Meet Nara

Hi, I'm Nara — glad you're here.

I bring to my coaching everything I am: my lived experience, my extensive training, my diverse professional background, and the everyday practices that keep me grounded and joyful. I believe all of it matters — not just the credentials, but the rowing, the meditation, the miniatures, and the chickens. So I'd like to share a bit more about who I am.

Scroll down and have fun!

🎓 Education & Training

  • International Coaching Federation Certifications (Institute for Life Coach Training):

    • Life Coaching

    • Leadership Coaching

    • Group Coaching 

  • Urban Leadership Fellow (Cohort XI) — RISE San Diego

  • Business Accelerator Program (Cohort 11) — SDCCE

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt — University of California, Davis

  • PhD, African Literature — University of Sussex

  • MA, African History — El Colegio de México

  • BA, History — Universidade Federal Fluminense

  • Teaching Certification, Humanities — Universidade Federal Fluminense

🌍 Professional Experience

Over 30 years of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and community-based work. My professional experience spans work across different countries, shaping a cross-cultural perspective on education, leadership, and community development.

Since relocating to the United States in 2017, I have held leadership and senior roles including Program Director of Mi Universidad (UC San Diego Extended Studies) and Youth & Senior Services Director at Casa Familiar, leading educational, youth, and community-based initiatives serving diverse populations.

I have also worked as a Humanities teacher at Thrive Public Schools, where I learned deeply from the communities we served.

For a full résumé and detailed career history, please visit my LinkedIn profile.

🚣 Mornings on the Water

Three times a week, you'll find me on the water at 5am with the Development Rowing Team at SDRC. I row in boats of eight, four, and two — and recently started rowing on my own. I've always been afraid of the sea, but the quiet morning, the focus on body and breath, and the consistent effort make the sunrise feel like a reward, sending the troubles away (and keeping the cholesterol down 😄).

🧘 Stillness Practice

I've had a regular meditation practice for more than 20 years, exploring different traditions along the way. Zen is the one that resonates most with me. Since 2017, I've been part of the Dharma Bum Temple here in San Diego — learning about community, practicing together, and now leading their Zen Meditation sessions twice a month (also broadcast live on their YouTube channel, for my horror!).

I also lead an online session every Wednesday at 8am PST on Meditate Together, a secular meditation app I use myself most mornings (and would recommend, if you're looking for support with your meditation practice).

🐾 My Personal Petting Zoo

It started simply enough: I brought my two rescue dogs, Filo and Flor, from Brazil when I moved here in 2017 (they're now 13 and 12). Then I adopted Luigi, a red slider turtle, now 27 years old. While buying food for Luigi at the store, I spotted a bearded dragon who'd been returned and was up for adoption — Suzy Q came home with me that same day (now 10). From there, things got a little out of control.

Today, my crew includes three dogs (Fanta joined a few years ago, after being returned to the adoption center twice by other people), three red sliders, one Russian box turtle, one bearded dragon, two ducks, three pond fish, and three chickens — including one I rescued mid-street-crossing.

I've loved and lost a few along the way too, and I'm always open to more. Taking care of them every day brings me real joy. Who rescued who? Honestly, still figuring that out.

🗑️ Joy in the Bins

Aside from glue and paint, everything else in these miniatures was once on its way to the trash bin — and now lives again to make you smile.

Joy in the Bins started last year, during a burnout. A friend introduced me to miniature-making, and it became a way to restore my mental health — one tiny world at a time. I only use what I find: plastic bottles, boxes, electronics packaging, things people save for me, leftovers from other projects. Nothing is bought new.

Right now, I'm telling the story of three garden gnomes — Flinn, Flann, and Fjord — who moved to San Diego in search of more sunshine. Each week, the display in my front yard grows with a new chapter: first the house was built, then the open house, then they bought it and moved in, and now they're working on the garden. Bunkbeds are coming next.

I'm also on the lookout for my next display location — if you have ideas, let me know!

🎶 Singing Solidarity

Since February, I've been part of a small amateur choir that meets every two weeks. We sing songs that remind us of the importance of community, lift our spirits, and hold space for whatever pain life may bring. Led by an amazing choir master, the vibe is relaxed, joyful, and full of groove and rhythm.