Best Executive Coaches in San Diego

Best San Diego Executive Coaching Services

In the heart of Southern California’s innovation corridor, the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad region thrives on a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, scientific rigor, and coastal creativity. It’s a city where biotechnology meets business strategy, and where a single conversation can change the trajectory of a career or an entire company.

That’s why executive coaching has become a cornerstone of San Diego’s evolving leadership ecosystem. From biotech startups in Torrey Pines to engineering hubs in Carlsbad, and from Chula Vista’s expanding business parks to downtown San Diego’s consulting corridors, leaders here aren’t just managing teams — they’re shaping the next generation of conscious leadership.

At Digital Reference, our mission is to spotlight the most trusted and forward-thinking professionals across industries. We believe that behind every thriving executive lies a great coach — someone who blends business insight with human understanding, strategy with empathy, and accountability with inspiration.

Our methodology for curating this list was meticulous: we conducted hours of research across LinkedIn, professional directories, and client testimonials; we evaluated thought leadership through articles, podcasts, and case studies; and, most importantly, we focused on coaches based in the San Diego metro area who are redefining what modern leadership looks like.

Spotlight on Executive Coaches in San Diego

♦️ Holly Smith

Certified NLP Executive Coach at The Boundless Edge
🔗LinkedIn

Based in San Diego, Holly Smith brings a distinctive mix of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and practical business strategy to her coaching sessions. As a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) certified coach, Holly helps executives unearth limiting beliefs and replace them with high-performance habits that align with both organizational goals and personal fulfillment.

💡 Why leaders love working with Holly:

🧠 Combines NLP and executive psychology to drive mindset shifts.

💬 Known for her empathetic yet challenging coaching conversations.

📈 Works with leaders in healthcare, technology, and finance — sectors that define San Diego’s business backbone.

Holly’s philosophy is rooted in self-awareness as a strategic tool. She doesn’t just help clients navigate promotions or transitions; she helps them redefine success in a way that’s deeply personal and professionally sustainable.

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♦️ Iris Savage Dargan

Personal & Executive Coach at DMP Coaching
🔗 LinkedIn

With decades of leadership experience, Iris Savage Dargan is one of those rare professionals who can see both the 30,000-foot strategic view and the ground-level human realities. She’s known across Southern California for her ability to guide senior leaders and emerging executives through complex transitions, whether it’s leading a reorganization, scaling a department, or building confidence in new roles.

🌟 Highlights of Iris’s coaching practice:

🤝 Deep expertise in cross-cultural communication and organizational inclusion.

🧭 Helps executives define values-based leadership that resonates across teams.

💼 Works with public and private sector leaders to build trust-driven cultures.

Her sessions are practical yet reflective — a hallmark of her coaching style. Iris often says, “You can’t lead others until you understand what truly leads you.” Her approach mirrors San Diego’s blend of innovation and introspection.

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♦️ Amelia Gandomi Lewis

Founder, CoachAmelia Coaching & Consulting
🔗 LinkedIn

As the founder of CoachAmelia, Amelia Gandomi Lewis brings a blend of strategic coaching, DEI insight, and leadership psychology to her San Diego-based practice. She has worked with executives across industries — from biotech to higher education — helping them identify blind spots, unlock team potential, and drive innovation through authenticity.

✨ What makes Amelia stand out:

💡 Integrates neuroscience-backed frameworks into her coaching sessions.

🌍 A recognized advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership.

🎓 Holds advanced certifications in emotional intelligence coaching.

Amelia’s clients describe her as both a strategist and a mirror — someone who helps them see the deeper patterns that shape their leadership. Her work is a testament to the evolving nature of executive coaching in the San Diego area: thoughtful, inclusive, and growth-oriented.

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♦️ Anne Liljenstrand, Ph.D.

Managing Director and Executive Coach at The Bader Group
🔗 LinkedIn

Dr. Anne Liljenstrand combines academic rigor with applied executive coaching mastery. With a Ph.D. in organizational psychology, Anne has consulted for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government entities, helping them create leadership pipelines that are both resilient and adaptive.

🏆 Her specialties include:

🧩 Leadership assessment and development planning.

💬 Executive communication and presence coaching.

⚙️ Team alignment and organizational systems work.

Her San Diego practice attracts leaders who seek evidence-based growth strategies. She is deeply committed to helping leaders translate psychological insight into practical, day-to-day management tools, bridging the gap between research and results.

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♦️ Stefanie Dumont

Co-Founder, Transformational Executive Coach at Conscious and Carefree
🔗 LinkedIn

A dynamic coach with a background in career transition and executive branding, Stefanie Dumont helps professionals at every stage rediscover their narrative. Whether guiding corporate leaders through career reinvention or coaching managers on interpersonal effectiveness, Stefanie is known for her action-oriented frameworks that balance structure and creativity.

