AARON PERKINS, ACC
My Story
I know what it’s like to stand at a crossroads. Over the past two decades, my journey has spanned three continents – from the American Midwest to the cobblestone streets of Europe, and now the thriving hubs of Asia. Along the way, I navigated big career moves, cultural shifts, and moments when I had to completely reinvent myself. Each chapter brought its challenges and lessons, and each one became a stepping stone toward my true calling.
Several years ago, I found myself in a high-pressure corporate role — outwardly successful, but inwardly yearning for more authenticity and purpose. I realized that success isn’t about titles, paychecks, or international travel — it’s about living in alignment with who you truly are and the impact you want to make. This revelation came during a difficult transitional period in my life, when uncertainty and chaos opened the door to new possibilities and growth. That turning point inspired me to chart a new course — one that allows me to support others through the transitions I know so well.
That’s how Chrysalis Leadership Studio was born. I pursued rigorous coach training and earned my certification with the International Coaching Federation, determined to ground my practice in both compassion and rigor. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in leadership development and coaching, I’ve now guided hundreds of professionals and leaders — from Fortune 500 executives to entrepreneurs — through transformative changes in their careers and lives. I’ve been fortunate to work with clients from all over the world (LinkedIn, Coinbase, Twitch, and many more), and those global experiences have only reinforced my core belief: Change isn’t the end of certainty — it’s the beginning of possibility. What I’ve learned from working with so many unique people is this: clarity brings focus, courage fuels the leap, and with the right support, growth follows.
Coaching Philosophy & Approach
My coaching philosophy is simple: the answers are already within you. My role is to provide a supportive, structured space to help you uncover them. Coaching with me is a collaborative process built on trust, empathy, and honest exploration. Here’s what you can always expect when we work together:
A Safe Space to Be You: I meet you where you are, with understanding and without judgment. Whether you’re an expat adapting to a new culture or a professional at a midlife crossroads, you’ll find a welcoming, inclusive environment to openly explore your challenges and dreams. (Having lived and worked in diverse cultures, I know the importance of honoring each person’s identity and experience – including LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone who’s ever felt “different” in the room. You are welcome here.)
Deep Listening & Insightful Questions: Often it’s not about giving you answers, but asking the right questions. I listen deeply to understand not just what you say, but what drives you underneath. Then I’ll challenge you with questions that spark insight and self-discovery. This process helps you gain fresh perspectives on old problems and tap into your own wisdom.
Clarity, Strategy, and Action: Together, we’ll cut through the mental fog to identify what truly matters to you – your values, priorities, and vision for the future. Once we have that clarity, I’ll help you craft a practical path forward. Each session, we co-create actionable steps and useful tools (from mindfulness exercises to leadership frameworks) that move you toward your goals. I’m big on follow-through: you’ll often leave with reflective exercises, concrete practices, or even role-play scenarios to try out, all tailored to your real-life context.
Accountability with Compassion: Change can feel daunting, but you won’t be doing it alone. I’ll be there as your partner – cheering you on, keeping you accountable to your own aspirations, and also reminding you to show yourself some kindness along the way. My approach blends encouragement and challenge: we celebrate wins, and we also tackle the tough stuff holding you back, all in a spirit of growth (and sometimes even a bit of humor when it’s needed!).
At the heart of my approach is emotional intelligence and respect. I bring my experience as a certified coach, a global leader, and a fellow human being who’s been through life’s ups and downs. I promise to be fully present for you, to be honest and thoughtful in my feedback, and to hold our conversations in complete confidence. My mission is to empower you – to help you trust yourself, make informed decisions, and step forward with confidence in whatever “next chapter” you are writing.
What Clients Say
“Aaron has been an incredible executive coach. With his business knowledge, he was able to help me bring my vision to life. Once we established our goals, he developed a unique, heart-centered, results-oriented lesson plan tailored to my professional and personal aspirations. Aaron listened, observed, and offered specific, actionable insights and strategies that further helped my growth throughout the coaching sessions. He has provided me with a vast amount of knowledge on positioning myself in a career I truly enjoy. Aaron is a highly qualified, motivational, and inspiring executive coach; I highly recommend him to anyone wishing to improve their executive presence.”
— Brenda H. Singapore
Group Marketing Director, Shiok Meats
“I could not speak higher of Aaron and the impact he has had on my growth and development. Aaron is a brilliant coach and a great guy. Working with Aaron: we were able to identify areas to improve, he challenged me to go outside of my comfort zone and provided techniques and guidance on how to handle certain situations. Aaron enabled me to achieve my personal goals and get to the next level in my journey. I highly recommend Aaron as a coach to anyone who is looking to challenge themselves to become a better leader or anyone who is looking to move into their first leadership position.”
— Samuel G. Sydney, Austrailia
Head of Business Development, Uber
“I have no hesitation in recommending working with Aaron as a coach. I found him to be warm, engaging and friendly from the start. But he has some additional wonderful traits that really made my experience being coached by him so effective. From the start, I found him to be very open and accepting of me and my style/personality, despite our different locations, culture and background. This allowed me to trust him quickly, so we could achieve things together from the start.
He has a wonderful calm presence, with a supportive sense of humour and a caring approach. And the skill to know what is the right question at that moment - either to challenge or to ask what other solutions there might be. Or something else that you immediately realise encourages a great way of thinking things through.
Very much enjoyed my sessions with Aaron and I found his coaching very helpful working through some issues I was dealing with.”
— Paula S. London, UK
Entrepreneur
“I have been coached by Aaron over a few months and I have found the experience to be extremely valuable so far. Aaron has boosted my confidence and supported me to uncover development areas to think about that I would not have got to on my own. He has helped me to get out of my comfort zone and have a different perspective on my career trajectory.”
— Simran J. Sydney, Austrailia
Sales Director, LinkedIn
Organizations I’ve had the priviledge to support
Every new chapter begins with a single, intentional step.
If you feel the quiet pull of something deeper—or know it’s time for change—this is your invitation to begin. Book a complimentary Discovery Call with me: a free, no-pressure conversation where we’ll explore your goals, challenges, and what’s next for you.\
This is a moment to pause and center yourself.
What do you truly want from your career, your life, your legacy? What could thriving look like, even amid uncertainty? Let’s find out—together. On the call, we’ll talk about what’s been stirring beneath the surface. You’ll get a sense of my coaching style, and even in that first conversation, clarity often begins to take shape.
Your next chapter is already whispering.
You don’t have to navigate it alone—or stay stuck in the “What if?” Let’s connect, explore what’s possible, and start shaping a future that feels both true and powerful. I’m here to help you write your next success story—on your terms.
Book your Discovery Call today.