About Nina Garfield

Discover why Nina Garfield is so passionate about helping in the public or non-profit sectors to gain greater clarity, resilience, leadership presence, and impact in work and life

I care deeply about helping you emerge with greater clarity, resilience, and leadership presence in work and life by transforming disruption into opportunity.

About Nina Garfield

Discover why Nina Garfield is so passionate about helping in the public or non-profit sectors to gain greater clarity, resilience, leadership presence, and impact in work and life

I have coached dozens of professionals to navigate career disruption, regain clarity and purpose, and become more confident and influential leaders.

I am an International Coaching Federation ACC certified coach with hundreds of hours of career, executive, and life coaching experience bringing multiple modalities to my coaching to meet you where you are at.

After facing my own unexpected career upheaval at NOAA, I personally navigated the exact transition I now coach - rebuilding identity, confidence, and purpose from the ground up so I know from the inside what my clients are living through.

I have coached dozens of professionals to navigate career disruption, regain clarity and purpose, and become more confident and influential leaders.

I am an International Coaching Federation ACC certified coach with hundreds of hours of career, executive, and life coaching experience bringing multiple modalities to my coaching to meet you where you are at.

After facing my own unexpected career upheaval at NOAA, I personally navigated the exact transition I now coach - rebuilding identity, confidence, and purpose from the ground up so I know from the inside what my clients are living through.

After facing my own unexpected career upheaval at NOAA, I personally navigated the exact transition I now coach, rebuilding identity, confidence, and purpose from the ground up so I know from the inside what my clients are living through..

"The reason I got into this work was because I struggled with disruption, and rapid change in today’s work environment."

I committed my life to coastal and ocean conservation...

After 35 years leading conservation initiatives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), earning national recognition, and building a career filled with impact and purpose, I was suddenly confronted with the reality of leaving federal service during the workforce upheavals of 2025. While others celebrated my retirement, I found myself in a profound identity crisis, questioning who I was without the title, the institution, or the mission that had defined me for decades. I wondered whether it was truly possible to rediscover clarity, purpose, and momentum after everything familiar had fallen away.

After 35 years leading conservation initiatives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), earning national recognition, and building a career filled with impact and purpose, I was suddenly confronted with the reality of leaving federal service during the workforce upheavals of 2025. While others celebrated my retirement, I found myself in a profound identity crisis, questioning who I was without the title, the institution, or the mission that had defined me for decades. I wondered whether it was truly possible to rediscover clarity, purpose, and momentum after everything familiar had fallen away.

I mustered the courage to do things I have never done ...

Soon after something shifted. My confidence grew, and I realized my impact was never about a position but rather about who I am and how I show up. When disruption arrived, I refused to let fear dictate my path. I embraced the moment as a chance to rebuild a life rooted in purpose, possibility, joy, and impact. I trained as a coach to support others through transitions, became a swim instructor for children and adults, and launched a swim program for immigrant women that pairs life-saving skills with empowerment, community, and joy. I also started a dog-care business to give families peace of mind while they travel.

I mustered up my courage and chose to get support...

Soon after something shifted. My confidence grew, and I realized my impact was never about a position but rather about who I am and how I show up. When disruption arrived, I refused to let fear dictate my path. I embraced the moment as a chance to rebuild a life rooted in purpose, possibility, joy, and impact. I trained as a coach to support others through transitions, became a swim instructor for children and adults, and launched a swim program for immigrant women that pairs life-saving skills with empowerment, community, and joy. I also started a dog-care business to give families peace of mind while they travel.

I am committed to helping you navigate change guided by the values and purpose that are core to who you are...

While it may seem that coaching, teaching swimming, and caring for dogs are three distinct endeavors, there is a common through-line: I stand for transforming fear and anxiety into joy, empowerment, and possibility. My coaching clients transform disruption and uncertainty into opportunities for more purpose, direction, and impact in their careers. My swimming students overcome fear and are empowered by learning to swim. My dog owners are freed up to fully enjoy their vacations knowing that their dogs are cared for and loved. The values that guided my work at NOAA now shape this next chapter. 

"If you have an opportunity to accomplish something that will make things better for someone coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth."

Roberto Clemente, Feburary 20, 1971

If you’re in the public or non-profit sectors,
and you’d like to...

gain greater clarity, resilience, leadership presence, and impact in work and life, let’s talk.

I'd love to help you get there!

If you’re in the public or non-profit sectors,
and you’d like to gain greater clarity, resilience, leadership presence, and impact in work and life, let’s talk.

I'd love to help you get there!