Valentina Dolmova is the founder of ILC International, a coaching and consulting company that empowers high performers—often overlooked “silent heroes”—to step into leadership without losing their integrity. With a background spanning both the corporate and education sectors, Valentina recognized early on that traditional systems often fail to nurture ethical, hardworking talent. Her mission became clear: to help high performers align their values with business realities and thrive in leadership roles.
Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Valentina in our global series, as her story reflects resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to empowering individuals to lead authentically while building organizations that value people at their core.
Q: Valentina, what inspired you to start ILC International after your corporate journey?
A: I wouldn’t even call it inspiration—it was more of a trigger. The corporate world often doesn’t support or promote silent heroes, the high performers who work hard behind the scenes. These are people with high potential, great education, and strong ethics, but within two or three years in the system, they feel stifled. Their values don’t align with the “hardcore game” often expected in corporate environments. I wanted to support them, to help them shine without compromising their integrity. Coaching and psychology became the tools to do that—helping individuals align their values with business needs and step confidently into leadership.
Q: Who do you primarily work with?
A: Our focus hasn’t changed in 10 years: high performers in leadership or pre-leadership roles, whether in corporate or entrepreneurial settings. They’re usually between 25 and 45, and often don’t even realize they’re high performers. We also work with professional athletes transitioning between stages, like juniors moving into professional leagues. On the organizational side, we support companies that want to nurture, rather than lose, their best talent—because high performers are often at risk of burnout if not supported properly.
Q: What benefits do clients experience when working with you?
A: Our team is made up of people who have lived the corporate and entrepreneurial experience themselves. We don’t sugarcoat. We know how tough it can be, and our clients appreciate that honesty. High performers are often independent problem-solvers; they don’t want surface-level coaching. They need fast, tangible results. That’s why within just six sessions, we focus on delivering significant outcomes. Our approach is international, practical, and deeply grounded in psychology.
Q: Many entrepreneurs struggle with imposter syndrome. How has that shown up in your journey?
A: Personally, I didn’t struggle with it. When I started at 25, people questioned my age and experience, but I was too focused on solving problems to dwell on doubts. My mindset was: I know I have much to learn, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t start. I’ve always believed no one is “the best”—we’re all learning. That perspective helped me avoid imposter syndrome. However, I work with many clients who do face it, and for them, it’s more emotional than logical. We approach it by working through emotions, not just rational achievements.
Q: Looking back, what would you have done differently when starting out?
A: Probably everything! (laughs) The hardest part early on was the feeling of being alone. Entrepreneurship can be isolating, even if you have online networks. If I could go back, I’d connect with partners earlier and build a support system sooner. I’d also take more risks earlier, instead of trying to create too many safety nets. In entrepreneurship, there are no guarantees—you have to jump headfirst and adapt as you go.
Q: What legacy do you want to create through your work?
A: Twofold. First, with my team: I want to develop young talent within ILC so they can eventually take over and continue the mission. Creating a strong, values-driven culture internally is important to me. Second, with our clients: I believe in the butterfly effect. When you empower a high performer—someone with integrity and strong ethics—they influence dozens of others around them. Helping them shine creates ripples of positive change in organizations and beyond.
Q: How do you define success—both personally and professionally?
A: Professionally, success would be for ILC International to become a go-to name in our field—not for the sake of recognition, but as an example of doing things differently. Personally, success means knowing we did the right thing. Coaching carries responsibility; I want the comfort of knowing we guided people in the right direction, not led them astray despite good intentions. That clarity might only come years later, but it’s what drives me.
Q: What challenges have you faced as an entrepreneur?
A: Challenges never stop—they just change. Personally, doubts about whether you’re on the right path are constant. Hiring is another ongoing challenge: finding the right people is never easy. My solution has been to hire juniors and invest in developing them. Financial unpredictability is also a constant—whether you’re a startup or a large corporation, you can never be 100% certain. The key is flexibility: adapt the business model when needed, but never compromise on your mission and values.
Q: What exciting projects are you working on right now?
A: We’re rebranding and launching two new products this year. The first is a deep diagnostic tool for measuring stress and burnout in organizations, translated into multiple languages with tailored recommendations—launching in October. The second is our Career Reset product, designed for leaders in transition, such as those made redundant or leaving companies voluntarily. It’s structured to help individuals navigate existential career shifts, and also offers companies a humane way to support employees during M&A or downsizing. Both projects aim to create real impact where it’s most needed.
“High performers deserve to shine without compromising who they are. If we can empower them, their ripple effect will transform entire organizations.” – Valentina Dolmova
Connect with Valentina Dolmova:
Website: https://www.ilc.one
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ilc_international/
LinkedIn Profile – https://www.linkedin.com/company/ilcinternational
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ILCinternational1
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If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
