Today we’d like to introduce you to Katiuscia Baggio

Hi Katiuscia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I discovered my passion for the human sciences in high school, where I trained as a kindergarten teacher. That’s where I had the opportunity to study pedagogy, psychology, and the methodologies necessary to support the psychological development of children. It was then that I truly grasped the importance of having faith in human beings and their capacity for growth.

After high school, I went on to study educational sciences in college, with a focus on adult learning in corporate environments. However, upon graduation, I did not feel adequately prepared for the working world. My early professional experiences left me feeling unprepared and lacking in confidence.

That’s when I discovered CIMBA, a prestigious business school and consortium of 36 American universities located in Italy. It was there that I honed my skills in executive program management and creation. CIMBA provided me the chance to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Kansas, USA. After that, they also gave me the opportunity to become an executive coach, studying at the Neuroleadership Institute in London, UK.

For 18 years, I worked at CIMBA, eventually reaching the role of Executive Education Director, Leadership Trainer, and Coach. I had the privilege of training people from around the world, in both English and Italian, and even had the opportunity to work with clients abroad, primarily in the USA and Europe.

In 2019, I made the decision to leave my job and become a freelance professional, with the intention of building my own online school focused on coaching, integrated with training. In 2020, I published my first book, “Improvise and Succeed,” which is also available in Italian as “Improvvisare per Vincere.”

I am now working with executives and company teams internationally. The majority of my work is currently online, though it is integrated with in-person training and coaching sessions. I love what I do and am looking forward to publishing my second book, “Coaching Skills for Managers.” I also have over 32,000 students on Udemy, where I first published my online course in 2020, before building my own school, “Improvise and Succeed (I&S) Academy.”

Through the education, study, and open-mindedness towards people from vastly different backgrounds, I was able to create my own path, transforming from an insecure individual into a confident professional.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It has certainly not been a smooth road. One of my earliest challenges was learning to communicate effectively in English within the prestigious academic environment of CIMBA, where English was the daily language spoken by everyone. For the first few years, I was often outside of my comfort zone, feeling unprepared and not good enough. However, I was determined to see this as an opportunity to learn and grow, not just in terms of the subject matter, but also in my way of thinking.

Public speaking also presented a significant hurdle for me. As a child, I had struggled with a stuttering problem, which led to painful experiences of my classmates making fun of me. As a result, I actively avoided public speaking early in my career, associating it with those difficult memories. But thanks to the leadership experiences and training opportunities provided by CIMBA, public speaking became an essential component of my profession as a leadership trainer, coach, and executive coach.

When I made the decision to leave my job at CIMBA and become a freelance professional, I had to rebuild a new professional identity. This transition was not easy, as I had previously felt very prepared and competent working for the prestigious business and leadership school. Initially, that sense of confidence seemed to fade away. However, over time, it began to return as I established my new identity as an independent coach and trainer.

The entrepreneurial journey itself has been another form of leadership development program. It is an ongoing process, and I believe that building true confidence will never truly be a completed story. There will always be new challenges and opportunities for growth along the way. But I am committed to embracing this dynamic path and continuing to evolve as a professional and an individual.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a highly experienced executive coach, leadership trainer, and business consultant. My specialty is helping leaders and organizations develop their full potential through customized coaching, training programs, and strategic advisory services.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to help clients navigate challenging transitions and unlock new levels of performance and fulfillment. Early on in my career, I faced my own significant struggles, like learning to communicate effectively in English within a prestigious academic environment, and overcoming a lifelong battle with public speaking anxiety. These experiences gave me a deep well of empathy and a genuine understanding of the personal and professional growth process.

Today, I’m known for my ability to create brave spaces where clients can safely explore their limitations, develop self-awareness, and make meaningful breakthroughs. My approach blends evidence-based coaching techniques, neuroscience insights, and a steadfast commitment to my clients’ success. I don’t just teach leadership principles – I help put them into daily practice through accountability, support, and transformative mindset shifts. Integrating my improvisation skills from courses at the Second City School of Chicago into my coaching work has also been a hallmark of my approach. In fact, the integration of improvisation and coaching is the topic of a book I’ve written on the subject.
What sets me apart is my multi-dimensional expertise. In addition to my executive coaching certifications, I hold an MBA from the University of Kansas as well as a college degree in educational sciences. I’ve also honed my skills as a presenter and facilitator through my work at CIMBA. Since becoming a freelance professional, I’ve further expanded my skillset by learning online course creation and entrepreneurship.
This unique combination of academic training, practical experience, and coaching mastery allows me to serve my clients. Ultimately, I’m most proud of the meaningful impact I’m able to have on the leaders and teams I work with. Watching them break through barriers, elevate their performance, and achieve their most ambitious goals is immensely rewarding. It’s a privilege to play a role in their professional and personal transformation.

What are your plans for the future?

For the future, I’m excited to continue expanding my online education offerings by developing new innovative programs. I also plan to publish a second book that delves deeper into the integration of improvisation and coaching – a topic I’m deeply passionate about. Additionally, I want to create a podcast series to further share my insights and expertise with a wider audience.

Another key goal is to expand the nature-based coaching and training experiences that have been so impactful for my clients. I want to organize more of these immersive retreats, including offerings in Italy and the Canary Islands. Being in nature has a profound effect on personal growth and transformation, and I’m committed to providing these powerful experiences.

Ultimately, my purpose is to help every human being I meet unlock their full potential and expand their mindset. I’m driven to raise awareness about the transformative power of coaching, and equip more people to apply these principles in their personal and professional lives. I even have ambitions to create training programs in a multimedia, film-like format. And who knows, maybe one of my books will one day be adapted into a TV series or feature film!

The overarching vision is to continuously evolve my offerings and reach, so I can have an even greater positive impact on leaders, teams, and individuals around the world. I’m energized by the opportunity to guide more people toward breakthrough moments and success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katiusciabaggio.com
• Other: https://linktr.ee/katiusciabaggio