For ambitious professionals seeking a coach to gain clarity and a trusted sounding board.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Career Challenges Alone. Work With a Coach Who Gets It.
Work stress, tough transitions, or big decisions, it’s normal to feel stuck. Working with a coach gives you a trusted partner to sort through challenges, see new options, and take action, so you can feel less stressed and more in control of your path.
What you’ll get in a free coaching session:
- Gain clarity and confidence in your next steps
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Leave each session with actionable takeaways
- This 30-minute session is all about you, no pitch, no pressure.
“Kim helped me cut through the noise and step into a VP role faster than I thought possible.” – Senior Leader, Amazon
Kim is a former scientist turned career and leadership coach. After 20+ years experience leading biomedical research teams, she understands the realities of pressure, complexity, and tough decisions. Clients describe her as empathetic yet direct, a trusted partner who empowers them to make real progress without burning out.
Book Your Free Coaching Session
(less than 5 min. to schedule, no credit card)
-“Kim is a sounding board, strategist, and mindset coach, all in one.” – Sr. Engineering Manager, Amazon
Why Work With Kimberly McDermott, PhD, PCC
The right coach changes everything.
I’ve worked with leaders for over a decade, smart, capable people who are working hard and want to make an impact.
They’re not stuck. They’re just looking for a more effective way to get where they want to go, with more clarity, less second-guessing, and fewer wasted cycles. That’s where coaching makes the difference.
I’ve helped people like you:
➔ Be seen and rewarded for the work they’re already doing
➔ Build trust and visibility beyond their immediate team
➔ Navigate politics, org changes, and shifting priorities, without burning out
➔ Move from constant execution to strategic, high-impact work
➔ Step into leadership without having to change who they are to fit
LinkedIn Profile
ICF PCC
Certification ensures high-quality and ethical services
Trusted by leaders
10 years coaching professionals to get to the next level
20+ years in science
PhD-trained leader, analytical thinker
8x faster promotion
Clients promote faster than average
Before I became a coach:
I spent 20+ years solving complex problems as a biomedical research scientist and leading teams in fast-paced, data-driven environments, including a chapter inside Amazon.
I understand the pressure to deliver, navigate ambiguity, and keep growing when expectations never slow down.
Benefits of Coaching
Coaching helps you refine your strategy and accelerate results. Here’s what clients walk away with:
Clarity on What Actually Moves the Needle
Know exactly how your work connects to promotion, visibility, and influence. No more guessing what will “get noticed.”
A Trusted Thinking Partner
Leadership can feel isolating. Coaching gives you a clear-headed space to think, reflect, and act with intention.
A Strategy to Grow Without Burning Out
Stop overworking. Start aligning your energy with high-impact leadership actions that accelerate your growth and protect your bandwidth.
The Confidence to Lead Authentically
You don’t have to become someone else to get ahead. Coaching helps you lead in a way that aligns with who you are, and how you want to grow.
Influence Without Playing Politics
Learn how to advocate for yourself, get others to advocate for you, and build visibility without compromising your values.
Voice of a Client
“Kim helped me identify gaps, build a strategy, and take action. I left each session clearer, more confident, and better equipped to move forward.”
– Mitul K.
Leadership Coaching That Builds Confidence & Influence
A simple, thoughtful process designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward, without the overwhelm.
How coaching works:
01. Book Your Free Consult
Pick a time that works for you for a free 30-minute Zoom call.
🔹 No pressure, no pitch, your time to see if coaching with me is a good fit.
02. Begin Regular Coaching Sessions
If we’re a fit, we’ll design a coaching engagement aligned to your needs.
I offer two types of coaching support:
- A short-term Sprint (3 sessions) to get clarity and momentum fast
- Longer engagements (e.g. 12 sessions) for sustained leadership or career growth
We’ll figure out together which one fits best
🔹 You’ll get fresh perspective, honest feedback, and a strategy that fits you. It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what works.
03. See Real Progress
Whether you’re aiming for promotion, greater balance, or a new direction, coaching helps you take action with confidence and insight.
🔹 You’ll start to feel more in control, moving forward on your terms.
Client Results & Success Stories
Here’s what just a few clients had to say about our work together.
From burned out to confident and leading again.
