Career Coaching

Career Coaching Generates Results!

UC Berkeley is committed to growing a coaching culture to help staff collaboratively engage in work that supports our mission, empowers staff to own their careers, and provides support with career planning and advancement. In a recent survey conducted of UC Berkeley staff who have engaged in short-term, 1:1 career coaching, 85% of respondents felt that career coaching was a worthwhile investment of their time.

Additional survey highlights:

As a result of coaching...

77% - felt better equipped to take action in their career development
70% - reported increased confidence in achieving their career goals
67% - reported increased confidence in their ability to identify fitting career opportunities

Review the Career Coaching Services Summary Report here.

Schedule an individual, confidential 45-minute meeting with a certified coach who can support you on your career journey.

Career coaching appointments are an excellent way for UC Berkeley staff to receive individualized support. Services include:

Planning and setting goals for career development
Exploring, creating, and implementing action plans to support career mobility
Reviewing and optimizing job search materials such as a resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile
Discussing any career-related challenge or opportunity
Identifying your personal formula for work-life balance and avoiding burnout

All appointments are currently being held virtually.

Book an appointment (for UC Berkeley Staff only)

UC Berkeley Students - You can access Career Development Resources through Berkeley Career Engagement

Meet Your Campus Staff Career Coaches

UC Berkeley staff can read expanded coach bios here.

Elizabeth Storer

I’m Elizabeth Storer (she/her), a Career and Professional Development Specialist on the People & Organization Development team at UC Berkeley. I have a master’s in Education (Counseling and Guidance) and over 10 years of experience in student affairs, career services, and employee development. I specialize in career exploration, strengths-based development, job search strategy, and navigating professional transitions. I’m a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and have certifications in Training and Facilitation (ATD) and ProSci Change Management. My coaching style is empathetic, strengths-based, and grounded in partnership- I aim to create a supportive space where staff feel heard, encouraged, and empowered to take meaningful steps toward fulfilling, engaging work.

Ying Kuah

I’m Ying Kuah (she/her), People & Organization Development Lead in Berkeley People & Culture, a Co-Active coach passionate about helping individuals find balance and fulfillment at work and in life to reach their highest potential. With over 10 years of experience in people and organization development, I’ve worked with individual contributors, leaders, and teams to build strategies, skills, and confidence using a strength-based, compassionate, and collaborative approach. As a career coach, I empower my coachees to Discover their passion, Explore their options and resources, Plan strategies, and Act toward their own career goals and fulfillment, one step at a time.

Career Coaching Staff Fellow Alumni

These former Career Coaching Staff Fellows will continue to offer career coaching to expand the support and guidance available to you. Learn more about them below and discover how their unique coaching skills can help you navigate your career journey.

Bradley Jong

Leadership isn’t defined by a title—it’s shaped by how we show up, make meaning of our experiences, and navigate complexity in our work, no matter where we sit in an organization. I support professionals across all career stages, from recent college graduates new to working in higher education to experienced supervisors reflecting on what’s next, who want to feel fulfilled, purposeful, and confident in their work. Grounded in cultural humility, unconditional positive regard, and a strengths-based coaching approach, I partner with individuals to navigate challenges such as imposter syndrome, burnout, and complex interpersonal dynamics by helping them pause, reflect, and clarify where they have agency. Drawing on my background as a higher education leader, counselor, and educator with over 17 years of experience—and a Lean Six Sigma (Yellow Belt) process improvement lens—I help people lead with intention, streamline work, and create more effective and sustainable ways of working. If you’re ready to reflect, reset, and move forward with clarity and purpose, I invite you to click on my expanded bio to explore how coaching can support your next step.

Diane Lang

Currently on pause for new clients until Spring 2027.

I’m Diane G. Lang(she/her/ella), an academic department manager and campus career coach at UC Berkeley with over 25 years of experience across K–12 and higher education. I have served as a teacher, principal, faculty lecturer and academic administrator. I bring a deep commitment to equity, leadership development and healing-centered practices to my coaching work.

As a first-generation college graduate, I am especially passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate career exploration, leadership growth and professional transitions. I am an ICF-certified leadership coach and a National Equity Project fellow. My coaching approach is reflective, healing centered, strengths-based and grounded in partnership. As a career coach, I support coachees in clarifying their values, identifying aligned career pathways, and taking intentional steps toward work that is meaningful, sustainable, and purpose-driven.

Donna Vivar

Currently on pause for new clients until September 2026.

I’m Donna Vivar (she/hers), currently serving as the Senior Advisor on Equity and Belonging in the Division of Student Affairs at UC Berkeley. I bring over 20 years of experience leading through an equity, inclusion, and belonging lens. In my coaching practice, integrating somatic awareness, I support whole-person reflection, helping people reconnect with their bodies, clarify what they care about most, and center their lives around those values. I partner with coachees using asset framing, micro-affirmations, motivational interviewing, and a socio-emotional framework. I hold a CPIC coaching certification through the Institute for Integrative Intelligence and Coaching for Everyone.

