Here for what’s next.
Hi, I’m Paige Carstensen (she/her), founder of Luminal Development. As a certified leadership and development coach and former educator with an M.S. in education, I bring deep expertise in how people learn, grow, and stay connected to their work.
My passion is helping organizations and individuals navigate the liminal space—that pivotal, often uncertain moment between what’s no longer working and what’s possible. In today’s fast-moving world, that space is where the luminous future is shaped. I help you step into what’s next with clarity and confidence, reducing turnover by building stronger leaders, rooted teams, and excellent cultures that last.
Why I’m Qualified
I began my career as a teacher, then grew into school and district leadership roles; always driven by a passion for how people learn and grow. That same drive guided my transition into leadership development, where I’ve spent the last 15+ years deepening my expertise in professional development, employee lifecycle strategy, and coaching leaders to their next level.
Certified by the International Coaching Federation through Brown University, I blend educational insight with business acumen to help organizations build learning environments where people want to stay. I know that employees don’t leave jobs: they leave broken systems, unclear leadership, and cultures that stop investing in them. My specialty is helping you find the “just right” strategy to develop and retain talent at every level of your organization.
Why This Matters
I work with people who are deeply committed to making their organizations better. But even the most mission-driven leaders can face burnout, high turnover, and the weight of carrying too much for too long. That tension—between doing meaningful work and sustaining the people who do it—is something I know intimately.
This matters to me because I believe organizations thrive when their people do. I love partnering with resourceful, values-aligned teams to spark new energy, solve hard problems creatively, and rebuild cultures where people feel invested in and empowered again.
Another Lens
Becoming a (middle-aged) mom and caregiver to elderly parents shifted everything about how I lead and how I work. These semsmic changes made me more values-driven and more intentional. Becoming a caregiver didn’t just change my perspective: it sharpened it, helping me see how essential it is to build workplaces that honor the full complexity of people’s lives.
I share this because the balancing act is real. My lived experience shows me that it is possible to have both a fulfilling career and a vibrant life outside of work…but it takes intention and support. That’s what I help you and your people build—cultures where sustainability isn’t just talked about, it’s practiced.
Let’s work together.
I want to know more about you!