Partnering to Unlock Purpose, Talent, and Leadership

Schedule a Meeting Learn Why Purpose Works

Growth Begins With Purpose

PurposeWorks Coaching Collective partners with schools, nonprofits, leadership, and workforce programs to advance equity and chart leadership pathways for youth and adults from diverse communities.

Through evidence-based tools like Gallup CliftonStrengths, we help individuals identify their natural talents, build confidence, and plot actionable plans for success in school, work and life.

Our approach blends research and practice, offering interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, and train-the-trainer programs that build lasting organizational capacity.

Meet Dr. Kelly Ferguson

Certified Strengths Coach

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, educator, and social impact entrepreneur, Dr. Kelly Ferguson partners with mission-driven institutions to serve those furthest from opportunity. Her work bridges research and practice to center equity, elevate narratives, and build lasting capacity—a thread that shapes her coaching, scholarship, and service.

As the founder of PurposeWorks, she leads a collective of certified strengths coaches and experts in urban education, leadership development, Black male pedagogy, curriculum design, evaluation, and postsecondary readiness. Together, they equip youth and those who support them to lead with confidence, self-awareness, and purpose.

Certified Strengths Coach

The PurposeWorks Difference

PurposeWorks Leadership Development Model

Too often, traditional leadership programs focus on the external—e.g., field trips, internships, and guest speakers—without giving participants the tools to see themselves as leaders.

The result? People leave inspired, but unsure where they fit in.

When individuals don't understand who they are as leaders, those external opportunities become moments of confusion instead of confidence.

Our approach centers identity first—because lasting leadership starts with self-understanding.

Through identity-based coaching and CliftonStrengths, we help participants:

Discover how they naturally think, feel, and lead
Build confidence with a shared language to describe their strengths
Understand how to bring their unique talents to real-world opportunities

Someone who once felt out of place in a corporate setting now sees themselves as a Strategic thinker or Relator—and knows exactly how to show up in that space.

CliftonStrengths is a powerful tool used by top organizations around the world to build self-awareness and leadership. We adapt this tool to work meaningfully with programs that serve participants from diverse communities.

CliftonStrengths coaching helps participants:

Identify their top natural talents
Connect those talents to personal, academic, and career goals
Lead with purpose—in classrooms, workplaces, and beyond

We believe leadership development must address both:

Internal growth — building identity, confidence, and language

External exposure — connecting youth to career opportunities and networks

When these work together, individuals are no longer just participating—they're leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Who We Serve

Emerging & Evolving Leaders

Ideal for individuals navigating:

Career transitions or pivots
Early-career leadership roles
Personal or professional reinvention

Youth & Young Adults

Serving programs that support diverse youth:

High school and college students
Participants in reentry or diversion programs
Youth in college, career readiness, or mentorship pipelines

Mission‑Aligned Organizations

Supporting leadership teams committed to equity and impact:

Nonprofits, community-based, and educator development organizations
Schools, colleges, fellowships and workforce programs
Civic agencies, faith-based institutions, and foundations

What Our Clients Say

As I’ve stepped into college, leaning into my strengths doesn't just open doors but allows me to carve my name into every space I step into.

Fiinoh N.

Student , College Access & Leadership Coaching Participant

It’s empowering because very few of us get an opportunity to think deeply about ourselves and have a person to think deeply and push us deeper. I truly don’t believe that anyone who feels that they are called to lead can do so without coaching.

Dr. Marlon J.

Dean for Student Success , Leadership Coaching Client

I find myself reflecting on strategy as a super power, giving myself more room to think, and managing my contributions to conversations so that they stay within my zone of genius. I am more confident in what exactly I'm best suited to offer.

Wolf H.

Digital Product Manager , Leadership Coaching Client

How It Works

Take a Strengths Assessment

Start with the CliftonStrengths assessment to identify your unique talent themes. This gives us a shared language to build from and a clear snapshot of what already works for you.

Internalize Your Unique Strengths

Through coaching and interactive labs, translate your results into real insight—connecting strengths to identity, values, and everyday decisions in school, work, and life.

Activate Your Purpose

Set focused goals, design simple habits, and apply strengths to projects and leadership roles. We equip mentors and staff so the work sticks beyond the session.

Schedule a Meeting

Why Partner With PurposeWorks?

Fits Your Programs

Plug into your existing college and career readiness work without adding friction.

Tailored Coaching

Customized support for mentors and staff so practices become daily habits.

Capacity That Lasts

Train‑the‑trainer systems build internal muscle for sustained impact.

Evidence‑Based

Tools trusted by leading organizations—adapted for the communities you serve.