Chief of Staff Coaches

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.

I can coach on the Chief of Staff role because I’ve held the position myself for two years and am active in the Chief of Staff Network. Having both firsthand experience and insight from interviewing for multiple Chief of Staff roles previously, I deeply understand the nuances, expectations, and pathways to success in this position. I'd love to help you select a role, prepare for an interview, or uplevel your skillset.

I’ve built and scaled teams at the highest levels of private equity–backed companies, where the Chief of Staff role is pivotal to aligning executives, driving priorities, and ensuring execution. With my background as a Stanford MBA and President/COO, and as a former CoS myself, I understand how exceptional Chiefs of Staff operate—and what separates a trusted strategic partner from a task manager. I coach both aspiring and current Chiefs of Staff on how to structure the role, build trust with executives, and translate vision into action. From setting up operating cadences and managing board prep to driving cross-functional initiatives, my approach blends practical playbooks with leadership insights. You’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to add measurable value from day one and grow into your next leadership opportunity.

I'm a two-time chief of staff who has navigated the gamut of the role in both Private Equity and Venture Capital backed companies. From managing executives to leading through difficult company events to bringing special projects to life, I've built up a strong CoS toolkit. In my first CoS role, I successfully transitioned from CoS to our VP of Partnerships of Operations in only 9 months. As a Stanford MBA graduate, I served as a leadership coach and helped students to find their management style. I have successfully coached half a dozen individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of the Chief of Staff role and achieve their career goals. Let's connect to explore how I can support your professional journey!

Welcome to my profile! With a diverse background spanning strategic roles at top companies like LinkedIn and Dropbox, and as a former founder/CEO myself, I bring a wealth of experience to my coaching. Currently, as Chief of Staff at Atomic AI, I work at the cutting edge of machine learning and structural biology. My journey has equipped me with the skills to guide aspiring Chiefs of Staff in crafting the right narrative. There is no right path to become a CoS, but having an understanding of the role can help take diverse work experiences and tailor them to what your principal may be looking for. Having coached nearly 20 individuals on networking strategies, negotiations, and zeroing on the right opportunities, I have the right experience to help you get to the next rung in your career ladder and beyond. Reach out to do an initial call and we can go from there!

I’ve spent much of my career working closely with leadership in fast-moving technology companies like Google and Airbnb, often at the intersection of strategy, communication, and execution. Along the way, I’ve also experienced the startup journey firsthand - working at an early-stage company that later had a successful exit to Airbnb and now advising an AI startup as it navigates growth. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the Chief of Staff role: a position that requires judgment, discretion, and the ability to hold both the strategic and human dynamics of an organization at once. I enjoy helping aspiring and current Chiefs of Staff grow into that kind of leadership and become trusted advisors to the executives they support.

When I stepped into the Chief of Staff role at Microsoft after my years at BCG, I quickly learned that it’s one of the most multifaceted jobs in a company. In my role I oversaw financial planning, strategic initiatives, HR partnerships, and internal operations, while also serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. I had to constantly balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day execution and influence without formal authority. Because of this experience, I understand the unique challenges Chiefs of Staff face: shaping strategy while staying behind the scenes, navigating complex relationships, prioritizing in the face of endless demands, and growing into broader leadership roles. This is why I coach aspiring and new Chiefs of Staff, helping them build confidence, clarify their role, and develop the skills to succeed in a position that can often feel ambiguous but is also a powerful career accelerator.