About Phil
Tēnā koe, thank you for considering to work with me.
I was fortunate to grow up and live in many countries around the world. I was born to American parents in Guatemala, grew up in Spain, Dahomey (Benin), various states in the US and New Zealand.
I came to New Zealand as a teenager, attending four years of high school in Lower Hutt, followed by undergraduate studies in New Orleans and graduate studies when I returned again to Wellington some 20 years later.
Sadly, I lost my first partner (and mother of my three daughters) to illness. I then met another lovely kiwi who came with two children of her own. Tragically, in late 2021 we lost her son to a workplace accident. These losses have helped me stay grounded and focus on what is important. We currently live comfortably in Whitby, just north of Wellington.
My family, friends and pets are the most important things to me, and I love getting into the outdoors. My keen interest outside of work is supporting the Predator Free 2050 movement. This has led me to take a lead in organising Predator Free volunteer efforts for Whitby and Porirua communities. I also help with a variety of conservation groups.
My coaching practice officially began in 2002 and has steadily grown through personal referrals.
I have enjoyed coaching men and women in about equal numbers, at last count about 200 in long-term relationships and many more in shorter arrangements.
I am accredited as an executive coach from Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership (IECL) – Sydney with over 15 days of intensive training and coaching observation. I am an organiser and contributing member to a coaching supervisory group of seven experienced coaches.
I am one of three Directors and founders of Updraft, a leadership and team development company. I am an active team coach working with teams ranging executive to operational levels.
My career, prior to consulting and coaching, was in the science sector initially working in various environmental laboratory networks in the US. I shifted to New Zealand where I took up senior roles for ESR and then for AgriQuality (now AsureQuality).
I believe that I am a positive and empathetic person. I get real satisfaction from seeing individuals discover insights and awareness, gain confidence, overcome challenges, clarify direction, and take positive steps towards something new. I want to see others find satisfaction in their life and work
Thank you for considering me to work with you.
