I've navigated six career moves, a mass layoff, and every awkward salary negotiation in between. Now I help senior professionals do it better than I did.
Hi, I'm Rayla
I'm an ICF-Certified Executive Coach, HR strategist, and the person you call when you're done guessing and you're ready for a system.
I know what it feels like to sit across the table from a hiring manager at a six-figure role and wonder if you said the right things. I know what a severance package feels like in your checking account while you try to figure out if you're having a crisis or a breakthrough.
I've lived every moment my clients are in. My framework wasn't built from theory; it was built from experience, then sharpened through 600+ hours of coaching Directors, VPs, and C-Suite leaders through the exact transitions you're navigating now.
That's what I bring to every engagement. Not just credentials, though I have those, too, but the specific, hard-won knowledge of someone who has been exactly where you are and built a system to move through it with precision.
Let's Talk →
Graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Communication and almost no idea how to actually get a job. I moved home to Atlanta and networked my way into my first four positions.
Laid off from a global bank. I moved to Tampa, FL. I rebuilt my network from scratch, landed a position at an industry leader, and started developing what would eventually become my placement framework because I needed it and it didn't exist yet.
2007
2011
2015
Moved to Nashville, TN for my fifth role out of college (the only one I landed through cold applying online) during a hiring freeze. I didn't know to negotiate my salary or ask for relocation expenses. I learned that lesson so my clients never have to.
Founded a professional development and networking organization for women. Over 800 members. Monthly educational events. I heard firsthand the challenges that affect executive leaders and entry-level professionals alike and realized the skills gap was real at every level.
2014
how I got here...
A look back at
Moved to Denver, CO to manage $600M in private activity bonds for the State of Colorado, bringing the same framework I teach clients to land a high-stakes role in a new city.
Developed a full coaching program and began taking private clients. Started building the product suite and curriculum that Bailey Coaching & Consulting runs on today.
2021
2019
2023
Completed an intensive 18-month ICF-certified executive coach training program grounded in positive psychology. Became a credentialed Executive Coach. Started beta testing job search curriculum for mid-level professionals. Loved the work immediately.
Graduated with a Master's in Human Resource Management from the University of Southern California ✌🏽.
2022
The job market is the most disruptive it's been in a generation. Senior professionals with 20-year track records are rebuilding from scratch. I share my frameworks through 1:1 coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements for exactly this moment.
2026
Coached my first client. What started as a natural extension of years spent mentoring colleagues and leading professional development became something I couldn't ignore. I've been building this practice ever since.
2017
Education
Credentials.
Experience. Street Cred.
Credentials. Experience. Street Cred.
(So you know I’m not a self-proclaimed “coach” or guru.)
M.S. Human Resource Management — University of Southern California (Fight On!)
B.S. Communication — University of Tennessee (Go Vols!)
International Coach Federation-Certified Executive Coach (ICF ACC)
Society of Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
Board Governance Certified — Nonprofit Leadership Center
Certifications
Advisory Board Member — UT College of Communication and Information
Advisory
Assessments
I've taken the Enneagram, MBTI, DiSC, EQ-i 2.0, HBDI, VIA, and CliftonStrengths, and when you see my top five, it makes sense that I do this work.
CliftonStrengths: Self-Assurance · Futuristic · Maximizer · Ideation · Positivity
600+ hours coaching diverse, international clients
250+ hours of coach training
17 years of corporate experience in leadership roles across finance, tech, and nonprofit sectors
7+ years coaching, consulting, and building Bailey Coaching & Consulting
Formal coaching experience at a global HR consultancy, an EdTech startup placing candidates in tech roles, a career transition IT bootcamp, and a healthcare startup for working families
Experience
my Values
Authenticity · Joy · Integrity
Authenticity · Joy · Integrity
What I Believe
Developing the tools to land a new role or earn a promotion is an empowering skill, one that will allow you to navigate your career with confidence for the rest of your life.
The job interview is equally your opportunity to interview the company.
Salary is not a sensitive subject. It's a data point, a negotiation, and a signal about how you value your own work. That conversation should feel normal, and I'll make it feel that way.
You deserve to be in a role that challenges you, compensates you fairly, and doesn't cost you your peace.
Fun Facts
Coffee or tea
French press with oat milk
favorite TRAVEL memory
Flying across the country to surprise my mom for her 75th birthday!
New Cat Mom
Sienna Rose :)
Fun Facts
A few things worth noting
I networked my way into my first four jobs before LinkedIn was what it is today. I know this stuff works because I lived it first.
I've personally negotiated six-figure salaries. I know exactly what it feels like to sit across that table.
President & COO,
Bedrosians Tile and Stone
President & COO, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
"Rayla is an invaluable source of advice, motivation, and guidance. She always goes above and beyond as a coach, mentor, and friend in order to develop a real personal relationship. The work she does is amazing and beyond words, and anyone who works with her will understand where I'm coming from. She will give you her best at all times and ensure that you are doing the most to be both happy and successful."
Diana
Niki did something here
“Rayla is the missing ingredient I needed to supercharge my work and my life.”
Since working with Rayla, I have been promoted and had a couple of salary increases. I have also been recognized as a leader and advocate for causes. The firm knows I speak from my heart instead of my ego. I have been asked to represent the firm at speaking events to advocate for women and veterans. Rayla is a talented, intuitive, and empowering coach. She is a great listener and strategist. She guided me through a process to think bigger and get out of my own way. I have transferred to an amazing, fulfilling career. I am savoring the beauty of life with my fabulous husband.”
Assistant Director,
Davidson College
Assistant Director, Davidson College
“Rayla really helped me make a transformation and mental shift regarding my abilities. She supported me and didn't allow me to shrink back or accept less than what I am capable of. Her guidance, patience, and support are unparalleled. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone trying to transform their lives and lean into their purpose.”
Raquel
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Dose
"Working with Rayla has been nothing short of transformative. Through her thoughtful guidance, she helped me land a role at a $50K increase and the highest salary in my family's history. She has a unique gift for helping her clients see their own potential more clearly, equipping them with the right language to advocate for themselves effectively. Her impact is lasting, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to elevate their professional journey.”
Isadora
Niki did something here
“Rayla is the missing ingredient I needed to supercharge my work and my life.”
Since working with Rayla, I have been promoted and had a couple of salary increases. I have also been recognized as a leader and advocate for causes. The firm knows I speak from my heart instead of my ego. I have been asked to represent the firm at speaking events to advocate for women and veterans. Rayla is a talented, intuitive, and empowering coach. She is a great listener and strategist. She guided me through a process to think bigger and get out of my own way. I have transferred to an amazing, fulfilling career. I am savoring the beauty of life with my fabulous husband.”
Ready to work together?
If you're a Senior Manager, Director, VP, or C-Suite leader navigating a transition or pushing through a plateau, I have a framework built for exactly where you are.
Not sure where to start? A Career Audit Session is $397 and gets you a full action plan in 90 minutes.
