Every journey has a start.

At The Start is a consultancy focused on supporting business leaders and managers to harness the power of their people. With At The Start, leadership and employees alike are able to identify and pursue new opportunities, reach their goals, and feel confident along the way. Through consulting and strategic planning, At The Start can transform a businesses' culture and empower its people. Our focus is on building and strengthening organizational culture, enhancing internal communications, and implementing strategic HR practices that drive success.

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Sara Whitman, PCC 

As a former Chief People Officer, Sara is a performance-driven leader with extensive expertise at the intersection of strategy, culture, internal communications, and people (HR). 

Sara Whitman is a HR and Communication consultant and PCC credentialed coach from the International Coach Federation. For twenty years, she has focused on the power of the individual. Sara started At The Start to combine all areas of her professional life in service of the next generation.

Sara is the former Chief People Office and a founding executive of Hot Paper Lantern, an interdisciplinary agency that helps aspiring brands build relevance.

Sara is a member of the International Coach Federation and the Society for Human Resource Management. She holds PHR and Extended DISC certifications and is a graduate of the Erickson Coaching International coaching program. Sara holds a M.A. in Public Relations from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a B.A. in Literature & Communications from Pace University.

A strong advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, Sara chairs the annual “Out of the Darkness” walk in Westchester County for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

At The Start Expertise

Testimonials

We’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible organizations, helping them achieve their goals and transform their businesses. Here’s what they have to say:

“Watching Sara work with our town’s middle school students on time management was fantastic. Sara connects with adolescents in a way that is engaging, fun and productive! The students were provided with helpful tools of organization and walked away with a more cohesive understanding of how to organize their time productively.”
— Jessica Lodato, Rye Youth Council
“As part of a virtual ‘expert’ series to support our employees during these uncertain times, we turned to Sara to lead a discussion about practical tips on parenting, working and maintaining well-being during the pandemic. She was a calming presence. Sara guided the conversation in an authentic, credible way, reassuring us that there are no right and wrong answers and that we’re all feeling an unusual sense of pressure playing multiple roles. She was able to offer realistic tips on how to manage, prioritize and, in some cases, re-frame our thinking – and to give ourselves a break.”
— Stacy Nobles, Agios Pharmaceuticals
“Working with Sara helped me ‘let go’ and trust myself when my default would have been to hold on and seek control. I found our sessions to be empowering, refreshing and direction-giving.”
— Megan

Contact

Are you ready to harness the power of your people? Contact us today to learn how we can support your business and help you achieve your goals.

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