Nethra Samarawickrema
Career and life coach for people building work and relationships
| Hourly rate range | $110 to $200 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | Career changeCareer clarity and purposeJob searchInterview coachingPurpose and directionLife transitionsCouples and marriage |
| Works with | Founders and business owners, Executives, Engineers, Creatives and Professionals |
| Also coaches | Life coach, Dating coach and Speaking coach |
| Based in | Sausalito, California, United States |
| Credentials | PhD in Anthropology, Stanford University |
Nethra Samarawickrema is a career and life coach who helps people build work and relationships that fit who they are. She has a PhD in Anthropology from Stanford and has taught listening skills at the Stanford d.School. Her method blends Nonviolent Communication, design thinking and anthropology. She works with entrepreneurs, artists, engineers, academics and executives. She also trains organizations, including fintech firms, libraries, non-profits and universities, in listening and teamwork.
What Nethra helps with
Nethra helps people find work that fits them, get through life changes, and shift emotional patterns that hold them back.
- Finding work that fits your values
- Changing careers, including leaving academia
- Navigating life transitions
- Releasing repeating emotional patterns
- Communicating needs and boundaries
- Building closer emotional intimacy
- Support for individuals and couples in their relationships
- Support for singles who are dating
Who Nethra works with
Nethra works with entrepreneurs, artists, engineers, startup co-founders, academics, writers and executives who want to chart their own path. She also works with academics, PhDs, postdocs and UX researchers who are changing careers. Her relationship coaching serves individuals, couples and singles who are dating.
How Nethra works
Nethra combines three methods: Nonviolent Communication, design thinking and anthropology. Nonviolent Communication is a practice of empathetic listening and conflict mediation. Clients learn to listen to their own needs and longings. They then build what fits them through small experiments, improvisation and trial and error. She calls this coaching for congruence.
Background and qualifications
Nethra holds a PhD in Anthropology from Stanford University. She has taught ethnography and listening skills at the Stanford d.School and in the Department of Anthropology. Her organizational trainings have helped employees at fintech companies, public libraries, non-profits and universities build listening and collaboration skills. She also consults for organizations, helping teams move from conflict to collaboration. She lives in Sausalito, California.
Nethra Samarawickrema pricing
Programs and services
- One-on-one career coaching
- Relationship coaching for individuals and couples
- Organizational training and consulting
- Free introductory session
Nethra Samarawickrema reviews
The CoachVouch take
She is an anthropologist with a Stanford PhD who applies ethnography and Nonviolent Communication to coaching.
Best for academics, creatives and founders who want to change careers and build closer relationships.
Common questions
How much does Nethra Samarawickrema charge?
Coaching with Nethra runs $110 to $200 an hour. Message Nethra from this page for an exact quote.
What does Nethra Samarawickrema help with?
Nethra Samarawickrema helps with finding work that fits your values, changing careers, including leaving academia, navigating life transitions and releasing repeating emotional patterns.
Is Nethra Samarawickrema certified?
Nethra Samarawickrema lists: PhD in Anthropology, Stanford University.
Does Nethra work with academics leaving academia?
Yes. She works with academics, PhDs, postdocs and UX researchers who are transitioning careers.
Does Nethra coach organizations as well as individuals?
Yes. She trains and consults for teams, helping them move from conflict to collaboration through listening skills.
How do I contact Nethra Samarawickrema?
Send Nethra a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.