I help creative executives and media founders figure out where they’re going and how to get there.
Currently, I do that work as an executive coach and facilitator, who focuses on strategy and innovation.
I get in the weeds to help leaders and teams figure out how to grow, tell stories and innovate in a way that serves their audience and their business, while honoring their creativity.
My approach fuses product thinking, human-centered design and a healthy dose of boundary-setting. I love helping leaders and founders level up their capacity and culture — even if it’s a culture of one — so that people actually enjoy their lives and their work.
I also teach creator journalists how to launch independent businesses via Going Solo, which I co-founded, and offer 1-on-1 coaching for creator journalists via Project C.
Who I’ve Worked With
SXSW • Vox Media • TikTok • Google • Cars.com • Complexly • Project C • ProPublica • The Marshall Project • Climate Analytics • The Salt Lake Tribune • The Toronto Star • Chicago Public Media • Columbia University • Northwestern University • New York University
My Guiding Beliefs
Humanity is a strategy today
Obsessing over who you serve is the foundation of growth
Change is hard and it can be well-managed
"Grow your audience by 10X in six weeks" is a hack.
Empathy will solve a lot of problems
The world needs more good bosses
How To Work Together
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Deep, ongoing work for founders and executives who want to transform their strategy with emotional intelligence. I blend coaching, strategic advisory and co-working to help you improve your culture, launch new initiatives, and lead change. If we’re working on culture, I might suggest adding on a 360 or org design review so I can really see the blockers.
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I design experiences that help teams draft mission statements, align on values, clarify goals and strategy, develop new products and improve team cohesion. I use structured brainstorming, so this is for you if you want a workshop that ends in a decision rather than endless debate.
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I lead your audience, content or marketing team for four to six months, setting strategic direction, executing work and coaching. This is often useful during reorgs or parental leave. I’m with you for a dedicated 10 to 20 hours per week, the latter of which feels the same as having a full-time hire.
What People Are Saying
"I'm a journalist, so I obviously was skeptical about my need for a coach. I had hired coaches before, only to leave each session frustrated as they only reflected my own ideas back to me in a post-session report.
What I love about working with Blair is that she combines the right amount of empathy with honest "get-your-life" directness and smart tough love. She doesn’t just listen — she sees me (that's not an easy task as I'm a tough nut to crack). She has elevated what I’m saying and turned it into actionable steps that have helped me move my personal and professional work forward. I've ended every session with more clarity and momentum.”
— Monica Williams, Founder of Grants for Journalists
"Working with Blair has been incredible. I looked forward to the positive, encouraging energy I knew she would give during every meeting and the smart, personalized feedback I'd receive on my work in between. I wholeheartedly trust her input, and cannot recommend her highly enough!"
— Donna, Former client
"Blair can bend any strategy to her will."
— Julie Bogen, Associate Editorial Director of Events, Axios