🔥 Why clients trust Stefanie:

📊 Strong focus on career strategy, personal branding, and mindset mastery.

🎯 Coaching that aligns both career purpose and organizational value.

🗣️ Excellent at helping leaders communicate their “why” with impact.

Stefanie’s approach mirrors the San Diego ethos — innovative yet grounded, blending career agility with personal clarity. Her clients often report measurable improvements in leadership confidence and overall career satisfaction.

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♦️ Mike Gellman, M.S., ACC

Founder | Sr. Consultant & Coach at High Five Career Coaching
🔗 LinkedIn

Mike Gellman is a respected voice in the organizational development and leadership coaching world. With over two decades of experience — including roles at Fortune 500 companies and major utilities — he brings a systems-thinking lens to leadership transformation.

🎯 Mike’s coaching strengths:

🧭 Focuses on purpose-driven leadership and sustainable organizational growth.

🤝 Works with mid-level to senior executives to enhance influence and authenticity.

💬 Offers team development programs that improve communication and cohesion.

His approach is highly structured, data-informed, and deeply collaborative. Mike’s San Diego-based practice is built on the principle that successful leadership begins with intentional growth — a principle that resonates deeply with the region’s forward-thinking executives.

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♦️ Joe Albert, Ph.D.

Executive Coach, Educator, and Leadership Advisor
🔗 LinkedIn

With a Ph.D. and a passion for leadership education, Dr. Joe Albert blends academic insight with executive practicality. He is known for helping leaders build clarity, resilience, and ethical grounding — qualities that stand out in today’s fast-paced business environment.

🌱 Highlights of Joe’s coaching work:

📘 Specializes in leadership education and executive resilience.

💡 Brings decades of research on leadership ethics and authenticity.

🏢 Works with educational leaders, corporate executives, and public sector managers.

Joe’s coaching process helps clients move beyond tactical management to inspired leadership, focusing on the deeper “why” behind decisions. His clients often note his clarity of thought and humility, which make each session both strategic and personally meaningful.

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♦️ Manisha Dhawan

Executive Coach , Founder, CEO and Speaker at MPath Coaching

‍ 🔗LinkedIn

As the founder of MPath Coaching, Manisha Dhawan exemplifies San Diego’s modern coaching ethos — blending innovation, empathy, and data-driven insight. A former corporate strategist turned executive coach, Manisha helps leaders and teams optimize performance by leveraging self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

💬 What makes Manisha’s work transformative:

🧠 Deep expertise in EQ and leadership agility.

🌎 Works with clients in tech, healthcare, and higher education.

💼 Frequently featured in leadership podcasts and HR panels.

Manisha’s philosophy is simple yet profound: “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice — it’s about creating space where others thrive.” Her practice embodies that sentiment, helping organizations across San Diego build psychologically safe and high-performing teams.

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♦️ Kendall Laughlin, Jr.

Executive Coach & Organizational Consultant at At the Helm Advisory
🔗 LinkedIn

Kendall Laughlin, Jr. stands out in San Diego’s coaching community for his strategic, systems-level thinking and his ability to work across industries with equal precision. His background in leadership consulting and executive development allows him to translate complex organizational challenges into actionable growth strategies.

🚀 Kendall’s coaching differentiators:

🧩 Deep experience in team effectiveness and executive alignment.

🗣️ Known for fostering transparent, results-focused leadership dialogues.

🧭 Helps organizations navigate change management and succession planning.

Kendall’s approach bridges the analytical and the human — an approach especially suited for San Diego’s mix of tech innovation and mission-driven enterprises. His clients appreciate his candor, empathy, and ability to help them see patterns they couldn’t see alone.

A Final Word: Executive Coaching for Leadership Growth

The San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad region continues to thrive as a center for biotech, clean energy, education, and innovation — and with this growth comes an even greater need for intentional, values-driven leadership. At Digital Reference, we recognize that executive coaching isn’t just about career progression; it’s about cultivating cultures of trust, adaptability, and purpose. Whether you’re a CEO scaling your organization or an HR leader developing the next generation of leaders, these coaches — highlighted by Digital Reference — are the trusted partners who can help you navigate what’s next with clarity and confidence.

For more resources, explore:

• Leadership Coach for Executives: Lisa Conners
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At Digital Reference, we’re proud to connect professionals with vetted experts who can help unlock their full potential. From confidential executive searches to leadership consulting, we help organizations find, engage, and grow the right people — quietly and effectively.