The Heart Behind CoLab Connection

Welcome to CoLab Connection, where people, leadership, and culture converge to create transformational change. We are two passionate women with a shared vision:

to change the world by unlocking the potential within ourselves and every individual, team and organisation we partner with. 

Our shared love of travel, exploration, adventure and fun coupled with our commitment to growth, development and excellence are infused in all our work and partnerships.  We continuously strive to expand horizons; both our own and those we have the privilege of supporting through our rigorous and evidence based approach to human and organizational development. We came together through a core shared value of collaboration and connection that is integrated and embedded in our approach to coaching and consulting.

Our values

At CoLab Connection, our values guide everything we do. They are the foundation of our approach and the principles that drive our mission to create transformational change in people, leadership, and culture. Here are the core values that define who we are and how we work: 

1. Collaboration

We believe in the power of working together. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, fostering an environment where ideas are shared, voices are heard, and collective wisdom leads to innovative solutions. We partner with our clients to co-create pathways to success. 

2. Empowerment

Empowering individuals and teams is our passion. We are dedicated to unlocking the potential within each person and organization we work with, helping them to achieve their goals and realize their full capabilities. Our coaching and development programs are designed to inspire confidence, growth, and self-discovery. 

3. Integrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of our practice. We uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all our interactions. We are committed to building trust with our clients and ensuring that our work is aligned with their best interests. 

4. Inclusivity

We celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity in all our endeavors. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is key to innovation, resilience, and success. We strive to create spaces where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute their unique perspectives. 

5. Growth Mindset

A commitment to continuous learning and development is central to our philosophy. We embrace challenges, seek out new knowledge, and encourage a culture of curiosity and growth. We believe that adopting a growth mindset is essential for personal and organizational transformation. 

6. Excellence

We are dedicated to delivering excellence in all that we do. From our coaching sessions to our organizational development initiatives, we aim for the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. Our goal is to exceed expectations and create meaningful, lasting impact. 

7. Resilience

Resilience is a key factor in navigating today’s dynamic world. We help individuals and organizations build the resilience needed to adapt to change, overcome challenges, and thrive in uncertain environments. Our approach emphasizes strength, flexibility, and perseverance. 

8. Innovation

We are passionate about fostering innovation. We encourage creative thinking and the exploration of new ideas to drive progress and improvement. Our methodologies are forward-thinking and designed to inspire breakthrough solutions. 

9. Community

We believe in the power of community and the importance of fostering strong connections. We are committed to creating supportive networks that enable collaboration, shared learning, and collective success. We value the relationships we build with our clients and within our own team. 

10. Purpose

Our work is driven by a sense of purpose. We are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world by helping people and organizations achieve their highest potential. We are motivated by the impact we can have and the meaningful change we can create together. 

These values are the essence of CoLab Connection and the guiding principles that shape our work. They inspire us to be our best, to support our clients in their journeys, and to make a lasting positive impact on people, leadership, and culture.

Our journey

Our story began with a shared passion for people and a deep commitment to fostering positive change. We, the founders of CoLab Connection, come from diverse backgrounds but are united by a common goal: to empower individuals and organizations to thrive. With years of experience in coaching, leadership development, and organizational culture, we have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that a supportive and dynamic environment can have on success and fulfillment.

Larissa Thurlow

With a background in learning and development, Larissa has dedicated her career to helping leaders and teams discover their strengths, navigate challenges, and achieve their goals. She has seen and experienced how transformative leadership and a strong cultural foundation can drive organizational success, and thus her focus has always been on understanding cultures and working with them to foster growth, innovation and resilience.  

In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and technology-driven world, with competing priorities and demands and where we're constantly required to do more with less, technical skills are often seen as the key to success. However, while technical expertise is crucial, soft skills are equally important and often overlooked. Skills, such as communication, empathy, teamwork, and leadership, are the backbone of effective collaboration and innovation in any organization. 

This belief in the power of connection and collaboration has driven her journey in coaching and organizational development. She is committed to helping individuals and teams cultivate the skills and mindset needed to thrive in our complex times. passionate about creating spaces where people feel valued, heard, and inspired to reach their full potential. She brings extensive training and experience in working with individuals, groups and teams in education, finance, health, government, construction, science and technology, oil and gas and start-ups to facilitate reflective practice, learning, growth and development.

Clients have included: The Lego Group, Rent the Runway, Chevron, Facebook, Capella University, College of the North Atlantic, Qatar, Google, LinkedIn, Kaiser Permanente, BlackRock, Stanford, US Department of Transportation, Canadian Federal Government.

Traci Manalani

Traci brings over three decades of experience as a leader, consultant, and coach to all of her clients. She has lived on three continents and has worked with people across the globe both in-person and virtually, being very mindful of the nuances and importance of culture.

Traci’s systems approach creates more cohesive teams and strengthens understanding that leads to strategic and sustainable solutions at a leveraged scale. Her evidence-based approach enables her to utilize strategies from a broad range of coaching theories to meet clients where they are in their development.

Traci has significant experience working with teams including as a team leader, team facilitator and team coach. Skillfully empowering teams by strengthening cohesiveness and focusing on clarity, Traci is a catalyst for high performance and the achievement of results.

Traci has worked successfully with executives and leaders in the non-profit, tech, financial, pharma/biotech, CPG, manufacturing, logistics, retail, startup, and creative sectors. She has worked with leaders at all levels who oversee various functions within the organization, including Board members, the CEO, as well as heads of technology, operations, sales, marketing, legal, engineering, design, production, people, etc. Traci’s balance of challenge and support allows leaders to recognize blind spots and uncover limiting beliefs that unlock the potential for positive change.

In addition to working as an independent coach and consultant, Traci has held key leadership roles and managed large groups for over two decades, so relates to clients on a practical level. Specifically, Traci held internal roles within financial services, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, non-profit, and a professional association.

Both Larissa and Traci are mentors and supervisors for coaches and hold the following accreditation/credentials:

  • Master’s degrees and Doctoral degrees in progress

  • Professional Certified Coaches (PCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF)

  • Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC), ICF

  • Supervisor Individual Accreditation (ESIA), EMCC Global

  • Sr. Practitioner Individual Team Coaching Accreditation (ITCA), EMCC Global

  • Sr. Coach Practitioners – Individual Accreditation (EIA), EMCC Global

  • Organization and Relationship Systems Coach(ORSCC), CRR Global