Meet Sonya
Where Brand Strategy Scales Your Impact & Purpose
What I Know To Be True
I believe leadership can be fun, and that your success should feel as good as it looks.
The brands people love most are built by leaders who lead authentically as themselves. When who you are on the inside matches everything you share on the outside, the right clients find you, they stay, and your business scales with ease. That alignment is the greatest advantage a leader or a company can have.
Hey, I’m Sonya.
BRAND STRATEGIST
FORMER CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER
MASTER MEDITATION TEACHER
From the rich, smoky aroma of incense at my grandmother's Buddhist temple to the profound experiences at a Buddhist monastery built on the grounds of a former hospital (a very haunted place), my early life was steeped in spiritual practice. These formative years instilled in me a deep sense of compassion, empathy and kindness, and a rare ability to see what others miss.
In my twenties, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and began my career as a digital artist at Warner Bros., immersing myself in Los Angeles's vibrant entertainment industry. Over the next two decades, I became an award-winning product designer, user experience expert and Chief Experience Officer, helping launch Disney.com and HarryPotter.com and leading user, customer and employee experience for companies of every size.
By 2007, I was running my own brand consulting business and loving it. I was traveling to Napa Valley, working remotely for weeks at a time, and launching a wine and food brand of my own. Then a deep personal loss shook my confidence, and I walked away from branding altogether. I became a coach, healer and shaman to heal the parts of me that broke that day.
For decades, I healed myself and helped countless others do the same. That chapter gave me something no agency ever could. I learned how people really work, and I saw the same pattern in every leader I met: the gap in any brand almost always starts with the person behind it.
Now I'm back in branding, with everything I learned about identity, power, and purpose along the way. I help visionary leaders build brands that match who they've become, design client experiences that keep people coming back, and clear the fear, people pleasing and old patterns that keep them playing small. The strategist I was in 2007 is back, and she's wiser, steadier and ready for her next adventure.
A few fun facts about me…
Chief Experience Officer
My last two decades were as Chief Experience Officer, leading user, digital, customer and employee experience and branding, so I see a business from every side. I know exactly where a brand's promise breaks down, and how to rebuild it so customers and teams stay.
Brand Builder for Household Names.
I helped launch Disney.com and HarryPotter.com and spent 25 years building brands and experiences for Fortune 100 companies, SMB, mid-market and enterprise businesses. That work taught me how the world's most loved brands earn trust, keep customers and scale revenue for decades.
Childhood Teacher: Meditation at Age Eight
At just eight years old, guided by my grandmother, a healer, I taught my first meditation class. Teaching so young gave me a rare ability to read people, sense what is unspoken and guide others back to calm, clear decisions.
Monastery-Raised Meditation Prodigy
As a child, I lived in a prominent Buddhist monastery nestled deep in nature, where I immersed myself in ancient wisdom and practices. This upbringing shaped the way I see people, brands and leadership, and it remains the foundation of my work today.
Grief & End-of-Life Doula
Certified as a grief and end-of-life doula, I'm able to hold space for the deep and uncomfortable conversations that leaders rarely get to have. This work taught me how identity shifts through loss and change, and how to guide leaders through their own transitions with grace.
Companies Sonya Has Worked With
Testimonials
Jonathan Lipnicki, Award-Winning Actor from Jerry Maguire & Stuart Little.
I have had the absolute honor of working with Sonya Lee and learning from her. It is very hard to find someone with so much experience, empathy, and knowledge to learn from.
Jordan S., CEO
Sonya is one of the most amazing people out there. She’s kind, compassionate and safe.
Sonya is truly exceptional. I left with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of the human spirit. I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in the spiritual embrace with Sonya as your guide.
Her work is an experience that will forever enrich your journey and expand your perception of reality.
Victor Hurd, US Marine Corps.
Working with Sonya over the past several months has been so life-changing. Transformative, in not just the aspect of being more mentally focused and aware, but also in my self-talk. I am learning to be kinder and gentler to myself. A big surprise was learning the types of meditations available and discovering what works for me so that I can be the best version of myself. I always look forward to working with her. I fully recommend her!
Sherri Monte, Founder, Elegant Simplicity Interiors
Sonya is a special person with an incredible intuition. I came into our work together with a bit of skepticism and left speechless. I was nervous and the entire time, Sonya patiently walked me through the process and I never felt judged. I felt seen and heard for the first time in years. Aside from her service, she is a good person. She genuinely wants to help and has the most beautiful smile. I don't know how to describe it- she feels like home.
Rose Pollard, Business Consultant
Sonya was referred by a friend as someone I should talk to. I was at a point in my life where I didn’t know what to do or how to begin to change my life. Because I trusted my friend, I trusted Sonya. She immediately picked up on energies around my throat (I never mentioned it) and she was able to point out that someone/something was holding me back from speaking my truth. She also pointed out things she would have never known otherwise. Every time I feel like I need some guidance, I work with Sonya. I highly recommend her!
Leslie Butler, Executive Coach.
She is a consummate professional, spiritual and connecting, but always with her clients as her priority.
Her credentials include the who's who of marketing including Disney and other giant companies who entrusted her with their brands.
I am so fortunate to have worked with Sonya.
Leigh Ann Heil, CEO & Founder
Sonya embodies a unique blend of spiritual wisdom and organizational expertise. When faced with a difficult issue,
I sought her guidance. Her ability to seamlessly weave insights from the spiritual, organizational, and business realms is rare.
Paul Dysart, Technical Manager
Sonya is an amazing person all the way around. She will go out of her way to help people. She truly cares about everyone she works with and wants and does make a difference.
She has great energy and enjoys sharing it. She is inspiring, positive and easy to work with. Thanks for all your help Sonya!
Chris Evans, Founder & CEO
Sonya changed my life. When I started working with her, I didn’t believe in anything beyond what I could see with my two eyes.
I am now, months later, a whole new person.
She has quantum leaped me into a new version of myself I did not know was even possible.
Ashley Duffy, Hedge Fund Manager
When our creative director quit, turmoil was on the horizon. Then we found Sonya. She is so easy to talk to and work with. Gives just the right amount of direction without being overbearing or too laid back. Her expertise and speed is like no other.
Joshua Benedikt, Creative Director, Wonderful | Ex-Disney
Sonya is a team builder at a very high level. Her energy is contagious. What I've seen her create out of thin air is nothing short of miraculous. She is deeply rooted in the So. Cal tech scene and has a knack for bringing out the best in the people that surround her.
Christopher Jeong, Product Design, Meta
CORE Values
Empathy
for humanity
Impact
driven by purpose
Freedom
to explore
Gratitude
for all we receive