Who is Rebecca Blankinship?
I started my career with a passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding and the exchange of people and ideas. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a mother who instilled in me a sense of wonder and appreciation for people from different countries and cultures. When I was 16, my mother and I began hosting international exchange students. Our first student, who became like a brother to me, was from Istanbul, Turkey. We quickly formed a sibling-like bond—full of laughter, inside jokes, and the occasional disagreement—but I also noticed the struggles he faced as a Muslim student attending an all-Catholic school. The lack of awareness and understanding about his culture, country, and religion made his experience unnecessarily challenging. My empathy for his situation (and my love of Turkish culture after my first trip there) led me to study Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Washington, where I earned my BA and launched my career with a personal mission of increasing cross-cultural understanding.
I began my professional journey in program administration for international professional development programs, first in Seattle and then in New York City. Early on, I found myself naturally drawn to improving business systems and structures. Even in entry-level roles, I had the courage to bring up ideas in company cultures that relied on top-down leadership—where it was uncommon for someone in my position to make such suggestions. My contributions undoubtedly increased the success and longevity of those businesses, yet I eventually felt compelled to leave due to a lack of growth opportunities and recognition for what I could offer. Knowing the impact I could make if given the chance—and driven by my passion for making a difference—I launched my first business as a social entrepreneur.
Solo entrepreneurship came with its challenges, but I learned how to use the information gained from making mistakes to improve my business. It also gave me experience in web design and marketing that I still use to this day. I derived great joy from creating unique programs and designing the systems and structures that made them run effectively.
Becoming a mother opened my eyes yet again to systemic challenges I knew could be improved. My focus shifted from cross-cultural understanding and professional development to supporting new parents as they navigated an often unsupportive system.
As a lifelong learner, I pursued multiple certifications to provide the best possible support to new parents. After several years of working independently during economic downturns, I realized that as a young single parent, I needed a more stable income and benefits. By some miracle, I found a job that allowed me to continue making a positive impact on young families. And, there was something different about this organization. For the first time as an employee I experienced first-hand how an intentional organizational structure and employee experience can profoundly affect people’s lives and business success.
This realization ultimately led me to pursue and earn an MBA with a concentration in Leadership and Teams. I chose Antioch University for its long-standing commitment to social and environmental justice and its highly relevant coursework, which provided deep insights into the evolving needs of employees and customers in today’s world of work.
During my degree program, I was introduced to Patrick Lencioni’s 6 Working Geniuses. It’s hard to describe the level of validation I felt when I saw in writing that the work that brings me the most joy and energy is rooted in Wonder (pondering the possibility of greater potential and opportunity) and Invention (developing novel solutions!). (This is just one incredible tool I now bring to leadership and teams to help them understand their own strengths and how to make the most of teamwork by allowing each person to focus on work they are excited to do).
My MBA coursework, along with years of hands-on experience, further validated my intuitive sense of what makes businesses successful—and, more importantly, what helps both businesses and the people within them thrive. After earning my MBA I decided to pursue a professional coaching certification which has further transformed my perspectives on personal growth and has given me the tools to empower others to live by their values and reach higher than they ever thought possible. I’ve seen the power of coaching and how it can support effective change management where many change management initiatives might have failed.
My experiences have taught me that everyone has the potential to be a great leader, no matter their position within a company. And each person has something unique to contribute.
Today, I am honored to support businesses in improving their operations and fostering cultures that empower people to reach their full potential and contribute to the longevity and success of the organization. It brings me great joy to support mission driven leaders to grow their businesses and expand their positive impact on the world.
As business owners and leaders, we have the power to create lasting change and leave a meaningful legacy—one that makes the world a better place, both today and for future generations.
I began my professional journey in program administration for international professional development programs, first in Seattle and then in New York City. Early on, I found myself naturally drawn to improving business systems and structures. Even in entry-level roles, I had the courage to bring up ideas in company cultures that relied on top-down leadership—where it was uncommon for someone in my position to make such suggestions. My contributions undoubtedly increased the success and longevity of those businesses, yet I eventually felt compelled to leave due to a lack of growth opportunities and recognition for what I could offer. Knowing the impact I could make if given the chance—and driven by my passion for making a difference—I launched my first business as a social entrepreneur.
Solo entrepreneurship came with its challenges, but I learned how to use the information gained from making mistakes to improve my business. It also gave me experience in web design and marketing that I still use to this day. I derived great joy from creating unique programs and designing the systems and structures that made them run effectively.
Becoming a mother opened my eyes yet again to systemic challenges I knew could be improved. My focus shifted from cross-cultural understanding and professional development to supporting new parents as they navigated an often unsupportive system.
As a lifelong learner, I pursued multiple certifications to provide the best possible support to new parents. After several years of working independently during economic downturns, I realized that as a young single parent, I needed a more stable income and benefits. By some miracle, I found a job that allowed me to continue making a positive impact on young families. And, there was something different about this organization. For the first time as an employee I experienced first-hand how an intentional organizational structure and employee experience can profoundly affect people’s lives and business success.
This realization ultimately led me to pursue and earn an MBA with a concentration in Leadership and Teams. I chose Antioch University for its long-standing commitment to social and environmental justice and its highly relevant coursework, which provided deep insights into the evolving needs of employees and customers in today’s world of work.
During my degree program, I was introduced to Patrick Lencioni’s 6 Working Geniuses. It’s hard to describe the level of validation I felt when I saw in writing that the work that brings me the most joy and energy is rooted in Wonder (pondering the possibility of greater potential and opportunity) and Invention (developing novel solutions!). (This is just one incredible tool I now bring to leadership and teams to help them understand their own strengths and how to make the most of teamwork by allowing each person to focus on work they are excited to do).
My MBA coursework, along with years of hands-on experience, further validated my intuitive sense of what makes businesses successful—and, more importantly, what helps both businesses and the people within them thrive. After earning my MBA I decided to pursue a professional coaching certification which has further transformed my perspectives on personal growth and has given me the tools to empower others to live by their values and reach higher than they ever thought possible. I’ve seen the power of coaching and how it can support effective change management where many change management initiatives might have failed.
My experiences have taught me that everyone has the potential to be a great leader, no matter their position within a company. And each person has something unique to contribute.
Today, I am honored to support businesses in improving their operations and fostering cultures that empower people to reach their full potential and contribute to the longevity and success of the organization. It brings me great joy to support mission driven leaders to grow their businesses and expand their positive impact on the world.
As business owners and leaders, we have the power to create lasting change and leave a meaningful legacy—one that makes the world a better place, both today and for future generations.
Let's Connect!
If this resonates with you, I’d love to connect and explore how I can support you. I look forward to hearing about your vision and goals!
You may find out more about my work by following me on LinkedIn and sending me a connection request!
You may find out more about my work by following me on LinkedIn and sending me a connection request!
Select Facilitator Qualifications:
- Team and Group Coaching (Academy for Coaching Excellence)
- Restorative Circles (IIRP)
- Restorative Conferences (IIRP)
- 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work (Gottman Institute)
- Support Group Facilitator (MotherWoman)
Formal Education:
- Professional Coaching Certification Program, ACE Academy for Coaching Excellence
- Masters of Business Administration, Leadership and Teams, Antioch University
- Bachelor of Arts, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Washington
- UW Direct Exchange, one academic year at Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkiye
Memberships:
- International Coaching Federation, ICF
- Clinton Chamber of Commerce
Current Volunteer Work:
- Board Member at Large, Readiness to Learn, Langley, WA