Shifting Perspectives: A CPO's Journey to Coaching Success
I had the privilege of photographing Donna M. Hughes, JD, ACC, founder and CEO of Hughes Solutions, LLC. She shared some of her journey becoming an executive coach, growing from solopreneur to a firm of coaches in just two years.
“I began my career as a law firm attorney, then I transitioned to in-house counsel, in retail and then in big pharma. Eventually, I became a Chief People Officer for a small-cap global pharma company and then for an 8-billion-dollar healthcare company.
Throughout my life, I was the go-to confidante for family and friends, helping them through career journeys and life challenges. I didn’t know why I was “that person” for them. In my career, I became a mentor and coach to colleagues.
For years, after long days as a CPO, I’d pick up the phone for anyone who needed coaching support. Sometimes they were strangers starting the conversation with, ‘You don’t know me, but I’m having this challenge, and ‘So and so’ said I should talk to you’, and we would go from there!
During the pandemic, I did some soul-searching and realized that not only did the caller walk away from the conversation with value, but I also received immense joy in helping them move beyond the challenge and reach their greater potential.
One day I realized serving others through coaching was truly my purpose and it was time for me to pursue my own business doing so. It was scary. I’ve always been a bi-weekly check, kind of gal! But in 2022, I started Hughes Solutions as a solopreneur coach.
Fast forward, the business has grown. Hughes Solutions has gone from ‘me’ to ‘we’ with a team of coaches. In January, I launched my new website to reveal Hughes Solutions has an expanded network of incredible coaches available for one-on-one, team coaching, or cohorts focused on organizational leadership challenges.
In building our team, I selected those with whom I’ve had relationships before we became coaches. We’ve known each other a long time and we’ve coached each other. That’s why I can comfortably trust them to deliver excellence.
We coach all levels with a strong concentration of senior-level clients. When people get there, it can be lonely. Some think, ‘I shouldn’t feel like I don’t know what I’m doing’. However, coaching helps leaders expand their growth mindset and shift their practices to solve the challenges of today.
I am thankful for all of the careers I’ve had. They’ve led me to Hughes Solutions, right where I’m supposed to be.
I met Alissa two and a half years ago, shortly after starting my business. She is fabulous, so talented, so unique; working with her was unlike any headshot experience I've had before.
She wants to understand who you are. She has such a great way of drawing you in and putting you at ease. She taps into the essence of you and it shines through in her photos. They are a great representation of you inside and out!
I’m not sure how she does it, I just know it’s a gift!”