Nothing inspires me more than supporting positive culture change for organizations, helping to optimize your impact professionally and personally. It’s all connected: business strategy, collaboration, learning and development, purpose-driven careers, compassionate leadership, optimism, high performing teams, belonging and wellbeing. When we are flourishing ourselves, we can help others to do the same. Through many leadership roles, teaching leadership and communication at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, executive coaching and life experiences, I’ve gained a compassionate perspective and the desire to pay it forward.
I take a design thinking approach to my work, empathizing with the current situation clients find themselves in, helping them gain clarity about the layers of challenges and opportunities at hand, and implementing change approaches founded in research but validated in the real world. This includes helping to develop emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, communication skills, executive presence, overcome limiting beliefs, foster team effectiveness, develop a coaching mindset and implement approaches for more diverse, equitable and inclusive teams.
My coaching approach is founded in positive organizational best practices, mindful self-compassion, positive intelligence, emotional intelligence, and the latest research in applied neuroscience. My personal mission is to unleash the untapped potential we are born with, through the compassionate partnership of coaching.
Education, Certifications & Awards
University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, MBA | Central Michigan University, BA in Accounting | Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation | Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute Certified Teacher | Awarded University of Michigan Provost Teaching Innovation Prize (2018)
Additional Credentials & Training
On a Personal Note
Shahnaz is married and the mother of three children she adores. Some of her greatest life lessons, her pride and joy, lie in her relationships with her family.
“Shahnaz has a style that creates an immediate relationship of trust. She has the ability to be empathic while remaining professional and objective. No matter the topic, Shahnaz has read a book or article on it – and I am continually impressed by her breadth of knowledge. Shahnaz’s coaching skills are exceptional. The executive MBA’s are a demanding cohort and Shahnaz has had complete credibility with them.”
“I couldn’t stress it more. The positive transformation that has happened over the past few months directly coincides with my engagement with Shahnaz as a coach. As a self-employed professional, this coaching will no doubt help me in achieving an even greater ROI. Shahnaz is an outstanding coach and really pushed me in areas that helped me articulate and become aware of potential root causes / limiting beliefs. Shahnaz was excellent and helped me to grow as a leader and into my own skin. I didn’t expect my outlook would have changed so quickly.”
“The Executive Coaching Program has done nothing short of changed my life. My summer internship did not progress as well as I hoped for. I realized that that role was no longer the type of function that I wanted to pursue. Instead of completely checking out for the remainder of the summer, Shahnaz helped me to see it as an opportunity to work on personal development. She taught me invaluable tools that I’ll be able to use in my career going forward to make sure that I am making the most of my environment, even when things are not ideal. The encouragement to own the experience and see the silver lining with specific action items to do so surpassed my expectations of the program. The ability to increase my self-awareness and become a better leader is an experience that I would highly recommend to all MBA professionals. No amount of money could define the worth that this program has offered to me.”
“Since I began coaching, I’m becoming better at prioritizing my personal life and provide myself a better balance and ability to focus on my needs. I have also become less defensive and more aware of the other perceptions and possibilities. This improved self-awareness has helped me become a better leader and the transformation has been acknowledged by my peers. I’m honored to have had Shahnaz as a coach and look forward to working and growing with her more.”