About Me

In addition to being a coach I am also the COO of Leadership Training Initiative and a mom, sister, daughter, spouse... I wear a lot of hats.

My pronouns are she/her and you pronounce my name "mah-reee-koh"

Email: info@marikogilman.com

My Values

COLLABORATION

Share power, share leadership, seek consensus and solidarity.

HUMILITY & GRACE

We are not all-knowing or perfect beings. Feedback is necessary. Empathetic feedback is grace.

EMPATHY

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

INTEGRITY & OWNERSHIP

We are each responsible for our own learning and the impact of our actions.

My Bio

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, History, University of British Columbia
Master of Arts, International Education, SIT Graduate Institute

Certifications:

Certified Unconscious Bias Trainer through the Cultural Intelligence Center
ICF Certified Trauma Informed Coach through Moving the Human Spirit (ACC Candidate)

I am:

Excited about empowering coaching clients to embody their values and be the leaders they want to be in a world that needs great leadership.
Exceptionally skilled at guiding complex dialogues on topics ranging from anti-racism and systems of oppression to team dynamics and intercultural communication.
Constantly managing complex multifaceted projects from ideation to completion while deconstructing exploitative workplace practices and reclaiming holistic human centered approaches to getting things done.
Experienced working with multi-racial, multigenerational and multicultural groups in nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
Relational, empathetic, and collaborative in the work and the people I work with.
An Enneagram 9, INFJ, Strengths: Connectedness, Empathy, Individualization, Input, Relator

I envision a world where people work together to leverage their collective wisdom and harness their collective power to overcome seemingly intractable problems. As a biracial Japanese White cis-het able bodied immigrant from Canada I bring a nuanced, both/and lens to all I do. I work with all kinds of clients but have a special love for working with women of color.

And if you're wondering, I've worked for international nonprofits and in the educational sector for over 15 years. I dislike social media and going to events where I don't know anyone. I love my family, traveling, the beach and mystery novels.

“We cannot arrive at self-compassion using the same tools that drove us away from it. Perfectionism, self-criticism, and hyperfunctioning will not bring us to self compassion… We have spent centuries in a culture that makes us invisible, demeans us, and tells us we don’t matter.

Talking to yourself with kindness and respect, understanding that you are worthy of time and help, and realizing that you deserve rest, are all radical acts. You are the only one who can give that permission to yourself.”

Pooja Lakshmin, MD