Best Executive Coaches in Raleigh

Raleigh Area Executive Coaching Services

The Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill region—better known as The Triangle—has earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic, forward-thinking professional hubs in the United States. Anchored by three world-class universities and surrounded by industries that thrive on innovation—biotech, tech startups, healthcare, higher education, and government—this region’s business leaders are no strangers to transformation. Yet even in a place defined by progress, the most effective leaders know that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

That’s where executive coaching comes in. Across the Triangle, leadership and HR professionals are turning to executive coaches to elevate their teams, build stronger workplace cultures, and develop leaders who not only achieve business goals but inspire others in the process.

At Digital Reference, we take pride in curating these connections with intention. Our selection methodology blends extensive research, professional vetting, and local expertise—each coach on this list was chosen because of their proven record in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and measurable organizational impact. Some operate as independent consultants, while others work within established firms or faith-based organizations—but all are united by their commitment to helping leaders grow with authenticity and purpose.

Below, you’ll find our carefully selected list of Raleigh area executive coaches—each with unique expertise, a personal philosophy, and a track record of leadership transformation.

🌟 Meet Raleigh's Executive Coaches Making things Happen

🎯 Dr. Scott Lehr

Lead Pastor, Summit Fellowship Church
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Dr. Scott Lehr brings a unique blend of spiritual insight and executive experience to leadership development. As a seasoned pastor and organizational leader, he combines a people-first philosophy with a deep understanding of personal transformation, resilience, and authentic connection. His coaching often focuses on aligning purpose and productivity—helping leaders find balance between results and relational health.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Integrating faith and leadership principles
🌟 Skilled communicator and mentor for values-based leadership
🔹 Experienced in organizational realignment and team cohesion
✳️ Deep empathy and emotional intelligence

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🎯 Robert (Bob) Grimesey

Owner and Consultant at Vintage Ed Leadership Services, LLC
🔗 LinkedIn

Bob Grimesey is known across North Carolina for his decades of service as an educator and leader. His background in school district leadership informs a coaching approach centered on community building, communication, and long-term strategic visioning. Bob has guided countless professionals—especially in education and nonprofit sectors—toward greater clarity and collective purpose.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Leadership transitions and succession planning
🌟 Strategic communications for complex organizations
🔹 Mentoring for education administrators
✳️ Consensus-building and integrity-driven decision-making

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🎯 Kimberly Eastman Zirkle

Executive Coach UNC Health
🔗 LinkedIn

Kimberly Eastman Zirkle brings warmth and rigor to her work as a leadership development consultant. With deep expertise in organizational behavior and team performance, Kimberly partners with executives who are ready to navigate change with emotional agility. She’s especially known for helping teams recover from burnout and rebuild trust after major organizational shifts.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Emotional intelligence and resilience-building
🌟 Leadership transitions and team re-engagement
🔹 Systems thinking and human-centered strategy
✳️ Empathic coaching style grounded in evidence-based methods

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🎯 Danny R. Glover

Executive Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Trainer, and Owner at Glover Consulting Services
🔗 LinkedIn

Danny Glover brings both corporate acumen and personal authenticity to his coaching practice. Drawing from his experience in operations, sales, and organizational leadership, Danny helps executives align strategy with human behavior. His approach often involves data-informed insights paired with real-world pragmatism—ideal for leaders managing growth or cultural transformation.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Strategic decision-making and organizational alignment
🌟 Executive communication and influence
🔹 Data-driven leadership development
✳️ Authentic relationship-building across teams

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🎯 Vickie Bevenour

Executive Business Coach at The RDW Group, Inc.
🔗 LinkedIn

With over 25 years of experience, Vickie Bevenour has coached hundreds of senior leaders across industries. Known as “Coach Vickie,” she integrates neuroscience-based insights with practical business leadership. Her coaching helps leaders tap into their “inner brilliance”—a philosophy that’s both empowering and measurable. She’s also a published author and frequent keynote speaker.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Coaching with emotional and cognitive awareness
🌟 High-performance leadership for executives and entrepreneurs
🔹 Organizational change facilitation
✳️ Published author with strong communication training

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🎯 Vanessa Hagerbaumer

Founder & Executive Coach at V & CO Coaching & Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn

Vanessa Hagerbaumer combines HR expertise with career strategy to help professionals find clarity in transition. Known for her structured, empathetic approach, Vanessa guides clients through personal branding, professional pivoting, and confidence rebuilding. Her work particularly resonates with women leaders redefining their next chapter.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Career clarity and transition coaching
🌟 Empowerment and confidence-building
🔹 Tailored goal setting for mid-career professionals
✳️ Expertise in HR and people operations

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🎯 Sarah Plummer Taylor

Executive Coach & Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, Advocate, & Author at Semper Sarah, LLC
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Sarah Plummer Taylor, founder of Semper Sarah®, is a decorated Marine veteran turned resilience coach and author. Her background in military leadership and trauma recovery uniquely positions her to coach high-performing leaders under pressure. Sarah’s work blends psychology, mindfulness, and leadership science to help clients transform stress into strength.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Resilience training and stress transformation
🌟 Leadership under pressure and authenticity
🔹 Trauma-informed coaching for organizations
✳️ Dynamic keynote speaker and facilitator

