Welcome

And hello! I'm Kyra, founder of Clarity West. For years, I did it all. Actually, let me back track…I tried to. I built a career I was proud of, worked hard to raise a family, and kept chasing the next thing: travel, a memoir, a series pitch, whatever was next on the list. Grinding felt like the plan, and most days it felt like it was working.

Then a breast cancer diagnosis changed the timeline. It didn't just disrupt my plans, it forced a real reckoning with how I was living, working, and defining a life well spent. I still wanted a career I loved and a family I showed up for, but "do it all" stopped being the goal. Living well, on my own terms, became the point.

That shift is what led me to create Clarity West, a space for practical strategies, global practices, and experiments that help people navigate the realities of work and rebuild them when life asks for something different.

As a Work-Life Design Strategist & Certified Coach, I help people design rhythms that actually fit who they are now, whether that means reclaiming joy and purpose, redefining ambition, or simply learning to move through the day with a little more ease.

Hectic → Human-Centered

Before founding Clarity West, I spent two decades in tech, management consulting, and international development, working for companies like Intuit and Booz Allen.

I loved the work. It challenged me, shaped my career, and connected me with incredible people. Along the way, I noticed a pattern: careers evolve, skills transfer, and “success” looks very different depending on the season of life you’re in.

What never changed was my fascination with how people work and how work shapes life, and how often burnout sneaks in along the way. I found myself constantly helping colleagues show up healthier and smarter, which sparked a deeper exploration of how modern work environments and habits shape the way we live.

Perspective is My Superpower

In 2013, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. It was a full-on wake-up call that completely reshaped how I see life, work, rest, happiness, and what really matters. It made me rethink success on my own terms, and for me, that looks like:

→ Meaningful work that’s aligned with my values, interests, and strengths
→ More space for family, friends, travel, and all the things I love to do (e.g., camping, hiking, pickleball!)
→ Creative and entrepreneurial pursuits I’ve always dreamed of exploring
→ Healthy habits like working out + sports, nourishing myself well, and letting go of stress over things beyond my control

Beyond Coaching

I’m married with a 14-year-old son (plus our high-energy rescue, Maya!). We’re an adventurous trio, always seeking new experiences together. Although I grew up in Northern California and now call Carlsbad, CA home, I’ve also lived and worked all around the U.S. and world. Each place has added to my love for exploration and connection. My travels have fueled my focus in so many ways.

Education

  • BA in International Relations (major) & Psychology (minor) – Wellesley College

  • MS in Foreign Service & MBA – Georgetown University

Life Outside of Work

  • Exploring new cities & countries (I still dream of pitching a travel TV series!)

  • Getting outside, whether hiking, road-tripping, or just breathing fresh air by the ocean or in the mountains

  • Connecting with incredible people and having meaningful conversations

  • Playing sports, including pickleball and tennis (yes, they can co-exist, ha!)

  • Tuning into a podcast (special mention: Absolutely Not, Smartless, Good Hang, Zero to Travel)

I truly believe in embracing what energizes us. When we do, we show up better in all aspects of life.

Speaking of, I have a podcast

It’s called Globally Grounded: The Work-Life Reset and is for busy professionals who want a healthier, more sustainable way to live and work, in a world that tends to glorify busyness over well-being.

Rooted in my love of travel, this podcast digs into how we can rethink the way we work, rest, and show up, all while adding a little global perspective (and maybe a few surprises along the way…TBD, since I’m not quite sure what those will be just yet!).

Each episode mixes research, cultural insights, and practical tools to help you figure out what well-being really looks like at work, at home, and everywhere in between. If you’re craving a reset from the grind, a spark of inspiration, or a fresh take on better aligning life and career, Globally Grounded has your back.

Listen here

Coaching Credentials

  • Certified Professional Coach (CPC)

    Certified Professional Coach (CPC), trained through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), a highly regarded coaching program globally. My training equips me with evidence-based tools, techniques, and frameworks to help clients navigate change and create sustainable work-life alignment.

  • Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP)

    Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), certified through iPEC to administer and debrief this powerful attitudinal assessment. The ELI helps clients uncover how they show up under stress and in everyday life, offering deep insights that fuel greater self-awareness, resilience, and intentional choice in work and life.

  • Coaching Fundamentals

    Certificate in Coaching Fundamentals from iPEC, which provided a strong foundation in core coaching skills—active listening, powerful questioning, and creating safe, goal-oriented spaces for growth. This training emphasizes the International Coaching Federation (ICF) core competencies and informs every client interaction.