Hi, I’m Louise

Career Coach, Facilitator & Trainer

I help people understand themselves better, make confident career decisions and take practical steps towards work that fits who they are.

But I didn’t always know what I wanted to do either.

My journey

When I was at college, I remember telling my careers counsellor that I didn’t want to be a nurse.

In one short conversation, I somehow came away convinced that perhaps I should be.

On paper, it made sense. I was caring, good with people and interested in helping others. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t right for me.

I completed a year — and one week — of nursing training before finally finding the courage to say:

“This isn’t me.”

That experience has stayed with me.

It taught me something I now see every day in my work: choosing a career isn’t simply about what you could do. It’s about understanding who you are, what matters to you, where you naturally thrive and what kind of life you want your work to support.

A few years later, I discovered Learning & Development, training and coaching — and things clicked.

I had found the work I loved.

More than 20 years helping people grow

Since 2002, my career has centred around helping people learn, develop and navigate change.

I’ve worked across HR, Learning & Development, coaching, training, facilitation and mentoring, supporting people across different industries, organisations, career stages and cultures.

My career has taken me from corporate environments and international organisations to facilitation and coaching work in New Zealand and overseas.

Throughout it all, the part I’ve loved most has remained the same:

helping people recognise what they’re capable of and find a way forward.

Today, through Louise Crowe Coaching, I get to bring all of that experience together.

I work with adults who are questioning what comes next, looking for a new direction, navigating redundancy, pursuing a new role or simply feeling that their career no longer fits.

I also created Empower Youth, my career exploration programme for young people who are trying to make decisions about study, work and their future without feeling they need to have their entire life mapped out at 17.

How I work

I’m not here to tell you what career you should choose.

And I don’t believe there is one perfect job waiting to be discovered.

Instead, we get curious.

We look at your strengths, interests, values, motivations, experience and the environments in which you are most likely to thrive.

I’ll ask questions that make you think differently, challenge assumptions when they’re getting in your way and help you notice strengths or possibilities you may have overlooked.

Then we turn that insight into action.

Depending on what you need, that might include exploring career options, researching industries, making connections, developing a practical action plan, strengthening your CV, preparing for interviews or building the confidence to make a change.

My style is warm, practical and encouraging — but I’ll also challenge you when I think it will help you move forward.

Why this work matters to me

I know that careers are rarely neat, linear journeys.

Mine certainly hasn’t been.

There have been changes, difficult decisions and periods in my own life where things didn’t go according to plan.

Those experiences have reinforced how valuable it can be to have someone alongside you who listens properly, asks good questions and helps you see possibilities when everything feels a little unclear.

One of my favourite moments is when a client comes back and tells me:

“I’ve made a decision.”

Or…

“I went for the job.”

“I finally understand what I’m good at.”

“I resigned from the role that was making me miserable.”

“I didn’t think I could do this, but I did.”

Those are the moments that make me smile.

Because good career coaching isn’t about giving someone all the answers.

It’s about helping them trust themselves enough to move forward.

Experience & professional development

My background includes more than 20 years working with individuals and organisations across HR, Learning & Development, coaching, training, facilitation and mentoring.

I am also:

• Certified Professional Level Coach - ANZCAL

• Certified NLP Practitioner

• Insights Practitioner

• Mindfulness Facilitator

• Experienced Training Facilitator

• Member of CATE — Careers & Transition Education Association NZ

I’m naturally curious and I love learning, so continuing to develop my coaching practice is an important part of how I work.

Beyond coaching

When I’m not coaching, you’ll usually find me outdoors somewhere in New Zealand, planning my next overseas adventure or spending time with family, friends and my two beautiful cats.

I’m endlessly curious about people, places and what makes us tick — which probably explains why coaching suits me so well.

Could I be the right coach for you?

You don’t need to have your next move figured out before you contact me.

You may simply know that something needs to change.

If you’re ready to understand yourself better, explore what’s possible and create a practical way forward, I’d love to work with you.