Naeemah's Story

From Surviving to Thriving

I help clients find creative solutions. Sometimes that means breaking through the barriers holding you back. Sometimes it means building pathways that unlock the potential of your employees and your organization. I’ve had countless hands reach out to help me create a transformational life. Now I get to be the hand that lifts others up.

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I spent much of my childhood afraid. Bullies, drugs, gangs, and teenage pregnancy were all around me. I had to find my own ways to survive and rise, and they weren’t the escapes offered to others.

I was lucky. My parents were clear: education was the only way out. I hid in corners reading everything I could get my hands on. I took extra math classes instead of gym. My mom taught me to take advantage of every opportunity. Programs like Upward Bound gave me college prep, summer jobs, and SAT coaching. Silas Parnell, a community activist, helped me and thousands of other South Side kids cover college application fees.

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I went on to Harvard. After my sophomore year, Mr. Parnell helped me land a job at the national Upward Bound office in Washington, DC. At 19, I lobbied Congress and learned just how hard it is for programs like these to make a difference. I returned to school with a renewed sense of purpose and the belief that I could make an impact.

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After graduating with a degree in psychology and a passion for theatre, I spent several years performing on Boston stages. I toured with the American Repertory Theatre, helped build Zeitgeist Stage Company, won performance awards, and even directed a few shows. Those years taught me presence, confidence, and the power of storytelling.

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Single motherhood forced me to lean into resilience. I built a career that could sustain my family and make use of my diverse experience. I coached, mentored, and advised while designing programs in continuity, compliance, information security, acquisitions, and HR. From the Talent Marketplace to the PIC high school internship, my fingerprints are on programs that shaped careers. I ran my public speaking workshop, And Introducing: YOU, 80 times for over 4,500 participants. Hundreds of interns, early-career professionals, and colleagues trace their growth back to my programs and our one-on-one work.

This journey led me naturally to speaking and coaching full-time. Today I inspire audiences, empower leaders, and help individuals and organizations unlock potential, navigate change, and lead with confidence. I draw on my experiences from the stage to the boardroom to guide people in stepping fully into their presence, sharing their voice, and achieving results that matter.