Natalie Southwell is more than a coach. She is a movement. A former tech executive turned transformational leader, Southwell is on a mission to redefine how high-achieving women lead, live, and love—with purpose, without burnout. As the CEO and Founder of The Essence of a Woman, LLC, she’s equipping women across the nation to rise from overwhelm into alignment, to stop over-functioning and start owning their worth.
Her journey began in the pressure-cooked world of corporate tech, where Southwell led global teams and oversaw portfolios exceeding $130 million. Over two decades, she built a name for herself in software engineering, systems integration, and cybersecurity—all while managing the invisible weight that so many women carry: the expectation to perform without pause.
“I was excelling at work but slowly disappearing in my own life,” Southwell says. “I was exhausted, emotionally numb, and drowning under the pressure to keep it all together.” It wasn’t a dramatic breakdown that changed things—it was a quiet decision to pause. A divine interruption led her to take a leave of absence. That sacred rest birthed a radical realization: success without soul wasn’t sustainable.
What followed was a deep healing journey rooted in faith, emotional recovery, and self-discovery. Southwell found her voice again and refused to let other women suffer in silence. That clarity became The Essence of a Woman, LLC—a soul-centered coaching company offering transformational programs, masterclasses, books, and leadership tools designed for women who are tired of choosing between success and sanity.
Her signature coaching suite—Empower Her, Inspire Her, and Elevate Her—guides women from emotional healing to executive-level leadership. “We’re not just helping women climb the ladder,” Southwell says. “We’re helping them rebuild the foundation. I meet them at the intersection of faith, identity, and leadership.”
In addition to her coaching, Southwell hosts the Leading Beyond Limits podcast and is the author of five books, including The Dangers of Ignoring Your Heart’s Whispers. Her upcoming children’s series—beginning with Skyler Discovers He’s a King’s Kid—teaches young readers confidence, self-worth, and emotional awareness.
Southwell’s impressive credentials include a PMP certification, an Executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute, and over 20 years leading within Fortune 50 companies. But her most powerful qualification? She’s lived what she teaches.
“I know what it means to lead through pain, to succeed while silently struggling, and to serve without pouring from a full cup,” she says. “Now, I walk with women as they reclaim their identity, heal their hearts, and lead without compromise.”
Her ultimate goal is legacy. In the next few years, Southwell envisions launching a mobile coaching platform, hosting international retreats, and mentoring the next generation of coaches—especially women of color—to serve from a healed place. She’s building a global movement centered on courage, clarity, and calling.
To learn more about Natalie Southwell and The Essence of a Woman, LLC, visit essenceoaw.com and follow her on social media @natalietheessenceoaw.
Because the next level of leadership doesn’t begin with doing more—it begins with becoming whole.
