I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Workshop Facilitator for the Career Transitions Center (CTC), and an Instructor for Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies.
As an executive coach for over thirteen years, I facilitate team, leadership, and professional development workshops, administer assessments, and provide team and individual coaching. I coach teams and individuals on how to implement a strength-based mindset, improve their communication skills, and hone their innate talents and strengths to achieve their individual and team goals. I also help clients navigate career transitions, as well as determine and implement personal career development goals.
My Strengths
Professional Background
Before becoming a coach, I worked in the Event Marketing and Sponsorship Industry for over 15 years. I managed projects and collaborated with team members while servicing a variety of corporate and non-profit clients. After having an extensive career as a mid-level executive, I understand the challenges that arise when managing clients and colleagues as well as how important trust, setting expectations, and clear communication are to the success of those professional working relationships.
I hired my first coach with the goal of becoming a better manager, but what I found was so much more. Coaching provided a system of tools and techniques that I could use to enhance both myself and my personal and professional relationships. Coaching showed me how important an individual’s role is in shaping an organization and its ability to thrive. In my career, I have held a variety of mid-level management positions at corporations, non-profits, and agencies, including the PGA TOUR, Providence College, Dress for Success, IEG Consulting, and Free Green Can
More About Me
So, if you are wondering about my name, Bliss, the answer to your question is, YES! Bliss is my real name, given to me by my parents. And, Yes! My parents were hippies who met while backpacking across Europe. And, Yes! Given my name, everyone thinks that my name was a sign that coaching was my calling.
The inspiration for my name came to my father as he was reading a book called SIDDHARTHA by Hermann Hesse. In this book, the main character was looking for inner Bliss. Technically speaking, Bliss is my middle name. My parents were worried that the name was too unusual, but I have always embraced my name. It is fun to be different! They were worried that I might get teased at school with such an unusual name, so they gave me the option of going by Erica (my first name) or Bliss, but they have always called me Bliss.
In 2010, I married the love of my life. And, wait for it… his name is Trip. When we first started dating, everyone told us we just had to get married because of our names; luckily, that worked out for us!
Oh, and by the way, Trip is not his real name; it is his nickname. He is the third man in his family with his name, so Trip is short for Triple. We also have two smart, savvy, and sophisticated children named AJ and Mairin.
The other side of my colorful life is my passion for downhill skiing, pizza, and beer. I have been downhill skiing since I was 7 years old. I went to Colorado every spring break growing up, and I can ski Keystone Mountain blindfolded, if necessary.
For my husband’s birthday a few years ago, we did the Chicago Pizza tour, and it made me view pizza in a whole new light. And finally, I am Irish, and so is my husband, so, although many people like to have wine with dinner, beer is my (and my husband’s) drink of choice.