Welcome! I’m Gretchen, founder of Curious Magpie Career & Strengths Coaching LLC™—a coaching and consulting practice grounded in the belief that careers should be built with purpose, equity, and courage.

I’m a certified career, strengths, and salary negotiation coach with over a decade of experience helping mid-career professionals navigate transitions, advocate for themselves, and lead with confidence. I also partner with higher education institutions to design equitable, student-centered career education systems that are both strategic and sustainable.

Here’s why I do this work:

🔹 I’m a career coach because I know how life-changing it is to have access to the right support at the right time—especially in moments of uncertainty, growth, or reinvention.

🔹 I’m a salary negotiation coach because it makes me furious to see talented people underpaid and undervalued. Everyone deserves to be compensated fairly for the impact they make.

🔹 I’m a strengths coach because I believe every person has the potential to make a meaningful contribution—once they understand how to harness their unique talents.

🔹 And I’m a consultant for colleges and universities because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful career education can be when it’s fully embedded in the student experience. I help institutions navigate change, center equity, and build career services that foster purpose, belonging, and real-world readiness.

What sets me apart is a holistic approach that sees the full person—or the full system. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all coaching or surface-level solutions. Whether I’m supporting an individual or advising an institution, I bring empathy, clarity, and a deep commitment to helping clients move forward with purpose.

I use an evidence-based coaching and facilitation framework—The Magpie Method™—which blends CliftonStrengths®, structured reflection, mindfulness, and resilience-based tools to help clients move beyond anxiety or limiting beliefs. It’s designed to support real transformation while staying grounded, curious, and step-by-step.

You’ll leave our work together with concrete tools, clear direction, and a deeper understanding of your strengths—whether you're redesigning a career or reimagining a career center. We’ll probably share quite a few laughs along the way, since humor is a wonderful tool of imagination and perspective!