On my professional journey, I have been fortunate with opportunities to do many hard things. From getting a PhD, building new products from scratch, and advising some of the world's largest brands, to moving to foreign countries, presenting in front of thousands of people, and writing my first book.
It took me exactly three career transitions, three burnouts, and three mindfulness retreats to realize that I could do all these things with softness—without jeopardizing my work, relationships, health, and overall wellbeing.
Doing hard things with softness means approaching challenges with resilience, empathy, and compassion. It means staying grounded and clear-headed in tough situations, solving problems from a place of genuine care. It means fostering meaningful connections with people based on understanding and trust.
When we lead with softness, we choose to believe in our own spirit and brilliance. We guide our personal and professional lives with sincerity and purpose, paving the way for growth. And we do so to set an example for others to lead with their own softness, too.
As your coach, I'm here to help you do just that.


Dr. Neva Stumberger is an international coach, speaker, and author, working at the intersection of leadership, communication, and wellbeing.
After more than a decade of working in high-paced, competitive environments, from consulting and academia to startups, Neva designed her business to help rising leaders elevate their brilliance and expand their impact from a place of clarity, focus, and meaning.
With a PhD in Communication from Purdue University, Neva has taught and mentored at universities and business schools since 2014. Her research has been published in prominent journals and presented at conferences around the world, from USA to Japan. She is also a certified yoga teacher, with ICF-accredited education from one of Denmark’s leading coaching institutes.
Her inspiration and personal drive come from working with exceptional individuals, the creative process of building things from scratch, and the endless potential of human growth.
Neva lives in Copenhagen with her small family. She regularly travels to her hometown in Slovenia to spend time with her other loved ones.
I created the Elevate Your Brilliance coaching program for driven women (like you!) who want to keep shining with your own brilliance—while finding the approach that works for you.
Whether you are early in your leadership career or further down your journey, starting your own company or currently "just" exploring where your life might lead you next, this highly personalized, transformation-focused coaching program is about taking you from where you are now to where you truly want to be.
Together, we'll discover what's holding you back, tap into your true gifts, and practice how to access your inner guidance, so you're all set to keep moving forward with calm, confidence, and meaning.
Ready to elevate your brilliance? Let's begin.
