Where Women of Color Lead and Win

Coaching, strategy, and community that turn expertise into money, power and respect

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I’m Cynthia Pong—Forbes Contributor, CNBC Career Expert, and award-winning executive coach.

Over the last decade, I’ve helped over 14,000 women of color turn their hard-won expertise into bigger titles, bigger checks, and real decision-making power. My playbooks, programs, systems, and corporate training close race and gender gaps in money, power, and respect, and we’re just getting started.

Ready to rise with us?

Join the Movement

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We train the coaches who coach you.

The Embrace Change Coaching Certification (ECCC) is the first, and among the rarest, ICF Level 1 Accredited programs explicitly and structurally centered on BIPOC coaches coaching BIPOC clients.

85% of coaching clients prioritize credentialed coaches. Only 2.5% of coaches hold ICF credentials. ECCC closes that gap, on purpose, for our community. 70+ training hours. ICF-accredited curriculum. Faculty who are coaches of color themselves.

Learn about ECCC

Our clients experience lasting change and breakthroughs:

Cecil Angeles
Cecil Angeles
2 executive promotions in 18 months
Tale Abu Rahma-Doss
Tale Abu Rahma-Doss
Fully funded Master's from Columbia University with new role
R.R.
R.R.
22% raise negotiated for new role
Two women sitting at a table in front of laptops, discussing, with yellow sticky notes on the wall behind them.

Book Your Legacy Impact Intensive with Forbes Contributor & CNBC Career Expert Cynthia Pong, JD

One day of laser-focused strategy for senior women of color leaders. Walk out with a 12-month influence roadmap, a boardroom-ready narrative, and a 90-day launch plan, everything you need to land bigger titles, bigger checks, and a lasting legacy.

Invest in yourself and the change you want to lead.

Apply for the Intensive

What they're saying:

  • “I discovered Embrace Change at a critical moment in my life when I was considering switching careers, and working with them truly changed my life. Without their amazing guidance and expertise, I would not be where I am today, a licensed therapist in a private practice.”

    - Tala Abu Rahma-Doss, LMSW

  • “[My EC coach] was immensely helpful in helping me understand what I want and need from a new job, how to present myself confidently, and how to vet potential new employers. Because of the coaching, I was offered a role and [my EC coach] helped me make the decision to accept it after negotiating a better offer. I ended up with a better title and a salary 23% higher than the starting offer!”

    – R.R.

  • “I was nervous before I started coaching because I was unsure about what my next role would be. Now I feel confident and able to take on anything.”

    - Patricia Cole

  • “Coaching has supported me in feeling equipped to navigate the job search. I can clearly articulate my goals and values, have begun networking, and developed a strong resume and cover letter template.”

    - Liv G.

  • “Coaching has helped me reframe how I face obstacles. Before, it was easy to get stuck. Now, I have [my Embrace Change coach's] voice in my head asking the right questions and encouraging me to take action even if I don't feel confident.”

    - Mary L.

  • “My ability to network and build a wider community of both professional and personal colleagues has been noticeable among family and friends as I've become more involved in the Embrace Change network.”

    - Nina Angeles

  • “The specific challenges that WOC face require a fine balance of compassion and accountability and I think [my Embrace Change coach] really understands what's required to move people forward under a context of care and compassion.”

    - Esther Lee

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 · 18 reviews
See all reviews →
Book titled "Don’t Stay in Your Lane" lying on a plain gray surface with a purple cover and yellow text

Our best-selling textbook is a career coach in your pocket

With tried-and-true, high-impact strategies and practical exercises designed to help you overcome the unique challenges women of color face when making a career change, Don’t Stay In Your Lane will get you to your dream career.

Get the Book

Companies We’ve Worked With

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Bring Cynthia or one of our award-winning speakers to your next event

As the only speakers bureau exclusively featuring WOC speakers, our speakers are uniquely positioned to deliver and facilitate impactful, insightful, and engaging workshops and experiences for a variety of audiences and communities–large and small, virtual and in-person.

Learn More

Featured Press Pieces:

Cynthia's latest articles on Forbes:
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