Executive Coaching, Events, and Resources

As an Executive Coach, I bring a rare blend of global leadership experience, entrepreneurial success, and deep personal development insights. With over 15 years driving growth at companies like Amazon, Unilever, and Ford, I understand the pressures executives face. My journey spans corporate boardrooms and startup ventures, including founding and scaling businesses in New York and Asia. As the President of the HBS Association of Southern California, I lead professional development for thousands of top-tier executives. My coaching is uniquely informed by this breadth of experience, coupled with certifications from Erickson Coaching International and a General Management Program from Harvard Business School. I specialize in helping leaders break through limitations, master resilience, and align their personal and professional purpose. Clients value my ability to combine strategic business acumen with a human-centric approach. I empower executives to lead with clarity, foster high-performance teams, and navigate complexity with confidence. My coaching unlocks lasting transformation, enabling leaders to thrive in both their careers and lives.

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!

As a Certified Integral Coach® and ICF Associate Certified Coach, I specialize in helping senior executives, founders, and emerging leaders achieve success that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. My coaching method integrates deep systems thinking, symbolic intelligence, and vertical skill development. My signature Sacred Filter™ framework also helps my clients accelerate clarity, alignment, and sustainable growth. It has enabled me to guide C-suite leaders through M&A, corporate strategy, succession planning, executive communication, team management, board relations, leadership development, and beyond. Most of my engagements span 6–12 months, reflecting my commitment to real transformation rather than quick fixes. My clients have included CEOs with 20+ years of C-suite experience, SVP-level executives, nonprofit directors, and high-growth tech founders from organizations including IBM, Wells Fargo, Deloitte, and Headspace. If you're navigating an inflection point, building executive presence, or simply ready to lead with more authenticity, strategy, and purpose, I can help you unlock the next evolution of your leadership—and your life.

Former VP of Strategy & Transformation, BCG Project Leader, and Kellogg MBA with 20+ years leading at the highest levels of corporate strategy. I’ve navigated CEO transitions, driven multi-billion-dollar growth strategies, and led enterprise-wide transformations. I coach leaders to accelerate impact, influence effectively, and navigate complex challenges with confidence—drawing on real-world executive experience to deliver practical, actionable guidance.

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.

Hi there, I'm Brian. I've been trained at the Center for Executive Coaching, and have worked with leaders at every level to help them create culture, define and implement strategic initiatives, and take consistent action to become and achieve. You have all the information you could ever want at your fingertips; what you likely need to get to the next level is a partner outside your organization to help you tactically apply what you already know. That's where I come in. As a leader, you are the message. So what do the people around you hear? I work with you on your pressing issues so that you send the message you want to send by refining who you are. My approach is centered around asking powerful questions that reveal truths and help you navigate your unique challenges. In addition to my private practice, I have institutional experience from my roles at Crumbl Cookies and at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in preparing individuals for strategic roles in a global context. Let's work together to elevate your leadership potential and drive success in your career. Reach out to start your journey today!

🏆 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 a tech operator turned leadership coach with experience leading teams at Meta, Microsoft, and fast-paced startups. I’m also a startup investor and advisor, giving me a front-row seat to the challenges founders and early leaders face. I deeply understand the complexities of managing people, building strategy, and gaining alignment across organizations. As a coach, I help leaders identify growth areas, uncover internal and external blockers, and develop clear, practical plans. My style is grounded in real experience—practical, compassionate, and always non-judgmental.

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.

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. As a former executive turned coach, I know firsthand the challenges facing senior leaders and executives today. You have a wealth of experience but need a thought partner and a sounding board to give you needed perspective. Let's connect and explore how we can partner together to achieve your goals!