Chief of Staff Coaches, Events, and Resources

As a Chief of Staff to 8 different C-level executives and a strategic leader, I've honed my skills in driving organizational transformation and operational efficiency. My experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Stitch Fix, where I led through two CEO transitions and managed internal communications and change management across the enterprise. At Google, I was part of the Office of the CEO's Proactive Issue Management team, handling responses to global and social crises. As a founder and CEO of my own advising firm, I am passionate about helping leaders integrate technology and people effectively. In all my CoS roles, I was the first and established the precedent and then grew to lead the Strategy or Business Operations function as a whole. If you're looking to excel in a Chief of Staff role or enhance your strategic impact, let's connect and explore how I can support your journey!

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.

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!

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 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!

I came into the Chief of Staff role the same way many people do: excited by the promise of impact, but unsure what the job actually demanded day to day. I quickly realized that success as a CoS isn’t about having the title, but about judgment, trust, and knowing how to operate in ambiguity without burning out or overstepping. I’m currently a Chief of Staff at a digital health startup, partnering closely with the CEO on strategy, execution, and company management. Before that, I worked in a pseudo–Chief of Staff role at lululemon Studio (formerly MIRROR), supporting senior leaders across strategy and operations during a period of rapid change. Alongside my own roles, I was deliberate about learning the craft from others: I spoke with 20+ Chiefs of Staff to understand what actually makes the role work (and what quietly derails it), and interviewed 20+ founders before choosing my own CEO partnership. I also stay closely connected with a core group of Chiefs of Staff, regularly trading notes on what’s hard, what’s changing, and what really matters. I coach the way I wish I’d been coached early on: less mythology about the role, more clarity about how to show up well. My goal is to help Chiefs of Staff land the role with intention, ramp with confidence, and become trusted partners to their executives without losing themselves in the process.

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.

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!

Being an effective Chief of Staff is tough. You are spinning multiple plates in a complex and fast changing environment. Let me help you on your coaching journey as you continue to grow and refine your leadership style in the role. It can be such an exciting and rewarding role!

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.