top of page
2f84677c-b026-4335-856e-f31b534d9521 2.JPG
IMG_9558.HEIC
IMG_0916.HEIC
A71V5128.jpg

From Turbulence to Transformation

 

I did not always sit across from executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries, guiding them into their most powerful selves.

 

I started at the bottom, in a small blue cubicle in Bucharest while pursuing my degree in Communication and Public Relations. At just 20 years old, I was ambitious and deeply curious about people. I wanted to understand what made them tick. In just three years, I climbed the ranks to become the youngest team leader in a 3,500-person global tech company. I was not the most experienced, but I listened. I saw people. I led with heart. And that made all the difference.

 

At 25, I made the bold decision to move to the UAE and work for Etihad Airways. Within two years, I was promoted to Inflight Manager, leading diverse, multicultural teams at 40,000 feet. In that role, empathy, quick thinking, and emotional regulation were not just nice qualities to have. They were survival skills. I led in chaos. I led in crisis. I led when others froze. It was a world where decisions had to be made swiftly, and leadership was tested daily. 

 

 

My leadership was forged under pressure, shaped by global complexity, and driven by the belief that clear communication and empathy are the cornerstones of effective leadership.  

 

 

In 2020, after becoming a mother, I realized that I no longer wanted to lead simply from a title. I wanted to lead with meaning. That was when I made the decision to step out of my comfort zone and into my true purpose: coaching. 

 

 

I pursued formal coaching training with CoachU-USA, the world’s first coaching school, and International Coaching Education – UK, specializing in Strengths-Based Coaching. I earned my PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential from the International Coaching Federation, benchmark for professional coaching worldwide, ensuring that every session is grounded in integrity, ethics, and transformational impact. 

 

Since becoming a Professional Accredited Coach, I’ve logged over 500 coaching hours across three continents, working with a diverse range of clients—from executives and entrepreneurs to political figures. No matter their title or achievements, they were all seeking the same foundation: clarity to see the road ahead, confidence to walk it, and purpose to make it meaningful.


I know what it takes to rise through uncertainty, to lead when life feels turbulent, and to bet on yourself when no one is watching. Your future self is shaped by today’s choices. 

 

If you are ready to lead from who you truly are, not just what you do, I am here to walk that journey with you.
 

​This is my story. The real magic happens when we start writing yours.

 

Ready? Let's talk.

​

​​​​

​​​

​​

  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 Ana Maria Iliescu - All Rights Reserved.

Ana-Maria Iliescu, ACC

bottom of page