Speak up when it’s easiest to stay quiet
I help mid-to-senior women in STEM lead high-stakes conversations—so they influence decisions, address issues directly, and are recognized as credible when it matters most.
When the stakes are high, what you say carries as much weight as what you know.
This is for you if…
You’ve been passed over for a promotion—and haven’t said what you really think about it
You’re already operating at the next level—but not clearly communicating your impact or your goals
You keep delaying the conversation you know could impact your career
You walk away from important conversations replaying what you wish you’d said
You avoid difficult conversations to preserve relationships—even when it costs you
You take on too much—and struggle to push back without feeling difficult
You’ve stepped into leadership—and navigating people and tension feels harder than expected
You’re considering leaving—but haven’t had the conversations that could actually improve your situation
Knowing your value is one thing. Communicating it in a way others recognize is what makes the difference.
You’re already doing the work. You’re delivering results.
But in the conversations that drive decisions, you’re either not saying what needs to be said — or not saying it clearly enough.
So your ideas get overlooked. Or misunderstood. Or nothing changes.
This isn’t about capability.
It’s about what happens in the moment you need to speak.
This work changes that — so what you say is clear, understood, and taken seriously.
What We Work On
We focus on the conversations where you know what needs to be said—but aren’t saying it the way you want to.
Together, we work through how you:
get clear on who you are, what you want, and why it matters—so your decisions, communication, and leadership are aligned
work through the hesitation that shows up right before you speak, make a decision, or take action
stop overthinking and make decisions you can stand behind
figure out what you actually want to say before the conversation
say your point clearly and directly—without overexplaining
push back, set boundaries, and communicate expectations without damaging relationships
This is a 12-week, 1:1 coaching engagement guided by the C.H.A.I.R.™ Framework—so you can handle these conversations with clarity, trust your decisions in the moment, and show up steady even when the stakes are high.
Areas of Focus
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Have the promotion conversation—clearly and directly
“I’m doing the work—but it’s not translating into recognition or growth.”
This is for you if:
You’ve been passed over—and haven’t addressed it directly
You’re already operating at the next level, but it’s not being acknowledged
You haven’t clearly said what you want next—or what you’re working toward
You’re considering leaving—but haven’t fully advocated for yourself where you are
We focus on helping you:
get clear on your impact and what your next step actually requires
communicate your work and goals in a way that is direct and easy to understand
address the gap between your current role and the level you’re operating at
navigate the hesitation that comes up when you advocate for yourself
approach the conversation in a way that leads to a clear outcome—not just a discussion
👉 Outcome: You’re recognized for the level you’re already operating at—and clear on what it takes to move forward
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Set boundaries—without damaging relationships
“I’m taking on too much, and it’s not sustainable—but I don’t want to damage relationships.”
This is for you if:
You’re overloaded—but struggle to push back without feeling difficult
Expectations are unclear or keep expanding after you’ve already said yes
You take on work that isn’t really yours—then feel stretched thin or resentful
You’re doing invisible work that keeps piling up
We focus on helping you:
get clear on what’s actually yours to own—and what isn’t
push back or say no in a way that’s direct and respectful
set expectations earlier so scope doesn’t quietly expand
reduce overcommitment so you’re not carrying more than you should
handle the discomfort of not automatically accommodating
👉 Outcome: You’re in control of your workload, not reacting to it
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Address issues directly—and hold standards without avoiding
“I know what needs to be said—but I’m not saying it the way I want to.”
This is for you if:
You leave important conversations wishing you had been more direct
You avoid addressing performance or behavior issues to preserve relationships
You hesitate to set or reinforce expectations with others
You’re responsible for outcomes—but not fully stepping into that role
We focus on helping you:
say what needs to be said clearly—without overexplaining or softening
address issues early instead of letting them build
hold others accountable for their responsibilities and deliverables
set and reinforce standards in a way that builds trust, not tension
follow through consistently so expectations actually stick
👉 Outcome: You lead with clarity and follow-through—not avoidance
C.H.A.I.R.™ Assessment
Use the C.H.A.I.R.™ assessment to uncover how you respond under pressure—and what’s influencing how you communicate in high-stakes moments.
Walk away with practical insight you can apply immediately
What Clients Walk Away With
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Say what you mean—clearly
You stop filtering yourself. You know what you want to say and can actually say it in the moment — without freezing, overthinking, or softening your point.
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Trust your decisions
With greater awareness of what drives your hesitation, you trust your judgment more and move forward with your decisions without second-guessing.
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Handle difficult conversations
You know how to prepare, what to say, and how to stay steady when things get uncomfortable — without shutting down or spiraling afterward.
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Set boundaries without overexplaining
You can push back, say no, and set expectations in a way that protects your time and relationships.
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A repeatable way to approach any conversation
You’re not starting from scratch every time something important comes up—you have a process that helps you get clear on what matters, work through hesitation, make decisions you trust, and follow through in the conversation.
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A more grounded way of leading
You gain clarity on who you are, what you want, and why it matters — and that internal alignment shows up in your presence, your communication, and your influence.
Lala Sorenson About
I didn’t find my voice on my own. Someone spoke up for me early in my career. That moment made something clear: it wasn’t a capability issue—it was learning how to say what I already knew.
That’s the work I do now. Helping women trust their thinking—and express it clearly when it matters.
16+ years in civil engineering across residential, commercial, transportation, and utility-scale solar
10+ years leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes, high-pressure environments
Direct involvement in hiring and promotion decisions—understanding how decisions are actually made
Formal training in leadership and executive coaching through iPEC (100+ hours)
A non-linear career shaped by immigration, caregiving, and industry transitions—bringing a practical, real-world lens to this work
Experience Behind My Work
If there’s a conversation you’ve been putting off, let’s talk it through.
a focused conversation about what’s been hard to navigate, what you want next, and whether this support makes sense.