Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb
Foreign Service and intelligence career coach and former U.S. diplomat
| Hourly rate range | $90 to $175 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Also coaches | Executive coach |
| Credentials | George Washington University |
| Practice | Watermelon Strategies |
Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb coaches people who want to enter and succeed in the Foreign Service and intelligence community. She spent nearly a decade at the U.S. Department of State and served as a tenured Political Officer and Deputy Consul. She held a TS/SCI clearance throughout her career. She also negotiated with five heads of state at a regional roundtable. Today she runs Watermelon Strategies, a firm that advises organizations on government affairs and public policy.
What Cierra helps with
Cierra helps people get into the Foreign Service and intelligence community and do well once they are in. She covers the testing steps, the clearance process, and life at post.
- Studying for the FSOT
- Preparing for the FSOA
- Getting through the security clearance process
- Getting through the medical clearance process
- Choosing between a State Department and an intelligence community path
- Doing well once posted abroad
Who Cierra works with
Cierra works with people at different stages of a Foreign Service or intelligence career. Some are studying for the FSOT or preparing for the FSOA. Others are going through clearances, choosing between the State Department and the intelligence community, or adjusting to life at post.
Background and qualifications
Cierra spent nearly a decade inside the U.S. Department of State. She began as a Congressional and Political Assistant in Washington and The Hague. She passed the FSOT and FSOA, then became a tenured Political Officer and Deputy Consul with postings in the Middle East and the Eastern Caribbean. She held a TS/SCI security clearance throughout. She was the first U.S. political and economic liaison to Saint Kitts and Nevis, negotiated with five heads of state at a regional roundtable, and led U.S. crisis response during COVID-19. She now runs Watermelon Strategies, LLC.
Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb pricing
Programs and services
- Custom hourly coaching sessions
- Messaging before you start working together
Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former U.S. diplomat who passed the FSOT and FSOA and held a TS/SCI clearance, now coaching others through the same path.
Best for people aiming to join the Foreign Service or intelligence community, or to do well once posted.
Common questions
How much does Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb charge?
Coaching with Cierra runs $90 to $175 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb help with?
Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb helps with studying for the FSOT, preparing for the FSOA, getting through the security clearance process and getting through the medical clearance process.
Is Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb certified?
Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb lists: George Washington University.
Does Cierra help with the security and medical clearance process?
Yes. She coaches clients through the security clearance and medical clearance steps. She held a TS/SCI clearance throughout her own career.
Can Cierra help me choose between the State Department and the intelligence community?
Yes. She helps clients decide between a State Department path and an intelligence community path.
How do I contact Cierra Saylor-Lipscomb?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Cierra and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.