About Me

I founded Silk Road Coaching (SRC) to empower individuals and organizations to build resilient systems for lasting success. Through a personalized blend of coaching and consulting—grounded in research and data-driven insights—I help clients unlock their potential, set meaningful goals, and achieve sustainable growth.

My career has been defined by a deep commitment to developing people and enterprises. I am passionate about cultivating strong, inclusive, purpose-driven, and high-performing teams and leaders. With more than twenty years of experience across the private and public sectors, I bring a broad background spanning higher education, business, and consulting.

I began my career in academia as an Assistant Professor of Economics and Research Methods at California State University, Monterey Bay, where I also served as Director of the Master of Public Policy Program in partnership with the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. Most recently, I have taught business courses online as an Associate Professor for Colorado Technical University and previously served as Associate Dean of Graduate Programs (MBA & MS in Finance) in the College of Business at the University of Oregon.

Earlier in my career, I was Director of Career Services at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and Adjunct Professor of Finance at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. In addition, I spent over a decade as a Financial Advisor in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas, representing some of the world’s most respected financial institutions.

Today, I combine this multifaceted experience as a Professional Success Coach dedicated to helping purpose-driven people and enterprises thrive.

Degree History

1. PhD, Political Economy and Public Policy, University of Southern California
2. MA, Economics, University of Southern California
3. BA, Sociology, University of California San Diego

Graduate of University of California, San Diego, Alumni Transformational Leadership Series, and University of Oregon, Leadership Academy. Curriculum of evidence-based scholarship and best practices in Transformational Leadership.

Service & Memberships

1. Claremont Colleges, Scripps College, Laspa Center for Leadership, Advisory Committee Member
2. Globally Conscious Women, Founder
3. MedEd Center, Board Member
4. Rotary International, Member
5. World Oregon, Member

Coaching with me

Results & Goals

WHY SILK ROAD COACHING (SRC)?

Align, Grow, Thrive

At Silk Road Coaching, we believe sustainable success isn’t just about hitting milestones—it’s about aligning who you are, what you do, and where you’re headed. Founded by Dr. Monica N. Bray, our firm partners with individuals and organizations ready to build resilient systems of growth, leadership, and performance through a unique blend of research-driven coaching and consulting.

With over 20 years of experience spanning higher education, business, finance, and strategic leadership, Dr. Bray brings a broad, strategic perspective to every engagement. Her background includes roles as Associate Professor of Economics, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, Director of Career Services, and financial advisor for elite institutions. Whether you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur, an executive navigating transition, or a team aiming to lift performance and inclusion, Silk Road Coaching delivers rigorous, personalized support.

What We Offer

1. One-on-One Leadership Coaching: Tailored guidance to elevate impact, influence, and clarity.
2. Organizational Consulting: Embedding inclusive, high-performing cultures and evidence-based leadership practices.
3. Data-Informed Assessments & Development Frameworks: Turning insight into action.
4. Practical Tools & Strategies: Grounded in decades of scholarship and real-world experience.

Why It Works

We merge academic rigor with business and leadership expertise, so you gain more than inspiration—you gain scalable frameworks. Every engagement is rooted in clarity of purpose, measurable growth, and sustainable transformation.

Who We Serve

1. Executives and senior leaders navigating transitions, scaling influence, or preparing for higher-impact roles.
2. Entrepreneurs and business owners seeking to grow their companies while building resilient, high-performing teams.
3. High-potential managers and emerging leaders who want to accelerate growth, increase clarity, and strengthen leadership presence.
4. Teams and organizations committed to creating inclusive, aligned, and high-performing cultures.
5. Professionals experiencing stress or burnout who want to regain balance while achieving meaningful results.

Proven Results: After just 3–4 months of coaching, participants experienced a 24% reduction in stress and a 19% reduction in burnout.*

Silk Road Coaching helps you and your organization perform at a higher level, communicate more effectively, manage conflict, and achieve lasting growth.

Let’s explore meaningful, lasting change. Schedule a discovery call to see how we can work together.

SCIENCE-BASED

SRC uses an innovative hybrid model of success coaching and consulting to help purpose-driven individuals and organizations solve their problems and level-up their futures.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Use the discovery call link on the Silk Road Coaching website to schedule a brief complimentary phone chat with Monica N. Bray, PhD.

How I like to coach

What Can a Success Coach Can Do for Me?

A success coach helps individuals achieve their personal and professional goals through guidance, strategy, accountability, and support. Unlike therapists, who focus on healing past trauma or resolving emotional challenges, a coach focuses on the present and future—helping you clarify your goals, make decisions, and take actionable steps forward.

How Does Success Coaching Work?

1. Clarifying Your Goals

We define what success truly means for you—personally, professionally, or both—and set clear, actionable objectives.

2. Designing a Roadmap

Your big goals are broken into manageable steps, with practical strategies for achieving them.

