About Iris
I am a seasoned professional with a long history of survival, of overcoming, of wrestling with sorrow, of losing and finding hope and faith, and of reinventing my life.
I am all-too familiar with personal loss. I have lost many loved ones and dear friends, as well as having been widowed young. I have been a caregiver to various family members. I have seen some of my dreams evaporate. I have seen new dreams take shape and blossom.
I started Vision Powered Coaching after thirty years in the social services field as a helping professional and adoption agency director. I am a trained Life and Loss Transformation/ Life Reinvention Coach, credentialed through the International Coach Federation.
Though I have worked with hundreds during my coaching career of more than a decade, nothing fills my heart like helping widowed women. I am here for you.
I am all about building relationships and trust. Just ask my coaching clients and the families I worked with during my previous long career. Reviews and comments about me over decades, have consistently said how much I care about my clients and care about their success and well-being.
In addition to being a professional life coach, I am a mom, grandmother, author/poet and Scottish Terrier lover. Our dear Scottie Emily recently passed away, but I am currently owned by Scottie boy, Elijah and by a new love, Priscilla, the Sealyham Terrier.
My Story
I am so very thankful I didn’t know what the future would bring when I was a young wife, and a young mother. Little did I know I would be left a widow with three kids.
Living in San Francisco and expecting our first child. Life was good. I thought my heart would burst with happiness.
Me, as a young mom with my eldest son.
We adopted a daughter and another son. We became child advocates for children in foster care.
Kim was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on a rapid progressive course, starting several years of serious disability. Our life became challenging.
We decided to focus on helping others and, together, we began a licensed, non-profit adoption agency. Kim was the first director.
Six months later, he died in a fire that took our home.
I had an agency to run, kids to raise, and an extended family that was grieving from the additional deaths of my father, brother and nephew.
After moving from place to place, we settled into a home. The agency became my tribute to Kim and my escape, passion, and meaning.
I have so much to be thankful for! I may have lost a lot, but I have gained so much too.
My Style
Every coach is unique, just as you are. It’s important that you choose someone you can grow to trust, and whose style feels comfortable for you.
My style is one of warmth, kindness and empathy. While I am creative and imaginative, I am also quite down-to-earth and practical. I will bring creativity to our coaching, if you are open to it.
I have been described as “tough but tender”. That may sound contradictory to you, but I think it’s pretty accurate.
I will be gentle with you when you need gentling and I will also challenge and encourage you, as we look for clarity and for the solutions that will help you.