, and supported teams through both challenge and growth.
I have Chartered MCIPD professional registration with the CIPD and am an EMCC Senior Practitioner Accredited Coach, and recently adding Emotions Coaching Practitioner to my skill-set —bringing together a deep understanding of people, systems, and emotional intelligence.
But my story isn’t just about titles or roles.
In 2023, after years of pushing through pressure and self-doubt—juggling work, home, and the complex realities of being a woman in midlife—I reached breaking point. Perimenopause, sleepless nights, and the constant noise of never being enough finally caught up with me. So I made a radical choice: I stepped away. I left the security of a permanent role to reconnect with what really mattered.
That decision led me to create Coaching Women to Shine—a space to help others develop and lead with purpose, confidence, and humanity. What began as a space for women to reconnect with themselves has evolved into a broader mission: supporting organisations and teams to build human-centred cultures, grounded in emotional intelligence and values-led leadership.
At the heart of my work is the belief that people are the beating heart of every organisation—and when they feel seen, supported, and aligned with their purpose, incredible things happen.
Today, I work with leaders, teams, and businesses to develop emotionally intelligent leadership, team cohesion, and cultural alignment. My signature Career Radiance programme helps professional women in midlife reconnect with their confidence and clarity—often helping them emerge as more authentic, resilient leaders in their workplaces and beyond.
My approach is:
Curious – I ask questions that help people see what's really going on beneath the surface.
Practical – I bring tools and insights that create real movement, not just reflection.
Grounded – I combine theory with real-world experience in complex systems.
Human – I listen deeply and create safe, honest spaces for learning and growth.
I live in Bath, UK with my two teenage boys and our cocker spaniel. I’m navigating perimenopause, single parenting, and the usual spinning plates of midlife—with plenty of imperfect, glorious messiness along the way.
I believe in showing up as my whole self—whether I’m coaching a senior exec, designing a team away day, or walking the dog in muddy boots. My values are connection, integrity, compassion, and growth—and they sit at the core of everything I do.
If you’re a leader looking to develop your people in a way that feels real, human, and future-focused—I’d love to explore how we can work together.
"One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide"
Brene Brown, Daring Greatly
GET TO KNOW RAE BETTER
The Story of how it all started
Over the last few years, I’ve shared different parts of my story in my blogs. None of them capture everything (that would take a whole book—and even then it would only ever be a snapshot). Because life is never fixed. We grow, we learn, we stumble, we adapt. We become more. We become different.
My story continues to evolve—and so does this website, and the incredible clients I work alongside.
You won’t find perfectly polished, corporate-style blogs here. What you will find is something real: reflections, lessons, and honest insights from my journey as a leader, coach, and human being. They’re written in my voice, with the same mix of curiosity, courage, and vulnerability that I bring into my work every day.
If you’d like to get to know me—and perhaps yourself—a little better, I’d love you to explore my blog page (if you sign up to the mail list you also get coaching prompts to accompany the blog).
Professional Accreditations
