Coaches’ Corner: Tatiana Bittencourt

Tatiana Bittencourt seized on the opportunity to join the Idealist Action Incubator Sessions as a Volunteer Coach because it allowed her to combine two passions: understanding the development of human behavior and supporting community action. She describes the opportunity as a natural fit: “I knew it would allow me to support a broader movement of empowerment, helping participants create community-driven solutions. For me, supporting individuals who want to grow personally and make a positive social impact is truly the best of both worlds.”

Before joining Idealist, Tatiana worked in the technology education and nonprofit sectors for 15 years. She notes that one of her most meaningful jobs was working for a nonprofit in Brazil that focused on technology-based entrepreneurship. There, she led programs for over 100 founders and leaders from 60 organizations, helping them strengthen and develop their strategies, partnerships, and organizational sustainability. She says, “Seeing those leaders grow and make a real difference in their community reminded me that true development is about connection, simplicity, and taking small but consistent steps forward.”

Tatiana began coaching after working in Human Resources and Leadership Development. In those departments, she observes, “I often saw how even the most capable people could feel lost or overwhelmed when they were working hard but not seeing the results they hoped for.” She says that insight prompted her to become a certified coach, enabling her to help people clarify their goals and intentions, and feel confident in pursuing what truly matters to them.

Tatiana believes strongly in creating a supportive space for her mentees. She says, “My process blends deep listening, reflection, and structured guidance. A big part of it is turning superficial knowledge into lived experience, and transforming big visions into small steps.” Recognizing and meeting the individual needs of her mentees is a core part of her process, as she works with individuals across a spectrum of experiences and development.

She hopes that, after their time together, her mentees have a newfound sense of clarity and purpose. She elaborates, “I want them to feel grounded, connected, and clear about the problem they want to solve, and confident about the next steps they need to take.” She sees her job as not only helping them figure out how to get their initiative off the ground but also developing the mental and emotional fortitude they need to do it.

When asked what advice she would give to someone getting started in community action, Tatiana said it’s all about understanding the “who” and “why” of a project: “Ask yourself what truly matters to you and what issue, cause, or value you simply can’t ignore. Then, get to know the people you want to support. What do they need? What are their struggles? What is at the root of the problem you care about? Go deeper by asking yourself why this is happening and what the origin of the issue might be. The deeper your understanding, the more meaningful your solution will be.” She is a firm believer that community action can’t be rooted in the abstract understanding of an issue. “Community action grows from genuine care and curiosity. When you act from that place, your contribution, no matter how small, becomes both personally fulfilling and socially transformative.”

She concluded that it isn’t about having a complete vision, but getting started: “Take one small step. You don’t need a perfect plan; begin where you are and with what you have. Ideas often take shape through volunteering, meaningful conversations, or small experiments.” Empathy is a recurring element throughout Tatiana’s work, both in her view of community action and her support for her mentees. It is a quality that has served her well in guiding the next generation of changemakers.

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Want to hear more stories about people making a difference? Meet Mehreen, working to connect young adults living with autism to job opportunities in the San Diego area.