About us
Flourishing Works Coaching was formed in 2012; a partnership developed by two women passionate about supporting people to be their best at work and in their broader lives. They collaborate with organisations to support leaders and their teams to achieve strong performance. Key enablers of sustained performance are high levels of wellbeing, use of performance enhancing strengths, fostering strong team collaboration and the ability to be resilient to pressure, change and challenge.
Debra and Kate deliver coaching, training, facilitating and speaking around the topics of leadership development, optimising role performance, cultivating flourishing and successful teams, building resilience, managing career breaks and proactively guiding career transitions. Underpinning all of their speaking, training, workshops and coaching are evidenced-based practices and tools from the sciences of wellbeing, positive psychology, coaching psychology and neuroscience. Sessions are highly engaging and interactive, and always focused on tangible and measurable outcomes.
They also understand employers are grappling with the under representation of women in leadership. Women also often forge non-linear career paths due to career breaks or carer responsibilities that can impact success. Debra and Kate have a passion and expertise in supporting women to flourish in their careers thereby building strong and diverse organisations.
Both Debra and Kate are Professional Certified Coaches with the International Coach Federation, the global gold standard for coaching. They hold the Masters of Coaching Psychology (Uni of Sydney) and are accredited in a range of validated psychometric and development tools. They’re known for translating cutting-edge research from the science of optimal human functioning into practical strategies which are easy to implement and lead to lasting change. They follow the competency and ethical frameworks of the relevant professional bodies, including Australian Standards HB 332-2011 Coaching in Organisations.
They are grateful to be able to do this inspiring work helping organisations empower their leaders and teams.
Our People
Debra Close
Debra is an experienced Leadership, Executive and Career Coach and Workshop Facilitator, whose mission is to help individuals, teams and organisations to be the best versions of themselves in the service of meaningful goals. She has a strong appreciation for the diverse challenges and opportunities that each of these encounter; her work supports their capacity to learn, harness their strengths, build capacity and adapt positively.
Debra has developed significant expertise in supporting women in career development, authentic leadership, resilience and in successfully navigating career transitions. She’s known for her ability to make the complex simple, and for striking the balance between support and challenge to facilitate change and build confidence.
Debra has experience in the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Her coaching is informed by her long-standing corporate career in marketing. She has led teams across a range of blue-chip organisations.
Debra is inspired by helping others fulfill their career dreams in progressive organisations. Outside work she's a mum, coffee lover and devoted yogi.
Qualifications
Masters in Applied Science (Coaching Psychology), University of Sydney
Certificate in Marketing Management
Bachelor of Science
Kate Wilkie
Kate’s mission to help others thrive at work and in life is at the core of her work. This creates energy and conviction in her coaching and facilitation practice.
Kate is an experienced Positive Leadership, Executive and Career Coach and Facilitator who has worked across the corporate, not-for-profit and education sectors. Her coaching skills are enhanced by extensive experience and leadership roles in Recruitment and Human Resource Management.
Kate has a strong ability to build rapport, and create an environment for positive change and development. She combines this with practical application of the sciences of coaching psychology and positive psychology to support her clients in career and leadership development without sacrificing their own wellbeing or that of those around them.
She finds satisfaction in enabling others and promoting the self belief that underpins performance, resilience and wellbeing.
Kate balances her professional practice with time for friends and family and is also a lover of coffee, travel and theatre.
Qualifications
Masters in Applied Science (Coaching Psychology), University of Sydney
Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment
Accreditations
We’re committed to ongoing professional development to provide best in class service. We’re accredited by gold standard professional bodies and in the administration of highly regarded, evidence-based psychometric development tools including:
Professional Certified Coach (International Coaching Federation)
Gallup Successful Strengths Coaching (Gallup)
Strengths Profile (Centre for Applied Positive Psychology)
MTQ+ and MTQ48 assessments of Mental Toughness (AQR)
Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey (Eek and Sense Human Resources)
Leadership Effectiveness Analysis 360, Individual Directions Inventory (Management Research Group)
Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA)
Our values guide how we work with you
curious
We want to understand the best of you and your organisation, what you dream of and your most valued outcomes
professional
You can trust us with your people and teams to operate with high levels of integrity and deliver a quality, enduring solution that will change individuals and organisations for the better
practical
We understand people want discussion to broaden perspective and practical tools that are easy to implement. We use theoretical underpinnings but don’t drown you in theory!
approachable
Leaders, individuals and teams like our open, relatable and respectful style. We aim to be a pleasure to work with and to inspire others
knowledgeable
Our experience, expertise and credibility are supported by our Masters level training, use of evidence-based frameworks and tools and a commitment to ongoing professional development
