ABOUT
I empower purpose-driven leaders to navigate high-stake scenarios in high-pressure environment with deeply human leadership.
hello, I’M kay hugheS.
COACH
PARTNER
STRATEGIST
(and you guessed it….)
SURFER
How A Surfing Accident and A Lesson from My Grandfather Shaped My Coaching Philosophy
From Challenge to Opportunity:
A surfing maneuver gone wrong landed me on a surgeon’s table. I never expected the subsequent recovery journey would guide me towards a path to my life purpose in coaching.
In 2021, a spine surgery threw my life into uncertainty. Navigating an arduous 18-month long rehabilitation journey, three extraordinary clinicians who partnered with me as compassionate coaches instilled hope and became my guiding lights on the road to recovery back to the ocean. This experience taught me that having someone in your corner when facing a challenge makes a huge difference on the outcome.
During this time, I did some soul-searching and remembered a conversation from my childhood with my late grandfather. I asked, "What is the meaning of life?" He gave me this: “To experience each other and contribute to the betterment of humanity.” This wisdom reignited a fire within me that had nearly been extinguished during my corporate career before my accident.
FROM CORPORATE hr TO COACHING:
When you find yourself surrounded by chaos, your true power as a leader lies in your ability to get clear on what matters, dismantle barriers, and make intentional choices from a place of purpose.
For nearly two decades, I was a strategic HR advisor and partner to executives at global high-tech Fortune 500 companies. With its ever-evolving, dynamic culture, the tech industry was exciting and thrilling. Yet, the price of thriving, sometimes just surviving, could become extremely high.
I witnessed numerous leaders, including myself, wrestling with a relentless cycle of doing more and faster with fewer resources and no time, at the expense of their personal values and well-being, as well as their teams’. The impact was even more magnified for a unique group of leaders: the humble, purpose-driven leaders who, despite their immense talent and contribution, remained under-celebrated in a space that rewarded louder voices and dominant personalities.
My experience got me thinking the leadership landscape demanded a new kind of approach— one that embraced human experience and real connection amidst the pressure and chaos.
Guided by my return to the waves and my grandfather's wisdom, I left my corporate career and founded Mind Matters Coaching & Consulting, LLC. Today, I coach purpose-driven leaders to find their way back to their values and amplify their impact with deeply human leadership.
I look forward to working with you and together creating positive ripples, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
I’ve Partnered with Clients from—
Certification, Training & Membership —
SAN DIEGO sun & SURF
Living in sunny San Diego and surfing beautiful waves makes me feel like I’m on vacation, every day.
Grateful for—
WILD LIFE & NATURe
Dolphins, pelicans, seagulls, hummingbirds, wild flowers, pine trees, and eucalyptus……I’m surrounded by beauties.
family
Although not blood related, I’m forever thankful for the unconditional love and support from my family. They are the kindest, most caring and accepting humans. I’m lucky we chose each other 30 years ago.
community
From a supportive coaching community at Hudson Institute of Coaching to a vibrant surf community in Encinitas, CA, I’m grateful for the close bonds and the life changing experience we share.
Photo Credit: @Local Break Magazine
“Our executive coaching session helped me realize what I’d believed my weakness was actually my best asset. I felt seen and heard for the first time in a long time. ”
Official Bio
Kay Hughes, ACC, is an Executive Leadership Coach and the founder of Mind Matters Coaching & Consulting, LLC. She specializes in facilitating intentional transformation for purpose-driven leaders through deeply human leadership. She holds accreditation from the International Coaching Federation and is certified by Hudson Institute of Coaching.
Leveraging two decades of strategic HR leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies, Kay has helped leaders at powerhouses like Google, ServiceNow, NCR, Axon, and Dialpad navigate high-stake scenarios in high-pressure environment and propelled them to inspire teams, influence stakeholders, drive innovation, and scale growth.
When not coaching, Kay is surfing the picturesque waves in her coastal hometown in sunny San Diego, California.
1:1 EXECUTIVE COACHING FOR PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERS
Explore a new kind of leadership that embraces human experience and real connection to inspire teams, influence stakeholders, innovate new, and scale growth.