Meet Hannah

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hannah. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Hannah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

After a long and varied career journey, I’ve found my purpose as a leadership, executive, career management, and team coach. I’m passionate about helping professionals enhance their performance, grow as leaders, and achieve meaningful career outcomes.
Throughout my professional journey—from summer camp counselor to nurse, lawyer, business manager, and eventually small business owner—I’ve been fascinated by the power of positive leadership and the ways impactful leaders motivate and engage others. Even in environments where that kind of leadership was missing, I held fast to the belief that work should be a place where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. That conviction is at the heart of why I coach: to help leaders show up with authenticity, empathy, and vision, and to foster cultures where people—and organizations—can truly thrive.
A critical turning point in my career came when after an incident at my last law firm motivated me to resign and become a small business owner and entrepreneur. At that firm, a very senior partner screamed at me in front of colleagues and physically loomed over me as I attempted to type a document. Despite the severity of the incident, there was no accountability—no acknowledgment from HR or firm leadership that it had even occurred. In that moment, I knew I had to walk away. It clarified my values and deepened my belief in the urgent need for better leadership, not just in law firms but in business more generally. As someone who is deeply altruistic by nature, I chose to shift my career focus to helping professionals and teams lead with empathy, clarity, and courage, creating the kind of leadership I needed, but too often didn’t see. Without even fully realizing it, I had found my professional purpose.
Leaving that law firm was the best professional decision I’ve ever made. Since founding Kiernan Consulting Group, I’ve been able to focus my talents on what I consider my professional purpose: coaching people to become more effective leaders, colleagues, and contributors. Through this work, I’ve helped organizations make meaningful cultural shifts—improving employee engagement and, in some cases, even driving bottom-line results.
I feel incredibly lucky to have found my purpose and be able to tap into it on a daily basis.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an executive/leadership, career management and team coach, with over 25 years of experience. My professional background is unique—before becoming a full-time coach, I worked as a lawyer, nurse, and business manager, helping to lead two multi-million-dollar global business units within law firms. I draw on this diverse experience every day to support my clients in navigating complex professional challenges.

My passion is helping people enhance their work performance and achieve meaningful career outcomes. I use a strengths-based coaching approach focused on designing and implementing actionable goals that align with each client’s objectives while maximizing organizational impact. I’m known for my authenticity, inclusivity, warmth, deep empathy, and unwavering commitment to integrity and honesty.

In addition to one-on-one and team coaching, I provide training, facilitation, and conflict management coaching. I’ve been recognized by Diversity Lab as one of their “Top Lawyer Coaches,” and I’m certified to administer Hogan Assessments and Team Coaching International’s Diagnostic Assessment.

Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals successfully advance their careers. What sets me apart is that I’m a highly results-driven coach who believes deeply in delivering measurable return on investment for every client I serve.

I’m currently in the process of earning a certification as a professional ADHD coach. In my work, I’ve encountered many professionals—including senior leaders—who are neurodiverse or suspect they may be, and who benefit greatly from coaching methods specifically tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Empathy
2. Work ethic
3. Communication

For anyone early in their journey, developing empathy, work ethic, and communication skills is both foundational and ongoing—and the good news is that all three can be intentionally developed with practice and reflection.

Empathy starts with listening. Make it a habit to slow down, ask thoughtful questions, and truly listen to understand—not just to respond. Pay attention to how others experience the world, especially those with different perspectives. Building emotional intelligence in this way will deepen your relationships and strengthen your leadership presence.

Work ethic is about consistency, reliability, and accountability. Show up prepared, follow through on your commitments, and be willing to go the extra mile when it counts. Over time, these behaviors build trust and establish a reputation for professionalism and integrity.

Communication is a lifelong skill—and one I’m still refining myself. I’ve learned that my own direct communication style, while efficient, can sometimes be off-putting to others. The key is to adapt your approach by asking: Am I being clear? Am I being respectful? Am I meeting the needs of my audience? Seek out feedback regularly and use it to fine-tune how you express yourself in different settings.

Ultimately, these three skills reinforce each other—and investing in them early will serve you well throughout your career.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was let me fail. As a member of the often overlooked, Gen X, I grew up din a two-income household, which often meant coming home to an empty house. My parents gave me the space to make mistakes, experience consequences, and figure things out on my own. That trust built my resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills. It taught me that failure isn’t something to fear—it’s how we learn, grow, and eventually succeed. Looking back, their willingness to step back and let me struggle was one of the greatest gifts they could have given me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kiernanconsultinggroup.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkkiernan/