You Don't Have to Lead Alone. I've Sat Where You're Sitting.
Leading — or preparing to lead — often means facing big decisions alone. Maybe you're a head or executive director navigating a board relationship that feels harder than it should. Maybe you're a dean, department chair, or assistant head ready for more responsibility but unsure what that next step really demands. Maybe the isolation has just gotten heavier over time. You don't have to carry it, or figure it out, alone.
"Steve is an outstanding coach who combines wisdom, empathy, and strategic thinking in a way that empowers leaders to thrive." Head of School, First Year, New York independent school
Why Work With Me
Three decades leading independent schools and mission-driven organizations taught me that great leadership isn't just vision and results — it's the resilience to lead authentically through uncertainty. I partner with school heads, nonprofit executives, and rising leaders navigating change, board dynamics, and the weight of leadership isolation, in a confidential space for honest reflection and decisive action.
My coaching and consulting is grounded in
Real-world experience — Three decades leading schools through transformation, capital campaigns, cultural change, and complex stakeholder dynamics
Deep sector knowledge — I understand the unique pressures of independent schools and mission-driven organizations because I've lived them
ICF-certified methodology — Trained through Brown University's Leadership & Performance Coaching program
BoardSource certification — Specialized expertise in nonprofit governance and board effectiveness
Through structured coaching conversations, I help leaders gain clarity on complex strategic challenges, develop authentic communication that builds trust, navigate difficult transitions and organizational dynamics, balance competing priorities while staying aligned with core values, and build sustainable practices that prevent burnout.
Who I Work With
School Heads & Nonprofit Executive Directors — a confidential thinking partner who understands the work
New & Transitioning Leaders — support through first years or major institutional change
Aspiring & Emerging Leaders — assistant heads, deans, and rising leaders ready for more
Board Chairs — building a clear, productive partnership with your head or ED
Leadership Teams & Institutional Projects — alignment, governance, and strategic initiatives
I also work with mission-driven leaders outside of education and the nonprofit sector.
Coaching & Consulting Areas
Leadership Coaching — ongoing, individual work on presence, complexity, and authentic confidence
Thought Partnership — a flexible, candid collaborator to think alongside as challenges emerge
Strategic Consulting — project-based partnership on planning, governance, and organizational change
"Despite being in education for over two decades and in leadership for almost 15 years, I felt pretty adrift... This kind, wise, thoughtful, and insightful leader was just who I needed to take important next steps." Middle School Division Head, Rhode Island independent school