Leadership + Executive Coaching
for WOC and Allies
Leadership + Executive Coach
for Women of Color + Allies
TRUSTED BY:
TRUSTED BY:
Struggling with your leadership, and need help improving team dynamics that creates clarity and sustainability for everyone?
Hi! I’m Elaine Lou Cartas – Business and Executive Career Coach for Women of Color (WOC) and Allies (also obsessed with Target and Costco).
I get it — everyone counts on you. Your team relies on you for direction and solutions, your family depends on you to keep everything in harmony, and you’re left trying to find even five minutes of peace — sometimes sneaking into a quiet corner or hiding in your closet just to catch your breath without a screen or any humans. MSN awarded me as a top Leadership & Executive Coach in 2024, Apple News recognized me as one of the top 5 business coaches, and LA Weekly awarded me as the #1 Thought Leader for my Conscious Conversations® framework.
My leadership insights have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Money Magazine, Huffpost and MSN. In addition, I also have online courses with LinkedIn, Duke, Brown, John Hopkins, USC and 30+ more universities.
- Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed and unsure what to do next?
- Are you craving a sounding board outside your company to help you gain clarity from the chaos?
- Are you stuck in the hamster wheel of day-to-day tasks, and yearning for a life (even if it means 5 minutes in your closet) outside of work?
And I want to check in with you,
Here’s the truth: You are more than your job title, you are also a human who deserves to also live your life
Through a trauma-informed coaching approach that uses my Conscious Conversations® model, I help leaders and teams simplify workloads, overcome overwhelm, and achieve sustainable results with clarity and confidence.
“It was a space I can be free in. You [Elaine] saw me as a woman of color struggling for my footing. I walked away knowing that I’m not crazy and that there is help. Thank you for seeing me. It’s helped me get me to where I am at NOW.”
– Chéla Gage, Starbucks Global Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer
“Working with Elaine helped me get a new job where I doubled my income. She has also helped me become more assertive in the workplace. Elaine focuses on the systems that will make your business successful. Those systems have allowed for me to have 80% of my client renewals completed early.”
— Lindsey, Market Director
Why should you work with a POC Leadership & Executive Coach?
As a fellow POC, you don’t need to explain why you think or feel certain ways because of your cultural upbringing. I completely understand the tug-of-war wanting to honor your family’s sacrifices while pursuing both the career and life you truly want.
We were raised to go after a secure and safe job, but I’m here to challenge you that you can have a fulfilling career that does provide security, safety and the life you’ve always wanted.
How am I different from other career coaches? (and how that helps YOU)
I am a proud first generation Filipino immigrant. I acknowledge the privilege I have because of all the generational sacrifices made before me. Here’s a pic of me with my dad, grandma, and a picture of my great-grandfather all who were grapevine workers that immigrated to Central California and a reminder of my roots and resilience.
I was a former grassroots organizer and political fundraiser.I have worked on local, state and federal campaigns. Here’s a pic of me in the Capitol at 22 when I helped a congressional member get elected.
I’ve faced workplace bullying, and learned how to stand up for myself. Here’s a pic of me at the first event I hosted June 2018 to help women of color and allies to put themselves first.
I negotiated a $12k raise for myself, and got my first $100k contract now I teach my clients to do the same when it comes to negotiation, boundaries and assertiveness.
I successfully pivoted industries, increasing my salary by $26k while raising $8.2 Million in Community College Scholarships
Running my coaching business for 7+ years. I’ve served 11k+ clients in 58 different countries, hosted 57 events and retreats, became a Trauma-Informed Coach, and Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation.I also have online courses with LinkedIn, Duke, Brown, John Hopkins, USC and 30+ more universities. And I want to check in with you
“One of my favorite learnings from your session is to always take feedback, but you don’t always have to use it (paraphrasing of course). Thank you for the valuable tools!”
– Cynthia Byrnes, Coca-Cola, Director of Customer Service
Conscious Conversations®
We use our Conscious Conversations® 6-prong approach to guide high-performing leaders and their teams to:
- Reduce burnout and foster happier, more productive teams
- Tailor solutions to each team member’s unique needs, ensuring goals are met with less stress
- Build accountability for leaders and their teams
Our approach centers on these pillars:
- Pause: Reflect on your communication and leadership style, drawing insights from past projects and interactions to uncover growth opportunities.
