Own Your Career on Your Terms
Career Strategy & Visibility Coaching for Women Leaders
Speak Your Value. Create Your Move. Position with Purpose.
We help women leaders translate their story, show up in the right ways, and create career oppotunities that feel right to them.
Your Career Should Work for You—Not the Other Way Around.
What if your next move wasn’t about fixing what’s wrong—
but creating what’s right?
I’m Dr. Shannan Simms—Dr. Shans to most—and I know what it’s like to realize the path you’re on isn’t the one you’d choose today.
I’ve made four unconventional pivots that on paper “shouldn’t” have worked and that alot of people had strong opionions about and told me “not'“ to do.
Two multi-million dollar business lines, an executive title, and a doctorate later I’m sharing my hard-learned lessons on how to quiet the noise of naysayers and to create what works for you.
Careers aren’t ladders. They’re lattices.
And every move is a chance to build something that’s fully yours.
At Athena’s Ally, we help ambitious women move with clarity, confidence, and an unapologetic commitment to what fits you—not what fits in.
You’re not running from anything.
You’re building toward everything that matters.
Let’s make your next move your best move.
LEADERS I’VE WORKED WITH
LET’S GIVE YOU AN EDGE
Strategic CAreer & Visibility Coaching For Women
It’s Time to Own What’s Next.
The world is noisy - and sometimes the loudest noise is in our own heads.
Some days you feel smart. Other days you feel like you are faking it wondering when someone is going to figure out you are just keeping it together.
Some days you KNOW you’ve got super-powers. Other days you’re convinced you couldn’t find your way out of paper bag.
Some days you’ll tell anyone and everyone where they can take their advice and opinions and consequences be damned. Other days you can’t make a decision to save your life and everyones opinion matters entirely to much
Is it the system? Your boss? The juggling act of life’s responsibilities? Too much social media?
Do you need more sleep, more training, or just a vacation?
You think:
“Maybe I should quit my job…”
“Maybe I just need to get a new certification or degree…”
“Maybe I can wait it out until my boss leaves, retires or moves to another department…”
“Could I just win the lottery already so I can go run a goat yoga retreat or start a bookstore/wine-bar/cat-rescue and not worry about paying my mortgage and my kid’s eye surgery?”
But then another part of you whispers:
"I am capable! But I' don’t want to keep playing this game!”
You want to move forward—intentionally. But what does that even look like when you’re…
Successful and stuck?
Stable and exhausted?
Grateful and restless?
The system never taught you how to move when the rules stop making sense.
You’re not wrong. You’re not broken. You’re just ready for a smarter way forward.
At Athena’s Ally we created this space to give you The Unapologetic EDGE™, through the tools, language, and strategy to cut through the noise—and lead with clarity, not pressure.
You don’t need to hustle harder. You need traction that doesn’t cost your peace
Made For Women Like You
You’re in the right place if…
You’ve built a strong reputation for your performance and leadership, but secretly wonder: “Is this as all there is?”
You’ve hit or exceeded the benchmarks—but the idea of chasing another title feels more draining than it does invigorating.
You keep getting feedback like “you're not quite ready,” but no one tells you what that actually means.
You find yourself wondering, “Do I need another certification—or do I just need a new boss who gets it?”
You are constantly toggling between “I’ve got this” and “What am I even doing?”
You stepped out of corporate with confidence and realized what got you there isn’t going to help you succeed now..and things feel a bit murky or uncomfortable.
You know you’re capable—but you’re tired of spinnng your wheels, guessing what to say, or trying to figure out the right next move.
If any of that sounds familiar—you’re not alone.
And you’re not wrong for wanting more.
That's why I built this space. For women just like you. Whether you are:
An experienced leader rethinking what leadership looks like
A new manager, new leader, or aspiring leader deciding how to be seen—without losing yourself and your boundaries
An entrepreneuer or business owner needing some support, clarity, strategy, and/or a brain partner.
You just need a place that meets you where you actually are—and helps you move forward on purpose.
Here’s What You Gain
Confidence that Comes from Within
Expert Insights and No B.S. Tactics that Actually Work
Clarity of Purpose and Direction
Growth in a Judgement-Free Zone with Real Allyship
Featured Programs: Your Path to What’s Next
15-Minute Clarity Call with Dr. Shans
Grab 15 minutes with Dr. Shans to name what’s keeping you stuck and map your next unapologetic move.
The Career EDGE™ Intensive
A career strategy session designed to help you cut through the noise, position yourself for what’s next, and start making unapologetic career moves.
The Confident Leader’s EDGE ™:
Self-Guided Coaching Program
A self-paced, coaching program designed to help you align your career with your values, strengths, and goals—so you can make bold, strategic moves with confidence.
“My life felt like an emotional roller coaster. After struggling with a rare health diagnosis, I was left feeling discouraged and depressed with where my life was heading. Enter Shannan.
Shannan showed me an incredible amount of patience while I sorted out my goals. She motivated and guided me to the next chapter of my life.
-Roledine L.
