In my second startup, the CEO called me into his office and asked me to run the development group soon after our VP of Engineering left abruptly. We talked openly about the importance of supporting this team since our first product had failed and our investors were growing impatient. Even worse, key people were questioning our viability. It was a ship product or go home moment for the company. I was nervous because I had never worked in an engineering group before, much less run one.

Fortunately, a board member asked an accomplished engineering leader to coach me. With her help, I aligned everyone around the mission and managed the complex project. When we shipped on schedule, I learned firsthand the impact a coach could have. Soon the company quickly grew into a $100M business, doubling in size each of the next three years.

I am now an executive coach, strategist, and advisor helping CEOs and their executive teams accelerate their organizations' performance and level up their capacity to lead. I believe that the people who build exceptional companies focus on both of these -- the inner and outer work of leadership.

To help you scale your company, I bring 20 years of operator experience in the software business to my coaching practice. I co-founded two tech firms; The first, LANSystems, was sold to Intel, and the second, Netegrity, created the single sign-on category of internet security software. I have extensive experience in corporate development, product management, partnerships, and marketing.

I take an integrative approach to help executives expand the mindsets and skillsets that scale their capacity to lead. This work draws on the best current understanding of how people learn and grow.

My coaching is informed by my work with a series of remarkable Buddhist teachers which I began as an undergraduate. My meditation practice was my constant companion and profoundly impacted how I navigated the wild roller coaster of startup life. Each morning, I'd get up before my wife and son got up so I could do my mediation before having breakfast with my family and leaving for my long and busy days at work.

I've worked at the CEO and C-suite level with many growth-stage firms including large public tech companies and private tech firms that have raised over 1B.

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Testimonials

I've worked with Jim for eight years and across three companies. Jim has been instrumental in my transformation from a tactical execution-focused manager to a well-rounded leader with the right balance to build large high performing teams. Jim's attention and focus on each client and truly understanding all facets of life, work, and goals are unique. I owe a good proportion of my career success to Jim.

— Emmanuelle Skala, SVP Customer Success at Toast

We brought Jim in to help coach me and my two co-founders (COO and CTO) a few months prior to closing a new funding round that we knew was going to accelerate our growth and hiring plans (needed to level up). We saw tremendous value in having Jim coordinate both group and individual coaching sessions because he had the complete picture of our company, our Exec team dynamic, and the data from running 360-degree feedback surveys across a large % of the company and our board. Jim doesn’t sugar coat anything and doesn’t just talk about strategies he read in a book, he’s lived it and understands the grit needed to really scale.

— Kevin Frechette, Co-Founder & CEO, Fairmarkit