About
About AkoyaThe mission of Akoya Power is to help embrace the power that exists within you. With products and services ranging inspirational speaking, life & career coaching, and retreats to corporate workshops and group programs, Akoya helps empower women to achieve a meaningful impact and a sense of confidence that you're living your life's purpose, all while maintaining balance and inner peace.
Akoya was founded in 2010 by Vanessa Loder and has supported thousands of women (along with a handful of men!) in stepping into their authentic power. Akoya is a pearl oyster known for making rare, exquisite pearls which are of the highest quality.
Pearls start with a grain of sand, an irritant, and if it weren’t for that grain of sand, the pearl couldn’t exist. We all have aspects of ourselves that we struggle to embrace. Similar to the grain of sand, it is these “irritants” that shape us into who we are today.
One of the biggest steps I took in my own personal development was to face my fear of failure and a deep belief I held that I was “not good enough.” Initially, I was mad at myself for having these feelings and beliefs. As I’ve continued on my journey, I’ve realized that all of the aspects of myself I used to be ashamed of are in fact some of the most beautiful sides of me. And if it weren’t for these “shadows”, my light couldn’t exist. There are many dualities in life; the dark and the light, yin and yang, the masculine and the feminine, the pearl and the grain of sand, and in each of these systems, the two opposing sides are necessary to achieve true balance, harmony and love.
Akoya exists to help you to see the power that is within you when you embrace all aspects of yourself. It is about uniting the opposing forces inside of you and learning to love and accept both your dark and your light so that you can step into your most Authentic Self: a human being filled with love, power, compassion and joy. Are you ready to step into your power?
About VanessaVanessa Loder is an inspirational speaker, writer and executive coach whose company, Akoya Power, supports people in stepping into their power unapologetically with greater ease and balance. Vanessa is also the Co-Founder of the Mindfulness Based Achievement, the New MBA, curriculum.
Vanessa graduated from Columbia University, Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude and received her MBA from Stanford University. After working in finance for almost ten years, Vanessa realized that she was deeply unfulfilled by her career. She quit her job to follow her heart and transformed herself so much in the process, that she has now dedicated her life to supporting other people who are dissatisfied with their work, their relationships or other aspects of their lives and who want to find more passion, happiness and love.
Vanessa is certified as a Coach by the Hendricks Institute in Ventura, CA and she is certified in hypnotherapy and past life regression by Brian & Carole Weiss at the Omega Institute in NY. She is also certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) by Carl Buchheit at NLP Marin.
Vanessa currently lives in San Francisco, CA with her husband and baby daughter, along with one very shy cat. She works with clients worldwide and her business, Akoya, hosts group coaching programs, retreats and corporate workshops throughout the US.
