Hi! I’m Heather.
I help people make powerful career and life transformations - and in my experience, those two things often go together.
I started working in career development in 2006 and launched Career Savvy Coaching in 2009. In the years since, I've had the privilege of helping thousands of people navigate career transitions, leadership growth, toxic workplace recovery, and the deeper life changes that often come along with all of it.
Here's what I've learned: Career change is rarely just about the job. It usually shows up alongside something bigger - a divorce, kids leaving for college, burnout that's been building for years, or a workplace that's become unbearable. My clients come to me for the career piece and we often end up working on all of it: confidence, boundaries, big life transitions, and sometimes untangling patterns that have been showing up for a long time.
What I bring to the table
I bring 20 years of expertise in career coaching: resumes, LinkedIn optimization, interview prep, salary negotiation, job search strategy - I know this work inside and out. I stay current on the latest hiring trends and the ethical use of AI tools. My clients consistently land roles with significant salary increases.
I hold a degree in Education and Psychology, along with certifications in career, life, relationship, business, and leadership coaching. I've worked closely with local governments, business owners, HR professionals, staffing agencies, and recruiters. I've personally trained thousands of people in career search, personal branding, resume writing, interviewing, networking, leadership, boundary-setting, and more.
Why I do this work
Through my years of coaching, it became obvious that many of my clients were struggling with more than just their job search. They were dealing with toxic workplace cultures and abusive bosses. As a survivor of narcissistic abuse and toxic workplaces - I recognized the patterns. Toxic workplaces mirror the same cycle of abuse as intimate partner violence or a narcissistic family system.
That recognition changed everything about how I work.
I dedicated years to becoming trauma-informed and deeply educated in narcissistic abuse and trauma recovery. I understand how past experiences shape the way you show up at work, in interviews, and in life. I get how toxic environments erode your confidence, mess with your memory, increase your stress, and make you question your own judgment.
I also connect naturally with clients who are neurodivergent and highly sensitive, have ADHD, or process the world a little differently - like many GenX women, I recently found out that I’m neurodivergent myself!
What it's like to work with me
I'm a trauma-informed coach, which means I create a space where you can feel safe saying things out loud, knowing that I get it and I'm here to listen. You don't have to spend our time over-explaining or convincing me that what you experienced was real. I already believe you.
Research shows that at least 70% of adults have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. Being trauma-informed isn't just a certification for me - it's a way of being. It shapes how I listen, how I ask questions, and how I support you in moving forward.
Women in midlife often come to me because they're ready for a significant step forward - a new chapter, a second act, a version of their career and life that finally fits who they've become. I also work with emerging leaders, executives, professionals in transition, and anyone who's been told they're "too much."
Some of my clients and I have worked together for years - because there's always something new in life where support and guidance can help. My clients call me their “career therapist.” We laugh a lot. We do the important work.
What I believe
It's important to me that you know I am a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity for all. I support the LGBTQIA+ community. Transgender clients are safe with me.
If something here resonates, I'd love to be on your team.
Your story matters. You matter.
“As your coach, I’m your accountability partner and motivator. You have everything that you need to move forward inside of you - I’ll help you see it, embrace it, and believe it.”
— HEATHER E. COLEMAN