About Me

As The Divorce Alchemist and ICF certified co-active coach, my mission is to help clients navigate the divorce roller coaster and turn this potentially traumatic transition into a mindful & transformative journey and a New Hope.

I am passionate about opportunities for accelerated personal growth that arise with difficult change. I am passionate about our humanity. I simply LOVE people.

I have the ability to be deeply present with you, to truly listen, to be curious, empathetic and to constructively challenge your assumptions and limiting beliefs. I see possibilities in even the most difficult circumstances. I have a natural ability to encourage, motivate and guide clients into new and better beginnings.

My Story

In 1989 I left Warsaw, Poland, and arrived in New York City. I was 19, alone, with just $25, a suitcase and a dream.

After many ups and downs, I fell in love and married the man of my dreams. After 19 years of marriage, I ended up in a messy divorce.

It was the most painful and best thing that ever happened to me. My divorce involved 2 kids (11 & 6), loss of a job, health issues, loss of my American family, friends, mid-life “re-evaluation,” loss of savings and much more. During this time, I did deep work on myself. I sat with my pain and looked within for the stillness and love that I knew was there. I experienced firsthand the importance of cultivating unconditional friendship with ourselves, becoming our best friend and treating ourselves with kindness.

That’s where the change starts: within us. This is transformative, spiritual work.

Having lived these experiences, I know divorce can end in rebirth and triumph, not defeat and despair. Divorce is an opportunity that comes with a new freedom. Today I have a very good business-like and child-focused relationship with my “was-band” and our kids feel supported by both parents. After having practiced divorce law and mediation for several years, I now get to utilize my gifts and passion as a coach to guide clients on their personal divorce journeys.

My experiences and lessons learned are my gift to you!

My Practice

My practice focuses on working with individuals. The work we do together benefits not only the individual but also their families, friends, kids and everyone they come in contact with. We are all interconnected, and it is impossible to affect one person without also affecting those in their environment. Everyone wins.

My coaching practice is holistic and unique. As a coach, a divorcee, a mother, a former divorce attorney and mediator, and a child of divorce, I bring a wealth of perspectives to the situation. I can appreciate the roles and relationships involved on all sides of the divorce journey.

"What you seek is seeking you" - Rumi

Education and Certifications

Collaboratively Trained Coach, Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council (MCLC), 2020
Certified Life Coach (ACC) through International Coach Federation (ICF), 2020
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) through Coaches Training Institute (CTI), 2019
Completed Divorce Mediation Certification Training, 2015
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), 2006
Admitted to Massachusetts Bar, 2004
Northeastern University School of Law, J.D., 2003
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State, 1999, and Massachusetts, 2004
Baruch College, CUNY, BBA in Accounting, Cum Laude, 1996

Professional Experiences

Magda Ellis Divorce & Life Coaching
Magdalena Ellis, Attorney at Law, Divorce Law & Mediation (divorce lawyer & mediator)
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (volunteer lawyer)
Volunteer Life Coach at AmeriCorps
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (fraud investigator)
Smith & Nephew Inc. (medical device firm; compliance manager)
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (fraud investigations manager)
Deloitte FAS LLP (fraud investigations & risk manager)
Sullivan & Worcester, LP (bankruptcy & litigation attorney)
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (auditor)
Waitress
Baby-sitter
Immigrant teenager searching for a meaning of life and for myself

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” – The Alchemist

Selected Relevant Coursework

Managing Your Brain, BeAbove Leadership
Positive Intelligence Coaching Program (PQ), Positive Intelligence
Organization & Relationship System Coaching (ORSC), CRR Global
And much more!

I invite you to visit my services page for more information.