Coaching Magic and More

2026 marks 20 years since I live in Europe. And this is my “Diversity & Inclusion” statement.

I arrived in Spain passionate and fearless, ready to conquer the world, confident in my highest adaptability, curiosity, creativity, openness to learn, connect, build and grow. Nevertheless, I faced a wall of narrow-mined society where I struggled till I could call it “home”. But I managed through the years, putting down roots and integrating professionally. I learned the language, got the citizenship, I payed my taxes, I enjoyed every minute of it, and my mentality has gradually absorbed the olive Mediterranean flavour…

When I moved to Luxembourg, I was intimdated by the size of the country- 8 times smaller than my hometown, Saint-Petersburg. Gosh, there was not even a metro!! Cows on the fields and not much more. And yet, in terms of integration, it went much smoothly. The warm-welcoming Dutchy surprised me with its efficiency, generosity and friendliness. There are many more expats here, and overall my experience has been very positive. I am extremely grateful to Luxembourg for being my home today.

But do I actually have just one home? 🏠 Am I Russian, Spanish, or Luxembourgish at heart?

All of it.

These seemingly contradictory identities are all part of who I am. They are woven into my multifaceted personality, together with the experiences that shaped me and the people around the world I have met along the way.

On one side, I miss Russia, with all its complexity, but also with its immense cultural richness and spiritual depth. It will always remain in my heart, and despite the geopolitical context, I still feel deeply connected to it. I worry about its future and about people going through difficult times now.

On the other side, Europe now lives in me too. My children were born here. My all life is here. My projects, family and friends are here. And when I see the world becoming more divided, my heart breaks — because I cannot stand entirely on one side only. I carry several worlds within me, and that brings not clarity, but pain. I worry for the future of my boys, and for the future of all the countries I belong to – and at the same time, do not fully belong to. I gave it all to Europe with my hard-working attitude, responsibility and respect, and yet sometimes being rejected for “Russian”, but I’m neither being needed in Russia anymore for living abroad.

So, where am I driving with all this story? What’s happening with Diversity & Inclusion in corporate world? To me, there’s still a lot of work to do. This is trendy and fasionable topic on the Agenda of many companies, especially in big multinational enviroments. But do we truly live it or is just a buzzword so far? There’re entire communities and departments in HR dedicated to D&I initiatives, and I was personally collaborating to one of those at my recent employer. But in reality, when the war in Ukraine started, I remember entering a meeting room and feeling an immediate silence. There were many questions for my Ukrainian colleagues about their families and how they were coping (and understandably so!!). But towards me, there was a certain distance. That silence was painful too. I felt set apart somehow, as if I were expected to carry responsibility for decisions made by the Russian government.

After almost 20 years in the EU, like many of my friends here, I could not help but question what inclusion truly means in moments like these. Is it about the passport, or is it about the person and their identity? After spending two decades building a life and a sense of home here, it was deeply painful to experience rejection, blocked access, or professional doors closing simply because I was Russian. And that made me wonder: behind all the beautiful PowerPoint slides on D&I, are we always ready to practice it when it becomes uncomfortable? That is where the gap between the concept of D&I and the lived reality became very real to me. Perhaps true inclusion begins exactly there – when we move beyond labels, beyond assumptions, bias and choose to see the human being first.

And yet, I’m here, today, celebrating my 20-years’ EU-anniversary! There’s no guilt for previous choises, there’s no regret of anything, there’s no blame on anyone. Because my level of consiousness grew up together with me, and I stand for my Identity, stand for my personal life values, and my beliefs. I have trust in me, whereever I live and whereever I go. I’m confident in what I can deliver, in the added value I bring. And finally, I’m not ashamed of my Russian roots anyomre, I’m actually proud of them! Proud of my life path, of my right-at-that-time choices, of its outcomes, and of who I become today.

Thank you, Europe, for all the lessons you tought me and for all the opportunities you gave me! Today I stick to my identity and no matter what – looking forward I won’t betray myself ever again.

So yes, professionally speaking, some say my CV is “overloaded,” “too layered,” “too complex,” “too multi-functional.” But that is who I am. And I am no longer willing to keep a low profile or diminish my capabilities, skills, and talents just to fit someone else’s comfort zone. A strong profile is not a problem to fix – it is a strength to lead with.

And this sense of identity I am talking about has become one of the key foundations of my personal projects: the book I am now finishing, and the App for iOS & Android – currently in the making.

My deepest hope is that this App will help many people reconnect with themselves in difficult professional transitions – those who have lost their jobs, relocated to another country, gone through burnout, faced career stagnation, or become so identified with a job title that they no longer know who they are without it.

Because sometimes the real crisis is not only about work. It is about identity.

This app is being created as a practical guide through the emotional and strategic stages of professional change – helping people regain inner clarity, reconnect with their values, skills, and strengths, and begin taking their first steps toward a future that is more aligned with who they truly are.

A real Career Reset. An AI Business Coach, assessments, practical exercises, meditations and emotional regulation on each of 5 transition levels, as well as other strategic Change Managment algorithms, Community Forum and more – all in one in your pocket. A guide back to yourself.

Stay tuned for more.