The Braver Work

We help you change the world
without ignoring yourself.

Are you often called brave… but secretly feel lost, overwhelmed, or burnt out?
You may be functioning well on the outside — but inside, you know this isn’t sustainable.
This is where the “braver work” begins.

WHAT WE DO

As humanitarians and journalists, we led under fire in 25 countries, confronting war zones and dictatorships. We made decisions that save or lose lives. We navigated stress and trauma with no time to pause and little institutional support.

We had been taught to be competent, committed, and efficient.Now we teach the skills they never taught us:· Tools to regulate your nervous system and stay grounded under pressure· Guidance for managing stress before it turns into burnout or numbness· Catching reactivity: choice over habit· Staying connected to your purpose without feeling burdened or resentful

WHY THIS WORK MATTERS FOR INSTITUTIONS

Research consistently shows that:· Stress impairs judgment
· Burnout brings cynicism and disengagement
· Fatigue reduces empathy while increasing bias
· Triggered leaders trigger their teamsFor employers, this is a performance issue: whether your teams can think strategically, make sound decisions, and deliver under pressure. It also determines retention — whether your talent stays, burns out, or leaves.For universities, it raises a critical question: how do you prepare students not only intellectually but with the resilience needed to lead in high-pressure, real life environments?

HOW WE WORK

The Braver Work exists to train individuals, employers, and universities in the inner and relational capacities that mission-driven leadership requires.Our trainings are led by former humanitarians, journalists, and changemakers who have worked in real-world contexts where decisions change lives and uncertainty is constant.We bring a global perspective, having lived and worked across multiple continents and languages.Offerings include:· 1:1 coaching and mentoring· Workshops· Retreats· Talks and trainings

WHO WE ARE

The Braver Work is founded by Catherine Lee and Tania Shybko, trainers and public speakers with backgrounds in humanitarian aid, journalism, and leadership in high-stakes environments in more than 25 countries.We are certified in trauma-informed, nervous system-aware, and somatic mindfulness tools, as well as relational and communication practices. Our work is grounded in both lived experience and structured methodologies.We’ve spoken or taught at universities, accelerators, NGOs, the U.N., international conferences, TEDx, retreats, film festivals, museums, and more.

Ready to explore your braver work?

We’d be glad to hear what you are looking for and answer any questions.

"If you don’t have the qualities of stability, peace, and freedom inside of you,
then no matter what you do, you cannot help the world"Thich Nhat Hanh