ABOUT KAREN

I’m Karen Fugle, a leadership and career coach for architects, designers and built environment professionals.

I help architects and practice leaders navigate their careers with more confidence, clarity and self-awareness. My clients often come to coaching when they are stepping into greater responsibility, managing pressure, preparing for promotion, returning to work, dealing with difficult team dynamics, or working out what kind of leader they want to become.

I also work with practice leaders and HR teams who want to support their people more thoughtfully. This might include developing emerging leaders, strengthening leadership skills, supporting senior staff under pressure, improving communication, or helping people build more sustainable careers within the practice.

What makes my work different is that I understand the architecture and construction industry from the inside.

My Professional Coaching Career

Before becoming a coach, I spent many years in the sector as a technician, CAD/BIM consultant, trainer, technical writer, speaker, director and business owner. I have worked in and around architectural practices for nearly 30 years, and I understand the pressures that shape the profession: tight deadlines, high standards, complex relationships, commercial demands, creative ambition, and the tendency to absorb a lot without stopping to question whether it is sustainable.

I trained as a coach in 2014 (Level 7), after a period of reflection that began during the 2008 recession. At the time, I was working as a UK CAD and BIM consultant for multiple architecture firms and saw the impact of uncertainty, redundancy and pressure across the profession. It shifted my attention from systems and technology towards people, leadership and resilience. That shift eventually became SleepingGiant Consulting.

Today, my coaching combines structured reflection, visual thinking and practical action. I help clients slow down enough to understand what is really happening, then make considered decisions about how they want to lead, communicate and develop.

My approach is supportive, grounded and direct. I offer a confidential, steady space for clients to think honestly, while also challenging assumptions, patterns and habits that may be keeping them stuck. The aim is not to give generic advice, but to help each person build a clearer understanding of themselves, their work, and the next step that feels right for them.

Alongside my coaching practice, I have been involved with Women in Architecture UK for seven years, contributing to mentoring, leadership and inclusion work across the profession. I now sit on the committee as Operations Lead.

Originally from New Zealand, I live in North London with my fabulous teenage son. Outside work, I enjoy art, yoga, singing, reading, movies, theatre…and catching up with friends over coffee — all things I’m always trying to make a little more time for.

To read more about my industry experience please visit my LinkedIn page.

 Contact Karen Fugle today to learn how SleepingGiant can help you.
E. karen@sleepinggiant-consulting.com   M. +44 (0) 77628 11703