3. Accountability & Progress Tracking

Regular check-ins keep you on track, help overcome obstacles, and celebrate your wins.

4. Building Confidence & Motivation

We work on mindset shifts, overcoming limiting beliefs, and cultivating resilience to help you thrive.

5. Developing Skills

From time management and productivity to communication and leadership, coaching can strengthen the skills you need to succeed.

6. Providing Ongoing Support

You’ll have encouragement and guidance throughout challenges, helping you stay focused and inspired.

What Are Some Common Areas of Focus?

1. Career advancement, transitions, or promotions
2. Entrepreneurship and business growth
3. Work-life balance and personal effectiveness
4. Goal-setting, follow-through, and performance improvement
5. Personal development and self-mastery

Who Might Hire a Success Coach?

Success coaching is ideal for people who want to move forward with clarity and confidence, including:

1. Professionals seeking career growth or clarity
2. Entrepreneurs building or scaling a business
3. Students preparing for life after school
4. Anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unfulfilled

Why Work With a Success Coach?

Success coaching at SRC blends expert guidance, strategic insight, and personalized support. It goes beyond simply providing answers—while practical advice is offered where it adds value, the focus is on empowering clients to clarify their goals, make confident decisions, and take meaningful action. This approach transforms uncertainty into clarity, hesitation into momentum, and potential into measurable results.

Who will be my Success Coach at Silk Road Coaching (SRC)?

All one-on-one coaching sessions at Silk Road Coaching are conducted by Monica N. Bray, PhD. SRC associates may participate in group programs or workshops, but individual coaching is always led directly by Dr. Bray.

Offerings

Coaching

Essential Silk Road Coaching Program

Join Silk Road Coaching (SRC) with an Essential Membership; Includes one hour of monthly 1+1 coaching with Monica N. Bray, PhD on Zoom, Email Summary of Next Steps after each session, and an optional monthly 15-minute phone chat. $299 a month. Cancel anytime.

Premium Silk Road Coaching Program

Join Silk Road Coaching (SRC) with a Premium Membership; Includes two hours of monthly 1+1 coaching with Monica N. Bray, PhD on Zoom, Email Summary of Next Steps after each session, and an optional monthly 15-minute phone chat. $499 a month. Cancel anytime.

Intensive Silk Road Coaching Program

Join Silk Road Coaching (SRC) with an Intensive Membership; Includes four hours of monthly 1+1 coaching with Monica N. Bray, PhD on Zoom, Email Summary of Next Steps after each session, and an optional monthly 15-minute phone chat. $899 a month. Cancel anytime.

Courses

Available on demand.

Experience, Certifications & Training

Certifications and Degrees

• PhD, University of Southern California (USC)
• MA, University of Southern California (USC)
• BA, University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

Training and development

• Graduate of University of California, San Diego, Alumni Transformational Leadership Series
• University of Oregon, Leadership Academy. Curriculum of evidence-based scholarship and best practices in Transformational Leadership

Professional and life experience

I founded Silk Road Coaching (SRC) to empower individuals and organizations to build resilient systems for lasting success. Through a personalized blend of coaching and consulting—grounded in research and data-driven insights—I help clients unlock their potential, set meaningful goals, and achieve sustainable growth.

My career has been defined by a deep commitment to developing people and enterprises. I am passionate about cultivating strong, inclusive, purpose-driven, and high-performing teams and leaders. With more than twenty years of experience across the private and public sectors, I bring a broad background spanning higher education, business, and consulting.

I began my career in academia as an Assistant Professor of Economics and Research Methods at California State University, Monterey Bay, where I also served as Director of the Master of Public Policy Program in partnership with the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. Most recently, I have taught business courses online as an Associate Professor for Colorado Technical University and previously served as Associate Dean of Graduate Programs (MBA & MS in Finance) in the College of Business at the University of Oregon.

Earlier in my career, I was Director of Career Services at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and Adjunct Professor of Finance at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. In addition, I spent over a decade as a Financial Advisor in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas, representing some of the world’s most respected financial institutions.

Today, I combine this multifaceted experience as a Professional Success Coach dedicated to helping purpose-driven people and enterprises thrive.

Degree History

1. PhD, Political Economy and Public Policy, University of Southern California
2. MA, Economics, University of Southern California
3. BA, Sociology, University of California San Diego

Graduate of University of California, San Diego, Alumni Transformational Leadership Series, and University of Oregon, Leadership Academy. Curriculum of evidence-based scholarship and best practices in Transformational Leadership.

Service & Memberships

1. Claremont Colleges, Scripps College, Laspa Center for Leadership, Advisory Committee Member
2. Globally Conscious Women, Founder
3. MedEd Center, Board Member
4. Rotary International, Member
5. World Oregon, Member

Fee description

Please see Silk Road Coaching's 'Store' tab on the website for detailed information on programs available.