Caroline Ouwerkerk

As a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths leadership coach and facilitator, I work with mission-driven professionals and organizations to grow and support social impact leaders at all stages of their careers.

I collaborate with mission-driven companies and organizations to facilitate high-impact workshops that help participants leverage their strengths more effectively to drive powerful results. I offer private career coaching for social impact professionals and strengths-based leadership coaching for leaders at all levels. I am also the creator and facilitator of the Impact Leaders Incubator, a leadership development program and community for women in social impact. With deep experience in helping high-achievers navigate burnout and imposter syndrome, background as an adjunct professor of leadership at Johns Hopkins University, and a strong commitment to social impact work, I’ve coached clients on four continents at a range of leadership crossroads.

Prior to launching my coaching and facilitation practice, I spent nearly 15 years as a staff member, adjunct professor of leadership, and student at three of the nation’s top ten research universities. At Johns Hopkins University, I created social impact-focused leadership development programs and taught courses on leadership, social impact, and social entrepreneurship at the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering. Prior to that, I served as the founding program director of the University of Chicago Urban Network, an interdisciplinary research initiative connecting faculty, students, and others working on urban issues.

I have an AB in History from the University of Chicago, and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, where my independent study focused on best practices of cohort-based leadership development programs. As a lifelong learner, in addition to training as a Clifton Strengths Coach, I also have a certificate in Creative Writing from the University of Chicago Graham School, a certificate from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Program for Emerging Leaders, and am a Certified Specialist of Wine by the Society of Wine Educators.

Curious about how to pronounce my last name? Think “Happy Hour-kerk” :)