THE SCIENTIST COACH
The bridge from researcher to founder.
Strategic advising and coaching for scientists and engineers becoming founders.
THE REALITY
Technical brilliance doesn’t protect you from uncertainty.
You are trained to solve hard problems. You can analyze complexity.You can build systems. But no one trained you to start a company. It is time to learn how to:
Build high performing teams
Navigate Conflict
Bridge the technical with non-technical
Build a business
In today’s climate, that gap is stressful.
WHAT I DO
I'm a scientist, working with scientists on the leap to founder.
After nearly two decades inside a national laboratory, I understand the human dynamics that are critical factors on your path towards success. I help technical experts make the leap from researcher to founder by:
Read more about what I do here.
Moving from scarcity thinking to strategic clarity
Leading with all sources of data and not just your head
Address the human dynamics that impact your success
Building confidence and resilience
You have the technical brilliance. I support you to build the company around that.
I offer grounded thought partnership to efficiently work WITH you through your biggest challenges.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Work with me.
THE SHIFT
From pushing harder
to leading more easfully
From reactive
to intentional
From isolated
to strategically supported
From surviving uncertainty
to finding your ground through chaos
When the human system strengthens, the technical system accelerates.
WHO THE WORK IS FOR
This work is for scientists and engineers who are stepping into a founder role for the first time. Specifically, this is for those who:
Are facing investors and boards who don't speak our technical language
Have never hired, managed, or led a team before
Want a thinking partner for the leap itself — not just operational help getting there
Are questioning whether "founder" is an identity they can actually grow into
I support my clients to find clarity and choice where there appears to be none.
WAYS WE WORK TOGETHER
I partner with a limited number of clients so I can engage thoughtfully and deeply in the challenges that matter most.
Ongoing Advisory Partnership
I work individually with a small number of scientists and engineers in ongoing advisory relationships as they are making the transiti. Together we address challenges such as: identity and confidence issues, navigating uncertainty, and communication challenges that hinder your progress and success in the transition to founder.
Founder & Co-Founder Partnership
Early-stage founders face intense interpersonal and strategic pressure. I work alongside founders, providing an unbiased sounding board to navigate difficult decisions, handle decision fatigue, and bridge the divide between the technical and non-technical.
Team Advisory
For small startups just getting off the ground - navigating funding pressure, cultural strain, or rapid growth. This work focuses on strengthening leadership capacity, holding difficult conversations, and creating healthier systems for sustained innovation.
Uncertainty isn’t going away, especially in the leap from expert to founder. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re ready to expand your skillset and face your challenges — I’d love to connect.
CLIENT REVIEWS
“Christine has pushed me to be more deeply reflective than I might have otherwise been - this has helped me safely explore areas outside of my comfort zone.”
— Joe, Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Lab
“Christine’s gift is her keen ability to listen and dig a little deeper to help me understand the different parts of myself that were not working to support my goals and how to get out of my own way.
After only 6 sessions, I have developed new, more supportive daily habits and have moved from feeling stuck, desperate, and rather hopeless to a sense of possibility and momentum.
I can’t recommend Christine highly enough!
— Solopreneur, Boulder, CO
“I was feeling stuck professionally for nearly 15 years before meeting and working with Christine. I have worked with other coaches who helped me gain clarity about my next steps. None of those plans came to fruition and I found myself coming up against the same old patterns.
I was sure I would be her most challenging client but Christine stepped right into the challenge with a level of confidence and grace that helped me feel seen, met and supported without judgement. For the first time, I have a clear business plan that I am excited about!
Solopreneur, Boulder, CO
APPOINTMENT SIGN UP
Most scientists and engineers were never trained to handle the human side of innovation and bringing new technologies into the world — leadership pressure, conflict, uncertainty, and identity shift.
I work specifically with motivated, high achievers who want to make that leap without sacrificing themselves in the process.
This free chemistry conversation is a chance to:
Talk through what’s actually going on
Get an outside perspective from another scientist/engineer who speaks your language
See whether my approach aligns with your goals
Decide if working together makes sense
Schedule your free chemistry call by filling out the form on the right.