My Story

Hello and welcome. My name is Rena Whittaker. I am so honored you have chosen to be here and read my story. My story is unique but no more unique than your own. And that’s why I am so grateful you are here. My story matters and so does yours!

The genesis of BeingTribal was an epic journey of struggles and joys. One that I would not change because it brought me to where I am today: an empowered wife, mother, daughter, sister, businesswoman, coach, author, speaker, and expert in creating tribes. And it brought YOU to me.

I started as a girl who learned to hide who I was, engulfed in shame. But I adapted. I learned to put on a mask for the world. I had experienced what far too many of us go through. Abuse. The kind that makes you keep quiet. The kind that starts life out in a tailspin. The kind that has you question your worthiness to even exist…

I had loving parents. I came into this world with an extended family of people who loved me dearly. Many are not so lucky, but these people will always be the inner circle of my tribe. Even amidst the comfort of family as a very young child, I experienced divorce, alcoholism, uprooting, poverty, abuse, pain, confusion…
the human condition. I learned to lie about how I felt or who I was, before I ever learned to tell the truth. I share my full story in my book, BeingTribal: Practicing Life in One-Degree Shifts.

Ultimately, I found my voice. It was my tribe that lifted me up and allowed me
to shine. My tribe heard me but did not try to solve my problems. They accepted who I was deep down. Little by little, one degree at a time, I made changes. Changes to my life in so many ways. I changed my beliefs about who I was and what my value myself. And through these one-degree shifts personally and with my tribe I learned about love, intuition, vulnerability, courage, and service. We saw each other’s woven fabric that was filled with joy and pain, and we celebrated it. As I began coaching, I realized that having a tribe around you is incredibly powerful and has made a significant impact on the success of individuals and teams. Gradually, I began helping individuals and corporate teams create tribes. To learn more about building YOUR tribe, find some helpful resources here.

Since then I have been coaching women and men to create and cultivate meaningful tribes. I also serve as an executive coach, guiding leaders and teams to traverse through the work of Trust, Respect, Investment, Belonging, Accountability, and Leadership. They have learned to discard the energy that no longer serves them – often misplaced guilt, shame, and resentment. They move forward with positive visioning, team agreements, and compassionate truth-telling. All to achieve their goals with ease and grace.

Additionally, I’ve spent over twenty years as a philanthropy executive and community change-maker. My expertise in “restarting” non-profit foundations, building systems, and community coalition development. I love to empower leaders and teams to think unconventionally and collectively.

My commitment to coaching and mentoring throughout my career has helped transform not only my own life and countless others. I am passionate in my belief that “anything is truly possible.”

I am the president and founder of Polallie, LLC, and BeingTribal. And at the heart of my mission is you. Even though I don’t know you yet, I know we share common ground. Please take a moment to reach out to me and tell me about who you are. We are all in this together.

"Rena, a colleague and now a friend, and her vision to "BE the change…” have been my constant light as I wade through lessons I needed to learn professionally and personally. Those lessons have strengthened my foundation of who I am today and who I will be tomorrow. Thank you Rena for being present, for meeting me where I am, and for embracing me into your tribe! Such a true essence of what it means to be tribal."

"Rena Whittaker is so kind and wise; I’ve learned more from her than any priest, rabbi or guru."

“Rena Whittaker is one of the most inspiring individuals I have met in this lifetime. With Compassion, strength, and grace, she guided and inspired me through life transforming breakthroughs. I have created several blocks from years of subconsciously suppressing trauma. Rena has taught me I can thrive and not just survive on my Path of Greatness!!’ –

“So much of this world feels transactional. You give and you get, but you often don’t really feel seen or connected. Rena changes all of that. As a coach and in her retreat, Rena is all in, truly seeing you, challenging you and walking with you as you create the future of your dreams. Rena is all heart, fully authentic, fun, warm, and inviting. In the retreat, Rena brought a powerful group of women together and helped us create a community based on Truth and Love. This was like nothing I ever experienced and I feel I have healed old traumas and I’m ready to lean into a future of abundance and purpose. Rena opens up the space for women to thrive and lift each other up to the next level! I can’t say enough about Rena’s healing energy and leadership.”

“I attended a retreat led by Rena. Rena brings incredible wisdom, lived experience and insight to her work in empowering women leaders. The retreat I attended was a powerful holistic experience. It was healing. It connected me to other amazing women. It was hopeful. Rena led us through find our vision and creating a practical 90-Day plan. Rena brings incredible heart to her work. I was inspired and left feeling more connected and empowered than I have in a long time.”

"Rena delivers authentic energy that left us laughing until we cried, transforming my doubts into my biggest opportunities, and planning my next steps with clarity. I feel like I can confidently follow my dreams. I LOVE Rena!"

“I feel abundantly blessed to have met Rena of BeingTribal. Her “Your Path of Greatness” retreat was so beautiful, enlightening and healing. It helped me with my personal blocks as well as the money blocks I had surrounding my business. On top of all of that I met the most amazing group of women to add to my Tribe! I also highly recommend staying at her Retreat Center as well.”

“The BeingTribal Retreat has been a life changing experience for me. I came because I wanted to level up in my business. I experienced 3 days of Magic, of healing, of watching other women bare their souls and deepest darkest fears and secrets and this led me to open up and find things in my I had locked up so tightly I didn’t even remember they were there. I cannot find the words to describe how grateful I am to have been a part of this experience. I feel empowered, released from negative stories I have told myself for 40 years. When we got to the work of business, I had gained so much knowledge already that I KNEW what I needed to do to level up my business. Rena has helped me find my INNER CONFIDENCE! She has given me the gift to accomplish my goals easily. They no longer feel unattainable. I am so grateful for this experience!!! And all the Gifts, Magic, Love and Healing!!!”

"Rena is genuine, vibrant and motivational. I left the event feeling strengthened in my foundation of who I am today & who I will be tomorrow. This is the essence of being tribal. I loved every moment of her talk!"

“For the past six years, I have been on a journey of self discovery and healing. It wasn’t until I attended the BeingTribal, Your Path of Greatness Retreat that I was able to connect the dots of what is and is not working in my life. The exercises allowed me to identify what is blocking my Path to Greatness and provided me with the tools to put my plan of action in place. I am so grateful for the many connections I made with the beautiful souls who also attended the retreat. I highly recommend the retreat if you are looking for a life transforming experience!”

BeingTribal: Your Path of Greatness Retreat, there are just so many things to say. First off, this retreat is magical, transformational and truly inspiring. In only 3 days, Rena is able to create that momentum in your life to help you overturn those feelings of being stuck, overwhelmed, or just frozen in place. She is business savvy, while also being heart full. She is a true leader who can reach deep inside of you, pull your gifts to the surface, show you how to love yourself, and then create a plan to start moving towards the things you want for your life. She helps you to understand that being self-full is not selfish. These powerful 3 days are intense, beautiful, and leave you feeling inspired, and empowered to reach your best life yet! Any woman would benefit from having this experience.

"Your wedding, the birth of your children, your retreat with Rena Whittaker - the highlights of any woman’s life. I know it sounds hyperbolic, but I cannot overstate the impact that those three incredible days had - and will continue to have - on my life. Through multiple exercises, guided meditations, and soul-stripping discussion, Rena led us to unearth and begin processing decades of grief and limiting beliefs. Taking time to walk through my past, sit in my present, and reclaim my future with Rena has been one of the most healing and empowering experiences of my life."

"I didn't know how to set healthy boundaries and choose me first! It was an afternoon full of AHA moments! I feel more clear about my self worth than I ever have - and I met two new tribal sisters!! It was a powerful afternoon. Thank you Rena for doing this work!"