Vernessa Cole
Vernesa Cole is a seasoned Leadership Growth & Momentum Strategist, dedicated to helping emerging leaders turn small, intentional moves into significant, measurable impact. As the founder of the WAY Leadership Coaching, Vernesa specializes in coaching rising leaders to build confidence, strengthen influence, and develop the habits necessary to drive leadership transformation. With a strong background in business strategy, project management, and client relations, Vernesa’s work focuses on guiding leaders to unlock their full potential and step into their roles with clarity, courage, and purpose.
With a passion for growth strategy and momentum building, Vernesa helps individuals navigate their leadership journey, whether they are taking on their first leadership role or looking to level up their influence. Her work is grounded in the belief that intentional actions create lasting results, and she is committed to supporting leaders in transforming their intentions into impactful action. Vernesa’s approach empowers leaders to make strategic decisions, strengthen their leadership brand, and foster meaningful results within their teams and organizations.
Vernesa's expertise has earned her recognition in national media outlets, including Yahoo! Finance and MarketWatch. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from American InterContinental University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). In addition to her leadership coaching, Vernesa works as a project manager and has accumulated over 19 years of experience in various leadership roles. Whether through one-on-one coaching or team workshops, Vernesa is passionate about creating momentum for leaders who are ready to make a difference in their careers and organizations.
• Strategic Planning Foundations
• Agile Foundations
• American InterContinental University
What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to the unwavering passion and commitment I have toward helping women. I believe that when we uplift others, especially women, we create a ripple effect that can lead to lasting change. The support and mentorship I've received from other women and allies have been invaluable, and I've always stayed focused on my mission to empower women to lead. My success is a result of a deep sense of purpose, continuous learning, and the genuine belief that when women succeed, everyone benefits.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from a pastor and her husband at our church, Pouring on Purpose. They shared a powerful insight: "Be married to the mission, but flexible with the method." This advice has profoundly shaped my approach to both my career and life. It reminded me to stay deeply committed to my core purpose and values, while remaining adaptable in how I achieve those goals. In a constantly changing environment, the ability to pivot without losing sight of the mission has been key to my growth and success.