Redefining Success, Leadership & Community: A Conversation Sara Larson with Marian Cook
Building Community & Coaching Alliances | Sara Larson and Marian Cook
When two women committed to authentic leadership and human-centered growth get together, something special happens. That was exactly the case when Sara Larson sat down for a Zoom conversation with Marian Cook, the dynamic founder of Archstone Workspace and a respected educator at institutions like MIT, Yale, and IIT.
Sara, known for her work in guiding executives through transformation and empowerment, noted how spaces like Archstone fill an important gap. “Women leaders often lack the support structures they need—not just to lead, but to thrive. What Marian has built is not just physical space. It’s a catalyst for confidence and community,” she said.
From the very first moments of their exchange, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just another business chat. With warmth and candor, Marian shared the winding road that brought her to this moment—a career marked by curiosity, challenge, and a refusal to stay within one lane for too long. With a background in innovation and technology, Marian has held top roles in both the private and public sectors, including as Chief Strategy Officer for the State of Illinois. But her most recent endeavor may be her most personal and impactful yet.
Archstone Workspace: A Vision Beyond Office Walls
Marian founded Archstone Workspace in part to support her adult son with autism—but it quickly became something larger. Archstone is a co-working space, yes—but more than that, it’s a hub for entrepreneurial energy, creativity, and meaningful connection. With private offices, open workspaces, meeting rooms, and events like speaker series and networking gatherings, it’s a space designed to address a major issue in today’s world: social isolation.
"We’re social animals pretending we aren’t," Marian said. And that belief is foundational to how Archstone operates. Whether it’s a business meeting or a big idea session, the environment is curated to encourage learning, collaboration, and belonging.
The Coaching Alliance: Moving from Isolation to Collective Growth
One of the most exciting parts of the conversation was Marian’s announcement of a new initiative: a coaching alliance built out of Archstone. Rather than coaching being an individual, siloed practice, this collective approach brings together diverse coaching styles and frameworks to support the whole person—especially women navigating life transitions like menopause or career reinvention.
As Marian explained, coaching is often misunderstood. It’s not about giving answers—it’s about asking the right questions. With decades of leadership coaching and education experience, Marian has seen firsthand how powerful it is when people are given the space and tools to reflect, grow, and connect.
And she’s clear: this is just the beginning. The alliance is currently in its innovation phase, with plans for deeper collaboration and service offerings in the works.
Archstone: Built to Elevate Everyone
The nameArchstone is no accident. Architecturally, an arch distributes weight across multiple stones, allowing structures to rise higher and let more light in. That’s exactly what Marian envisioned: a place where no one has to bear the weight alone.
As the conversation wrapped up, Sara and Marian reflected on the shared need for community at every stage of life. Whether it’s coaching, business development, or simply a place to feel seen, Archstone is rising to meet that need—brick by brick, conversation by conversation.
To learn more about Sara, visit her website.
