Susan S.,
PCC, CPCC, MBA

Susan is passionate about helping leaders and teams discover their strengths, build trust, and create meaningful change. Drawing on over two decades of leadership development and coaching experience, she partners with individuals and organizations to unlock potential and accelerate growth. Susan’s coaching style is warm, direct, and insightful—clients appreciate her ability to blend optimism, clear strategy, and grounded support.

MY PASSION TO COACH

  • Served as a leadership coach / master facilitator at organizations such as Sony Pictures Entertainment, Loyola Marymount University, Women in Animation, The Walt Disney Studios, Mattel, Hyundai, First 5 LA to name a few.
  • Coached executives, senior leaders, and teams across diverse industries, including Entertainment, Media, Higher Education, Healthcare, Technology, Non-Profits, and Consumer Products.
  • Dedicated to supporting women leaders and underrepresented talent to amplify their impact, confidence, and voice.
  • Passionate about supporting the Los Angeles coach community by serving on the Board of ICF Los Angeles and as Executive Coaching Special Interest Group leader.

MY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Founded Essential Leadership Partners, a boutique firm specializing in leadership development, team effectiveness, and culture change.
  • Designed and delivered signature Leadership Program “Elevate” which is customized for leaders in various industries and levels.  Includes training, 1-1 coaching and group coaching as well as coaching for the leaders of the participants. Program is recognized by companies as creating real behavior change.  
  • Master coach and lead facilitator for Women in Leadership Program – coached over 250 participants to successfully grow in their skills and careers.
  • Senior Leadership Development roles at The Walt Disney Studios, designing and implementing enterprise-wide talent initiatives for executives and high-potential leaders including designing and running the Executive Mentor Program. * The mentees are now running the studio and have hired me to come back 10 years later to work with the next generation of leaders to get them ready to lead.
  • Recognized by peers and clients as a coach whose authentic leadership, down-to-earth style and real-world experience helps leaders navigate complexity and change with confidence.

MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Founder and CEO, Essential Leadership Partners, delivering coaching, training, and consulting engagements with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to mission-driven nonprofits.
  • Director, Leadership Development at The Walt Disney Company leading the leadership development strategy, talent development strategy, instituting a coaching program for top talent, and launching an Executive Mentor Program.
  • Regional Director of Training at ExecuTrain leading the certification program for west coast trainers.
  • Served on the coach/facilitator bench for Right Management, Essential Communications, Mind Gym, Trium Group, Loyola Marymount, Chief, World Happiness Summit, Women’s Leadership Institute.

MY CREDENTIALS

  • International Coach Federation, Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), The Co-active Training Institute (CTI)
  • Graduate Platinum Program, Institute of Women-Centered Coaching
  • Certified Strengths Coach, The Marcus Buckingham Company
  • Affiliate Member, Harvard Institute of Coaching
  • Member, Harvard Business Review Advisory Board
  • Bachelor’s degree in psychology, University of Alabama
  • Master of Business Administration, Georgia State University