I was the 'Ant' who learned how to lead from the Bridge.

I spent 23 years in the corporate trenches of Finance, Audit, and HR. I know exactly what it feels like to be the most reliable person in the room—and the most overlooked.

Jessica Bonilla's cursive stylized signature on a light blue background.

From 'Quiet Excellence' to Strategic Influence

Early in my career, I was the 'Ant.' I was the one delivering the results while watching the 'louder' voices get the credit. I believed in the meritocracy—that quality work was its own marketing.

It wasn't.

I didn't find a 'secret formula' or a miracle cure. Instead, I spent years observing the specific, repeatable behaviors that separate the 'engine room' from the 'bridge.' I realized that leadership isn't a personality trait you’re born with; it’s a fitness level you build through deliberate practice.

I designed Lead by Design to be the training manual I never had. It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about identifying the specific 'visibility gaps' that prevent your work from being seen for what it truly is.

The CAPDA Framework: Leadership Fitness for the High-Performer.

We don't change your personality. We strengthen the 5 specific muscles required to transform your output into authority.

  • Communication

    From reporting data to influencing decisions.

  • Authentic Authority

    Leading with weight without faking a loud personality.

  • Project Management

    Moving from 'doing the work' to 'orchestrating the outcome.'

  • Decisiveness

    Making high-stakes calls with executive clarity.

  • Adaptive Intelligence

    Navigating corporate politics with your integrity intact.

23 Years of Results. 12 Weeks of Transformation.

With a Master’s in Public Accounting and 23 years in corporate leadership, I speak the language of the 'engine room.' My transition into executive coaching was fueled by a drive to help other high-achievers find the recognition their results deserve. I combine rigorous discipline with ICF-accredited coaching methodology to give you a roadmap that is as practical as it is profound.

My coaching isn't based on theory; it’s grounded in two decades of navigating Finance, Audit, and HR at the highest levels.

  • Master in Public Accounting

  • ICF Coaching Education

  • INCAE Executive Coaching Program

Why I Coach

I don't offer a one-size-fits-all solution. Your leadership fitness depends on your personality, your goals, and your commitment to the work.

My role is to provide the Diagnostic (CAPDA) and the Framework. Your role is to do the heavy lifting. I coach because I know that when a high-achiever finally aligns their internal values with their external authority, they become the most effective leaders in the organization.

Ready to become an executive influencer?

How I Coach

  • Uncompromising Excellence

    You are an elite performer, and you deserve elite support. I provide the same level of preparation and commitment to your career that you provide to your results.

  • Integrity → Radical Candor

    I tell you the truth that others are too polite to say. I provide the honest feedback you need to see your blind spots, delivered with the respect of a true peer.

  • Curiosity → Strategic Inquiry

    We don’t just 'talk'; we deconstruct. We explore your patterns and thinking to find the high-leverage shifts that move the needle on your influence."

What Leaders Say.

Results from professionals who moved from 'The Ant' to 'The Obvious Choice.'

  • Adriana Gonzalez | Internal Audit Director

    "I had the privilege of working with Jessica on the Internal Audit team, where her exceptional analytical and strategic thinking stood out. She excelled at distilling complex data into actionable insights and communicating findings clearly to senior executives. Jessica’s professionalism, meticulous approach, and passion for excellence made her an invaluable asset to our team and a trusted influence on stakeholders."

  • Eri Nagase | Corporate Financial Specialist

    "I’m grateful to have known you both as a peer and a leader, not only professionally but also on a personal level. Working on the same team with you was truly a privilege. Your coaching played a key role in shaping my growth and development."

Ready to build the visibility your results have already earned?

A focused conversation to identify your biggest visibility gap. No pitch, just strategy.

Book Your 15-Minute Leadership Audit.