About Naomi
As a coach, facilitator and consultant I partner with individuals and organizations navigating challenging spaces and phases. I’m here to help you close gaps between where you are and where you truly want to be.
Professional Background
I am Naomi Cheah, an International Coaching Federation certified coach, and working towards my Associate Certified Coach credential. I graduated from Lily Seto and Carol Vicker’s International Coaching Federation accredited coaching program, 8th Element Coaching.
I coach in both English and Mandarin. I am comfortable working with clients cross-culturally. My lived experience honed my adaptability to manage cultural differences in various organizations and countries.
I am a lifelong learner; I continue to learn and apply new knowledge and skills that help further my coaching practice. I see obstacles as teachers and failures as learning towards success. I am here to help you grow, develop, transform your life, and create meaningful change. I can help you take action to move forward towards your goals in life and business. As a professional coach, I discovered that meaningful conversations make a significant difference for human beings.
My lived experience that enriches my coaching practice
I have lived experience working in a great organization culture that allowed me to bring my authentic self and thrive, and working in a demoralizing culture that stifled my growth and undermined my confidence. Having experienced the impact of high-performance and toxic work environment firsthand, I made it my personal mission to build empowering work cultures – a people first culture and to help others reach their fullest potential. In my organization, I’m a coach, passionate advocate and active contributor to employee engagement, people, and culture initiatives, and in leadership and learning development.
As a Southeast Asian and English as second language speaker, I have lived experience being discriminated against my race and linguistic capability while living in United States and Canada. I evolved from not saying anything for being treated poorly, to having the courage to speak up to the person or share it with management if it was coming from an external party. I received kindness and support from my peers and management to address those discriminating comments. I also managed to have difficult conversations with the person and share how it impacted me, and able to work through our relationship to re-establish trust.
Personal Bio
Globetrotter: I’m originally born in Malaysia. I’m fluent in Mandarin, English and Malay and speak basic French. I lived in China, United States and now call Canada my home. Growing up in a multi-cultural hot pot in Malaysia, I am interested in learning about new cultures, histories and cuisines. I have traveled the globe extensively, over 20 countries, including off the beaten paths.
Professional background: I hold a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University, and an undergraduate degree in Life Science from Zhejiang University. Currently, I’m pursuing adult education training through the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program with the Vancouver Community College. My background is life science and public health, where I worked most of my career. I decided to transition into coaching, organizational culture, and learning and development after I experienced the transformative effects of coaching and continuous learning in my career.
Interests: When I’m not coaching or working, you will find me dancing salsa, bachata and kizomba, travelling internationally, practicing yoga, working out, reading personal development books, cooking international cuisine for my family, hanging out at the beach with my daughter.
Newcomer & military spouse: As a 1st generation Canadian and a military spouse, I understand the obstacles and difficulties newcomers and military spouses face to establish meaningful employment in a new city or country. During my initial years in Ottawa, Canada as a newcomer, I couldn’t land on a stable position in my field despite no lack of trying. I applied to almost over 50 jobs during my first few years. I was unemployed and volunteered with non-profits in the field of public health. Then, I was underemployed for a year working as a cashier, waitress, Mandarin tutor and brand ambassador. My second year in Canada, I was employed with temporary contracts in my field, not knowing if I would have a pay cheque coming in when my contract ends. I studied French for the three years I lived in Ottawa to improve my chances of getting hired.
I had faith that one day the Universe would unfold as it should, as long as I kept working and not give up. I accessed as much help as I could, such as career coaching services for newcomers. I kept on applying, interviewing, volunteering, networking, and reaching out to my professional network. My third year in Canada, I finally landed a permanent position in my field in Victoria, British Columbia where my husband was relocated to.
Throughout tumultuous periods in my life, my perseverance, resilience and growth mindset helped me overcome many obstacles. My dedication to personal and professional growth helped me progress in my career, let me help you do the same!