SPS Stories
Faculty Spotlight
A Legacy of Leadership and Empowerment in Coaching
Fast Facts
- Transitioned from a senior leadership role at Marsh & McLennan Companies to becoming a trailblazer in executive coaching
- She led the development of the Certificate in Professional and Executive Coaching at NYU SPS, recognized for its hands-on, practical approach
- Rao is passionate about empowering women in leadership, helping them break the glass ceiling through strategic coaching
<p><span class="p-body">Paulette Rao’s venture into coaching began unexpectedly. After spending 28 years in corporate America, including a decade as a senior leader at Marsh & McLennan Companies, she faced a pivotal moment when her company underwent significant downsizing. During this challenging period, she was introduced to executive coaching—an experience that reshaped her career.</span></p>
Hitting Her Stride as a Coach
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span class="p-body">“I realized that I had always been helping others navigate their careers,” she recalls. “Whether it was negotiating salaries or framing professional development conversations, I was already coaching without knowing it.” This revelation inspired her to pursue formal training, leading her to NYU SPS’s coaching certificate program. After graduating, she volunteered as a teaching assistant and was soon invited to create her own course. Her dedication and expertise were recognized in 2014 when she received the NYU Teaching Excellence Award.</span></p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span class="p-body">As the lead developer and ICF Advisor of the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/executive-coaching.html"><b>Certificate in Professional and Executive Coaching</b></a> at NYU SPS, Rao is driven by a mission to empower others, especially women in the workplace.</span></p>
Designed with Leaders in Mind
<p><span class="p-body">Rao’s programs are designed to equip students with practical coaching skills through lectures, videos, group discussions, and hands-on practice. One of her favorite exercises involves teaching active listening by pairing students to practice speaking and listening without interruption. “It’s a simple yet powerful way to show that real listening requires mindfulness and commitment,” she says.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Rao is passionate about helping students understand the differences between executive and professional coaching. </span></p>
Many people can be professionals, but not all professionals are charged with the tasks of leading, managing, and developing others."
<p><span class="p-body">Reflecting on her career, Rao finds deep fulfillment in teaching and curriculum development. For her, coaching is just as much about guiding others as it is about inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Join the ranks of other future trailblazers when you pursue a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/executive-coaching.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Executive Coaching</a> or a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/professional-coaching.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Professional Coaching</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>
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