Nicole Shaver, a Chicago-based leadership coach and founder of Nicole Shaver Coaching & Consulting, made a significant career transition from corporate finance to coaching after more than two decades at a large consulting firm. Starting as a senior accountant, she rose to partner during a period of immense growth, from about 100 to over 2,000 employees. While her background is technical as a CPA, Shaver found her true passion in building and growing her team and working with people. When the firm underwent ownership changes, she realized it was time to follow her passion and become a leadership coach.
Several factors prepared Shaver for this leap. Her parents owned a business, giving her realistic expectations about entrepreneurship. At her previous company, she drove financial and strategic planning while working closely with C-level leaders, learning to build trusted advisor partnerships. She combines strong analytical skills with people-focused abilities, being extroverted and naturally drawn to helping others grow. Shaver worked with a coach herself to reflect on her next career step. In initial sessions, she feared leaving her team and losing her identity tied to her company and role. However, experiencing the power of coaching—creating space to step back and reflect—led her to realize that supporting people and helping them reach their goals brought her joy and fulfillment. She had been coaching and mentoring throughout her career without formal recognition. Earning her International Coaching Federation certification helped her learn the art and science behind what she was naturally doing.
As the primary earner for her family, including her husband and nine-year-old twins, Shaver handled the transition practically. Her husband manages their household, allowing them to make the decision together. Transitioning from corporate benefits to self-employment was a big consideration, especially healthcare coverage. She stayed on COBRA temporarily, but when it came time to switch to marketplace insurance, she was nervous about finding suitable coverage. Her former employer had a partnership with the post-employment platform When, a Chicago-based company. Planning ahead and having practical elements in place allowed her to focus on building her coaching practice without logistical worries. Working with When provided consistent support; a representative helped her understand options and made the transition seamless. They moved from paying about $1,800 a month on COBRA to about $2,200 on an Aetna plan, allowing her to keep her therapist, her children’s pediatrician, and her specialists at Northwestern. That human support for such a critical family need was invaluable.
Now, Shaver loves creating space for people to reflect and grow. She notes that in adult life, many assume they know their path, but shifting to embrace new possibilities is a blessing. She helps people achieve their potential and reach goals with greater fulfillment. Whether working with individual leaders navigating transitions or helping teams transform dynamics, it feels like her true calling. For others considering a similar transition, Shaver advises not underestimating the power of reflection and working with someone who can reveal unseen possibilities. Take time to understand authentic values and what truly drives you. Also, ensure practical foundations—finances, healthcare, family considerations—are covered so you can focus on building your new path with confidence. Having the right support systems makes all the difference in reimagining your possibilities.
