Client Testimonials

“Ella solves problems. In 2010, I began working with her on a problem that needed a big solution: how to create a narrative that would be usable for the entire progressive community. It was a giant goal and I think the Heroes’ Narrative succeeded in large part because of Ella’s talent and because she listens to the people around her, so that the project has buy-in and intelligence from the whole community. I give Ella my highest recommendation.”

~Sarah Jaynes, as Executive Director of Progress Alliance of Washington

“If I think back on when I first started Leadership M.A.G.I.C., I just feel like I'm curled up in a ball in a dark place. And now I feel like I'm standing tall and the sun is shining on me. Instead of just being in the room and not personally participating, I feel a lot more confident in my work and in communicating. I'm not playing small anymore. I think I show up happier too. Ella’s process was dope.”

~Gennevie Cook, Manager, Public Sector

"I almost didn't sign up for  Leadership M.A.G.I.C. because I thought I'm not really a leader. And then I thought I'm the leader of my life! And I'm so glad I did. I began Leadership M.A.G.I.C. depleted—overworked, overwhelmed, and stuck in grind culture. What changed everything was learning somatic tools that helped me reconnect with my Values Star (Love, Connection, Pride, Passion, Integrity) and trust my body’s wisdom. I practiced the pause, learned my Yes and No, and let an old belief die—the one that said only busyness and productivity have value. I reclaimed my calendar and created space for focus and flow, especially for art, writing, meditation, and time in nature. The result? I’m living my purpose outside of work and showing up at work more focused, motivated, and clear. I feel energized instead of drained, and I have healthy boundaries that protect what matters. This program didn’t just teach me ideas; it gave me a map to make what seemed impossible, possible. Doing the things I love is one of the best things I can do with my time—and yes, it’s made me a better leader."

~Eleanor Wehrman,. Technical Manager, Quality Business Management, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. 

“I've worked with Ella for more than 25 years, and she is an amazing coach. I've not only recommended her to clients (especially women executives and electoral candidates), I've benefited from her training and support in my own work. Ella's unique gifts include helping others moved beyond their own walls, setting boundaries in the workplace, and addressing burnout in non-profit and government sectors. That's especially important right now! Highest recommendation possible!”

~Heather Weiner, Owner, Powerhouse Strategies

“When you’ve been in an emotionally terrible place for a while, it really felt like a stretch to believe that things could get better. Honestly, I’m still amazed at how much better things are.”

~ Wendy Soohoo, Public Sector Supervisior

“Working with Ella couldn't have come at a better time. I was relatively early in my career and felt surrounded by uncertainty. I was used to navigating that uncertainty by being who and what I thought I should be. Ella helped me realize that in the midst of uncertainty, attunement to my body and my values is a more sustainable and powerful remedy. Using Ella’s tools, I developed a vision and confidence that has equipped me to navigate the challenging realities of political work in a way that feels authentic to me. I walked away with a deep belief that if we work collectively and with integrity, we can make important changes in the world. The impact of my time with Ella has rippled far beyond my work life in important and supportive ways, and I cannot recommend her coaching enough.”

~ Clara Manahan, Analyst, Public Sector

“When I first started working with Ella, I felt diminished— overlooked, underutilized, and uncertain how to advocate for myself without rocking the boat. Through our work together, I not only navigated tricky team dynamics and prepared for high-stakes interviews, but also started trusting my intuition and leaning into my natural strengths with confidence. Ella helped me do more with less — reducing stress while increasing my impact. Her combination of practical tools and deep insight was exactly what I needed. I learned how to set boundaries, communicate with power, and show up as the leader I already was inside. Today, I’m in a role with greater responsibility where I feel strong, seen, and fully capable. If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, unseen, or unsure of your next move, I can’t recommend Ella’s work highly enough. It’s truly transformational.”

