Insights so good your stakeholders keep coming back for more and get you that seat at the table.
How we do it

Working with us

Become the insights leader they can’t do their job without.

Take control of your career, dial up your influence, and have an impact while doing it.

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From asking for your spot at the table, to them pulling up a chair for you.
Looking for consulting?

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Let's talk about it

What would it look like to feel confident in your research career and have your stakeholders asking for more?

Moving through the storm of research requests, imposter syndrome, office politics, and delivering high quality research can be overwhelming… and downright exhausting.

Maybe you just got promoted as a new team lead, trying to figure out how to get to the next level, or maybe you’re feeling stagnant in your career.

Dealing with imposter syndrome

Asking yourself, “do I really have what it takes?”

Navigating office politics in the upper ranks

Wanting to influence, but not sure how

Feeling like there’s no one who truly understands

Wanting to make your mark as a leader

Feeling utterly alone in the journey

Sound familiar?

I get it, and I want to help.

The problem

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Become the insights leader you want to be with 1:1 leadership coaching - tailored specifically for researchers.

With over 13 years in applied research, managing 100+ global researchers, and working directly with C-level executives, I've seen it all—mistakes, wins, and everything in between.

My goal is to help you thrive how you want to thrive.

Don't dread each workday, fearing you'll be 'found out' or lacking what it takes—I'm here to assure you, you've got what it takes.

Don't struggle to craft your leadership brand alone—let's embark on that journey together.

Don't stress about handling demanding stakeholders on your own—we'll devise a 'say no' strategy that earns even more respect.

I'm here as your ally, supporting and coaching you every step of the way.

Ready to start your coaching journey? 

Working with us

Roby Hightower smiling, with her curly hair and eyeglasses, wearing a white dress
“Working with Steph was a wonderful, challenging and enlightening experience that helped me grow personally and professionally. She always had the right questions at the right time to help me self-reflect on underlying challenges and possible ways to move beyond them. Sessions with her enhanced my career planning and were another great input into my longer-term impact and shorter-term goals. I can't recommend executive coaching with her highly enough"
Edwin Wong smiling, wearing glasses, a suit, and a tie. He has a shaved head and a pin on his lapel.

Robyn Hightower

Senior UX Research Manager @ Hinge

Maggie Howley smiling with her long, blonde curly hair, wearing a blue, sleeveless denim dress
“Among the leaders across my career, Stephanie distinctly stands out. Diligently prepared, fastidiously organized, accessibly articulate, relentlessly curious, and fiercely proud of her team. Stephanie... makes giving and receiving feedback feel like a gift.”
Maggie Howley smiling with her long, blonde curly hair, wearing a blue, sleeveless denim dress

Maggie Howley

Research Lead at Nextdoor

Smiling Sonam Mahawar, wearing a white dress standing in broad daylight, an umbrella and hollow blocks wall at the background.
“Stephanie is best-in-class when it comes to guiding researchers on how to drive true business impact. She helped me unlock my own superpower of creativity in my research, helped drive clarity in my communication, and ultimately helped me deliver insights to my stakeholders that drove the business in a positive direction.”
Smiling Sonam Mahawar, wearing a white dress standing in broad daylight, an umbrella and hollow blocks wall at the background.

Sonam Mahawar

Sr. User Researcher at Pinterest

What folks are saying

1:1 Leadership Coaching For Researchers

Up-level your leadership game.

On-Demand Career Coaching

$500
One-Time
Get started
Get the coaching you need, when you need it. This option is for clients looking for an on demand, targeted coaching session on a specific topic. You'll bring your goals to the session and we'll jump right in.
1x 60-minute meeting

Essential Coaching Subscription

$500/mo
Subscription
Get started
This is a 1x a month subscription career coaching program for rapid results. It typically runs 6 months with you driving how much support you need.
1x 60-minute meeting per month
Values assessment
Goals mapping exercise
Curated resources for each session

Accelerator Coaching Subscription

$1,200/mo
Subscription
Get started
This is a bi-weekly subscription career coaching program for rapid results. It typically runs 3-6 months with you driving how much support you need.
2x 60-minute meetings per month
Everything in Essentials PLUS
Discounts on Future Programs

Research Career Kickstarter Package

$2,500
One-Time
Fill out an interest form
2 sessions - one Discovery and one Q&A
Profile Insights Intake
Vision Discovery Session
Profile Optimization Review
Career Launch & Wrap-Up
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Your goals. Your vision. Our coaching.

