My mission is simple:
To help creative expat women navigate life’s twists and turns.
Change is a constant companion in life, and I know it intimately. From transformative personal journeys like embracing sobriety and overcoming burnout to navigating the complexities of expat living, I’ve faced my own share of challenges. I’ve even got the battle scars and a conversation-sparking tattoo to show for it.
Through it all, I’ve learned that the in-between spaces—those moments when we transition from who we are to who we want to become—are rich with opportunity for profound growth.
But let’s be real: change can be daunting. Even the most positive transformations can sometimes feel lonely and overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. As a coach, I’m here to provide the support, encouragement, and insight you need to embrace your creative spirit, find your direction, and thrive in your expat life.
The Official Bio
I’m Emily Cornell—a storyteller, strategist, and coach dedicated to helping creative expat women forge unique paths and craft fulfilling lives, even when a global lifestyle throws a few curveballs.
My approach blends intuition with a co-creative process. I stay rooted in strategy, drawing from over 15 years of experience in advertising, marketing, startups, and nonprofits. I hold a B.A. in English from CU Boulder and I earned my Certified Professional Coach (CPC) certification through the International Coach Academy. I practice trauma-informed space holding. I hold the ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation and am also a Certified Designing Your Life coach.
I have Midwestern roots and lead a globally-mobile life as the spouse of an American Foreign Service Officer and mom to a young son. My virtual coaching practice allows me to support clients no matter where they are in the world. Together, we can navigate your journey of change and discovery.
Why am I a coach?
Coaching changed my life, leading me through pivotal moments when I found myself asking, “Is this it?” and “Now what?”
I remember the uncertainty of being a 22-year-old first-year law student questioning my path, the burnout that hit hard as an advertising executive at the peak of my career, and the identity struggles that came as I started my journey as a trailing spouse.
I’ve experienced firsthand the power of having space held for me during these moments. I learned that thoughtful questions, insightful observations, and genuine support could reconnect me to the courage and answers that were within me.
I coach because I want to extend the support I received when I needed it most. I coach because I want to help others uncover their own courage, creativity, and strength.
The Fun Stuff
When I’m not in my office, you can find me out on a hiking trail, exploring the city center, or making a mess in the kitchen. I adore storytelling on the written page or over a coffee with friends. Home is wherever my art’s up on the walls (and sometimes even in the places and spaces between moves). I love sushi and strudel equally. Basically anything but metal’s in my headphones. I don’t believe in bucket lists but I do believe in seizing the day and finding adventures wherever you may be. I was never good at Oregon Trail, but I’m pretty sure I could handle a real life version with all the random skills I’ve pick up along the way.
Want to hear a story?
Here are a few of mine:
Available Worldwide: Episode 62 (2023) and Building Community (2025)
Interviews about my work as a coach and its intersection with my life as a U.S. Foreign Service spouse.
Make Life Less Difficult Podcast: “Stories Saved Me. (Episode 54)” and “Authenticity, Transitions, and Recovery (Episode 86)” (2022)
Interviews with fellow coach and Foreign Service spouse Lisa Hope Tilstra.
The Unruffled Podcast: Episode 109 on Soundcloud. (2019)
An interview with Tammi Salas and Sondra Primeaux on creativity, recovery, and the intersection of the two.