Leadership Coaching, Events, and Resources

I’m a Senior Manager and Technical Program Leader turned leadership coach with 15+ years of experience leading high-impact, cross-functional teams in tech. At Atlassian, I led AI- and data-driven programs across Engineering, Product, Data Science, and Operations that reduced customer friction, uncovered multi-million–dollar usability improvements, and delivered over $7M in support cost avoidance. I built and managed global teams, translated complex insights into clear strategic roadmaps, and helped senior stakeholders collaborate effectively across time zones and functions. Today, I bring that same rigor, empathy, and clarity to coaching high-achieving women in tech who are ready to be seen, valued, and promoted for the impact they’re already delivering. I’m a Socratic Coaching Academy Certified Coach and specialize in helping women navigate visibility in male-dominated environments, develop executive presence, and lead with authority without burning out. My approach is rooted in modern cognitive psychology frameworks, helping clients understand how their thinking shapes their leadership, so they can advocate for their work, communicate their impact in business terms, and show up as the confident leaders their roles demand.

I work with professionals navigating growth, increasing complexity and international environments. Before coaching, I spent 15+ years in international tech leadership roles at Google and Salesforce, leading teams and strategic initiatives across Europe, Asia and the US. My work involved operating across cultures, managing high-stakes communication, and helping individuals and organisations perform effectively in fast-moving, high-pressure environments. Having lived and worked across Paris, London, Dublin and Singapore, I developed a deep interest in how professionals navigate communication, confidence and leadership across different cultures and environments. Today, I support professionals who want to communicate more confidently, strengthen their clarity and leadership presence, and navigate international or cross-cultural environments with greater perspective and intention. Examples of areas I can help with: Leadership & Professional Presence * leadership communication and executive presence * managing visibility, credibility and influence at work * interview preparation and career positioning * navigating career transitions and professional reinvention Cross-Cultural & International Environments * confidence and communication in international environments * communicating more effectively across cultures * adapting to UK, French or international professional environments English Communication Development * communication confidence for non-native English speakers * improving spoken and written English in professional and international environments * developing fluency, clarity and confidence in English communication I can support in English or French. Alongside my corporate experience, I have completed ICF-accredited coach training and the Global Management Programme (Executive MBA track) at ESCP Business School. I am also the founder of RIVE Institute, a platform exploring communication, international environments and professional evolution across cultures.

I bring more than 15+ of Fortune 500 experience across leadership, strategy, finance, commercial operations, and organizational transformation. I currently serve as a Managing Director at GE HealthCare and have held leadership roles across GE HealthCare and GE Capital, with earlier experience at Amazon. Throughout my career, I have led high-impact initiatives, worked directly with senior executives, developed teams and emerging leaders, and helped professionals navigate career growth, organizational change, and increasingly complex leadership responsibilities. I also bring an academic perspective as a Kellogg MBA and Harvard Master’s in Finance, and I have provided professional development and training to graduate students at Northwestern Kellogg and Harvard. My coaching is practical and highly individualized: I help clients strengthen executive presence, navigate career transitions, communicate more effectively with senior leadership, build influence, and develop a clear strategy for reaching the next level of their careers.

I bring more than 13 years of experience leading, developing, and mentoring professionals across nonprofit organizations, government, healthcare, behavioral health, and criminal justice. As a senior executive, I led multi-state operations encompassing 16 programs, more than 350 employees, and approximately $20 million in responsibility. I later served as Chief Operating Officer for two nonprofit organizations, where I developed leaders, aligned teams around strategic priorities, strengthened organizational culture and accountability, and guided employees through growth and change. Today, as a Colorado state legislator, I lead in a complex environment where progress depends on building coalitions, communicating across differences, exercising sound judgment, and influencing people over whom I have no direct authority. This experience has strengthened my ability to help leaders navigate competing priorities, build trust, and move people toward shared objectives. Drawing on this experience and my master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Management, I help emerging and established leaders assess where they are, clarify the leader they want to become, and develop practical strategies for getting there. My coaching focuses on strengthening communication and decision-making, navigating difficult conversations, recruiting and retaining talent, motivating teams, establishing accountability, and translating organizational strategy into coordinated action.

