Annette Blum Pearson
Executive Leadership Coach, Board Member, and Co-Founder
Launching the Light Her Way community and the Board of AdviseHERS cohort to increase female representation in boardrooms.
Intro
I’m Annette Blum Pearson, an Executive Leadership Coach and Co-Founder dedicated to helping ambitious leaders step into their power. My career arc spans from high-impact marketing and product roles at Google and Cisco to my current focus on board governance and professional development. As the Co-Founder of Light Her Way and a Trustee for the ICF Foundation, I am passionate about closing the gender gap in boardrooms and fostering leadership that aligns with personal values. I specialize in helping 'accidental managers' transition into intentional leaders and facilitating salon-style conversations that connect people through shared meals and meaningful dialogue. Whether you are an emerging leader in tech or a woman seeking your first board seat, I offer the strategic coaching and community support needed to move the needle on your professional goals.
Networking
What I can offer
- ›Executive coaching for emerging leaders
- ›Board readiness training
- ›Organizational assessments (LTW Glimpse Assessment)
- ›Strategic marketing and brand evangelism advice
What I'm looking for
- ›Ambitious women seeking board roles
- ›Emerging leaders in tech and startups
- ›Organizations looking to improve manager retention and morale
Best fit for
Focus
Current interests
Core competencies
Background
Career
Began in PR and sales, transitioned into marketing and product management at Cisco and Google, and evolved into executive coaching and community leadership.
Education
MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Management (2010); BA in Economics, Emory University; Leadership Coaching Certification (CPCC), Co-Active Training Institute.
Achievements
- ›Hosted 25+ Shalon events for nearly 600 people to address social issues.
- ›Contributed to 14% Y/Y growth in a $500M wireless networking business at Cisco.
- ›Led Cisco’s inaugural presence at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity Innovation Summit.
- ›Co-founded Light Her Way and the Board of AdviseHERS cohort in 2024.
Opinions
- Hope is not a plan: career success requires intentional goal setting and networking.
- Many managers are underprepared because they are promoted for technical skills rather than people skills.
- No two people are alike; everyone needs a unique, authentic coaching approach.
Personality
Communication style
Strategic, encouraging, and professional yet warm; balances corporate experience with a strategic optimist persona.
Formality — 7/10
Vocabulary