Professional Work Experience:

Barbara Lawrence is an organizational and talent development consultant with more than 30 years of experience, including more than 20 years at Shell Petroleum. She has held a range of positions such as Environmentalist, Head of External Relations Strategy and Planning, Transformation Manager, Communication and Change Manager, and Regional Organizational Effectiveness, Change and Planning Manager for Shell Africa. Besides her extensive background in communications, external relations, and change management, Barbara’s skills in organizational effectiveness, facilitation, talent development, and professional coaching make Barbara a knowledgeable resource and unique support for clients across a spectrum of industries and sectors.

Current Role

With more than 15 years of coaching experience, Barbara is committed to supporting leaders and organizations in achieving positive change. Barbara’s approach involves partnering with each client to co-create a trusting environment. She maintains a non-judgemental stance with careful listening and close attention to each client’s story. At the same time, Barbara challenges limiting beliefs, provides encouragement, and helps each client find solutions that facilitate growth. Her coaching philosophy helps managers become leaders: Barbara’s coaching emphasizes personal accountability and action while she works to understand clients’ current state, fosters self-awareness, and strategizes with clients on their leadership journeys. With her coaching practice based in Nigeria, Barbara provides executive and leadership coaching, career development and transition support, and coaching for women in leadership. She works with a diverse range of clients, including C-suite executives, senior leaders, emerging leaders, and high potentials. Her clients hail from industries ranging from the oil and gas industry, financial and medical organizations, telecommunications companies, and state government.

Educational Background

Barbara holds an Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Kent at Canterbury, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Lagos. She also has a Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, UK.

Professional Affiliations

Among her many coaching credentials, Barbara is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and earned a Senior Practitioner certificate from the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). She is also involved with various professional organizations and initiatives, including pro bono work with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Women in Energy Network (WIEN), the Catholic Women Organization, the University of Ibadan, and the ICF Ignite Project.