Meet Your Coach!

Hi! I’m Eevin.

(pronounced “Evan”)

I am dedicated to helping you find your unique path to a fulfilling future.

As your coach, I believe in you. You are whole, capable, and a true expert about yourself (even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes!). My role in our coaching relationship is to catalyze your inner drive. I hold the map while you navigate it. You are in control.

Over the years, I’ve had coaches myself. The experiences showed me how much I value coaches who come from a place of understanding shaped, to the extent possible, by having experienced your struggles themselves.

So, let me tell you a bit about myself and my journey. You may find some elements that feel familiar to you.

Professional Background

Some say they always wanted to be an [insert job here] when they were younger. This was never the case for me.

I never had a consistent vision.

I wanted to be a paleontologist when Jurassic Park came out. Didn’t every kid?

Then, I discovered my love for birds and wanted to be an ornithologist. I started educating my peers about avian training and wellness.

In fifth grade, the wait staff at Wendy’s talked to me like a human, and I became enamored with the food service industry. I wrote “professional waitress” on my vocational homework assignments, excited to make customers’ days with outstanding service.

My dad brought my sister and me to work one year (he was a business executive), and I realized I wanted an office job. I liked the quiet necessity of secretarial work, enabling decision-makers to do their jobs.

My mom encouraged me to explore my passions, revealing my enthusiasm to be a musician, an artist, and a writer. I picked up a saxophone and learned how to express myself with instruments. In high school, I went all-in on guitar and songwriting, so I decided to be a (wait for it) rockstar. Truly, I wanted to move people with music.

Age 5

Future paleontologist

When it came time for college applications, I centered on psychology since I knew I had strengths in that area. Initially focused on Counseling during my undergraduate studies, I aimed to help people understand their problems and provide a safe healing space.

Studies in counseling transformed into a fascination with how people thought, leading to an academic career studying neuroscience and cognitive psychology.

Academic research led to a passionate career in college teaching, academic coaching, and instructional coaching. As interesting as my research was, empowering my students and faculty peers gave me the most fulfillment. I found it exhilarating to coach graduate student instructors, lead teams of teaching assistants, and help students figure out their path forward.

Research

Presenting my research on student success at a conference.
Awards

I garnered eight competitive awards for teaching, coaching, and mentorship.
Graduate Instructor Coaching

With two of my coachees (left) and my own coach (right).
Team Leadership

Supporting one of my researchers at his first conference poster presentation.

During the pandemic, I became determined to close the gap between learners’ needs and technology. Initially a user experience (UX) researcher, I pivoted to the tech industry, utilizing my skills to help design teams make their products more valuable and helpful to buyers. Within a few months I was promoted to research program manager.

As predicted, things changed as I experienced the business and organizational side of the company. There were diverse needs and people, and soon I was participating in cross-departmental events. I collaborated with HR, middle management, and executives to improve the employee experience and become our company’s first organizational researcher. I executed five new leadership initiatives to uplift, motivate, and potentiate mid-level management.

User Research

Streaming a usability test for one of the video games we were working on.
Keynote Speaker

Poster advertisement for my conference presentation about working in tech as a former academic.
Accessibility Training

Completing Accessible Player Experience Practitioner training.

Of course, the journey didn’t end there; tech layoffs swept the world, and my entire company was shut down. My career, a cornerstone of my identity, was suddenly gone.

The layoff devastated me. It forced me to deeply reflect and reconsider my options.

I realized my whole life had a consistent theme: a desire to help others on their paths.

What I thought was wild inconsistency was instead a riveting, complex character evolution.

It took a career coach to help me embrace it.

I’ve lived in Washington ⇢ Oklahoma ⇢ Texas ⇢ Arizona ⇢ Illinois. I’ve returned to Lubbock, TX, and now live here permanently. Map created with TravelMap.

I’ve worked in remote, hybrid, and onsite environments. Switching to a remote (and then back to a sort-of-in-person?) model during the pandemic revealed the value of individual and collective strength in adapting to new situations.

I’ve been a people and program manager, a direct report, an independent contributor, a consultant, a freelancer, an advisor, and many roles in between. I found fulfillment in helping others find and apply those strengths in their careers.

I’ve coached and advised hundreds of individuals over 14 years, even when (and sometimes especially when!) my job title was completely unrelated. To formalize my expertise, I am working toward my Career Coach Certification with Helen Horyza in the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy and for an Associate Certified Coach certification with the International Coaching Federation.

Whether you're seeking to balance your work and personal life, advance your career, or navigate a significant career change, I am here to ignite the spark of change and support you every step.

My Coaching Philosophy

My coaching philosophy is rooted in evidence-based positive psychology, emphasizing strengths, resilience, and growth potential. Drawing from my background in cognitive psychology, I focus on understanding your unique motivations and challenges to help you harness your innate abilities. My strength-based approach fosters a positive mindset and empowers you to navigate your journey with confidence and clarity.

Informed by industrial/organizational psychology, my practice integrates strategies that enhance workplace performance and satisfaction. My background in user experience research taught me the importance of empathy, active listening, and human-centered data acquisition, allowing me to deeply understand your dilemmas.

Co-creation has always been a cornerstone of my approach. I believe in a collaborative and supportive model where clients actively participate in their development. This approach addresses critical challenges and equips you with the tools and mindset needed for long-term success, keeping you in charge of your journey.