“Kim changed my life. I came to her confused, burned out, and full of self-doubt. Through thoughtful questions and structured exercises, she helped me rediscover my strengths and values, and chart a healthier career path. I left a toxic job, healed, and found a role I love. I feel confident in myself and my leadership skills again.”
Freed up time to lead strategically, and saw his team thrive.
“Working with Kim has been one of the most impactful choices in my leadership journey. Her coaching helped me delegate better, lean on my team more effectively, and work fewer hours while improving performance. Before, I was trying to outrun failure, now I lead with clarity and see success as inevitable.”
Built confidence to speak up and have more impact.
“Kimberly blends empathy with structure in a way that truly works. She helped me gain confidence, step outside my comfort zone, and lead with more clarity. Her thoughtful approach made it easier to trust my instincts, speak up, and contribute more meaningfully at work.”
FAQ
A few things you might be wondering…
“I’m already stretched. How will I make time for this?”
Totally fair. Coaching is designed to give you time back.
Each session is 45 minutes, and we’ll meet weekly or bi-weekly, whatever works best for your schedule. Most clients say it quickly becomes the most efficient time in their week: a focused pause to reflect, strategize, and move forward with clarity.
Real traction that saves time in the long run.
“What if I’m not even sure what I need?”
You’re not alone. A lot of leaders feel that way at first.
We’ll start with a free consult to figure out what’s going on and where you want to go. If it’s still fuzzy, I’ve got tools that help, like emotional intelligence and leadership assessments, to surface insights and pinpoint where coaching can make the biggest difference.
“Is this going to be just soft skills?”
Not even close.
We’ll work on high-impact leadership skills, like influencing without authority, managing up, navigating tough conversations, and making sharper decisions.
Yes, we’ll also explore things like mindset and identity when it’s helpful, but it’s always tied to real-world outcomes.
And if something’s not working for you? I welcome your feedback so we can adjust.
“How long does it take to see results?”
Most clients feel a shift after just a few sessions (many after the very first session), and many start seeing meaningful progress within 3–4 weeks. Small, strategic changes unlock momentum.
It depends on your goals, but we’ll always work toward visible, tangible wins. I offer flexible coaching packages, from short sprints to build momentum to longer engagements (3–6 months) to provide support for bigger goals.
“What are your coaching packages and pricing??”
I offer flexible coaching packages based on your goals, availability, and budget.
Some people just need a few sessions to move through something specific. Others prefer ongoing support as they grow into a bigger leadership role, work towards a promotion, or plan a career transition.
We’ll figure out what’s right for you during your free 30-minute coaching session.
🔹 A 3-session Sprint is available for $525 if you’re looking for shorter-term support
🔹 Longer packages (e.g. 6 or 12 sessions) includes a 15-20% discount per session
Many of my long-term clients choose the 12-session package because it offers ongoing support, accountability, and the best value for sustained leadership or career growth.
Once you choose a package, payment is due in full before coaching begins.
You’ll have 30 days to request a refund for any unused sessions, no pressure, no risk.
“How do I know if you’re the right coach for me?”
The best way is to experience it.
The free consult is a real coaching session, you’ll get a sense of how I work, how I listen, and whether my approach works for you. No pressure, no pitch. Just space to see if this feels like a fit.
Here is an article by the International Coaching Fedration that has some great tips: Article Link
“What if I’m not trying to get promoted or work on leadership skills?”
Coaching is about helping you move forward on what matters most to you, not fitting into a box.
Many of my clients come in with goals like reducing burnout, building resilience, navigating a career pivot, or showing up with more confidence and calm in their current role. If something’s on your mind and you’re not sure how to move forward, that’s exactly what coaching is for.
A free consult is a great place to explore whether it’s the right next step for you.
For additional career and leadership development reseouces (e.g. curated articles and my blog) click here: https://kimberlymcdermott.com/resources/
Ready to Book Your Free Introductory Coaching Session?
💬 “I had a legitimate breakthrough on our first call.” – Rose Y.
This 30-minute session is all about you, no pitch, no pressure.
We’ll talk through where you are, what you’re aiming for, and I’ll answer your questions.
Whether or not we end up working together, you’ll walk away with more clarity and momentum.
🔹 30 minutes, tailored to you
🔹 Flexible scheduling to fit your calendar