- Perspective(s): Gain clarity on others’ goals and leadership styles to improve communication and productivity.
- Priorities: Understand goals from each team member and stakeholder to ensure alignment and focus.
- Prepare: Strategize effectively for meetings, projects, and challenging situations.
- Perform: Execute with confidence to lead impactful meetings and achieve outcomes.
- Passion: Remind yourself why you are passionate about your role, and the projects you are working on.
Imagine this:
- You and your team members confidently achieving their goals
- Leading transformational change where your team members trust the process, you, and each other
- Peace at work and your life
Conscious Conversations® equips leaders and teams with the tools to lead and foster thriving, engaged teams.
“I loved the 6-prong framework, I’ve leveraged it and plan to do so, as it’s easy to remember the 6-Ps organized around the visual of the heart. Passion at its core. I just had a real time conversation yesterday. I was part of a team that led a big networking event last week, and when I stepped in and around with the attendees, I owned the room!”
– Brenda Valley, Albertsons
Finance Officer
Need a trusted guide to navigate tough conversations with your team while celebrating the big and small wins along the way?
My leadership development coaching sessions are designed to help guide a top executive like YOU through challenges and opportunities, including:
- How to support your team through process change, team expansion or foundational shifts they may struggle to embrace
- How to maintain transparency while strengthening the culture that was created
- How to see your employees as whole humans, while helping them improve both personally and professionally
- How to continue adapting and improving your leadership style while meeting your own needs.
“My favorite part was your ability to let others SHINE. You showed us our own power and knowledge by permitting us to help each other out. It sometimes takes people like you to bring it out of us.”
– Vicki Goizueta, PHR, SHRM-CP Acosta Group
Human Resources Business Partner
Meet The Team
Through personalized one-on-one coaching with me and my team of experts—Monica Schrock, a Marketing Strategist; Gabrielle Lacasse, a Systems & Operations Strategist; Iryne Carrasquillo, an Intuitive Guide; and myself, your Business and Career Coach—you’ll gain the tools and support to create a sustainable, values-driven culture that remains profitable and aligned with your goals with my coaching practice.
Elaine Lou Cartas, MA
CEO + Business Strategist | IG: @elainelou_
Elaine is the CEO and visionary behind the business. She empowers leaders and teams to create more sustainable lives through her one-on-one coaching and Business & Career Leadership Mastermind. She loves doing Muay Thai and has been doing it for 21 years.
Monica Schrock
Marketing Strategist
Monica is an optimistic, introverted copywriter who’s spent the last 15 years helping 200 clients craft their message to increased sales and donations from double to over ten times. She provides monthly coaching to the Business & Career Leadership Mastermind and 1:1 sessions to support our clients with their messaging and copy.
Gabrielle Lacasse
Systems & Operations Strategist
Gabrielle is a seasoned Business Integrator and Consultant with 10+ years of experience in managing projects and operations. She helps business owners focus on the big picture instead of getting bogged down in the details. She’s skilled at building effective teams, coming up with creative solutions, and setting up systems to make businesses run smoother. She’s worked closely in the coaching, consulting, and the tech industry.
Iryne Carrasquillo
Intuitive Guide
Iryne has 20 years of coaching, counseling, and intuitive guidance experience. She is a certified life coach and holds a Masters level education in psychology, social work, and business administration. Iryne enjoys helping her clients discover their purpose, follow through on their direction, and find clarity within their life and business. Iryne is happily married for over 20 years, is a mother to two young daughters, and resides in the beautiful, rural mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania.
What’s possible for you:
- Imagine being present with your family because your team has your back and can carry out your legacy
- Seamlessly navigating change while fostering trust and commitment within your team
- Developing strengths-based leadership styles that encourages your team to do the same.
- Building a team culture where individuals respect and support one another to achieve shared goals
- Creating a base of happy, loyal clients/customers who rave about your service and refer others
- Defining success and happiness by your own terms — and knowing that it’s possible.
