How i got my start:
My guiding light has always been feminism (majored in Feminist & Gender Studies in undergrad) and being of service to others (enneagram type 2). I know that, for many of us, living an empowered, fulfilling life is a radical and feminist act. As such, being a career coach brings more meaning and joy to my life than I ever thought possible.
After earning a graduate degree in social science research, I began my career as an analytic researcher in the public health and healthcare spaces. Over the following eight years, I worked for four separate companies and held numerous positions within each. I quickly moved up the corporate ladder and enjoyed aspects of my jobs, like continuous learning, positive feedback, working with clients, and being challenged. After nearly a decade, however, I realized that, for me, that wasn’t enough. I wanted to LOVE my job. I wanted to feel connected to my core values and feel like my work made a difference in the world.
So began my own career pivot journey. I devoured every book, podcast, meditation, sign from the universe, and tarot card reading I could find, hoping one of those would tell me what I was destined to do with my life (aka the easy way out). Finally, after a serendipitous introduction with the incredible Lisa Lewis, I decided to seek coaching. Through the Career Clarity program, I realized that I was already a coach. I had been reviewing resumes, conducting mock interviews, and helping my friends and family do the hard work of self-discovery for years. I just didn’t know it could be my life, that I was allowed to just DO the thing I loved the most.
I love working to empower people during some of the intense times in life, such as a career transition or pregnancy and childbirth (more on this below). I create safe environments where people can thrive, teach my clients to lead with empathy, and work with them to build community and a plan for what comes next.
I trained and became certified in the Career Clarity Method in 2019 and am honored and thrilled to be a part of this world-class coaching team to be able to bring YOU the best support possible in your own career journey.
“Nicki Dunnavant is the real deal. I was skeptical that someone who works outside my industry would have insightful feedback on my career direction (and resume), but time and again she asks the questions you didn’t know you needed to hear. Best yet, she encourages you to expect the most out of yourself and your future and provides the tools to get you there.”
Deborah, Sr. Research & Innovation Manager, Denver, CO
3 things most people don’t know about me
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“Nicki was a huge help to me as I made my transition from academia to the private sector. While enrolled in a PhD program, I had growing doubts about following a traditional academic career path and wanted to explore other opportunities, but didn’t know what jobs I should be looking for, where to find them, or how to market myself. I left my meetings with Nicki feeling not only that my decision to pivot was validated, but also that I had concrete actions to follow through with. Nicki is the champion you want in your corner and I can’t recommend her enough!”
Thomas B, Customer Insights Analyst, Boston, MA
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“I am extremely grateful to Nicki and highly recommend her. She worked with me in finding a new job and especially in salary negotiations. Salary negotiation is intimidating, high-stakes, and power-imbalanced. Nicki’s experienced and outsider (i.e. not me) insights were invaluable: she quelled my fears, helped me get inside the employer’s heads, and prepared me for challenging conversations. She also helped me understand what I truly wanted & how I truly felt when presented with multiple job offers, and how to gracefully manage them. Not only that, but having a coach on your side during such stressful times makes the whole process infinitely more pleasant. I can’t imagine another situation where one individual has provided me with so much value - both in terms of job satisfaction and finances. Nicki’s services are worth far, far more than what you will pay for them. Do yourself a favor and work with Nicki!”
Mike, Research Scientist, Denver, CO
Nicki's Professional Bio
Nicki is a career empowerment coach, volunteer doula, feminist, mountain lover, and ramen enthusiast. She is an advocate and a cheerleader and loves to be of service to courageous and driven individuals during some of life’s more intense transitions.
Before finding her calling in career coaching, Nicki spent nearly a decade working in healthcare and public health research. She acted as a project manager on large-scale, nationally-funded research projects, presented her analysis of claims data and her proposed population- and financial-health solutions to clients, and consulted for a nationally-recognized consulting firm that specializes in Medicaid policy.
Nicki trained and became certified in the Career Clarity method in 2019. Clients value her ability to create safe, non-judgemental spaces where they can be honest and vulnerable. They testify to her affirming presence and ability to help strategize about the best next steps to finding and achieving their dreams.
Nicki hails from Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her partner, Mat, and her dog, Rigby. Nicki has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.
“This past year, I was a doctoral candidate seeking to advance my career in a relentlessly competitive and uncertain academic field. Nicki’s coaching helped me find space and grace during the process. Through working with Nicki, I developed skills to manage uncertainty, stay true to my values, and have confidence about my professional future. Not only did I land a fantastic position, but I also learned how to embrace my unique path. I enthusiastically recommend coaching sessions with Nicki for those who are in the process of bravely charting out their own professional journeys.”
Caitlin, PhD, Washington, DC