"It genuinely made an impact on how I see leadership and how I show up every day.

When I first joined, I was looking for a way to become a better leader.. I used to feel like I had to always be “on top of everything,” and it often left me drained.

What stood out most about the course was how personal and grounded it was .. It wasn’t just theory; it was real conversation, reflection, and genuine guidance. 

I also really valued how the course helped me slow down and become more self-aware. Instead of reacting automatically or trying to fix everything myself .. I’ve become more intentional — I listen more, I give space for others to speak up, and I don’t feel the need to control every outcome.

Since finishing the course, I can honestly say that I lead with more calm, more clarity, and more confidence. My conversations with my team feel different now — more open, more focused on understanding rather than instructing. It’s made me more effective and it’s also made my work more enjoyable.

Lead With Ease isn’t just another leadership course. For me, it was a reset — a reminder that leadership is first about presence, not pressure. I’m very grateful for what I learned .. and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to lead in a way that feels both strong and human."

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Lead with Ease course. Debra is an exceptional coach who presents the information clearly and concisely...

What sets this course apart from similar offerings is ... the weekly assignments where Debra asks you to go through the week’s learnings and apply them to your team. This practical application and seamless integration into my daily workflow has been the most valuable part of the course for me, because not only did it drive home the relevance of the concepts taught that week, but I also experienced the immediate impact of changing my approach - or got affirmation that I’ve been doing things right instinctively. Overall, a massive confidence boost for me in my (relatively) new role as HOD. 

Leadership roles rarely come with a set of instructions, especially in visual effects... Lead with Ease fills this gap beautifully, providing an invaluable toolset that helps me navigate the day-to-day of running a visual effects department.  

After taking the course, I feel well-equipped to fulfil my role as HOD and I am confident and able to proactively define the role in line with my values and ideas, rather than wait for my managers to hand me a list of requirements.  

Lead with Ease is a great course for any current or aspiring lead artist, supervisor, HOD or anybody else within visual effects whose role requires managing people and not just pixels.”

“The course was invaluable, as I was able to take action and implement what I had learned, week by week. There is so much information.. Debra is knowledgeable, and the course was well structured.  

...Sometimes you move up, and you become a lead or a supervisor, but nobody tells you how to do it, you just figure it out as you go. With this course, there are actually steps and processes you can work through with yourself, with your team and become better at doing the job.  

...I feel like I have more tools in the bag for me to use, not just for work, but for daily life. I will be able to keep what I have learnt in mind with the team moving forward. I feel more confident and happy as a result. 

...I would recommend this course to anyone in VFX who found themselves in the same position as myself, where you are a lead, supervisor or HOD, and you may feel like you have hit a ceiling, and not sure how to improve your way of working.”

"As a VFX Coordinator, I found this management course to be incredibly valuable, even at my current level. The lessons and insights I gained have equipped me with tools and strategies to enhance my leadership skills and manage teams more effectively. One of the key takeaways for me was how to build stronger relationships with my colleagues, which is vital in such a collaborative industry.

I believe this knowledge will play a crucial role in my professional growth, helping me navigate challenges, strengthen connections, and advance in my career.

I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to sharpen their management and interpersonal skills, regardless of their position.”

“Before taking this course, I was facing a crisis of confidence in my leadership abilities. ... this course gave me the opportunity to address my insecurities and gain knowledge and skills to lead confidently and competently. 

…Taking this course gave me much better insights into a range of management situations and styles from different types of roles in the VFX industry. Sharing experiences and learning from a diverse group helped me to better understand my leadership style and aspirations. 

…I recommend this course for all leadership levels as I believe there are valuable insights and affirmations for experienced leaders, as well as great foundational knowledge for aspiring leaders and those new to leadership roles.”

“I have been leading for a while, and I found the subjects covered in the course very interesting and directly relevant to my day-to-day work. The content was meticulously curated and well-structured. It introduced me to new ideas and concepts while also providing fresh perspectives on subjects I have been dealing with for a long time. Moreover, it equipped me with new strategies to implement and reinforced good habits.
Debra is a remarkably knowledgeable teacher and a great listener who provided valuable advice on the topics we discussed together.”