
Bryn Sakagawa
ACC Executive Coach - transforming leaders who work across cultures
Studied at Georgetown University
Works at Thrift for Good
Successful clients at

Available today at 4:00 PM UTC
I'm based in Ottawa, Canada (GMT-4)
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Bryn's Offerings
Custom hourly · $175/hr
Get help with Change Management, Coaching and Mentoring, and
Bryn’s Leadership Coaching Qualifications
Coaches professionally
Experience level: Executive
60+ people coached for Leadership Coaching
Bryn has helped clients get into these companies:
I believe in the transformational power of coaching—because I've lived it. As Director of USAID's multi-million dollar health program in Senegal, I struggled with adapting to a new culture and significant responsibilities while working entirely in French. Exhausted and heading toward burnout, an executive coaching program helped me transform how I led and balance high performance with personal well-being. That experience redirected my career and leadership style. Now, as an Associate Certified Executive Coach (ACC), I help leaders and organizations navigate the difficult trade-offs, cross-cultural dynamics, and high-stakes decisions I faced for two decades. 🎯 WHAT I DO I partner with purpose-driven leaders and teams to:→ Navigate career transitions with clarity and confidence→ Build resilient, high-performing teams grounded in psychological safety→ Develop authentic leadership presence across cultures→ Establish sustainable work-life integration that prevents burnout→ Transform team dynamics from conflict to collaboration 💼 MY BACKGROUND Former USAID Director managing multicultural teams across 21 countries- Led $500M+ development programs contributing to significant improvements in health amongst vulnerable populations- Directed COVID-19 response coordinating multi-million dollar programs across 6 countries- Co-founded AID Coaching—providing 400+ clients with pro bono coaching in 9 months I've made tough calls, navigated organizational politics, led through crises like Ebola and COVID-19, and built teams from the ground up. When I coach, I bring that lived experience alongside professional coaching expertise. Whether you're navigating a career transition, stepping into executive leadership, or transforming your team's culture, I would be honored to partner with you. 📧 [email protected]
Bryn can help with:
Change Management
Coaching and Mentoring
Conflict Resolution
Diversity and Inclusion
Emotional Intelligence
Problem Solving
Work Experience

Fractional Strategy and Development Assistance Advisor
Thrift for Good
September 2025 - Present
Provide strategic advice to support Thrift for Good's growth and development including board creation, strategic planning, and organizational change Provide technical guidance to strengthen Thrift for Good's development work in low and middle income countries Leadership Coaching, Strategic Planning and +3 skills

Co-founder
AID Coaching
February 2025 - Present
Co-founded global coaching collective serving international development, humanitarian, and foreign affairs professionals navigating transition, uncertainty, and leadership challenges. 🎯 IMPACT (First 8 Months): • Matched 400+ of professionals with certified coaches through scalable platform • Co-created and delivered 6-part career transition series reaching hundreds worldwide • Built coach community through professional development programs • Provided hundreds of hours of pro bono executive and career coaching 🌟 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Co-lead volunteer-led coaching collective with human-centered mission • Develop organizational strategy, partnerships, and service delivery model • Manage coach recruitment, training, and quality assurance Learn more: www.aidcoaching.com Coaching, Executive Coaching and +8 skills

Senior Health and Development Advisor
USAID
July 2023 - July 2025
Strategic advisor to USAID Global Health leadership team and international field missions. Provided executive coaching, designed leadership development programs, and delivered strategic guidance to Directors managing multi-million dollar portfolios. 🎯 COACHING & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: • Provided executive coaching to senior leaders and staff across multiple countries strengthening leadership capabilities • Designed and led experiential leadership trainings for 200+ Foreign Service Officers incorporating resilience practices, adult learning principles, and mentorship • Created promotion mentorship program for mid-level professionals, coaching on personal brand and career advancement • Coached Directors through organizational transformation: advised on office restructuring, facilitated team retreats resulting in improved trust and team effectiveness 🌟 STRATEGIC ADVISORY & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: • Served as subject matter expert for health program implementation and management in countries in Africa • Provided strategic policy, management, and technical health expertise to USAID Missions worldwide • Designed talent management programs strengthening inclusive leadership across global operations • Built organizational capacity to identify and mitigate operational challenges in complex environments • Provided guidance to Directors navigating uncertainty, crisis response, and organizational change Key Impact: Transformed how USAID develops and supports leaders globally through coaching-based approaches, experiential learning, and talent management innovation. Executive Coaching, Leadership Development and +7 skills

ICF ACC leadership & executive coach
Apulit Consulting LLC
August 2022 - Present
Provide executive and career coaching to purpose-driven professionals, organizational leaders, and teams navigating transitions and leadership challenges. 🎯 COACHING SPECIALIZATIONS: Leadership Development & Transitions • Coach emerging and senior leaders through role changes, promotions, and strategic decision-making • Develop executive presence and authentic leadership identity Career Clarity & Transitions • Partner with professionals exploring values alignment, career pivots, and international relocations • Build personal brand and articulate unique value proposition Team Effectiveness & Psychological Safety • Facilitate team coaching and retreats addressing conflict, communication, and trust • Build inclusive cultures where diverse teams thrive Work-Life Integration & Resilience • Coach high-achievers to establish sustainable performance and prevent burnout • Develop strategies for boundary-setting and leading through uncertainty 🌟 CLIENT OUTCOMES: • Support young professionals, mid-level managers, and senior leaders to clarify and achieve career objectives • Facilitate group and team coaching improving cohesion and performance • Coach clients through successful transitions, promotions, and leadership challenges My coaching approach: I believe in coaching the whole person—integrating professional goals with personal values, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance. Executive Coaching, Career Development Coaching and +7 skills

Senior Health Development Officer
USAID
August 2020 - July 2023
• Provided strategic policy, management, and technical health expertise to USAID Missions in Asia • Served as a subject matter expert for health program implementation • Designed, facilitated and conducted leadership training for foreign service officers worldwide International Development, Cross-team Collaboration and +7 skills

Director Office of Health for Philippines, Pacific and Mongolia
USAID
July 2016 - July 2020
Promoted to Director in September 2018 • Advocated for and secured over $17 million for COVID-19 response in five countries • Managed implementation and oversight of $300 million health portfolio in the Philippines, Pacific, and Mongolia • Provided strategic direction and technical oversight of 13 implementing partners consisting of international, local, and multilateral organizations • Project manager of $25 million HIV project in Papua New Guinea • Supervised and mentored diverse international team of 18 professional and administrative staff Key results • Developed, designed, and awarded $285 million health program • Negotiated agreement with the Government of the Philippines and other development partners to detect and treat 2.5 million people with tuberculosis by 2022 • Facilitated improved development partner and Department of Health coordination to strengthen health program implementation • Advocated for and secured $10.5 million of new funding to fight the HIV epidemic in the Philippines Strategic Planning, Human Resources Management and +5 skills
Education
Georgetown University
Executive Certificate, Leadership Coaching
2022 - 2022
Professional Ethics, Cross-Cultural Communication Skills and +5 skills

Johns Hopkins University
Master of Public Health - MPH, International Health
Activities and societies: Delta Omega Honor Society (Public Health Academic Society)

UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy
Masters, International Relations
International Alumni of the Year 2019
46 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Bryn has helped clients get into these companies: