By: Melissa Sampson
Lake Oswego-based transformational coach and global speaker Victoria Trabosh believes that in a time of disruption and change, every voice holds the power to spark transformation.
An award-winning leadership expert, Trabosh has spent more than four decades helping individuals and organizations navigate adversity with purpose. From executive boardrooms to international retreats in Africa, her mission is rooted in one question: How can one voice create real impact?
“We’re living in a world that feels increasingly chaotic,” says Trabosh, speaking from her Oregon home. “But chaos isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it can be a sign of transformation. The breakdown of old systems makes way for new ones, and we each have a role to play in building what comes next.”
Trabosh, a Harvard-educated anthropologist and founder of the Itafari Foundation, has seen firsthand how meaningful change begins with a single voice—and the courage to use it wisely.
Turning Questions into Catalysts
She’s quick to point out that influence doesn’t always come from knowing the answers. “The most powerful voices are often the ones asking the right questions,” Trabosh explains. “Not to dominate a conversation, but to invite discovery.”
Her leadership development work includes facilitating teams through processes like the XChange Method, a science-backed approach to unlocking collective intelligence. In a recent international retreat, she guided a skeptical group of strangers into a dynamic, connected team—simply by asking thoughtful, well-placed questions.
“Belonging emerged naturally,” she recalls, “once psychological safety was created and people felt permission to share. That’s when collaboration becomes effortless.”
Building Bridges in a Divided World
According to research from the International Journal of Listening, active listening can increase trust by as much as 78%. For Trabosh, that data confirms what she’s known intuitively: “True leadership isn’t just about being heard—it’s about listening deeply. When people feel heard, they lean in.”
And in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, human connection becomes more valuable than ever. “AI can process data, but it can’t replicate meaning, empathy, or trust,” she says. “Executives at PwC predict that by 2030, purpose and empathy will outshine AI in decision-making. That tells us something important. We need voices that bring both heart and wisdom to the table.”
Lessons from Rwanda and Beyond
Trabosh’s belief in the power of one voice was amplified during her early visits to Rwanda following the 1994 genocide. That journey, sparked by a conversation with Rwandan leader Rita Ngarambe, changed the course of her life and career. “I saw what happens when people lose everything—and then find a way to rise again,” she says.
Determined to help, she co-founded the Itafari Foundation—”Itafari” meaning “brick” in Kinyarwanda—to support community rebuilding through education, entrepreneurship, and microfinance. Nearly two decades later, the foundation has raised over $1.5 million and helped thousands of Rwandans rebuild their lives.
In October 2025, Trabosh will return to Rwanda to lead her signature 10-day immersive retreat: Rwanda 2025: Engage – Experience – Embrace. The program invites participants to connect with local leaders, artisans, and changemakers while engaging in deep personal reflection and growth.
“It’s not about going in with answers,” she says. “It’s about showing up with respect, curiosity, and a willingness to be changed.”
Five Ways to Make Your Voice Matter
In her leadership workshops and coaching practice, Trabosh offers practical steps for amplifying personal impact. Her guidance includes:
- Ask better questions. Instead of instructing, ask: ‘What’s a viewpoint we’re overlooking?’ or ‘What small shift could make a big difference?’
- Create safe spaces. In your workplace or community, build environments where people feel safe to speak and collaborate.
- Follow up and follow through. Ideas are just the beginning—true impact requires action and accountability.
- Seek meaning, not just data. Data informs, but meaning connects. Let your voice reflect values and purpose.
- Facilitate more than you dictate. Great leaders don’t just speak—they guide others toward clarity and solutions.
Leading from Lake Oswego
Though her work takes her across the globe, Trabosh remains deeply rooted in Oregon. A longtime resident of Lake Oswego, she credits the Pacific Northwest with inspiring her sense of community, resilience, and deep listening.
“Oregonians have a long tradition of civic engagement and innovation,” she says. “There’s something about this place—the natural beauty, the thoughtful people—that calls for voices to rise and lead.”
For those wondering whether their voice matters, Trabosh offers a clear answer: Yes, especially now.
“The world doesn’t need perfect answers,” she says. “It needs more people willing to speak with clarity, connect with courage, and help turn chaos into progress.”
About Victoria Trabosh
Victoria Trabosh is a transformational coach, international speaker, and bestselling author based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She is the creator of the AdFARsity™ framework, founder of the Itafari Foundation, and a certified executive coach with more than 40 years of leadership experience. Learn more at www.victoriatrabosh.com.
Published by Anne C.