We start by understanding your aspirations, then craft a flexible roadmap to navigate them. We balance immediate needs (influencing a meeting, delivering a presentation) with long-term goals (securing resources, becoming the expert).

1
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You lead the agenda.

Each session begins with, "What's your focus today?" We delve deep for an hour, exploring roadblocks, strategizing, and outlining action steps to propel you forward.

2
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Clarity. Action. Results.

You leave each session with renewed focus and a concrete plan. We believe in your potential. Let's unlock it together.

3
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Ready to get started?

Take the first step - start your journey.

4

Want to know the specifics?

1
Share Your Goals 

We kick things off with an informal 30 minute get-to-know-you conversation to see if it’s a good fit both ways. Bring your questions!

1
2
Choose Your Subscription

You know you best. When you're ready, pick the subscription that suits your pace. Before our first session, you'll get a values assessment, a custom invite link, and your "Growth Blueprint" coaching notes.

2
3
Coaching In Motion

In our first session, we'll fine-tune your big-picture goals, reflect on your values assessment, and you'll walk away with at least one actionable step for the road ahead. Each session will build on that momentum.

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Ready to take the first step?

Let's chat. Book a 30-minute discovery call.

Ready to feel progress? Here’s what’s next.

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Steph Kumar smiling, with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a dark top
Why leadership research coaching with Two Cents?
Steph Kumar smiling, with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a dark top

Hi, I’m Steph.

I’m a former Tech research executive turned leadership coach and fractional insights leader.

I love seeing researchers thrive, and I love to see businesses flourish due to the powerful insights they produce. My mission is to provide you with support, mentorship and insights that I’ve gathered from 13+ years of working in places like Google, Twitter and Pinterest where I had the privilege of leading global research organizations including UXR, market research, analytics, and data science.

Early-career to seasoned researchers often have two things in common: 1) they want their work to make a difference, 2) they want to be recognized in their space. Note: “Recognition” for each of us can vary widely and doesn’t always mean a public shout out in a 100 person meeting.

If you can relate, keep scrolling to see how we can work together.

Or, take a look at my approach to 1:1 coaching.

About us

If you’re passionate about making your work shine and up-leveling your influence as a researcher, you’re in the right place. Get in touch and tell me what’s top of mind. I’d love to see how I can help. 

Let’s have a no-pressure conversation so that we can see if we’re a good fit, and you can learn more about how it all works.

Fill out an interest form

FAQs

What is coaching?

Simply put, coaching is a partnership between a client and a coach that is action-oriented and measurable. It is client-focused and client-directed. In other words, you drive and you see the results, but you’re not alone in doing so.

What isn't coaching?

Coaching isn't mentorship, advisory, consulting or therapy. In coaching, we believe that people are naturally creative, resourceful and whole, and thus, have the ability to generate the answers from within. Coaching is a service to help guide and support the client toward reaching their own goals. If you're interested in research consulting, we offer those services here.

What is the role of a coach?

To play a supporting role in your world. A coach leads you through a process of discovering… where you are now, where do you want to be, and what roadblocks are in the way. You set your goals and you drive action. The coach holds you accountable (in whichever form you prefer) for making progress.

What is the role of the coachee (you)?

To bring your authentic self! This includes your challenges, future visions, wants, goals and roadblocks to our sessions. Our sessions are a no judgment zone and are confidential. Your progress and pace toward your goals over time is 100% in your control.

What will you get out of coaching?

Validation that you are in control and capable of impacting incredible change in your career and life. You’ll see goal accomplishment, progress, increased focus, and a more purpose-driven outlook in your world.

Still have questions? Send me an email at hello@twocentsinsights.com

Fill out an interest form