Today we’d like to introduce you to Chinyere Okpara
Hi Chinyere, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey has always been about strategy, resilience, and helping women navigate their careers with confidence. I built a career in corporate leadership, rising to Senior Vice President, where I led talent strategy for a 13,000-person organization. Throughout my time at companies like Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and Oracle, I saw a recurring pattern—high-achieving women weren’t always given the same access to leadership development, strategic visibility, or executive grooming. I knew this needed to change.
I’ve been coaching for over 10 years, helping women elevate their careers, build influence, and step into leadership. But in 2023, I made an intentional shift—I launched Her Power Pose®, a premier career and leadership hub designed to equip high-achieving women with the tools, strategy, and confidence to navigate corporate spaces with ease.
This decision wasn’t just professional; it was deeply personal. My son, Zo, was diagnosed with cancer at just four months old, and that moment reshaped everything for me. It reinforced my belief that success shouldn’t come at the cost of well-being. I wanted to create a space where ambitious women could achieve more, work less, and lead with clarity—without sacrificing themselves in the process.
Her Power Pose® is more than a career resource—it’s a movement. It’s a place where women gain the strategy, support, and community to rise in their careers while staying true to their values. Whether it’s career transitions, leadership growth, or executive presence, Her Power Pose® is where high-achieving women come to step into their power and make their next bold move.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to building Her Power Pose® has been anything but smooth—it’s been filled with challenges, pivots, and deeply personal moments that reshaped my approach to leadership and success.
One of the biggest turning points in my journey was when my son, Zo, was diagnosed with cancer at just four months old. That moment forced me to reevaluate everything—my career, my priorities, and how I defined success. It was a stark reminder that ambition and well-being don’t have to be at odds, and it fueled my commitment to building a space where high-achieving women can rise in their careers without sacrificing themselves in the process.
Beyond personal challenges, stepping away from a Senior Vice President role to fully focus on Her Power Pose® came with its own uncertainties. I had spent years leading talent strategy for global organizations, and while I knew the impact I wanted to make, entrepreneurship required a different kind of resilience. From navigating brand positioning to ensuring women saw the value in investing in their careers, there were moments of doubt. Would corporate women recognize the need for a space like this? Would they trust a different way to advance—one that didn’t demand overwork and burnout?
There were also the typical struggles of launching and scaling a brand—figuring out the right messaging, balancing growth with impact, and ensuring that Her Power Pose® remained a premier resource for ambitious women. But each challenge reinforced my mission. The women I work with—many of whom have spent years doing all the ‘right’ things but still feeling stuck—remind me why I started this in the first place.
The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been intentional, transformative, and deeply rewarding. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that smooth roads don’t lead to the kind of impact that truly changes lives. Her Power Pose® is here because I’ve walked the journey myself, and now, I’m making sure other women have the roadmap to navigate it, too.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Her Power Pose®?
At Her Power Pose®, we equip high-achieving corporate women with the strategy, confidence, and leadership tools they need to navigate their careers with clarity and influence—without burnout. We believe career advancement isn’t about doing more, working harder, or constantly proving yourself. It’s about aligning your strengths, building strategic visibility, and stepping into leadership with intention.
We specialize in career acceleration, leadership development, and executive presence, ensuring that women aren’t just seen, but sought after for opportunities that align with their ambitions. Whether it’s navigating a career transition, positioning for a leadership role, or elevating executive presence, Her Power Pose® provides the roadmap, the strategy, and the community to make it happen.
What Sets Us Apart?
Unlike traditional career coaching that focuses solely on job search tactics, Her Power Pose® takes a holistic approach—blending career strategy, leadership coaching, and mindset mastery to ensure women advance in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.
What truly differentiates us:
Corporate Expertise – Led by a former Senior Vice President and talent leader, we bring insider knowledge of how hiring, promotions, and leadership development actually work at top organizations.
Proven Framework – Our proprietary leadership (Persuasive Mindset Method™) and career methodology helps women break through career plateaus and position themselves for long-term success and visibility.
Community & Support – Her Power Pose® isn’t just a resource; it’s a movement. We provide a space where high-achieving women can connect, strategize, and elevate together.
What We’re Most Proud Of:
The biggest win for Her Power Pose® is the transformations we see in the women we serve. Whether it’s someone negotiating a $100K salary increase, landing a dream leadership role, or finally breaking free from burnout and imposter syndrome—we’re changing the narrative for high-achieving women in corporate.
What Readers Should Know:
If you’re a high-achieving woman in corporate looking to take your career to the next level—whether that means securing a leadership role, building executive presence, or making a bold career move—Her Power Pose® is here to equip you with the tools, strategy, and confidence to make it happen.
Because career success shouldn’t come at the cost of joy, well-being, or authenticity. We help women step into their power—on their terms.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the biggest misconceptions about mentorship and networking is that it’s all about “finding the right person” and hoping they’ll guide you. I believe the most powerful connections aren’t transactional—they’re built through authenticity, strategic positioning, and mutual value.
In my career, I’ve seen how high-achieving women often wait for mentorship to be handed to them, thinking that hard work alone will get them noticed. But real career growth happens when you take control of your visibility, build authentic relationships, and strategically position yourself for opportunities. That’s the foundation of my method.
My Approach to Networking & Mentorship
1️⃣ Be Intentional & Strategic
Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts—it’s about building influence. Instead of reaching out to random executives or “picking someone’s brain,” focus on creating meaningful relationships aligned with your career vision. Who are the decision-makers and influencers in your space? How can you provide value while learning from them?
2️⃣ Authenticity Over Performance
I don’t believe in “networking scripts” or forcing relationships. Authenticity is your biggest asset. People connect with people, not perfectly curated versions of them. Instead of just focusing on what you can get, ask insightful questions, share your experiences, and let the conversation flow naturally.
3️⃣ Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
One of the most overlooked aspects of mentorship is that it’s not just about being mentored—it’s about how you show up in the relationship. Instead of asking, “Will you be my mentor?” focus on engaging with their work, applying their advice, and demonstrating growth. The best mentor-mentee relationships develop organically when both sides see value in the exchange.
4️⃣ Leverage the Power of Visibility
Your network isn’t just built in one-on-one conversations—it’s shaped by how you show up in spaces that matter. Whether it’s speaking in meetings, sharing insights on LinkedIn, or participating in industry events, visibility attracts the right people to you. The more you position yourself as a thought leader, the easier it becomes to form authentic, high-value connections.
What Has Worked for Me?
Throughout my career—from being a Senior Vice President leading talent strategy to building Her Power Pose®—I’ve never relied on formal mentorship programs. I’ve built strategic relationships by showing up, being intentional, and creating mutual value. I’ve learned that:
Relationships are built in the in-between moments—the quick follow-ups, the thoughtful comments, and the genuine interest in others’ success.
Asking the right questions is more important than trying to impress someone. Curiosity and authenticity open doors faster than rehearsed pitches.
Your presence is your introduction. The way you contribute, lead, and engage in rooms will often determine who wants to invest in your growth.
Networking and mentorship aren’t about chasing people—they’re about positioning yourself in a way that naturally attracts the right connections. Lead with authenticity, be strategic in your relationships, and remember: the most powerful mentors often find you when you show up fully in your own career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.herpowerpose.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herpowerpose
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herpowerpose
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herpowerpose
- Other: https://herpowerposenet.my.canva.site/
Image Credits
Dee Porter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deee_porter/
