The Thought Partner You Need
Executive coaching and strategic counsel for leaders steering through significant change.
I'm a professor, coach, and consultant who has spent nearly four decades connecting research with real leadership challenges.
My background spans a 20-year academic career starting with a PhD from Wharton, executive experience as a Divisional CEO at Capital One and as a strategy consultant at Oliver Wyman, and coaching training from Georgetown and Harvard—expertise I've deepened through ongoing practice throughout my career.
What sets me apart is how I integrate these components:
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Evidence-based frameworks and research-backed thinking from my scholarly background, starting with a PhD from the Wharton School and kept fresh and alive through my faculty and leadership appointments at Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, and University of Denver.
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Practical wisdom from having managed complex executive challenges as a Divisional CEO at Capital One and Partner at Oliver Wyman, both global firms, as well as having held various administrative leadership roles in Higher Education.
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Structured methodologies developed through formal training at both Georgetown and Harvard Universities and refined over the past 20+ years of coaching practice. This comprehensive foundation ensures my clients —who typically lead in the Financial Services/Fintech, Technology, Professional Services, Venture Capital, and Higher Ed industries —
benefit from proven frameworks that create a safe environment for honest reflection.
I am here to help leaders become more intentional and empathic.
There’s your company. Then there’s you. This is where you and I meet.
There are two ways to start our conversation:
Leadership isn't simple — and it deserves some fresh dialogue.
Want to engage with current thoughts? Start by reading my blog posts and sharing your thoughts. I write with frequency, drawing from my hands-on leadership experience, the best of current rigorous leadership research, and my coaching expertise.
Ready to meet what's ahead with the right support? Whether you're facing substantial organizational shifts or shifting within, our partnership helps you address these complexities by creating the space to explore your leadership — and your whole self.
You know what your challenges are — let's talk about them.
Our Conversation Centers on the Four Essential Tasks of Leadership
Every leader I work with eventually recognizes these four tasks as the foundation of their effectiveness. Which ones are you mastering, and which ones keep you up at night?
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Vision & Strategy
What’s happening in the world and what could or will happen for your organization?
We'll establish space to step back from operational demands and explore potential futures that align ambition with practical reality. We’ll also look at what not to do as we design frameworks for your decision-making and next steps.
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Culture
What are your organization’s values, and how do people behave in pursuit of those values?
We'll create systems to bridge gaps, ensuring your cultural reality supports both people development and performance outcomes, especially during periods of change.
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Alignment
How do you align the organization and allocate resources to executives effectively?
We’ll create space to align people, systems, and investments with strategic priorities and capabilities, and establish clear methods for your leadership around hiring, organizational structure, and infrastructure investments that support sustainable growth.
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Mobilization
How do you motivate people to take on what needs to be taken on?
We'll enhance your ability to inspire through both formal authority and interpersonal connection, fostering an executive presence that drives willing action rather than mere compliance.
What Clients Say
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"It has been invaluable working with Andy in both of my companies. He combines the 'been there, done that' leadership experience of a senior operator, along with well-honed coaching and consulting skills to deliver valuable ideas and insights. His one-on-one coaching has helped me grow as a leader and confront difficult decisions. In addition to coaching, his consulting services accelerated my post-merger onboarding and integration processes in a complex new role. I am delighted to have him as a guide."
Ben Sabloff, EVP, Head of Enterprise Analytics at Key Bank
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"Working with Andy was transformative for my growth as an academic leader. His coaching created the space for honest reflection and bold visioning, helping me lead with more clarity, courage, and confidence. I carry his insights with me every day in how I show up for my team and myself."
Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., Dean and Professor of George Mason University College of Public Health
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"Andy conducted an innovative consulting project with us that generated actionable insights. We particularly appreciated his ability to see both the big and small pictures and provide us on point and incisive feedback along the way. His blend of consulting skills and real world expertise is invaluable."
Monica Brand Engel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Quona Capital
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"Andy Cohen has been an invaluable source of advice and counsel as I build the team at XHI. His sense of organizational dynamics and the way he provides insights through coaching has led me to sort through some big, challenging leadership decisions. I am delighted to have him on my board of advisors."
Bruce Kraselsky, Founder and Chairman, XTreme Habitats Institute
Managing Director, Space Partnerships International -
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"Through his coaching with several of our senior executives—including the co-CEOs, Andy has been instrumental in our organizational evolution. He has worked hand in hand with us to upskill our own leadership, bring on new senior executives, and shape our evolving organizational culture. His blend of bringing tried and true frameworks, his own executive experience, and empathic coaching coupled with interpersonal skills is a powerful mix."
Co-CEO, Top 50 US Consumer Website
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"Andy has been helpful in sharpening my leadership style—helping me identify blind spots, lean into strengths, and lead more authentically. He’s also been a trusted thought partner on strategic issues like growth, partnerships, and accountability structures. Following the merger that created Quantum, Andy played a pivotal role in guiding our cultural integration—helping to foster alignment, bridge differences, and build a cohesive, one-team environment."
Mickey Konson, CEO, Quantum Lending Solutions
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“This is my most important hour of my week. I get a chance to breathe and think bigger. Andy pushes us to make the hard decisions. He pushes us to confront the big issues.”
CEO, Professional Services Organization
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“Andy is essentially a strategic advisor to our firm, simultaneously helping me and our executive team with our own development as we figure out the best ways to lead and manage our eclectic staff AND providing strategic advice to me and our valued clients on the business side of their ventures. Although I met Andy while we were both working with a client in different capacities , once I realized the unique and effective mix that Andy brings to the table I asked Andy to apply his talents to making our firm even better. In hindsight that was a very good call and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with him. and have him be one of our resources."
Mark Bryn, founder, Bryn Law Group
The Leadership Conversation Blog
Explore insights from the intersection of academic research, executive coaching, and real leadership.