Caroline Payne

I bring nearly 20 years of leadership and management experience across the technology sector and U.S. Navy, along with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. In 2026 I completed Georgetown University's Leadership Coaching Executive Certificate Program, an ICF-accredited coach training program. Most recently, I served as VP of Operations at Fundrise, where I led a 60-person business unit with responsibility for business operations, financial performance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership. Previously, I served as a U.S. Navy pilot and Flag Aide to two admirals. My career experiences have given me firsthand exposure to the demands of leadership, from managing teams and navigating organizational change to making difficult decisions and balancing competing priorities. My coaching provides a space for leaders to step away from the day-to-day demands of their roles and examine the challenges they're facing from a different perspective. My approach is thoughtful, direct, and grounded in genuine curiosity. Through pointed questions and honest reflection, I help clients recognize patterns, challenge assumptions, better understand the dynamics at play, and make more intentional choices about how they lead.