A bit more about me...
I’m Lou, founder of Rowe & Rise 👋
I’ve spent the past 20 years as a marketing leader, working in fast-paced, results-driven environments where commercial outcomes mattered, and expectations were high. My background spans start-ups, global businesses, and highly commercial organisations across the Middle East; building brands, leading cross-functional teams, and operating in rooms where clarity, judgement and pace were at the forefront of daily life.
I’ve lived in Dubai since 2006, run on Yorkshire Tea, am a TikTok novice by necessity, and mum to two brilliantly energetic boys who keep my feet firmly on the ground.
Why I went into coaching...
Over the years, I noticed the same pattern repeating itself, regardless of industry or seniority. People were expected to perform, lead, decide and influence, often without ever being taught how they actually work best - how they are uniquely brilliant.
In environments like that, small gaps in clarity, can get messy... quickly. A lack of self-awareness doesn’t affect only confidence, it affects decision-making, energy, relationships and outcomes. People start second-guessing themselves, over-working to compensate, or lose momentum.
By translating my corporate hands-on experience to coaching, I bring real life lived experience, paired with accredited coaching, to supporting others to get a grasp on how to move forward. My programmes create appointments to think, spaces to be curious, and most importantly, build awareness, before gaps morph into something bigger.
Rowe & Rise exists to give people language for how they operate, so they can make better choices as their careers unfold, rather than having to untangle things years down the line.
Working with me...
I run practical, strengths-led coaching grounded in real working life. No theatre, no unnecessary drama, and no worksheets that disappear into a folder never to be opened again.
I bring warmth, structure, straight-talk and a healthy dose of humour into the room. Most people I work with are far more capable than they realise. My job is helping them see it, and use it.
My work is thoughtful but commercial, reflective but forward-moving. Awareness first, leadership later. We’ll think properly, make sense of what’s really going on, and leave with clarity you can act on.
I work with early-career professionals, students and small businesses who are all capable, doing their best, but quietly unsure how to use their strengths on purpose.
I’m trained to ICF coaching standards, an ICF Level 1 trained coach, and a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach, with bring deep corporate experience to every conversation.
Wondering if I could be the right coach for you or your team?
What my individual coaching clients say
Transformational
"Before working with Lou, I felt overwhelmed and pulled in multiple directions by a flood of competing ideas for a personal project. Lou provided a structured yet flexible framework that empowered me to explore my own motivations and values. The experience was transformative, and I now have both a project I love and a repeatable process for tackling big ideas in the future."
Haseeb A.
Empowered & Motivated
"Through my sessions with Lou, I gained clarity on my strengths and also on things I once thought were weaknesses, but actually help balance who I am as a person and as a professional. Lou listened carefully and helped me find my own answers. She guided me with thoughtful questions, shared relevant experiences, and gave clear inputs when needed, without ever imposing her views. I always left the sessions feeling empowered, motivated to take the next step in my career."
Maria A.
A Turning Point
"Working with Lou was a turning point in my professional journey. With a rare balance of professionalism and warmth, she was able to analyze my strengths, guide my decision-making, and narrow down my consulting offering in a way that finally made sense and felt aligned. The real outcome of our sessions was clarity - clarity on what I want to do, how I want to position myself, and what I can confidently offer as a professional.
Wonho C.
What my corporate coaching clients say
Invaluable
"Lou was brilliant at bringing the team together in a cohesive manner, with relatable examples to use as structure for breakout sessions and workshops. The short amount of time we spent with her has proven invaluable for the team workflow, communication, strengths and weaknesses."
Lydia Denno
BFORE
Immediate & Practical Impact
"What stood out immediately was how diligently the workshop and one-to-one sessions were designed around what actually mattered to us, rather than being a generic offsite or pre-packaged programme. The impact has been immediate and practical. Lou helped us unlock where the team were already doing brilliant work, while also surfacing blind spots that were creating friction day to day."
Bridie Forster
BFORE
Brought My Energy Back
"Lou is an incredibly intuitive coach with a rare ability to really listen. Through our sessions, she helped me recognise what was driving my decision paralysis and brought energy back into my decision-making. That shift in perspective brought focus and made it easier to move from overthinking into action. Lou’s approach is calm, focused and practical, creating space for honest reflection while always keeping an eye on forward progress."
Dan M.
Rowe & Rise Project Management
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