"I prefer to live in colour"-David Hockney, echoed by Carissa Bub.

Leadership, like life, is not black and white—it's a vibrant tapestry of possibilities. As a professional coach and coaching supervisor accredited by the ICF and EMCC to work with individuals, teams and organisations, I ignite the spark that helps leaders become pioneers of meaningful change.

With over 25 years in enabling high-stakes communication and leadership, I've honed the ability to uncover the story beneath the story, turning conflict into alignment and uncertainty into agency.

Bridging Worlds, Navigating Complexity

My journey through broadcast journalism with the BBC and ITV taught me to diagnose hidden challenges in leadership and culture. Now, as the founder of Bubworks, I partner with CEOs and senior teams ready to elevate their impact through operational integrity and authenticity. I've also shared insights on reimagining leadership for the modern world as a TEDx speaker and podcast host.

Growing up across four countries before my teens, I learned early how to bridge perspectives, adapt, and lead across cultures. My passion to inspire and empower individuals to be the best of ourselves originates here.

The Alchemy of Transformative Leadership

At the core of my work is a belief in relationship before task - because leadership is an exchange of energy, trust, and vision that becomes the wellspring for thriving.

How I Work

Here are my 6 key influences:

I believe that by embracing our inherent connection to nature, we find our moral compass and direction. And, when we make this our practice it can liberate us from our darkest thoughts.
The body tells a story. Born a bundle of energy, I have embraced the art of storytelling through movement. As a presenter and keynote speaker I have learned it’s about grounding and connecting, discovering the grace and joy that being in the body brings. I’ve found that even the smallest gesture can create a level of intimacy and depth of understanding that many yearn for but rarely experience. I have trained thousands of people in the art of engaging an audience simply from what I discovered through my own experimentation.
I now increasingly host strategic leadership retreats solo and with trusted partners in remote locations that offer a sanctuary for stillness - where connection with one’s inner knowing opens the door to a more expansive way of being.
A teenage introduction into therapy deepened my fascination with being human, marking the first conscious step towards fulfilling a deep-seated motivation to learn the art of living creatively and well.
During my subsequent studies, including a Masters in Psychoanalytic Development Psychology at UCL and The Anna Freud Centre, I discovered the critical role of play and over the years, have explored how human imagination and inspiration can be fostered through developmental coaching and personal transformation. Essentially, this involves translating adult development theory and other methodologies into practical steps, thereby equipping leaders with the tools and ‘superpower’ to evolve their mindsets.
My coaching approach has been significantly influenced by work as a broadcast journalist at the BBC and ITV, where I honed my skills reporting live from the field and as a news anchor in the studio. This experience taught me the power of storytelling and investigative rigour.
The transition to founding Bubworks in 2002, and with it an extended global network of colleagues, many who have become friends over the years, allowed me to expand from media and presentation training to a full-suite of strategic communication support to senior leaders around the globe. My roles as a Visiting Lecturer at Imperial College London and pro-bono work as a trainer for mental health and human rights advocates have further deepened my appreciation for public discourse and advocacy.
The evolution of my work into systemic coaching and addressing organizational complexity reflects a confluence of disciplines that have shaped my coaching philosophy. Ultimately I have learned that the principle of putting ‘relationship before task’ pays off.
Studying as a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a Professional Certified Co-Active Coach, Team Performance Coach, and Organization & Relationship System Coach provided me with a diverse toolkit. This educational journey, including a role as one of the first European teaching faculty members for CRRGlobal, has ingrained in me a systemic perspective on team and group dynamics.
Through these experiences, I have dedicated myself to developing essential human skills that enable individuals to grow and contribute their best selves, a theme I explored in my 2014 TEDx talk, 'Luminaries: The New Agents of Change’.
My inner compass has always been attuned to the mystical and metaphysical realms. I actively sought the company of people who radiate wisdom and understanding, those with an expansive presence and a twinkle in their eye.
This deep-seated curiosity about the invisible dimensions of life and spiritual connectivity has been a guiding force in my professional journey, including shaping my role as a Coaching Supervisor and a guide for others on their paths. My commitment to a reflective practice has been instrumental in developing a leadership presence and mindset that inspires me and is instrumental to nurturing this creative spark in those I work with.
While I might present as a solopreneur, the threads of partnering, collaboration, and community are at the core of who I am..
Ever since winning my first client engagement with a Fortune 100 company in 2002, I have learnt that people love to learn - and do learn, if you make it fascinating and fun. I am immensely grateful for the peers, colleagues, and clients alike who have expanded my horizons when it comes to taking risks, preparing well, and extended their trust in letting me grow alongside them over many, many years.
There are many stand-out collaborations which have involved handpicking teams for bespoke client engagements that have been delivered repeatedly worldwide. But also long-lasting partnerships with in-house directors and management teams, working alongside them to grow talent and evolve culture.
From all these opportunities I have learnt the fastest means to achieve breakthrough performance is through connectedness. I believe this is as true for a business as it is for a community. I therefore participate actively in coaching communities and professional networks, both in a teaching capacity and as a co-creator of broader systems change initiatives. Closer to home, I am involved in local neighbourhood initiatives to foster sustainability, community resilience and well-being.