Leadership today entails vision, adaptability, and growth. Executive coaches challenge leaders to even higher levels with personalized strategies and insights that lead to sustained success. Some of the most influential executive coaches in this country reside in California, a vibrant center of business and innovation. These top 10 professionals are shaping the future of leadership by helping executives thrive, adapt, and confidently drive their organizations forward with clarity and purpose.
1 – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is an internationally renowned executive coach and is considered one of the Global Top Ten Business Thinkers, honored since 2011 at the prestigious Thinkers50 ceremony in London. He holds a PhD from UCLA and is known for pioneering the use of 360-degree feedback as a tool for leadership development, placing him in the top ranks of executive coaches. His specialty includes coaching on sustainable behavioral change in leaders, having advised over 150 CEOs and their management teams.
Author of several bestsellers, including Triggers and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There—both of which appeared on The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times bestseller lists—Dr. Goldsmith has nearly 40 years of experience delivering impactful keynote speeches and leadership training to organizations worldwide. He provides practical and effective coaching techniques that have transformed the careers of top leaders and executives. His approach has become a cornerstone for leadership development in the modern business world.
2 – Christine Comaford
With over 30 years of experience helping leaders achieve transformative results, Christine Comaford is a dynamic Leadership and Culture Coach, Serial Entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. Specializing in applied neuroscience, Christine offers strategies to help executives drive growth, align teams, and increase company value. As an entrepreneur, she built and sold five companies with an average ROI of 700%.
With expertise in human behavior and experience at Microsoft and Apple, Christine is in high demand as an advisor to Fortune 1000 companies, startups, and even the White House. She is a leadership columnist for Forbes, and her bestselling books, including Power Your Tribe and SmartTribes, have inspired leaders worldwide. Her neuroscience-based coaching uncovers blind spots, expands vision, and creates lasting impact. Ranked as one of the top Human Behavior Experts, Christine is shaping the future of leadership and entrepreneurship globally.
3 – Marc Lesser
Marc Lesser is a Zen teacher, executive coach, and CEO, whose teachings combine mindfulness with emotional intelligence in leadership development. As the CEO of ZBA Associates, he works with top organizations, offering experiential training in emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience. With an MBA from New York University and as the founder of three companies, he brings extensive experience in business and leadership.
He spent ten years as a resident at the San Francisco Zen Center and served as the director of Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the West. He co-created Google’s renowned Search Inside Yourself program, a global mindfulness-based emotional intelligence initiative. Marc’s teachings have reached leaders in over 50 countries, helping foster mindful corporate cultures and impactful leadership.
4 – Alison Pothier
Alison Pothier is an executive coach with more than two decades of experience, providing deep strategic insight and intuitive guidance to C-Suite executives and advancing leadership teams. As a former COO and Global Head of e-Trading in Futures & Options, Alison’s expertise comes from firsthand experience in the investment banking sector. Based in Malibu, California, Alison’s time on Wall Street and in London has given her a global outlook and reach, serving clients nationally and internationally.
Alison’s coaching is based on transformational change, guiding leaders to create impact from within. She also developed Inside Out Retreats, where she offers personal development programs aimed at enhancing mental and spiritual well-being. Alison helps individuals realize their leadership potential through workshops, retreats, and one-on-one coaching. Featured in the film Choice Point alongside other world-renowned changemakers, Alison continues to inspire others to evolve and achieve great goals.
5 – Dr. Darren Chua
Dr. Darren Chua is a renowned speaker and coach specializing in business, executive, and life (BEL) coaching. As the founder of Mindset Transformation Clinic, he empowers business leaders, teams, and individuals to unlock their potential and enhance their performance. His journey is inspiring, having overcome a massive stroke at just 24. Dr. Chua’s philosophy that “disability is a mindset” drives his commitment to helping others achieve their aspirations.
Recognized for his impactful work, Dr. Chua has received several prestigious awards, including the Goh Chok Tong Enable Award and Young Outstanding Singaporean. He is also the author of two books, further solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in personal growth and transformation.
6 – Samantha Jayne
Samantha Jayne is a highly experienced multi-dimensional trance healer and spiritual business coach with over two decades of expertise in the spiritual and holistic industries. Her passion lies in helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve financial success while staying true to their spiritual journey. Throughout her career, Samantha has worked as a Psychic Medium, Tarot Reader, Trance Healer, Holistic Therapist, Spiritual Teacher, Meditation Tutor, and Spiritual Entrepreneur Coach. She also owns an accredited training academy, is a published author, and a sought-after inspirational speaker.
A regular guest on TV, radio, and featured in well-known publications, Samantha’s entrepreneurial coaching is deeply rooted in personal growth and joy. She specializes in guiding those committed to their spiritual path, ensuring they can reach their goals while remaining aligned with their core beliefs.
7 – Danielle Gardner
Business coach Danielle Gardner specializes in helping Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), introverts, and Human Design enthusiasts thrive in the business world. Author of Quiet Marketing, Danielle is known for her ability to simplify complex business concepts and create strategies tailored to those who prefer a slower, more mindful approach to life and work.
What sets Danielle apart is her commitment to simplicity and balance. She helps individuals with fluctuating energy levels craft focused, educational programs while advocating for ethical marketing practices. Danielle challenges conventional models, like the ‘membership model,’ encouraging a more relaxed and intentional way of doing business. Through her work, she inspires others to embrace a peaceful, nature-aligned lifestyle while still making a meaningful impact in their careers.
8 – Veronica Jeans
Veronica Jeans, often hailed as the “Shopify Success Queen,” is a prominent expert in the world of eCommerce with over 35 years of experience. She has been instrumental in helping a wide array of businesses—from startups to traditional retailers—enhance their online presence and significantly increase revenue. Notably, Veronica helped one retailer, Susan, grow her business from $250,000 to nearly $2 million between 2020 and 2022.
As a highly respected author, Veronica’s Shopify Made Easy book series has garnered a global audience, offering invaluable guidance on building successful online stores. With her deep expertise in eCommerce, Shopify, and international finance, Veronica has become a trusted advisor for businesses looking to generate income through online platforms.
9 – Leighanne Champion
Meet Leighanne Champion, the visionary behind Leighanne Champion Coaching. As a transformative life coach, Leighanne empowers individuals to overcome personal and professional challenges, inspired by her own journey of self-discovery.
Leighanne specializes in guiding clients through their thoughts, setting clear goals, establishing healthy boundaries, and mastering time management to turn aspirations into reality. As the engaging host of Champion Your Life with Leighanne Champion, her relatable approach inspires listeners to take charge of their personal development.
Dedicated to fostering self-improvement and positive change, Leighanne is committed to helping individuals realize their full potential. With her expert guidance and supportive mindset, she shows that there are no limits to what one can achieve. Embrace your journey with Leighanne as your mentor and champion.
10 – Alison Reeves
Alison Reeves is a seasoned blogger and business coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs boost their income. With a robust background in managing marketing teams for major corporations, Alison transitioned to full-time business coaching, where she has successfully guided numerous global entrepreneurs to enhance their visibility and increase their earnings.
Her approach combines business coaching with aligned marketing and mindset restoration. While her primary goal is to drive financial success, Alison also strives to instill a genuine appreciation for life in her clients. Her impressive track record includes multiple years of six-figure earnings and a standout month with $60,000 in sales.
Alison holds several marketing certifications and possesses extensive expertise in various healing and mindset practices. Her skills encompass marketing, mindset, website development, sales, trauma-informed manifesting, and the law of attraction. Alison is committed to helping individuals take decisive action aligned with their goals.
