Leadership Coaching & Resources

If you’re a leader who feels stretched thin, unsure how to inspire your team, or stuck in unproductive patterns, I’ll help you build the skills and self-awareness to lead with greater impact. We’ll work on practical strategies for managing your team, communicating clearly, and creating balance — while also tackling the inner critic that can undermine your confidence. My clients learn how to handle burnout, strengthen relationships with their teams and peers, and develop a leadership style that feels authentic. We also focus on learning how to give and receive effective feedback. The result: more effective, resilient leadership that drives results without sacrificing your wellbeing.

I'm an experienced leader with almost a decade of progressive leadership experience in executive roles in startups and social impact. I was the COO of a YCombinator-backed startup (a leading Democratic political software company), which was acquired by ActBlue in 2025; I was previously the Chief of Staff for the same company, and have served as a fractional Chief of Staff for a number of other startups. I've worked directly with numerous CEOs and executive teams, with a range of leadership styles. I've also directly managed many many staff members over the years, many of them managers themselves. My interest in "people science" and leadership is rooted in my undergrad studies in Sociology at Harvard; I focused on organizational sociology with a minor in psychology, intently focused on human behavior at work and how leaders can maximize both performance and empathy. I've gone on to both formally and informally coach a number of leaders - my own direct reports, peers, and many junior staffers taking their first leadership role. I've also worked to develop a formal leadership training course for young leaders in the social impact space. My academic background, lived experience as a Chief of Staff and startup COO, and significant time spent coaching and mentoring, are the pillars of my coaching expertise. My leadership coaching mentality is rooted in listening/empathy, frank and direct feedback, and actionable advice that can lead to tangible progress in your particular leadership goal.

Unlock your full potential with Dr. Fernando, an accomplished higher education leader and certified professional coach with over 20 years of experience across three prestigious Big Ten universities. Renowned for his exceptional ITIL expertise and PMI-certified project management skills, Dr. Fernando has partnered with global giants like Hewlett Packard to transform Fortune 500 companies, certifying over 750 technology professionals. With a rich educational background, including a Ph.D. from Oxford University and an MBA from Michigan State University, Dr. Fernando marries academic excellence with real-world experience. His coaching approach, rooted in inquiry and self-realization, empowers individuals to make intentional choices that drive success. Beyond the boardroom and classroom, Dr. Fernando's passions for gardening, globe-trotting, youth soccer coaching, and artistic wheel-throwing enrich his holistic coaching philosophy. As a dedicated advocate for social justice, and actively involved in supporting refugee communities, he brings a compassionate, multifaceted perspective to his coaching practice. Whether you're seeking to elevate your career, enhance team dynamics, or achieve personal growth, Dr. Fernando offers a pathway to integrate the best parts of yourself into a fulfilling and balanced life. Embrace the opportunity to grow with a coach who understands that true success transcends the conventional work-life divide.

Welcome to my profile! With over 15 years of experience in leadership roles at top companies like Adobe, VMware, and Accenture, I specialize in guiding professionals to excel in their leadership journeys. As a people-first leader, I’ve built and scaled high-performing teams—hiring, coaching, promoting, and when needed, making difficult decisions around transitions and exits with empathy and integrity. I thrive in fast-paced, data-driven environments and lead with clarity, customer empathy, and a strong bias for execution. As the Head of Product Partnerships & GTM at Adobe, I have honed my skills in strategic thinking and team leadership, which I now leverage to help my clients develop their own leadership capabilities. My background in product marketing and management consulting equips me with a unique perspective on navigating complex business environments and driving impactful change. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills or transition into a leadership role, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's connect and chart a path to your leadership success!

Expert in working through shyness, imposter syndrome, and other "confidence" related topics. To find my voice and navigate my imposter syndrome, I had to reckon with myself and the dynamics around me in fast-paced, quantitative fields (e.g., consulting, politics, "startup" dynamics) and highly competitive academic or performance-focused environments (Harvard, Williams, Juilliard). My expertise in leadership development is linked with my own development arc (connecting with my courage, understanding why my shyness was so sticky) as well as my experience coaching others through their personal and professional challenges and at their growth edges. Growing up, in school and in work, I was constantly told to "be more confident" or "speak up more". Though well intentioned, this feedback missed the deep work below the surface, including the big assumptions about the world and my place in it that I needed to debunk. My training in human development and leadership development from experience at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Graduate School of Education was fodder for my own leadership development arc as well as my early experience coaching and supporting others on their development arcs. I've facilitated workshops on developing agency, coached young people and adults on professional improvement goals (including goals related to executive functioning), and facilitated conversations among strangers about leadership challenges. I feel most useful to the world when I'm helping people find their voices, reconnect with their imaginations, and renegotiate loyalties with their communities to feel more empowered.

My coaching comes from the trenches. As a founder and recovering burnt-out overachiever, I deeply understand the challenges you face as you build your company and yourself. I leave the BS behind — drawing instead on repeatable tools and methodologies from ancient wisdom and modern science, which we use to co-create a custom plan for your success. My training & certifications: - Coaches Rising: The Power of Embodied Transformation (in progress) - Peak Performance Coach certified through Heroic (2021) - Other modalities I am trained in: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership from the Conscious Leadership Group, Internal Family Systems

I have developed leaders from all levels at Fortune 100 companies. I've guided and coached managers, directors, vice presidents and chief executives. Most Fortune 500 companies promote people because they are good at the tactical jobs, but often don't train and develop leadership skills. I've done this for dozens of leaders within my organizations and with dozens of clients at companies like Google, Facebook, Apple, Linkedin, Netflix, Zappos and more. Leadership and executive presence goes beyond authority and control. It comes down to effective communication, building influence, inspiring trust and motivation. Without these elements, we manage things. If we can embody these things, we become leaders of people. I will help you and challenge you to get over any fears, limiting beliefs and anxiety to become a confident and authentic leader that teaches you to lean into your strengths and embrace your opportunities. Messy action is better than no action. If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in leadership and product management, I am passionate about helping professionals unlock their potential and achieve their career goals. I specialize in leadership coaching, guiding clients to define clear goals, explore new career paths, and develop essential skills such as effective communication and managing teams. My diverse background includes roles at top companies like Meta, LinkedIn, and Microsoft, where I led teams and drove strategic initiatives. Additionally, I provide coaching for mid-career women in product management through Women in Product. I also coach as part of an international career accelerator and advise founders in a startup accelerator. Let's work together to help you lead authentically.

Hello and welcome to my profile! With over a decade of experience in engineering leadership roles at top tech companies like Instacart and LinkedIn, I specialize in developing high-performance teams and driving growth through strategic leadership. At Instacart, I lead engineering teams focused on user acquisition and retention, while at LinkedIn, I rebuilt and scaled the CRM platform team, contributing significantly to a billion-dollar business. My journey from Software Engineer to Director of Engineering has equipped me with the skills to foster great team culture and align cross-functional strategies for impactful results. If you're looking to enhance your leadership skills and drive success in your organization, let's connect and create a tailored development plan for you!

Welcome to my profile! With a rich background in leadership development and career coaching, I am dedicated to helping individuals unlock their full potential and achieve their professional goals. I hold an Executive Leadership Coaching certification from Harvard University and have extensive experience as a Professional Certified Coach, guiding clients through pivotal career transitions and personal growth. My work at prestigious organizations like Boston Consulting Group and Procter & Gamble has equipped me with the skills to coach individuals on career management, leadership, and mental health at work. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills or navigate a career change, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Let's connect and create a tailored plan for your success!