Chief of Staff Coaches, Events, and Resources

I'm currently Chief of Staff to the CEO of a private equity-backed global software company, where I lead cross-functional initiatives spanning AI strategy, long-range planning, board and investor governance, corporate development, and executive decision support. Before stepping into this role, I spent nearly a decade at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), advising Fortune 500 CEOs and executive teams on many of the same challenges Chiefs of Staff are hired to tackle: strategy development, transformation, organizational design, operating model effectiveness, and executive alignment. What makes the Chief of Staff role unique is that success depends on far more than strategy skills. The best Chiefs of Staff know how to influence without authority, manage competing priorities, build trust with senior leaders, navigate ambiguity, and help CEOs operate more effectively. These are skills that are rarely taught but are often what determine who gets hired and who succeeds. Whether you're exploring a transition into a Chief of Staff role, preparing for interviews, evaluating opportunities, or looking to accelerate your effectiveness in a current role, I can help you understand what CEOs and hiring managers are actually looking for, position your experience effectively, and develop the skills required to thrive in the seat. The Chief of Staff role can be one of the most rewarding and career-accelerating positions in business. I'll help you approach it with clarity, confidence, and a realistic understanding of what it takes to succeed.

I was the first business hire and chief of staff at Bedrock Energy, a Series A geothermal energy company. I managed to recruit for this role (as well as many other CoS positions) with 2.5 years of experience from a smaller, lesser-known consulting firm in part because of how I showcased *fit*. Non-technical / generalist roles are all about fit, which can vary based on company size or stage, CoS / principal relationship, and industry. Even as a non-technical hire, I was able to highlight my background in climate and sustainability, analytical skills, and do-it-all mentality (a good fit for an early-stage company). I'm happy to help folks recruiting for CoS / BizOps roles or early CoS's who want support thriving in a new role / company. Feel free to set up an intro call to see if I can be helpful!

Inaugural Chief of Staff to Founder & Group CEO of OakNorth Bank UK ($2.8B valuation) Special Projects for the CEO, Jump.ai

As a former Chief of Staff to Zoom’s C-suite, I help ambitious professionals break into the Chief of Staff role and succeed once they’re there. Together, we’ll position your experience to stand out in the hiring process and prepare you to hit the ground running. From application strategy to executive presence, I’ll guide you in landing—and excelling at—the Chief of Staff job of your dreams.

Breaking into startups is harder than it looks: the roles are often unlisted, the processes are inconsistent, and your background (MBA, Consulting, IB, etc.) doesn't automatically qualify you the way you'd expect. During my MBA at Kellogg, I recruited for BizOps, Chief of Staff, and Strategic Projects roles across ~15 startups, ultimately accepting a Chief of Staff offer at Arch, a Series B FinTech. Before that, at Human Capital, I worked directly with startup recruiters to place talent across a Series A–D portfolio so I understand what hiring managers are actually looking for, and how to succeed in an interview process. I help MBAs, consultants, and operators with: - Positioning your background for generalist startup roles - Building and executing a networking strategy to get into roles - Resume and application prep that speaks the startup hiring language - Interview prep for long, ambiguous, multi-stage startup processes If you're trying to break into a BizOps or Chief of Staff role at a startup, book a free intro call.

With extensive experience in strategic leadership and operational excellence, I am exceptionally qualified to serve as a Chief of Staff Coach on Leland, guiding professionals seeking to excel in this pivotal role. My background includes over 11 years as a Naval Officer, culminating in my position as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Navy Chief of Legislative Affairs, who reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. In this capacity, I collaborated closely with US Senators/Congressmen and Senate/House Committee staff, managing high-stakes legislative initiatives and ensuring alignment across executive branches. Complementing this, my five years in product management at leading tech companies such as Amazon, LinkedIn, and Guideline have refined my expertise in cross-functional coordination, strategic planning, and driving organizational priorities to achieve measurable results. As a coach, I am dedicated to empowering people to break into the Chief of Staff role and enhance their strategic leadership capabilities. My approach draws from proven experience as a strategic partner in executive stakeholder management, optimizing operational workflows, and delivering high-impact organizational outcomes in dynamic environments. By providing tailored guidance on frameworks such as OKRs, stakeholder mapping, and strategic communication, I equip people with the tools to articulate their value, build executive trust, and navigate complex challenges effectively. My commitment is to offer people actionable strategies and personalized mentorship to realize their Chief of Staff aspirations with confidence and precision.