Leadership development is more than acquiring skills. It’s about cultivating the vision, empathy, and strategic mindset that inspire others and drive meaningful progress. My approach to leadership development focuses on helping individuals harness their unique strengths while expanding key competencies like conflict resolution, effective communication, and team empowerment. Together, we build a foundation in core areas such as organizational structure, project management, and work-life balance to create sustainable leadership practices that prevent burnout for leaders and their teams. I guide clients in finding their authentic leadership voice, teaching them to manage up effectively and protect their team from overload. With a commitment to growth metrics, I help leaders track their progress, fostering confidence and clarity in their roles. The result is a well-rounded, resilient leader prepared to make a lasting impact.

I bring over a decade of experience guiding leaders through personal and professional transformation. With a background in education, leadership, and systems thinking, I’ve worked with founders, executives, and emerging leaders to help them lead from a place of alignment, emotional intelligence, and strategic clarity. My coaching is presence-based and people-centered. I create reflective, energizing spaces where clients can pause the noise, reconnect with their purpose, and lead with renewed confidence. Whether you’re scaling a venture, navigating change, or stepping into a bigger role—you don’t need more noise. You need the right questions, a clear mirror, and someone who believes in what you’re capable of creating.

Coached +100 leaders from initial stages of their careers to General Managers or Executive commitees members, from big multinational environments to family businesses. Understanding their potential and helping them to develop new skills and what is already inside them.

Welcome to my profile! Leaders face complex and novel challenges everyday. Having a coach as a thought partner and sounding board is a powerful tool to help you build confidence, embrace your strengths, identify blind spots, and take back your time, so you show up your most powerful, authentic, and inspiring self. Whether you are new to leading people or have been leading teams for years, I work with clients to level-up their leadership to have more impact, create better boundaries, and lead their teams to success. Let's connect and explore how I can help you get lead with more impact and balance!

Welcome! With over 15 years of experience as a leader and executive, I specialize in transforming high-potential leaders into boardroom-ready executives. As the Founder of Surko Coaching, I have partnered with numerous leaders to enhance their executive presence, mental resilience, and strategic decision-making skills. My approach is rooted in practical strategies and behavioral shifts, helping clients overcome self-limiting beliefs and achieve sustainable success. Previously, as a Chief Experience Officer and Senior Vice President at high growth startup companies like Flowcode and Bluecore, I have driven significant organizational growth and team development. Let's work together to unlock your leadership potential and achieve your career goals!

I specialize in helping current and aspiring academic leaders gain the clarity, confidence, and strategic focus needed to create meaningful impact in their institutions and communities. I coach vice provosts, deans, associate deans, CIOs, deputy CIOs, directors, department chairs, and other higher‑education leaders across a wide range of universities. I also support public sector leaders through the University of Kansas Public Management Center (KU PMC), including city managers, municipal staff teams, and elected officials. Grounded in 27+ years of experience in higher education administration working closely with leaders in Chancellor, President, and Provost Offices, as well as Finance, Faculty Affairs & Development, Information Services, Institutional Research & Planning, and Public Affairs & Administration. Deep understanding of university administration, organizational dynamics, and the leadership challenges unique to academia and government. Common coaching outcomes include: • Strengthening leadership presence • Navigating complex organizational structures • Managing time and strategic priorities • Developing and empowering teams • Enhancing communication and influence • Delegating effectively • Supervising professional staff • Cultivating work/life wellbeing • Leading through change and uncertainty Committed to creating environments where people can thrive and to helping leaders model curiosity, reflection, accountability, and growth. My coaching style blends inquiry, challenge, and practical strategy to support sustainable leadership development. I am a Board Certified Executive Coach, and an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach, with membership in the ICF Heartland Chapter. I am a certified administrator of the Influence Style Indicator, Emotional Intelligence EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360, and Emergenetics International communication styles. Beyond coaching, I present and consult nationally on leadership, organizational change, wellbeing & burnout, professional development, strengths‑based leadership, strategic planning, team building, and process improvement. I am an experienced facilitator across in‑person, virtual, hybrid, synchronous, and asynchronous formats—from short learning modules to full‑day retreats. Clients and colleagues describe me as a trusted relationship‑builder who works effectively across diverse roles, identities, and levels of influence. Let's talk soon to start creating the future for YOU!