My Story

I’m a Professional Civil Engineer, Certified Core Energy Leadership Coach through iPEC, and founder of Own the C.H.A.I.R.™.

For over 16 years, I’ve worked in technical environments across the Philippines and the United States—leading projects, navigating complex teams, and learning firsthand how communication, self-trust, and leadership shape career growth.

More than 18 years ago, I immigrated to the United States as a young engineer carrying ambition, uncertainty, and the belief that hard work alone would create opportunities.

Over the years, I navigated career transitions, motherhood, leadership challenges, returning to engineering after a long pause, and eventually realizing my interests were evolving beyond technical engineering and toward leadership coaching and human development.

Like many analytical women in STEM, I spent years overthinking decisions, doubting myself, and believing I needed to prove my worth before speaking up, asking for what I wanted, or pursuing something bigger.

Early in my career, I stayed too long in environments that no longer aligned because I was afraid to trust myself enough to pursue something better.

But through years of difficult conversations, uncomfortable decisions, and choosing alignment over fear, I began learning something deeper:

In the spring of 2026, I stood in front of more than 170 people during my company’s anniversary and delivered a keynote speech. It was one of the first times I spoke openly in front of that many people without feeling the need to sound perfect.

That moment became a turning point for me. Not because fear disappeared, but because I realized I no longer needed perfection in order to believe I was worthy of being heard.

Over time, I stopped leading from fear and perfectionism and started building something more sustainable: self-trust.

That journey became the foundation for Own the C.H.A.I.R.™.

Today, I help analytical women in STEM move beyond perfectionism and self-doubt so they can navigate difficult conversations, make high-stakes decisions with greater clarity, and lead with more confidence, alignment, and authenticity.