My Personal Why:

I’m a Dream-Life and Leadership Coach, space holder, and storyteller that guides women and BIPOC leaders to heal their inner critic, connect to what they really love, and confidently become the best version of themselves. I am the CEO and Founder of Grounded In Wisdom, LLC, and have 20+ years of career experience where I’ve focused on leadership development, and ensuring that those I served always felt a sense of belonging, and that they felt seen and heard--particularly if they came from underrepresented communities and identities. 

I believe that when we truly let go of perfectionism, discover the impact of our “Gremlins” (i.e., inner critics), face our fears of what holds us back, and embody both the fierce and vulnerable sides of ourselves–we can come back to our grounded center and live powerfully–with ease and flow, and continual evolution. I love experiencing the transformations that happen with my clients, and feel fortunate to witness their new lives unfold. 

As a Pilipina, Asian American, and woman of color with immigrant parents, I know the challenges of navigating between worlds. I'm passionate about the intersections of leadership, cultural upbringing, gender and other identities that play into one’s career and life journey. What learning edges do we need to push on to create the biggest impact for ourselves? How do we grow into the empowered, best version of the leaders I know we each are—in all parts of our lives?

I've been through many life transitions and challenges myself, whether it was within the family structure I became accustomed to, a job that tested my abilities and made me question what I was truly capable of (and sometimes that meant walking away), ending a significant relationship where I abandoned myself for years and vowed to never do again…the list goes on. I've fought my way through my own “rubble”—when the world feels like it’s crashing down with no way out. I am a testament that there is a way through; you can rebuild the parts of your life that you truly want and deserve. I'll help you get you there.

I currently live in the Bay Area with my amazing dog Cab, who has been one of my greatest teachers in presence and fun! I enjoy dancing, writing my memoir, meditation/energy healing, and singing karaoke.

Check out my LinkedIn profile to learn more about my professional work experiences, certifications, and a bit more about me! Feel free to also follow Grounded In Wisdom through our Instagram account.

Wishing you peace, freedom, and creativity in all parts of your lives.

~ Annalyn Cruz

CEO/Founder of Grounded In Wisdom