Unbothered, unapologetic & unshakeable

You're here to shine. Own the room. Be bold.

Work with me

Right now . . .

You’re the one doing the work… and Chad gets the shoutout in the all hands.

You’re grinding it out everyday… but only your team sees your contribution.

You’re hesitant to fully step up… because what if you mess up and they see you fail?

Yet you find yourself…

Overfunctioning and overdelivering without the title and pay to match.

Taking on more responsibility without the autonomy to execute your way.

Believing that if you just ride out [insert latest crisis] that tap on the shoulder will come, but it doesn’t.

Trying to ‘fix’ yourself by downplaying your needs and ambition while it chips away at your confidence.

Feeling vulnerable to RIFs because your hard work and dedication is stuck in the shadows.

so you . . .

Hustle harder. Give more, do more, be more.

Wait patiently. Because… budgets, RIFs, the [waves arms] world.

Work on being ‘more’. More confident, more influential, more leadership-y.

So that you confidently ask for what you want — and get it

Budget. Resources. Authority. Autonomy. Visibility.

And, of course, pay and title bumps

What you really need to do is . . .

Be your own hype woman and stop letting your inner mean girl dull your shine

Disconnect guilt-free so you show up recharged and ready to slay it every day

Step confidently and unapologetically into the spotlight so the c-suite knows your name

Finally stop propping up Chad’s mediocrity and helping him fail upward

work with me

At Unbound & Unbothered, we dismantle the lie that working harder is what earns you recognition, pay, and authority. You’ve already proven yourself a hundred times over—yet you’re still waiting for the acknowledgement. The truth? The raise, the title, the visibility you deserve doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from asking for it—and owning it—like you were born for it.

I’m Gretchen DeKnikker—tech exec turned career coach, Berkeley MBA, and recovering startup junkie. After two decades of being overworked, underpaid, and told to tone it down, I hit burnout and walked away at the height of my career. Now I bring together intersectional feminism, behavioral science, and thoughtwork to help you stop waiting and start getting what you’ve already earned—on your terms, unapologetically.

(more about me here)

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MY COACHING METHOD

Intersectional Feminism

Ever notice how socialization and gender norms stick with us, even in the workplace? Most career advice acts like it's this unbiased bubble, but here, we're diving into the real stuff. Let's focus on what we can control instead of pretending socialization in its many forms doesn't tag along.
Mindset Work

This ain’t positive affirmations and power poses. Taking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) a step further, we're delving into the root cause of why we do what we do. It's not just about thinking new thoughts; it's imagining the lives we want with intention and then creating them.
Behavioral Theory

We're not only about our brains here; we're putting mindset work into action. Drawing inspiration from persuasive design and behavioral economics gurus like BJ Fogg, Dan Ariely, Daniel Kahneman, and Richard Thaler, we're crafting practical plans. It's about making it happen in the real world, consistently and sustainably.

TESTIMONIALS

“I came to Gretchen because my boss said I needed to be more ‘influential’ to get promoted. With her coaching, I realized I wasn’t the issue. I ended up leaving that company, confidently negotiating a package of $200K more at my new job, and stepping into a role where my leadership is recognized from day one."
- JS
"I came in feeling stuck. All the options in front of me felt bad. I knew I was carrying around insecurities and self-doubt, but I didn’t know how to move through them. Gretchen’s feminist and evidence-based coaching model gave me the tools to quiet the noise in my mind and approach my career with clarity. I didn’t expect it to work so quickly, but it did—and the effects have lasted."
- LB
“I didn’t even realize how cruel my inner voice was—until I said it out loud. Working with Gretchen helped me hear the self-criticism I’d been living with for years—and finally quiet it. I’m painting again, playing music, setting boundaries, and creating joy without guilt. I didn’t become someone new—I just stopped abandoning the person I already was.
- AW
"By the third week of working with Gretchen, my boss commented on my newfound confidence and effectiveness in meetings—changes that played a big role in my promotion to Senior Director. The tools I gained have made me a stronger leader and even improved my relationships outside of work. Coaching with Gretchen has been a continuous journey of growth and discovery."
- KM
“I hired Gretchen to help me get promoted—and I did. But what I didn’t expect was how much more confident and empowered I’d feel. I stopped feeling small, started asking for what I wanted, and finally saw myself as a leader.”
- HW
"When I came to Gretchen, my confidence was low. I’d been shut out of a promotion process, felt beaten up in reviews, and found myself holding back in high-stakes moments. Gretchen helped me rebuild my confidence and own the value I bring. Now I have two offers, a potential third on the way, and leaders fighting over me.”
— KH