“As a business owner knee-deep in day-to-day operations for my restaurant, I needed high-level support with strategy and creating a game plan that my whole leadership team could get on board with. Elaine was our answer! During our sessions, she created a safe space where everyone felt comfortable bringing ideas to the table. Furthermore, she kept an open line of communication amongst all involved, so everyone could share their thoughts equally! Every time we leave a session with her, we have more clarity and direction, which has led to more productivity and a positive boost in our morale in the workplace.”
— JENNY VALLES, CO-OWNER, SAMPA RESTAURANT
You got two ways to partner with us:
There are many types of coaching to choose from — cookie-cutter templates, rigid frameworks — but my coaching style and coaching conversation is both individualized and intentional.
My coaching program is selective, with no more than 15 active clients at any one time. This ensures a personalized and professional experience with results that matter.
Ready to stop doing the most and start focusing on what really matters so you can get your time back? In a community of high achieving leaders who want a sustainable life, together we work on developing your leadership skills as an individual leader to:
- Reclaim your time by streamlining systems and priorities
- Master communication skills and systems to lead your team and clients
- Simplify your workload to improve profits, and have a life outside of your work
- Build a career and life that’s aligned to your values
This 6-month mastermind includes eight 60-minute sessions with me, and monthly office hours with our dream team of coaches who specialize in marketing, operations, intuitive guidance and financial strategy.
1:1 Mentorship
Want me, Elaine, in your corner with exclusive, personalized coaching? You get a direct line with me to help you:
- Take back your time with seamless systems that provide you big wins — profits, productivity and peace of mind.
- Simplify client and team interactions which will boost collaboration, creativity and your bottom line
- Achieve game-changing outcomes without compromising what matters most to you
My one-to-one mentorship is tailored to your leadership goals with two 60-minute coaching sessions per month, and we can add coaching services from our dream team of coaches who specialize in marketing, operations, intuitive guidance and financial strategy.
Are you an organization looking for team coaching, facilitation or a speaker?
Email us at [email protected]
Hi! I’m Elaine Lou Cartas.
I’m a Leadership & Executive Coach for Women of Color and Allies. I’m here to help you find clarity, simplify the chaos and create sustainable results
Let’s be real: Profit, growth and systems are all important. But better questions to ask include
- Are you leading in a way that feels good for you and your team?
- Are you staying true to your values especially when the pressure-cookier is on?
- And are you able to lead with integrity to create change that makes a difference?
It’s time for you to break free from the hamster wheel and build something that works for you, your team and mission.
In 2020, my business doubled in revenue, but I burned out. I was constantly on my phone and working.
In 2022, the effects of working a lot finally got to me, and I slowed down a lot to ask, “What is important to me?” I share more in this podcast episode. So I made some radical changes which led to:
- 4-week vacations annually (completely unplugged. Yelp, NO working)
- Tripling profitability in 2024 by doing less, and doing it better
- Fully present moments with loved ones, phone stashed away so I can be present with loved ones in-person vs. my phone
I work with leaders who…
- Want to create change and develop their own leadership and coaching skills while building trust and commitment to their teams
- Are grounded in their values and want to lead with purpose
- Are willing to work on themselves and receive feedback
But I’m not the coach for you if:
- You do not have a growth mindset
- You don’t believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- You aren’t willing to truly listen and learn from your team
“I was so impressed with Elaine’s ability to command the room of 20+ executives, coaches and mentors for the training we brought her in to lead to kick off our Cohort #1 Mentorship Coaching Circles. Elaine is such a natural speaker and brings with her an amazing energy that creates an inclusive, safe and inspirational environment. She spoke to an audience of Mentors for the Project Management Institute’s San Francisco, Bay Area chapter’s coaching circles to provide them with the tools they would need to mentor a group of Project Managers and aspiring Project Managers. The group was engaged, taking notes, sharing their experiences and gave such great feedback after the training. I am really glad I had her speak to this group to kick off our coaching circles, the wisdom and energy she left them with has certainly made a huge impact on our program.”
— JULIANA WISE, CERTIFIED PROJECT MANAGER,
OWNER, JWISE PROJECT
Trained, coached and presented to Fortune 500 Executives & leaders from:
Tired of how things are going, and ready to create change?
Then schedule a 30-minute Legacy Business and Review Call to receive three individualized action-items and a custom proposal to support you and your team for sustainable results.
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