20+
Years Experience
About Me
Hi, I'm Catrillia. You can call me Cat. I help people move forward through career change, cross-cultural work, and language learning
My background in international education and cross-cultural work shapes everything I do today, across three areas: coaching professionals through career transitions and small business growth, consulting for organizations that need bilingual facilitation and project management done well, and tutoring people building real French fluency.
The Backstory
I got my master's degree in French from Middlebury College, home to one of the most rigorous language immersion programs in the United States, where you sign a pledge to speak only French from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. No exceptions. It was one of the most demanding and formative experiences of my professional life, and it taught me something no classroom ever could: what it actually feels like to perform under pressure in a language that isn't your own.
That experience shaped the next two decades of my career. Working in international education, I had thousands of conversations with people navigating career and cultural transitions. They were talented, accomplished people who knew their field brilliantly but struggled to keep momentum through a career change, run a bilingual project well, or communicate with confidence in a language that wasn't their own.
I saw it from every angle: professionals rebuilding a career from scratch, organizations trying to run community engagement work across language lines, and adult learners trying to build real fluency instead of textbook French. In every case, what actually helped was structure, accountability, and someone who understood the specific gap they were trying to close.
That's what I do today across three kinds of work: coaching, consulting, and language tutoring. Based in Miami, I work with clients navigating career changes, organizations running bilingual projects, and language learners, wherever they are.
What Makes This Work Different
I Focus on What Moves You Forward
Whether it's coaching, consulting, or tutoring, the goal is always the same: concrete progress on your actual situation. We do real work on what you're facing right now, not generic advice or a canned lesson plan.
I've Worked Across Cultures for 20+ Years
Two decades in international education, plus my own deep immersion in French language and culture, means I understand cross-cultural and bilingual work firsthand.
Premium Support, On Purpose
Real preparation before every session, clear structure, and no wasted time. Async support between sessions means you're never stuck waiting a week for an answer when something important comes up.
Credentials
M.A. in French, Middlebury College
I survived the French Language Pledge, mastered the subjunctive (mostly), and came out the other side with a graduate degree and a deep understanding of what it actually takes to perform under pressure in another language. That experience is the foundation of everything I do as a coach.
20+ Years in International Education
Two decades recruiting international students for universities means I've had thousands of conversations about cultural barriers, communication breakdowns, and "how do I come across as credible in this context?" I've seen what works and what doesn't, and I've built my coaching around what actually moves the needle.
Full-Stack Developer Certified
Certified December 2025, because I believe in doing hard things. But more importantly, it makes me a better coach. I understand what it feels like to learn something complex under pressure while managing everything else in your life, so I coach the whole experience of getting there, not just the skill itself.
How I Work
My whole philosophy in one sentence: the goal is real, visible progress you can point to every week.
After 20+ years in international education, I've learned that people aren't held back by lack of ability. What they need is structure, accountability, and someone in their corner who understands the specific gap they're trying to close, whether that's a career transition, a bilingual project, or a new language.
So we work on what actually matters: What does real momentum look like for you this week? What's the plan your project or your job search actually needs? What conversation, in French or English, are you avoiding because you don't feel ready for it yet?
The format is built for busy people: short, focused calls plus async support between sessions. Because real breakthroughs don't always happen on schedule. When something comes up, you have access right when you need it.
I will not waste your time. Every session has clear goals, every engagement has a purpose, and you leave with something concrete you can use immediately.
Miami-Based, Coaching Worldwide
I'm based in Miami, one of the most internationally connected cities in the U.S. and a natural hub for Franco-American business. But I coach clients everywhere: New York, San Francisco, Paris, wherever you are.
Professional podcast-quality audio, HD video, and WhatsApp support mean distance is never an obstacle. You get the same quality of coaching whether you're across town or across the Atlantic.
Let's Talk About Your Goals
Book a free consult and we'll figure out exactly where you are, where you want to be, and whether coaching, consulting, or tutoring is the right fit. No pressure, no pitch. Just an honest conversation about what you need.