I’m honored to share that I was recently profiled in Inspiration & Insights by brand anthropologist Anouk Pappers. The article, titled “A Conversation with Timothy Swords in San Francisco”, captures a conversation we had over coffee at Pier 70 — a space filled with quiet energy, much like the kind I try to create with my clients.
Anouk set the scene beautifully: the Embarcadero fog, the industrial calm of Red Bay Coffee, the cranes standing still outside the window. It was the perfect backdrop for a conversation about leading from the inside out.
“The best leaders aren’t the ones who control the room. They’re the ones who are fully present in it.”
Where Strategy Meets Stillness
She mentioned my decades of experience at institutions like Fidelity, PwC, and MUFG Union Bank — where I served in roles ranging from CFO to Strategy Lead — and highlighted what makes me distinct: the integration of deep mindfulness into high-performance leadership.
I didn’t originally set out to become a coach. It happened organically. After leading mindfulness classes for executives, I started getting pulled aside. “Can you work with me one-on-one?” they’d ask. That’s when I realized the hunger wasn’t just for stress management — it was for something deeper. For inner clarity. For space.
As I told Anouk, I believe leadership isn’t about dominating the room. It’s about being fully present in it. That’s where influence actually begins.
“My job is to help people see what’s really driving them,” I shared. “Because once you’re aware, you can choose. That’s when leadership becomes authentic — and powerful.”
What Drives My Work
I work with leaders who want to move beyond the surface. Yes, I speak the language of OKRs and board metrics, but I always begin with awareness. Awareness of the stories we carry. The assumptions that shape our decisions. The unconscious narratives we bring into our teams and our leadership.
As Anouk writes, my work sits “at the intersection of business insight and human truth.” I couldn’t have said it better.
Let’s Talk
If this kind of leadership calls to you — more presence, less pressure — I’d love to connect. Whether you’re leading a team, transitioning into a new role, or navigating complexity, there’s always a deeper layer to explore.
You can read the full Inspiration & Insights article here. And if it resonates, let’s have a conversation of our own.