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🎯 Eve Kedem

Executive Coach and HR Strategist
🔗 LinkedIn

Eve Kedem bridges the gap between strategic HR and executive coaching. With years of corporate HR leadership experience, she supports executives navigating talent challenges, culture change, and organizational design. Her coaching emphasizes alignment between leadership behavior and company mission.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 HR strategy and executive alignment
🌟 Culture transformation and communication
🔹 Leadership development program design
✳️ Empathetic and actionable coaching approach

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🎯 John Brock

Executive Coach, Leadership Development Consultant at Brock Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn

John Brock is known for his work facilitating growth and collaboration in complex organizations. His approach integrates leadership psychology with systems theory—helping teams identify friction points and move toward shared accountability. John’s clients appreciate his ability to turn theory into practice through experiential learning.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Team alignment and conflict resolution
🌟 Leadership facilitation for executive teams
🔹 Organizational systems analysis
✳️ Coaching through a practical, adaptive lens

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🎯 James Murphy

President - Personal Development Expert & Executive Coach at Evolution For Success - Executive Coaching & Life Coaching
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

As founder of Evolution for Success, James Murphy is one of Raleigh’s most recognizable executive coaches. A former U.S. Air Force instructor pilot, Murphy brings discipline, clarity, and high performance coaching to leaders who want results. His firm offers executive and life coaching tailored to measurable outcomes in mindset and leadership behavior.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Peak performance and goal setting
🌟 Leadership mindset transformation
🔹 Communication mastery and influence
✳️ Proven frameworks for executive growth

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🎯 Phil Bejarno

Executive Coach at Cambria Consulting, Inc.
🔗 LinkedIn

Phil Bejarno has spent years helping organizations cultivate leadership at every level. His coaching combines operational insight with people-focused strategies, guiding teams through restructuring, role transitions, and culture change. Known for his approachable yet direct style, Phil’s clients value his candor and accountability.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Operational leadership coaching
🌟 Change management and adaptability
🔹 Executive communication and feedback systems
✳️ Performance coaching and accountability structures

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🎯 Randy Nelson

Director, Business Advisor and Executive Coach at The Decision Center
🔗 LinkedIn

Randy Nelson is a serial entrepreneur, U.S. Navy veteran, and leadership author whose experience spans multiple successful businesses. His book The Second Decision is widely regarded for its insights into leadership self-awareness. Today, Randy coaches high-growth CEOs on scaling themselves alongside their companies.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Leadership scaling for founders and CEOs
🌟 Strategic self-awareness and emotional intelligence
🔹 Entrepreneurial growth and mindset coaching
✳️ Author and speaker on leadership evolution

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🎯 Gail V. Ferreira

Executive Coach at Lead Succeed Coaching LLC
🔗 LinkedIn

Dr. Gail Ferreira specializes in Agile leadership and organizational transformation. With an engineering and project management background, she empowers leaders to embrace adaptive thinking and iterative strategy. Her approach integrates coaching, training, and facilitation to drive sustainable change in complex systems.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Agile transformation and innovation leadership
🌟 Change management for technology teams
🔹 Systems-level coaching for executives
✳️ Strategic facilitation for enterprise agility

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🎯 David Frink

Leadership Consultant and Executive Advisor
🔗 LinkedIn

David Frink brings decades of experience in corporate leadership and HR strategy to his executive coaching. Known for his calm presence and clear insight, he works with organizations to strengthen alignment between mission, leadership, and results. David’s clients often cite his ability to clarify complexity and instill confidence during periods of change.

💡 Key strengths:
🧭 Strategic leadership and organizational design
🌟 Coaching for executive communication and trust-building
🔹 Human resources leadership and talent development
✳️ Trusted advisor with a grounded, practical style

The Raleigh Coaching Landscape: Where Innovation Meets Humanity

What sets Raleigh’s coaching scene apart is its blend of technical excellence and human-centered leadership. The Triangle’s unique mix of academia, startups, and global enterprises means that its leaders must navigate complex people systems—often under rapid growth conditions. Executive coaches here help bridge the gap between analytical rigor and emotional intelligence.

As companies compete for top talent and face evolving workplace demands, executive coaching becomes not just a benefit—but a strategic necessity. To explore how coaching programs enhance retention and cultural health, see our related feature:

‍Why Digital Reference Curates These Coaches

At Digital Reference, our mission is to help organizations find trusted professionals who empower people to lead better, communicate clearly, and grow sustainably. Every consultant we feature has been researched and reviewed through our proprietary process, which includes evaluating:

• Professional certifications and credentials
  
• Thought leadership contributions (books, workshops, speaking)
  
• Measurable impact in leadership and HR outcomes
  
• Local reputation and verified client feedback
  

Our approach isn’t about ranking—it’s about trust, transparency, and fit. Whether you’re an HR leader seeking to transform company culture, or an executive navigating a major pivot, we connect you with the expertise that fits your goals.

Digital Reference: Connecting the Right Expertise to Every Challenge

The Triangle continues to attract global talent and ambitious leaders—and the coaches featured here represent the very best of its professional community. They bring empathy to innovation, strategy to change, and purpose to leadership.

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At Digital Reference, we’re proud to be the bridge that connects these remarkable coaches with the organizations and HR leaders who need them most. Through our network of vetted professionals, we make it easier to build stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and leaders who last.