Hailey Holl-Valdez

Hi! I’m Hailey Holl-Valdez (she/her), UC Berkeley Career Coaching Fellow and Scheduler for the Department of City & Regional Planning. I have a Master’s degree in Youth Justice & Community Safety, a coaching certificate from the Embody Lab, and 10 years of experience working in community organisations & higher education. My somatic coaching background has taught me to bridge the gap between practical frameworks and creative, body-based tools, allowing me to support folks in navigating stressors, transitions, and organisational challenges. I am dedicated to helping you cultivate a sense of both stability and aliveness as you connect with your core values and goals. I have experience working with folks early in their career, folks impacted by systems-involvement, and folks who use assistive communications equipment/services. I’m excited to partner with you in support of your unique path and look forward to meeting you!

Jessica De Anda

I’m Jessica De Anda (she/her/ella), an Executive Coach and the Director of MBA Career Programming at the Haas School of Business.

I love partnering with employees to strategically navigate their careers. Whether you're seeking a promotion, considering a pivot, aiming for a stretch assignment, or wanting to lead more effectively, I help you invest your time and energy into the right opportunities to advance.

My own career, which began in microbiology, pivoted to non-profit, and then to higher education, has been a series of strategic transitions. I started in career advising and now, as a Director at Haas, I demystify the job market daily, supporting everyone from students to first time managers and new VPs. This journey means I truly live and breathe career development.

My coaching approach is practical and holistic. Together, we can clarify your goals, leverage your strengths, build strategic career maps, and craft compelling leadership narratives—ensuring you show up powerfully for your team and in pursuit of your next role.

Ronen Sberlo

I'm Ronen Sberlo, Campus Career Coach at UC Berkeley and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). My approach comes from a place of deep empathy and trust in every individual's inner wisdom. I draw on tools and techniques including mindfulness, somatic awareness, values alignment, powerful questioning, and play. I've also had a parallel career in technology for over 25 years and currently serve as Associate Director of IT at the Goldman School of Public Policy. This dual background gives me a grounded understanding of both the inner journey and the practical realities of navigating careers in complex organizations. I'm here to help you align your career with what matters most to you, move through what's holding you back, and explore what's next with clarity and intention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coaching

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How many career coaching sessions can I have, and how often can I meet?

While there is technically no set limit on the number of sessions you can have, career coaching at UC Berkeley is designed to be short-term, "just-in-time" support tailored to your immediate needs.
If you are new to career coaching, we recommend scheduling 1 to 2 sessions initially. After that, you and your coach can revisit your goals and determine if additional sessions would be beneficial.
To give you adequate time to work on your action items between conversations, sessions are typically spaced a few weeks apart, but this depends on your goals and needs.

Because our services are in high demand and we want to support as many campus colleagues as possible, coaching is not intended to be a long-term or ongoing arrangement.

Should I share information with my coach in advance?

While an intake form isn't required, you are more than welcome to share information ahead of time if you would like to maximize your time together. If you have a specific goal in mind, or if you would like your coach to look over a resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile before your session, feel free to email those materials to your coach prior to your scheduled meeting.

Should I meet with the same coach or try a few different coaches?

It entirely depends on your questions and goals! Both approaches have their benefits:

Staying with the same coach allows you to build rapport and dive deeper into a continuous action plan.
Trying a few different coaches is a great way to get a fresh perspective, as each of our coaches brings a unique background and style to the table.

We highly recommend reviewing our Coach Bios above to see whose expertise aligns best with your current needs. You are always welcome to meet with one coach first and then schedule your next session with a different coach to get a different perspective.

How is confidentiality maintained during and after coaching sessions?

In our coaching sessions, you are encouraged to share openly, knowing that your conversations are held in strict confidence. We ensure that individual discussions are not shared with others, including colleagues or other coaching staff. In group settings, we maintain your privacy by not disclosing any coaching relationships or individual discussions held in one-on-one sessions.

Do you collect any data or information about coaching?

Our coaches document only broad themes from sessions, such as career planning, interview preparation, work-life balance, and communications, to understand the needs of UCB staff and to enhance service offerings. We collect and use the data in aggregate form without revealing any personal details. We also offer any staff who engages in coaching the option to complete an anonymous coaching evaluation and, optionally fill out a separate form to speak with a member of our People & Culture team if you have any concerns about your coaching experience.

Are there any exceptions to confidentiality?

Yes, there are limited exceptions where confidentiality may not be maintained:
- If a coach believes that a coachee may cause imminent harm to themselves or others.
- If information is required by a court subpoena.
- For UC Berkeley employees, certain situations like reports of a hostile work environment or sexual harassment must be reported to university officials due to legal obligations. However, other confidential resources are available on campus for such discussions, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Staff Ombuds Office, PATH to Care Center and the Whistleblower Hotline.

Can I discuss any topic during our coaching sessions?

You are welcome to bring any career-related questions or issues to the session. We are here to support you in various areas, including career advancement, interview preparation, and understanding organizational processes, job search, salary negotiations, or just getting clear on what matters to you in your life and career journey, and actions you can take to support you with what you want.