About Asa Guilamo.

Founder of Impact Compass (she/her)

Hi, I’m Asa Guilamo, founder of Impact Compass – a coaching and consulting practice rooted in sustainability, resilience, and purpose.

I’m building Impact Compass not just as a business, but as a container for transformation – where resilience meets purpose. I am dedicated to our mission of empowering purpose-driven leaders and organizations to thrive while driving meaningful impact. I combine deep expertise in sustainability with coaching methodologies that foster awareness, accountability, and action.

A Global Background in Systems Change.

With over 20 years of international experience across the U.S., Japan, and Europe, I’ve served as a civil servant for the central government, non-profit leader, and head of climate strategy in corporate banking.

I know firsthand the pressures that come with driving systemic change from inside complex organizations, and I have a deep empathy for the emotional toll of purpose-driven work under pressure.

My Most Recent Work

In my recent role at M&T Bank, I led the enterprise-wide environmental sustainability strategy and climate program work. I collaborated with colleagues throughout the bank to build new capabilities for growing climate finance and climate resilience, and to capture operational efficiencies for reducing the organization’s carbon footprint.

During my M&T years, I was selected to participate in a Fellowship Program for climate entrepreneurs. This immersive leadership development program helped to further cultivate my skills and international networks for realizing deep shifts for a just and credible transition.

The fellowship also introduced me to the magic of transformative coaching questions. I began exploring coaching toolsets as a vital part of the sustainability transformation. My deep dive into coaching led me to enroll in a Level 2 (PCC) coaching program as well as a Climate Change Coaching Mastery Course, and become a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Photo Credit: Pietro Naj-Oleari

Previous Experience

Before joining M&T:

I led WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable, a non-profit for business sustainability in Western New York.
I served as vice consul in Florida.
Before moving to the U.S., I was head of section at the Ministry of the Environment in Stockholm, Sweden, and served as a scientific attaché for sustainable development in Tokyo, Japan.
During my decade-long career as a government official, I served as an expert advisor for special committees on climate policy and climate research, and as an SME in the inter-governmental process leading up to the global UN Sustainable Development Goals ("SDGs").

My Badges

How I Support My Clients

Now, I help my clients drive sustainability work with clarity, care, and courage.

I bring a rare combination of lived experience of having been in my clients’ shoes — across sectors and global regions — so not just coaching theory. I’ve been knee-deep in the sustainability trenches. I’ve navigated reporting demands, advocated for ROI from all different types of angles, translated the ESG acronym soup to stakeholders, and so much more.

My Coaching & Consulting Approach

My coaching blends deep listening with future-focused strategy to support purpose-driven leaders who are navigating pressure, scale, and the constant push to do more with less.

I believe leadership is not just about what we achieve, but how we show up – for ourselves, our teams, and the planet. As a coach, I create space for you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your purpose.

As a consultant, I draw on two decades of experience in climate strategy, policy, and systems change to offer insight, frameworks, and real-world tools. My consulting approach is grounded in coaching principles because I believe that lasting change comes not just from expert advice – but from empowered leadership. Even when I’m offering strategic guidance or analysis, I bring coaching skills to the table.

In short, I don’t just consult at you – I collaborate with you, helping you lead with greater alignment, focus, and impact.

Photo Credit: Boliden

My Roots in Sustainability

My interest in environmental sustainability began at an early age and was further sparked by conversations with my maternal grandfather about the environmental effects of mining.

Stories from his upbringing in Northern Sweden and his long career as a mining bailiff (he’s the third mining engineer from the right in the black and white old photo from Boliden’s archives) opened my eyes to the long-term impacts of human activity on the land and its people, and ignited a lifelong commitment to sustainability.

Outside of Impact Compass!

Outside of my work, I’m usually outdoors hiking, orienteering (i.e., using a map and compass to navigate a forest trying to find controls), foraging for mushrooms, or skiing.

While indoors, I love doing ceramics wheel throwing just for the fun of it, spending time with my family, practicing yoga, or baking sweet things.