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Best Executive Coaches in San Francisco
San Francisco Executive Coaching Services
Executive coaching has become the new leadership currency in the San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley metro area. From tech founders in SoMa to finance leaders in the East Bay and policy professionals in Berkeley, the demand for executive coaching reflects the Bay Area’s continuous pursuit of growth, agility, and authenticity in leadership.
San Francisco isn’t just a hub for technology and venture capital—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem of transformation. In this environment, executive coaches are not simply advisors; they’re catalysts for human potential. They guide leaders to manage complexity, communicate with clarity, and lead through rapid change skills that define the city’s entrepreneurial DNA.
At Digital Reference, the mission is to connect professionals with coaches who deliver measurable outcomes. Each name below represents a leader in the executive coaching community—people who have not only mastered their craft but also understand the emotional and organizational nuances that drive success in high-stakes environments.
Before we dive in, explore our resources on how to select the right executive coach and why leadership coaching matters more than ever; both are written to help HR and business leaders invest wisely in talent development.
Our Methodology - SF & Bay Area Executive Coaches
At Digital Reference, we’ve developed a research-driven methodology to curate the top executive coaches across major metros. Our process involves:
✅ Coaching credentials and certifications
✅ Years of experience and areas of specialization
✅ Client impact and measurable success stories
✅ Presence in the San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley region
✅ Contributions to the HR, leadership, and coaching ecosystem
This list features freelance professionals, independent coaches, and firm-based consultants who stand out from the competition in leadership development.
Featured San Francisco Executive Coaches
🔶 Michael ("Coop") Cooper
Founder, Innovator, and Executive Coach
🔗 LinkedIn / High Performance Orgs
Michael “Coop” Cooper is a leadership innovator who bridges creativity with strategy. Known for his ability to help teams navigate change and reframe how they see challenges, Coop brings a neuroscience-informed approach to executive development.
💡 What makes him unique:
🧠 Focuses on emotional intelligence and team alignment
🎯 Uses frameworks that blend cognitive psychology with business growth
💬 Known for transformative leadership off-sites and organizational culture workshops\
His work has shaped leaders across Silicon Valley’s top firms, helping executives unlock their full potential by identifying hidden performance barriers. Coop’s philosophy is simple yet profound: transform organizations by transforming how people think.
🔶 Patricia Fripp
Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker
🔗 LinkedIn
A legend in the world of communication, Patricia Fripp is more than a coach—she’s an architect of powerful storytelling. As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and past president of the National Speakers Association, Patricia helps executives refine their message, elevate their presence, and deliver impact from the boardroom to the stage.
✨ Highlights:
🗣 Trusted by Fortune 500 leaders and high-profile executives
💼 Expert in executive presence, storytelling, and leadership influence
📈 Proven results in improving communication outcomes across industries
Her approach aligns perfectly with San Francisco’s culture of influence through authenticity—a quality every modern leader needs.
🔶 Jerome Imhoff
Career & Executive Coach, The Empowerment Coach
With a foundation in psychology and leadership training, Jerome Imhoff focuses on unlocking the inner leader. His coaching style blends deep empathy with practical tools to help professionals navigate change, build confidence, and lead authentically.
🌟 What clients love:
🌱 Integrative coaching that blends life purpose and professional strategy
🎯 Specializes in leadership transitions, career clarity, and executive confidence
💡 Brings a calm, grounded presence that encourages growth through reflection
Jerome’s clients often describe their experienced as transformative and human-centered, a reflection of San Francisco’s values of purpose-driven success.
🔶 Joel Garfinkle
Executive Coach & Author, Garfinkle Executive Coaching
A nationally recognized name in executive development, Joel Garfinkle has coached leaders at Google, Deloitte, and Cisco. Known for his “Advancing Your Career” framework, Joel helps clients strengthen executive presence, visibility, and influence.
🏆 Key Highlights:
📚 Author of multiple bestsellers, including Getting Ahead
💼 Expertise in career advancement, succession planning, and leadership confidence
🎯 Trusted by Fortune 500 executives and emerging leaders alike
Joel’s pragmatic coaching style resonates with San Francisco’s results-oriented business culture—helping ambitious professionals rise faster and lead smarter.
🔶 Glenn R. Tobe
Executive Coach for Directors
With decades of leadership experience, Glenn R. Tobe specializes in helping organizations translate values into behaviors. His consulting work with Fortune 100 companies has made him a trusted name in transformational leadership and emotional intelligence.
💡 Areas of focus:
💬 Leadership communication and executive team alignment
🌍 Emotional intelligence and purpose-driven culture
🧩 Deep insight into behavioral leadership models
Glenn’s coaching helps executives lead effectively but inspire sustainably—a message that resonates deeply in the Bay Area’s culture of mindful innovation.
🔶 Judd Antin
Executive Coach & Founder, Judd Antin Consulting
Judd Antin combines data-driven thinking with human insight. With a Ph.D. in Information Science and a background leading research teams at Airbnb and Facebook, Judd brings behavioral science into the coaching room—bridging analytics and empathy.
💬 Signature strengths:
🧠 Data-informed executive development strategies
🌱 Human-centered leadership growth models
🎯 Ideal for leaders in tech, research, and innovation sectors
His sessions help leaders leverage science to shape culture—a unique fit for San Francisco’s evidence-based yet emotionally intelligent corporate environment.
🔶 Michèle Eisenberg
Leadership and Organizational Coach
Michèle Eisenberg blends executive acumen and human connection. With a background in organizational development and change management, she’s helped countless leaders strengthen collaboration, communication, and confidence.
