My name is Karolina Jablonka, and I’m a life and executive coach with a diverse international background and a passion for helping people lead their lives on their own terms.
I consider myself a European citizen, born and raised in Poland and having lived in the UK and Austria, before moving to northern Italy back in 2018.
A few years ago, I began mentoring university students and discovered how much meaning and satisfaction I found in helping others. That prompted me, at the age of 40, and after more than 15 years in research and technical roles within the automotive fluids area, to embark on a new journey and formally train as a coach. In 2025, I completed the Professional Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring at Kingstown College, Dublin, and it has been the most significant investment in my development since my university degrees.
On the surface, it may seem mad - as if I swapped two Master’s degrees and a PhD (around 10 years of studies) for a coaching diploma. The truth is that all our past experiences make us who we are today, and I bring everything I learnt, observed, and figured out to the table.
During my career, I experienced environments where employees were just numbers, and rules applied differently to people. I saw people losing hope and walking away, or worse - staying where they were, knowing that there was no way things would get better. I was part of cultures where everyone is replaceable and easily forgotten, and where politics matter more than contribution.
This prompted me to look for a different kind of environment, where people are driven by their purpose and mission, and believe they can bring their wildest dreams to life.
This is why I’m drawn to and inspired by startup founders - they are choosing the uncertain path to build something that matters to them. I have enormous respect for people who build companies. It takes vision, responsibility, risk tolerance, and the ability to keep going when uncertainty and pressure are constant. And frankly, I need some of that energy myself to do this work I care about.
My background helps me understand analytical and technical thinkers. I’ve worked for years with people who were exceptional at solving complex problems but often unprepared for the emotional and relational demands of leadership.
I’m good at seeing people’s strengths, especially when they’ve lost sight of them. We all know how hard it is to see the bigger picture when you’re in the thick of it. It’s also easy to forget what you’ve already achieved and what got you where you are now.
Over the years, I learned how to:
Deal with perfectionism that prevents completion of projects.
See through procrastination disguised as "doing more research."
Overcome analysis paralysis when what you actually need is to make a decision with incomplete information and adjust as you go.
Be able to separate facts from the stories.
I know from my own experience that these aren't character flaws, but patterns that can be worked on and shifted.
To give you a better idea of me as a person, here are my guiding principles:
And here's a snapshot of my life outside of work and what I'm up to in my free time:
I feel very fortunate and grateful for the opportunities I’ve, and I feel a genuine need to contribute something meaningful. Coaching founders is my way of giving back by supporting the people who create jobs, innovation, and momentum in the world.
When founders are resilient, companies are healthier.
When companies are healthier, people thrive.
I’m not here to fix you, because you're not broken.
But if you want a thinking partner who's walked through her own uncertainty, who respects what you're attempting, and who can help you build the resilience your journey demands, let's talk.
Because the best founders aren't the ones who never struggle. They're the ones who develop the capacity to recover well.
KAJ Coaching, 2026. All rights reserved