Executive Coaching

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.

Welcome to my profile! With extensive experience in talent acquisition and recruitment at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Zoom, I specialize in helping executives and professionals navigate their career paths and achieve their goals. As the Principal of Hollestelle Holdings, I have partnered with industry leaders such as Allstate, Cisco, and RingCentral to develop tailored growth strategies. My background in People Analytics from The Wharton School further enhances my ability to provide data-driven insights and personalized coaching. Whether you're looking to advance in your current role or transition to a new opportunity, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and create a plan for your success!

🏆 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.

I'm an executive coach for founders and senior product and product marketing leaders, and a former Product Management executive. 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 a Product Management executive, 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.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with senior leaders and executives on strategic decisions, new business opportunities, partnerships, and organizational priorities. I’ve regularly worked across functions and with senior stakeholders to navigate complex issues and make important decisions. I bring a practical, strategic perspective and enjoy helping people step back from the day-to-day, challenge their thinking, and find clarity around difficult decisions and opportunities.

Transform your global leadership impact: Former CEO & Board Member who led 40+ countries now coaches executives through international challenges. Master stakeholder dynamics, cross-cultural teams & executive presence with proven strategies. My 25-year journey from engineer to CEO to Global Executive Board Member taught me that exceptional leadership transcends borders and cultures. Through our coaching partnership, I help you develop the sophisticated capabilities that today's interconnected business world demands—whether you're stepping into your first international management role or elevating your global executive presence. My track record speaks to the challenges you face: I've doubled international sales while transforming organizations, negotiated with Fortune 500 giants like General Electric and DaimlerChrysler, and led successful turnarounds across Europe, Americas, and Asia. Fluent in four languages and seasoned across American directness, German precision, and Asian relationship-building, I bring nuanced understanding to the invisible dynamics that determine global leadership success. I specialize in coaching executives who must unite diverse teams, influence complex stakeholder networks, and deliver results across cultural boundaries. Together, we'll develop your authentic style that commands respect in any boardroom—from Silicon Valley to Tokyo. Through powerful questions and real-world frameworks, I help you navigate the paradoxes of global leadership: when to standardize versus localize, how to build trust across time zones, and ways to turn cultural differences into competitive advantages. Industries I have served: Automotive, chemical, bearing, wood, food, marine, oil & gas, steel, cement, mining, pharmaceuticals, mining, pulp & paper, textile, rail and wind power. Countries where I have managed personnel: Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, UK, GB, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Turkey, South Africa, India, Vietnam, Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia. I do coaching in English, German, French and Spanish language.

I help leaders perform at a higher level without losing themselves in the process. Over the past 25+ years, I've led teams, products, and strategic initiatives across technology and energy companies, and today I serve as VP of Product at Mainspring Energy, where I work at the intersection of business strategy, product development, organizational leadership, and executive decision-making. Throughout my career, I've hired, mentored, and coached leaders at every stage from high-potential individual contributors preparing for their first leadership role to experienced executives navigating complex organizational challenges. My coaching combines practical leadership experience with a deep focus on personal performance. I'm passionate about helping people develop greater clarity, confidence, resilience, and influence so they can lead more effectively, accelerate their careers, and achieve meaningful goals. Whether you're navigating a promotion, managing difficult stakeholders, building a high-performing team, improving executive presence, or figuring out what comes next in your career, I bring a thoughtful, candid, and results-oriented approach. Outside of work, I'm an endurance athlete, marathoner, and performance enthusiast who believes that many of the same principles that drive success in sports (discipline, mental toughness, self-awareness, and consistent execution) also drive success in leadership and life. My goal is to help clients unlock their potential, tackle challenges with confidence, and become the kind of leader others want to follow.

Welcome to my profile! With a robust background in leadership roles across top-tier companies like Boston Consulting Group, BlackRock, and Kraken, I bring a wealth of experience in strategic operations and financial management. My journey includes founding and scaling successful ventures, such as ConsenSys Academy, and leading global operations at Kraken, where I oversaw significant growth and strategic planning. As an executive coach, I've guided professionals through pivotal career transitions, leveraging my expertise in corporate strategy and operations to help them achieve their goals. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership skills or navigate complex business challenges, I'm here to provide tailored support. Let's connect and chart a path to your success!

I’m qualified to coach executives because my work combines organizational psychology with real-world leadership experience. I’ve completed the Groupworks Executive Coaching Training program and am actively accumulating hours toward ICF certification, so my practice is grounded in the latest evidence-based executive coaching methods. I’ve worked with leaders navigating promotions, first-time executive roles, organizational change, and high-stakes decisions. I understand the pressures executives face — unclear priorities, competing demands, political dynamics, and decisions that impact teams and business outcomes. My coaching is structured, practical, and outcome-focused. Executives leave sessions with clarity on priorities, frameworks for decision-making, strategies for stakeholder influence, and measurable progress in how they lead. I help bridge the gap between insight and action so leaders can perform confidently under pressure.

With 27 years in tech—leading global product teams at Microsoft and Salesforce, and founding my own startup—I’ve experienced just about every challenge a leader can face. Over the years, I have coached more than 100 people, including startup founders, corporate executives, and rising women leaders. My coaching approach is simple: I don't just give advice from a textbook. I combine real-world business strategy with structured coaching tools to help you work on your personal leadership style, improve how you communicate, and handle team dynamics smoothly. Having managed teams of over 60 people across different countries, I know how lonely and overwhelming it can feel to deal with office politics and rapid growth. On a personal note, I’m also a mom who has successfully guided her own children toward world-class academic achievements (including Stanford), so I truly understand how to encourage high performance while maintaining deep empathy, balance, and resilience. Whether you are a new manager trying to find your footing, a senior executive wanting to build a better team culture, or someone working hard to break through a career ceiling, I am here to give you a clear, supportive space and the practical tools to help you succeed.