🌟 Her coaching philosophy:
💼 Empower leaders to navigate ambiguity
🌈 Emphasizes inclusion, equity, and cultural intelligence
🎯 Focuses on long-term leadership resilience
Her inclusive approach reflects San Francisco’s diverse leadership landscape, empowering teams to succeed in multicultural, high-growth environments.
🔶 Michael Whatmore
Founder, Executive Coaching San Francisco
With over 20 years of experience in leadership and coaching, Michael Whatmore is a trusted name in executive effectiveness and strategic decision-making. His firm focuses on helping executives gain clarity, lead confidently, and achieve measurable results.
💼 Specializations:
🎯 Executive performance coaching
💡 Strategic clarity and communication
🌍 Global leadership perspective
Michael’s ability to combine structure with empathy makes him a sought-after coach among San Francisco’s executives.
🔶 Dale Larson
Leadership Coach & Consultant
A highly experienced leadership consultant and facilitator, Dale Larson works with leaders across tech and professional services. His approach emphasizes self-awareness, feedback integration, and behavior change that lasts.
💡 Core coaching themes:
🧭 Authentic leadership alignment
🎯 Performance and mindset optimization
💬 Strength-based leadership
Dale’s human-centered style mirrors San Francisco’s culture of empathy-led innovation.
🔶 Andy Sparks
Executive Coach & Founder, Holloway
As a startup founder turned coach, Andy Sparks brings real-world leadership experience to his practice. He understands the unique emotional and operational pressures of growing a company in the Bay Area.
✨ Why leaders love working with him:
🚀 Deep understanding of startup dynamics and founder psychology
💬 Empathetic, actionable guidance
🧠 Emphasis on self-leadership and resilience
Andy’s background gives him rare credibility among founders and venture-backed CEOs.
🔶 Jacquie Duncan
Executive Coach & Leadership Consultant
With a strong foundation in HR and organizational behavior, Jacquie Duncan focuses on unlocking human potential through clarity and courage. Her coaching helps leaders align their intentions with their impact.
💼 Focus areas:
🌱 Growth mindset and leadership presence
🎯 Team performance and alignment
💬 Cross-functional collaboration and communication
Her warm but direct approach perfectly fits San Francisco’s progressive leadership culture.
🔶 Amy Ahlers
Success Coach, Author & Speaker
A bestselling author and success coach, Amy Ahlers empowers women in leadership to silence self-doubt and lead with authenticity. Her coaching practice emphasizes self-compassion, confidence, and conscious leadership.
💡 His specialties:
🌸 Empowerment and mindset transformation
💬 Leadership storytelling and authenticity
🌍 Women’s leadership and inclusion
Amy’s work is especially relevant to San Francisco’s evolving focus on inclusive leadership and emotional intelligence.
🔶 Marady Hill
Leadership & Career Coach
Marady Hill helps professionals clarify their vision and reimagine success. Her work blends empathy with strategy, guiding leaders through change with calm confidence.
🌟 Areas of focus:
🌈 Career transitions and clarity
🧩 Strength-based leadership
💬 Strategic life and work alignment
She’s known for her grounded approach that helps leaders reconnect with purpose—a valuable skill in the fast-paced Bay Area business world.
🔶 Alan Gellman
Co-Founder, Convivio Leadership
With C-suite experience at Esurance, McKinsey, and AmEx, Alan Gellman brings unparalleled business acumen to leadership coaching. Through Convivio Leadership, he helps senior executives lead with empathy and strategic insight.
💡 His approach:
🌍 Blends executive rigor with humanity
🧭 Focuses on decision-making under complexity
🎯 Champions reflective leadership practices
Alan’s unique mix of analytical depth and emotional intelligence has made him one of the Bay Area’s most trusted executive partners.
🔶 Brooks E. Scot
Founder, Merging Path Coaching
A former law enforcement professional turned executive coach, Brooks E. Scott brings a powerful blend of communication mastery and emotional intelligence. His firm, Merging Path Coaching, helps leaders build trust and navigate tough conversations with authenticity.
💬 Signature strengths:
🎯 Conflict resolution and feedback delivery
🌱 Empathetic leadership development
💡 Focus on DEI and inclusive communication
Brooks’s real-world experience gives his coaching depth, humanity, and credibility—qualities that resonate in San Francisco’s high-performance environments.
Why Executive Coaching Matters in San Francisco
Executive coaches stand out as a grounding force in a region known for innovation and disruption. They help leaders bridge the gap between fast growth and sustainable culture, between strategy and empathy. Coaching is no longer a luxury; it’s an essential investment in resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
For HR professionals, choosing the right coach means choosing with your company’s values, mission, and long-term growth vision.
Recap & Final Thoughts
San Francisco’s leadership ecosystem thrives at the intersection of innovation, diversity, and purpose. From Michael (“Coop”) Cooper’s human-centered executive strategy and Patricia Fripp’s mastery in communication to Joel Garfinkle’s corporate advancement insights and Brooks E. Scott’s emotional intelligence work, each professional brings a distinctive approach to unlocking leadership potential. Add the perspective of Andy Sparks’s founder-focused coaching, Amy Ahlers’s transformational mindset work, and Alan Gellman’s experience in culture-driven leadership—and you have a dynamic, people-first ecosystem shaping the Bay Area’s executive future.
At Digital Reference, our mission is to help HR teams and senior leaders find not just motivational voices, but strategic, human-first partners who understand organizational complexity.
👉 If you liked this guide, check out our companion resources:
🎯 Best Motivational Speaker Services in the USA
🎯 Best Career Coach & Consulting Services in the USA
🎯 Executive Coach for Founders: Adam W. Barney
🎯 Best Organizational Culture Consulting Services in the USA
If you’re an HR leader or executive in the San Francisco area and want help vetting coaches, designing leadership cohorts, or integrating coaching into your talent strategy, Digital Reference is here to help.
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