Orla's Story
Orla Castanien is a sought-after executive coach who has worked with hundreds of leaders and high-achieving professionals over the last 20+ years. She has become a trusted partner, helping clients discover solutions for their leadership and career challenges.
But over time, Orla saw a need to provide something more.
While achieving significant success professionally, many of her clients struggled with the bigger picture. Some had experienced a life-changing event; others felt a sense of emptiness or questioning their purpose. They asked questions like “Is this what I really want for my life? ”Is this where I am supposed to be at this stage in my life?" or simply “Now what?”.
After numerous transitions and challenges of her own, Orla understood this feeling first-hand. From becoming a successful CFO, moving her life to another country, changing careers and starting a business to struggling with fertility issues, becoming an adoptive mom and experiencing the pain of divorce, she learned that life does not always turn out as planned. But she began to see these difficult times as an opportunity to evolve, change course and get clearer on how she wanted her life to look.
Every moment led to greater self-awareness, wisdom and something better.
Orla’s journey inspired her to help other professionals better understand their purpose, chart their own course and create more joy in their lives. She knew this process would require time and a safe space—a space to reflect, imagine, plan and evolve.
Thus, The Evolve Retreat was born.
Through her years of experience as a trusted advisor, as a leader, and as a mom and human being, Orla brings deep perspective and compassion to her work. She loves nothing more than to see clients embrace who they are, what matters most to them and through EVOLVE emerge stronger, happier, the best version of themselves.
Professional background
Twenty years of leadership in finance, operations and strategy have shaped Orla’s thoughtful and pragmatic approach to helping executives navigate their careers, achieve team alignment, resolve conflict and successfully lead through change and uncertainty.
She is a skilled facilitator with a unique way of holding the space for leaders to say what needs to be said, have the hard conversations and address the root cause of challenges head on so that they and their teams can move forward with clarity, commitment and confidence.
Clients say that “she is both challenging and inspirational at the same time, listening deeply to identify the real issues at play and positive and uplifting in driving toward solution.”
Orla received her accounting and consulting training at Deloitte and went on to hold leadership positions in finance, strategic planning and non-profits both in Ireland and the U.S. She served as Chief Financial Officer for Unicare Pharmacy Group, leading an organization from start-up to becoming Ireland’s first and largest national pharmacy chain. After moving to the U.S., Orla provided strategic consulting to US business leaders and Irish Enterprise agencies before dedicating herself to coaching leaders to bring their authentic best selves to their leadership.
Orla is an adoptive mom a keen advocate for and consultant to women entrepreneurs internationally and has served on boards and advisory councils to several non-profits in the US.