The EMPOWER Group-Coaching Experience

Have you ever considered how often you give your power over to others, either in subtle ways like saying yes without thinking, or in ways that are more severe, like consistently putting everyone else’s needs above your own? Or how you may have sacrificed important parts of yourself without even realizing it?

EMPOWER is an approach to overall wellness that will help you clarify your values and figure out how to honor them. Based on research in positive psychology, EMPOWER seeks to improve self-awareness and enhance our ability to act in accordance with our values. Relying on a foundation of self-compassion and mindfulness, we will explore ways to make conscious choices guided by a strong inner compass, freeing ourselves to live rich, rewarding lives focused on the things that are most important to us.

About the Experience

The full EMPOWER experience consists of four 75-minute interactive group coaching sessions led by Elizabeth and Victoria via video conference. Based on research in positive psychology, EMPOWER is an approach to overall wellness that relies on a foundation of self-compassion and mindfulness. We explore ways to make conscious choices guided by a strong inner compass. Between sessions, participants work with accountability partners to promote progress toward goals. Contact us to inquire about upcoming public sessions or to discuss bringing the full EMPOWER experience to your group, whether that's a gathering of friends, members of an existing organization, or a workplace team. Email us at empowergroupcoaching@gmail.com to explore the possibilities!

Want to get a taste of EMPOWER?

Try the EMPOWER Your Values self-guided mini-course

or watch our preview session.

What participants have to say…

  • “I don’t ever really take time to think about what my values are or to relate them to the fact that – and this is where it really helped me, is to see that when I have conflicts in my life... they seem to stem from those values not being realized or not being recognized... And that was not something that I ever think I would have made the connection there before sitting down and working on this worksheet and then hearing what you had to say and the contributions that everyone else made.”

  • “I really did appreciate the time to reflect... It revealed that there is a conflict between two of my values... and at the very least, even if the big wish that I have doesn’t turn out, at least living consistently with my values I think will make me feel better about it.”

  • “I think it was nice just to really listen and be in the moment.”

  • “I did appreciate the meditation exercise. I have to admit I’m not a meditator and I think I reluctantly let myself engage in that and I think it was really helpful.”

Meet your facilitators

Victoria Fontana, PCC, is an Executive Coach and Mindfulness and Compassion Instructor who supports faculty members and higher education leaders in accessing their inner wisdom and external resources to achieve personal and professional goals. She helps academics navigate challenges, thrive under stress, build positive relationships, communicate effectively, and set boundaries for a healthier work-life balance.

In her coaching, she blends evidence-based techniques with practical strategies to foster growth and resilience. Her work is informed by over a decade of experience at IE Business School, having taught courses on authentic leadership, teamwork, mindfulness, and well-being. She has coached faculty and leaders at institutions including Yale, MIT, the University of Michigan, and the University of California San Diego, as well as in the corporate context. She is a Harvard Business School Executive Coach and an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach.

In addition to coaching, Victoria is a trained and certified mindfulness and compassion teacher, with a Master of Science in Mindfulness-Based Approaches. She offers programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness for Anxiety and Depression (MBCT) and Compassion-Based Resilience Training (CBRT) in person and online.

After more than 20 years as an academic researcher, teacher, and leader, Elizabeth Odders-White founded nodramaturg coaching & consulting to help clients in higher education—and beyond—thrive. She works with leaders, individuals, and groups to set goals consistent with their values, map out steps for moving forward, and generate evidence-based strategies for overcoming any obstacles. Elizabeth’s deep compassion and creativity, coupled with an intimate familiarity with the complexities of an academic environment, enable her to offer clients the particular encouragement and support they need to flourish. Elizabeth earned a Ph.D. in finance from Northwestern University, as well as a BS in mathematics and a BFA in music, both from Tulane University. She is a certified executive coach trained through the International Coach Federation accredited Center for Executive Coaching and has received additional training in positive psychology coaching through MentorCoach. You can learn more about Elizabeth here.