In professional development, success is frequently measured in terms of numbers, certifications, and performance indicators. But for Jaimis Rebecca Ulrich, Ed.D., success is a much more individualized concept. It is about transformation, healing, and assisting others to reclaim their value. As an empowerment coach, trauma-informed hypnotherapist, and education strategist, Jaimis combines a strong sense of empathy with innovative solutions. Her leadership is transforming the delivery and experience of education to be more inclusive, empathetic, and effective.
Success That Starts Within
For Jaimis, triumph is not a matter of checking boxes and quotas. It is about witnessing actual transformation in human beings. “Success is when a Municipal Clerk who at one point questioned their value leaves with feeling heard, capable, and empowered,” she explained. What gets her excited is assisting individuals in overcoming imposter syndrome and assuming leadership roles with clarity and confidence.
Her background in hypnotherapy has taught her that growth begins from within. “We can build the most efficient systems, but if the people we’re serving don’t believe they belong, we’ve missed the mark,” she explained. Her mission is to guide professionals from surviving to thriving, both in their roles and in their personal development.
A Leader with a Purpose
Jaimis is the owner of Pathway to Empowerment with Jai, LLC, and a proud Woman of Color. She operates from a trauma-informed perspective in all that she does. Currently serving as Associate Director of Professional Development, she is the overseer of global certification programs that serve thousands of local government professionals.
“My style is grounded in equity, healing, and transformation,” she explained. She feels that education must respect the lived experiences of people and provide room for all to develop. Her leadership style is one of inclusiveness and empowerment, in which each individual feels respected and empowered.
Transforming Systems at a Global Level
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) is a worldwide professional organization serving more than 15,000 municipal clerks and local government officials. With a large scope, the organization has only a small staff of 11 members. Within the Education Department, Jaimis works collaboratively alongside the Director and the Education Coordinator, sharing equal oversight responsibilities in a uniquely structured and cooperative team dynamic.
There’s no such thing as ‘that’s not my job,'” she said. Her leadership made a dramatic improvement in the certification process. When she first became involved, the five- or six-week processing time of applications was the norm. Today, most applicants are hearing back within one to five business days. “That evolution wasn’t simply about technology. It was about clearing out unnecessary obstacles and providing members with support at every turn,” she said.
She also leads the development of annual conference education tracks and oversees curriculum for the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designations. Her work involves close collaboration with state and provincial associations to ensure regional training aligns with IIMC’s standards while reflecting local needs. “Our success comes from this blend of structure and heart. We’re building educational opportunities that help people grow into the leaders their communities deserve,” she said.
Leading with Empathy and Experience
Jaimis’s leadership is informed by her own experiences of having been underestimated. “I know what it feels like to be underestimated because of my gender, my heritage, my neurodivergence,” she explained. They have made her a leader who listens deeply and leads with empathy.
“As a trauma-informed practitioner, I know that many of us are bringing unspoken wounds into professional settings,” she stated. Her leadership style is about building spaces where individuals can be whole, not merely productive. “Leadership, to me, is about creating environments where people don’t have to fragment themselves to belong,” she continued.
A Vision for the Future of Education
Looking to the future, Jaimis sees a day when education becomes a liberatory, healing process. “The future of education needs to live in multiple histories, challenge old hierarchies, and be grounded in healing, rather than performance,” she declared. Her vision weaves together trauma-informed practices, somatic knowing, and new technologies to create learning experiences that are innovative and empathetic.
“To remain in the forefront,” she described. By putting the voices of those most affected by school systems at the forefront, she keeps professional development relevant and transformative. She aspires to build not only competency but also confidence, community, and compassion.
A Day in the Life of a Change-Maker
No two days are ever the same for Jaimis. Her days start off with connectivity, reading emails from city clerks from all over the world, and providing guidance and support. The rest of her time is spent designing conference sessions, processing certification applications, meeting with associations, and doing coaching or hypnotherapy sessions on occasion in the evening.
When requested to define herself in one word, she responded with “empowering.” “Regardless of whether I am reading through resumes or helping heal, my intent is always the same. I want to make others see themselves as strong and worthy,” she reported.
Finding Balance Through Rhythm
Balancing work and life is not something Jaimis goes at with intention. “I once pursued balance as if it were something to be done perfectly, but now I celebrate rhythm over rigidity,” she said. She understands that seasons demand different energies. Some demand deep work, while others demand deep rest.
As a hypnotherapist, she has practice what she preaches. She checks her nervous system, creates boundaries with love and gives space for joy, nature, prayer, and family. “Rest is not a reward. It’s a right, and it makes the work more sustainable, more ethical, and more creative,” she explained.
Aligning Personal Goals with Collective Impact
Jaimis’s professional and personal aspirations are strongly rooted in her dedication to equity and transformation. “My aspiration is to humanize professional development, making it more inclusive, equitable, and transformative for all,” she stated. She seeks to connect ancient wisdom with contemporary systems, center historically marginalized voices, and develop leadership pipelines that mirror the communities they are serving.
These objectives are completely in line with IIMC’s purpose of educating, inspiring, and empowering local government officials. “When we invest in our Clerks, we build democracy from the ground up,” she added.
Pearls of Wisdom
For those who want to make a genuine difference in education, Jaimis provides sincere guidance. “Begin with integrity. Identify your ‘why,’ and let that inform every decision,” she advised. She also stresses the value of inner work, healing wounds, breaking down biases, and building wholeness.
“We can’t lead where we don’t go ourselves,” she said. She makes no mistake about it. Leadership starts from the inside out. She also urges would-be leaders to be bold and assertive. “Don’t wait for the invitation. Set the table, pull out your folding chair, or turn the entire room over if you need to,” she said. “There is a place for you, and if there is not, create it.”
Conclusion
Jaimis Rebecca Ulrich’s path is a strong reminder that education is not merely about knowing. It is about changing. Her work reshapes success, interrupts typical models of leadership, and builds environments in which people may flourish. With her imaginative leadership, she continues to craft a future that has education as inclusive, healing, and profoundly human. In a performance-over-people world, Jaimis reminds us that real impact starts with connection, compassion, and the courage to lead from the heart.