~Christine Anderson, Deputy Division Director, Bus Operations, King Count Metro Transit

“Ella’s coaching helped transform my thinking. She helped me set a goal that would ripple through my life and work and then take down the barriers between me and my goal, one by one. Ella gave me a set of lifelong tools that came at the perfect time for me and my career, tools that have reconnected me to my power. I have a new calmness, control of my pace and focus, and grounding in my own wisdom. Her witchy-ness, combined with many years of experience in politics and as a coach were just what I was hoping for and on top of that, she is genuinely caring and fun to work with. I would recommend Ella’s coaching program to anyone who wants to feel more powerful, confident, and connected to their own magic.”

~Reiny Cohen Communications Hub Director, Fuse Washington

“The leadership coaching I received from Ella was life-changing. Ella skillfully guided me to gain clarity on and trust in my own leadership style and values instead of spending energy on my inner critic, perfectionism, and overthinking. I’m more present, a better listener, and clearer communicator thanks to the practical and engaging tools Ella uses.”

~Adrienne Wat, Deputy Director, Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, King County

“I met Ella right before the pandemic began and healthcare went into a period of unprecedented uncertainty and overwhelm. I rose quickly (probably too quickly) from an individual contributor to a senior manager in a little over a year. I found myself cosplaying as what I thought a manager was supposed to be while feeling completely disconnected from my inner self, my core values, and the reason I wanted to become a leader in the first place. Ella helped me reconnect with myself and the deep ways of knowing that I had been refusing to acknowledge or incorporate into my presence as a leader. She guided me to grow into my leadership role with confidence and resilience. I use the strategies she taught me every day. I am so grateful to Ella for her expertise, her kindness, her humor, and her fierce commitment to creating healthier work cultures by empowering leaders to bring their whole selves to work. It’s a gift I will treasure for the rest of my career.”

~ Kai Roller, Regional Manager: Primary Care Social Work, Ob/Gyn Counselors, Kaiser Permanente

 “I am now able to lead in a way that is authentic, fair and courageous. Simply put, I am the leader I am today thanks to Ella.”

~Jeff Muhm, Director, Public Sector

“Ella possesses the unique ability to be both very organized (managing details and timelines) and she is also able to dynamically manage a process, changing direction if needed, and responding to where a group is in the moment.  Perhaps where I have most benefited from my relationship with Ella is learning about the value of telling my own story and hearing the stories of others.  This been life-changing for me and several of my colleagues. As a result, our team has increased trust in a way I would never have expected.” 

~Jeannie McNab, Trust, Safety and Inclusion Manager, King County Office Of Performance, Strategy and Budget:

“I found myself spending a lot of time outside of office hours, working longer hours and on weekends. I was just exhausting myself. At that point, I already knew that my husband and I were really excited and ready to start a family. And I felt that if I have a child, I'm going to try to teach this child to be brave and to stand up for themselves and to be able to balance, their passion, their life, their work and all these other priorities. It just felt a little hypocritical that I wasn't able to do it with myself. At that point, I just felt like something's got to change.

Fast forward, I'm actually now five months pregnant. And out of Leadership M.A.G.I.C., I didn't just learn skills to help me with time management, but actually a lot of things that had to do with self-esteem and finding boundaries that I'm okay with both inside and outside of work. Now, I value myself enough to know what my worth is and I'm still excelling at my job.  If anything, they've given me more responsibilities, which, you know, to me is a sign that I must be doing something right. And that something right is that I'm actually taking breaks and eating lunch or going on vacation. I would recommend Leadership M.A.G.I.C. to anyone to anyone who feels stuck and something's got to change. This process was life-changing for me.”

~Tania Santiago Pastrana, Public Sector.

“Wow.  The feedback from the retreat has been absolutely astounding.  I have never seen the like.  It appears to have been a genuinely moving experience for our folks.  The mandate of forging deeper/new connections to each other, to the institution, and to the cause appears to have been fulfilled, in spades.  Astoundingly good work! “

~Andreas Merkl, CEO, Ocean Conservancy

“I wasn’t even sure that coaching could work, to be honest. I was afraid it was going to be more of the same. Now, I feel like I went five levels up. This cycle of going to the dark and learning about yourself and coming back out is rooted in a very old process. Get in there.”

~Alex Hudson, Executive Director, Transportation Choices