I’m a certified CliftonStrengths® coach at the PCC level, and corporate leadership facilitator.

With a background in economics and management consulting, I bring a strategic and strengths-based approach to coaching, helping leaders and teams navigate growth, transitions, and collaboration with clarity and confidence. I offer corporate solutions as well as individualized coaching with an integrated approach.

hola, I’m Paula

What I offer

  • Helping professionals step into their strengths, manage blind spots, and develop executive presence.

  • Guiding teams to build trust, improve communication, and optimize performance through a strengths-based approach.

  • Supporting organizations in fostering a culture of engagement, wellbeing, and leadership excellence.

  • Coaching for career transitions and well being through breathwork.

more about paula castillo, pcc

I support corporate leaders and teams in unlocking their full potential through strengths-based coaching. My approach blends CliftonStrengths®, neuroscience, and somatic awareness to help professionals navigate leadership transitions, strengthen team dynamics, and lead with confidence.

Before coaching, I spent over 15 years in corporate strategy and leadership development, working with Fortune 500 companies and global organizations. My background as an economist and management consultant gives me a unique perspective on what it takes to thrive in high-stakes environments. I integrate mindfulness and embodied practices to coaching help leaders and teams build resilience, improve collaboration, and create meaningful impact.

I am fluent in English and Spanish.

My Coaching Philosophy

The career world isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about understanding your strengths, showing up with confidence, and leading in a way that’s true to you. My coaching framework is designed to help you:

  • Gain clarity in your leadership style and career path

  • Develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness

  • Build stronger, more collaborative teams

  • Navigate challenges with resilience and purpose

Through practical strategies and actionable insights, I support leaders in creating long-lasting, meaningful growth.

Why Work With Me?

  • Certified Strengths-Based Leadership Coach – I am a certified CliftonStrengths® coach at the PCC level with deep expertise in leadership development.

  • Corporate & Global Experience – Having worked with Fortune 500 companies and international teams, I understand the demands of high-performance environments.

  • Science-Backed & Holistic Approach – I integrate neuroscience, mindfulness, and somatic coaching for sustainable leadership growth.

  • Results-Oriented Coaching – Every session is designed to provide actionable insights that drive real-world impact.

  • Multicultural background—being born and raised in Colombia and now based in Washington, DC—gives me a global lens and a deep appreciation for diverse work environments.

Paula Castillo - Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach

Education

  • Masters in Public Policy, Harvard University

  • Double-major in Economics and Marketing, Suffolk University

SELECTED Certifications & Training

  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC) - International Coaching Federation (ICF)

  • Global CliftonStrengths Coach - Gallup

  • Mindfulness & Stress Resilience at Work - University of California Berkeley

  • Managing Team Conflict - LinkedIn

  • Workshop Facilitation - LinkedIn

  • Advanced Team Coaching Training

  • Restorative Yoga Teacher - Kripalu

Full list of certifications and coursework on my LinkedIn profile.

Additional Roles

  • Coaching with Paula was magical; by the end of our sessions I understood how the pieces of the puzzle in my career and relationships came together.

    Lead Specialist, International Development Bank

Book A Complimentary Call with me

Retreats, Workshops & Speaking Engagements

I offer tailored retreats and dynamic speaking engagements designed to inspire, empower, and create meaningful change. Drawing from my experience facilitating retreats and workshops for organizations like Jeronimo Martins, #samsales, and Stitch Fix, I specialize in using CliftonStrengths®, Group Coaching techniques, and facilitation to deepen self-awareness, strengthen team dynamics, and unlock collective potential.

Strengths-Focused Retreats & Workshops

My retreats go beyond traditional team-building. By anchoring the experience in CliftonStrengths®, I help teams:

  • Understand and leverage individual and collective strengths

  • Build trust and improve collaboration

  • Navigate change and growth with clarity and cohesion

  • Align team goals with individual motivators

Each engagement is designed to create space for meaningful reflection, dynamic interaction, and actionable outcomes. Whether it’s guiding senior leaders through complex decision-making or helping new teams form strong foundations, these retreats create lasting impact.

Speaking Engagements

As a speaker, I bring a grounded, insightful, and engaging presence to conferences, panels, and corporate events. Popular topics include:

  • Your Strengths Are Calling: Applying the Science of Callings to Career Transitions

  • Strengths-Based Team Development

  • Specific topics applied to individual and professional development

Speaking and workshops

  • February - April 2025: Financial Literacy Coaching, StitchFix

  • October-December 2024: CliftonStrengths Coaching and Retreat Workshop, #samsales Consulting

  • August-September 2024: CliftonStrengths Coaching and Workshop, Virtual, Jerónimo Martins (ARA)

  • April 2024: Strengths and Callings. DC 40 + of Greater Washington.

  • October 2023: Your Strengths Are Calling Workshop. New Jersey Center for Women.

  • April 2023: Gender equality and the workplace, Panel Member, Colegio Nueva Granada.

  • March 2022: Feminism and the workplace, Panel Member, Colegio Nueva Granada.

  • March 2022: Feminism, bias, and empathy. Workshop. Universidad Tecnológica de Monterrey.

  • April 2022: Your Strengths Are Calling Workshop. New Jersey Center for Women.

  • December 2021: Fulfillment in Work and Life: Satisfaction, Engagement, and Work as a Calling Workshop. World Bank Group.

compassionate, insightful, and a deep listener. PAULA helped me work through issues that limited my outlook. I’m grateful to continue working with her.

I am better, stronger, happier for it.


-LARA, ENTREPRENEUR