Colleen Yamaguchi
leadership and career transition coach

I work with talented and motivated individuals and teams help them see themselves at their best and to live and work to their fullest potential. Having practiced law for more than 20 years, I have transitioned my career to leadership, professional development and transition coaching and to providing leadership development programs for high talent and experienced professionals.

Whether conducting a team-building retreat or coaching professionals one on one, collaborating and developing synergies is what I love and what I do best.

My passion is to work with others to stimulate ideas and creativity, gather different perspectives, bolster trust and commitment and ultimately to achieve more than can be done at an individual level.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, I earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and an Master of Business Administration and Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii. My coaching certification is from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara.

I have coached professionals from large and small corporations and nonprofit organizations on increasing leadership effectiveness, exploring and navigating career transition and achieving personal satisfaction. I currently work extensively with the Executive Development Institute, a non-profit organization in the Pacific Northwest that provides experiential leadership development programs for Asian Pacific emerging and experienced leaders from Pacific Northwest corporations such as Boeing, Microsoft and Nike. I am also an executive coach in Leadership Education for Asian Pacific's Executive Director Leadership Program.

Previously, as a commercial transactions lawyer, specializing in international and aircraft finance, I was a partner at two large global law firms and senior in-house counsel with an international aircraft leasing company. I worked collaboratively in leading transaction teams and negotiating and closing complex international deals. Developing expertise in the male-dominated industry of aviation and conducting transactions in about 30 countries all over the world, I communicated effectively across gender, culture and functions. I also participated extensively in law firm recruiting, diversity, professional development, business development and training initiatives.