Chief of Staff to Global Managing Partner at McKinsey

Over the better part of a decade, I've done nearly every kind of work that falls under the Chief of Staff umbrella — across media, government, and the nonprofit sector. At the White House, I managed executive logistics and high-stakes international engagements for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. At DHS, I led appointee hiring and management across the Department — including FEMA, TSA, and other components — before being promoted to Chief of Staff for the Office of Policy. In media, I served as Chief of Staff for Politico Live and later as Executive Director of Operations at Protocol. I now serve as Chief of Staff at a national nonprofit. Across all of it, the throughline has been the same: getting handed an ambiguous, high-stakes mandate — do X by Y date, with Z resources, no playbook — and being trusted to build the plan and execute it. That range is exactly what makes me useful as a coach. Most Chief of Staff advice comes from people who've only seen the role in one context. I've operated inside newsrooms, federal agencies, and mission-driven organizations, which means I can help you separate what's universal about the job (earning trust with a principal, operating across a whole org without a functional lane, translating ambiguity into a plan) from what's specific to any one industry. Whether you're trying to land your first Chief of Staff role or you're already in the seat and want to expand your scope and grow your influence, I'd love to help — bringing the same practical, get-it-done approach to coaching that I bring to the job itself.

With over a decade of leadership and operational experience, I help people sharpen their professional presence, build effective career strategies, and position themselves to land the Chief of Staff role they’re aiming for. After my MBA, I joined a seed-stage AI startup in the political tech space. Startups are never easy, but ours faced unique challenges: navigating election-cycle swings, operating within a complex procurement system, and building trust with AI skeptics—not to mention the backdrop of political headwinds. While my experience was in a niche market, the lessons I learned apply everywhere, such as exercising judgment to prioritize what matters, finding clarity amid ambiguity, and adapting to solve problems you’ve never faced before. The Chief of Staff role is demanding but deeply rewarding, equipping you with the skills to thrive and lead in any environment. I know what it takes, and I’d love to help you get there.

Welcome to my profile! I bring a diverse background that spans startups, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits, giving me a unique perspective on the Chief of Staff role across industries and stages of growth. My experience covers finance, tech, consumer, telecom, education, and the nonprofit sector, where I’ve worked in roles ranging from investment analyst and business consultant to international marketing lead, founder, and Chief of Staff. As a coach, I help aspiring and current Chiefs of Staff navigate the wide-ranging responsibilities of the role—strategic advising, communications, partner development, and organizational leadership. Having worn many hats myself, I know firsthand what it takes to succeed in a role that requires adaptability, clear thinking, and strong execution. Here's a brief and partial overview of my experience: * Types of companies: startups -> Fortune 500 and everything in between * Industry sectors: Finance, tech, consumer, telecomm, education, non profit * Roles: international marketing, channel/partner development, business consultant, Chief of Staff, investment analyst, editor, writer, communications (marketing, executive, corporate, product), founder (nonprofit, consumer start up), group facilitator, forecasting/product planning, writer, editor, go-to-market, educator * Worked and lived in: US, Asia, Europe (with regional responsibility including Africa, Middle East) Whether you’re preparing for your first Chief of Staff role or looking to maximize impact in your current one, I’ll share practical tools and insights to help you thrive. I am passionate about helping aspiring Chief of Staff professionals craft compelling applications that highlight their unique strengths and experiences. Let's work together to navigate your path to success!