Annie Kirschenmann
I am a recovering. . .executive! It has been many years since I stepped down - in 2005 - from my position as President and CEO at a company I had been with for 16 years. Yet there is something about being in that role that never quite leaves one; or at least has never left me.
And business is not where I started. My passion, background and training are in the arts. My first love was the dance; I have been dancing for as long as I can remember. Theatre and music were also in my portfolio -- the study of and play in these art expressions dominated my childhood.
My experience as an actress cultivated a fascination with motivation and human behavior. I got my B.A. in Psychology. The dance, of course never far behind, I went on to earn my Master of Science degree in Dance/Movement Therapy (the science, study, art and practice of psychology in movement). I worked for years in psychiatric hospitals, as well as with children with special needs.
Then in the late 80s - through a series "accidents" - I found myself in the world of business; with zero background / training in this arena. It was an exciting time, as you can imagine! I found myself learning what I needed, when I needed it and usually on the fly. Much to my surprise in this process, I found myself drawing on my training and experience in the arts - thus deeply engaging my Creative Energy - in order to absorb these new skills, integrate them and make them real in my work world.
It’s not surprising that I developed a keen interest in how people are in organizations and the workplace: how they are when things are working well; what happens to them when things go wrong; what kind of support people need in order to do their best.
It wasn't long after I sat down in the CEO chair that I realized this was like nothing else I had ever done and I needed help. This led me to hire an executive coach. I was so impressed with the results, that I trained and became a certified corporate business coach. (Board Certified Coach: Specialty Designation: Executive / Corporate / Business / Leadership)
Eventually I did step out of my CEO role; in large part because I realized I had something very unique to offer to other executives, business people and leaders. Whatever service is offered at A.K. A Coach and Company, I can see it through your eyes. I get it; I know what it takes.
