ABOUT LAURA WESTMAN

Hello! I’m Laura Westman, a Hudson Valley-based ontological coach and multidisciplinary artist working in the realms of transformation, creativity and leadership. 

I'm a coach for creative breakthrough work and experiential learning: art, coaching, courses, books, videos, improv-based leadership workshops and more -- that invite us to "come home to" the beauty and power of our imaginations. 

As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC/ICF) blending multiple disciplines of practice, my coaching and art all help to bridge the creative and imaginative with the practical and tangible. 

I have a deep, somewhat inexplicable passion for the intersection between art and business!

I believe transformation is created through experience. The mission of my work is to support the pure creative self to resonate and thrive in today's world, in any of the realms you wish to see it thrive. 

I've found that most adults, whether or not they'll own up to it, long for a sense of freedom and belonging. Sometimes this involves a sense of creativity, lasting peace, security and sustained joy. Embracing our strengths and imaginative power is how we truly belong in the most important place of all: within ourselves. This is why my love for "magical media," as we call it on West of Wonderland Podcast, is so strong. I am deeply inspired by fantasy melding with reality and jump at any opportunity to use imagination to make a difference in places where it seems like it shouldn't, like in business development and organizational leadership!

I've been a full-time coach since 2012. Teaching improv at Washington Improv Theater is what made me want to be a coach! I loved watching people learn how to play again and embrace their creative potential and joy. Improv is also how I kept my love for performing arts alive during a time when I thought I wouldn't be able to pursue my dreams due to vocal nodules and an autoimmune condition. This transformative practice helped me design my own road back to creative joy and full expression. And today, I truly adore getting to blend both of those worlds together as often as I can. 

I couldn't stay away from my creative dreams, and I'm proud of who I have become to pursue them again. It's this passion and freedom that fuels me as an artist and in all my endeavors. 

I have my hands in a lot of pies, so to speak. Hopefully, you’ll find something for your creative and leadership needs among said pies: West of Wonderland Podcast & Trainings, 1:1 Coaching with me, The Creativity Broadcast on YouTube, my book How to Be Creative in the Age of Digital Noise, and my creativity courses. On the creative side, I have music, performance and written projects in progress. 

Get in touch if you’d like to explore working together or hiring us for your next engagement! 

I live in the Hudson Valley area of New York with my husband Cody and our pets, Ringo and Rocket. I am a graduate of Chapel Hill High School, The George Washington University and former program leader at Accomplishment Coaching. I am a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, an Accomplishment Coaching Certified Coach, and Dare To Lead Trained ™. I have a deep commitment to justice work and belonging.

In line with embracing my sound, you can find my original music here on Spotify, and maybe even run into me at The Secret Open Mic every once in awhile through Hudson Valley Improv.