Executive Coaching, Events, and Resources

I am now a C-Level Executive of a company, and have previously served as a controlling shareholder (when I worked in Private Equity) and Board Member. I can help advise on how to make it to the C-Level, how to interact with shareholders (particularly Private Equity and Venture Capital), how to be successful, etc.

I'm Dr. Priya Nalkur, President of the RoundTable Institute and an executive coach with 20+ years of experience helping leaders lead with clarity, courage, and inclusion. I work with executives, partners, and rising stars who are navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, career inflection points, or the challenges of leadership in today’s evolving workplace. With a Harvard doctorate in psychology, multiple coaching certifications accumulated over 15 years, and a global team of coaches behind me, I help clients uncover blind spots, set boundaries, navigate power and conflict, and lead from a place of integrity and impact. I’ve coached leaders across industries and around the world, and I bring a powerful mix of emotional intelligence, strategic insight, and deep respect for who you are and who you're becoming. Let's get to work.

Using the Hudson Institute’s Leadership Coaching Model, I have a focused approach to help you assess your leadership strengths, identify barriers to your growth, and navigate your future options in a clear and focused way to get to the career fulfillment you are looking for. I will work to design a unique 3 to 6-month coaching program that results in setting and achieving goals you previously thought were out of reach. Some of the areas I have helped clients with include increasing your leadership confidence, overcoming obstacles to your development, burnout and discovering greater work/life integration, onboarding successfully into a new leadership role, and navigating a major career change with support and guidance.

🏆 RECIPIENT OF LELAND TOP COACH AWARD 2026 🏆 ✨I am a professional ICF-Certified Coach and that has helped 1000's of clients and been featured in major news outlets such as Forbes, NBC, TEDx, and more. ✨MY EXECUTIVE & CAREER COACHING SPECIALITIES: • Career transitions or pivots (changing industries or roles) • Job search strategies (resume building, cover letter writing, and networking) • Interview preparation (mock interviews, confidence building, and question strategy) • Authenticity & articulating your path (finding your passion, your purpose, your next career direction) • Career direction clarity (finding purpose, passion, or a fulfilling career path) • Executive presence (confidence, communication, or public speaking) • Leadership development (building executive presence, relationships, or influence) • Overcoming career stagnation (feeling stuck in a current role or career plateau) • Work-life balance (managing stress, time management, and boundary-setting) • Salary negotiation (advocating for fair compensation or negotiating offers) • Improving workplace relationships (dealing with conflict or team dynamics) • Personal branding (building an online presence or positioning for career advancement) • Performance improvement (enhancing productivity, focus, or meeting professional goals) • Transition to leadership (moving from individual contributor to management) • Managing career setbacks (job loss, layoffs, or career gaps) • Goal-setting and accountability (creating actionable steps to reach career objectives) ✨WHO YOU ARE: • I proudly work with everyone—regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual preference, religion, or anything else. ✨WHAT BENEFITS CAN YOU EXPECT: • Increased Earning Potential and Promotions • Clarity and Direction • Improved Confidence • Actionable Strategies • Interview Readiness • Stronger Negotiation Skills • Better Work-Life Balance • Knowing Your Authentic Code ✨SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: Contact Melanie Espeland for your free consultation today.

Whether you're looking to scale your business, enhance your leadership skills, or navigate complex strategic challenges, I'm here to help you succeed. Let's connect and chart a path to your success!

I spent over 23 years leading and coaching teams in the technology industry, most recently at Salesforce, one of the world’s top Technology Fortune 500 companies. I know firsthand how tough leadership can be: the sleepless nights before big decisions, the pressure to perform without burning out your team, and the weight of leading through change. Now, as an ICF-certified executive coach, I help leaders and founders navigate those same challenges with clarity and confidence. My clients learn to make hard decisions without losing empathy, communicate with influence, and build high-performing teams that thrive even in uncertainty. They rediscover purpose, elevate their leadership presence, and lead with more calm, focus, and joy. My coaching is direct but deeply human, grounded in real-world executive experience, emotional intelligence, and evidence-based practice. If you’re ready to lead with authenticity, courage, and lasting impact, I’ll help you get there.

Welcome to my profile! With over 15 years of experience in executive coaching and strategic advisory, I specialize in helping leaders and emerging executives unlock their full potential. As the Owner & Founder of Phelan, LLC, I've guided over 100 clients through transformative business strategies, leadership development, and operational efficiency. My role as a Business Coach at Amazon and my previous leadership positions at Estée Lauder and Gap have equipped me with the insights to drive scalable growth and optimize operations. Whether you're looking to enhance your executive effectiveness or navigate complex business challenges, I'm here to provide tailored support and guidance. Let's connect and chart a path to your success!

I bring with me over 6 years of extensive Executive coaching experience (C-Suite; VP's; MD's, etc.), having worked with leaders at nearly all of World's top companies and within nearly every major industry. I have a far-reaching global footprint, having coached clients and leaders from over 60+ countries and counting (I've coached leaders from every Continent except Antarctica!). In addition to my coaching expertise and experience, I also bring with me my 12+ years of corporate Learning & Development experience at one of the Big 4 professional services firms (PwC). I've supported leaders with managing board relations, navigating partner departures and subsequent equity and responsibility restructuring, change management and deep company cultural change, interpersonal and professional skills development, business strategy development, and much, much, more. I've even been referred to as a "CEO Whisperer" once or twice. I'm known for, and receive consistent feedback around, being able to synthesize client issues to the finest point and help them connect the necessary dots to move things toward action. I am empathetic and compassionate, yet direct and pull no punches; I also bring humor and a down-to-earth realness to each and every one of my client interactions, putting clients at ease and making them feel comfortable.

I bring 20+ years of experience with a robust blend of technical, strategic, and leadership expertise to my coaching practice. Having worked across engineering, consulting, product marketing, and product management, I understand the complexities of navigating diverse roles and career transitions. As an executive coach, my goal is to empower leaders to accelerate their careers, overcome challenges, and achieve meaningful personal and professional growth. Throughout my career, I have held leadership roles at top companies such as Bill.com, Intuit, LinkedIn, and PayPal. At Bill.com, as VP of Product Management, I played a key role in driving the company’s revenue growth by over 10x to >$1B ARR. These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of what it takes to lead with impact, drive innovation, and build high-performing teams. I hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Drawing on my own non-linear career journey, I provide personalized coaching to help leaders stand out, achieve their next promotion, plan strategic career moves, or prepare for new and exciting roles. If you’re ready to unlock your full potential and take your leadership to the next level, I’m here to help guide your journey.

As part of my role at LinkedIn, I coached Director+ leaders at Fortune 500 companies on optimizing their executive profiles and content strategies.