Executive coaching that empowers you to lead with clarity and confidence, and helps your team members work better together.
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We are all works in progress…
meant to evolve, continue learning and grow into brighter versions of ourselves.
When you're ready to lean into your potential and lead with intention and purpose, I'm here to guide you through your next evolution.
For over 20 years, I’ve worked with MBA graduates and business leaders from all industries and sectors, from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Before launching my business, I spent 15 years at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where I successfully coached 2,000+ business students and executives, helping them navigate critical transition points and leadership challenges. The result: I empower my clients to up their leadership capacity and increase their potential and their impact.
Is Leadership Coaching
for you?
Can you answer “yes” to all three questions?
Are you aware of your strengths and talents, and able to use them often in your day to day?
Do you know your core values at this age and stage of your life, and align your choices and behaviors to them?
Are you continuing to learn and grow in a way that gives you energy?
I can help if you are unable to answer “yes” to any of the questions above.
People typically come to coaching because they are looking for something more, better or different in their life and career. If you’re stuck, together we can look at what’s missing and what needs to change so you can become more effective as a leader and more purposeful in your actions and behaviors. I provide the structure, and we focus on concrete steps to move you forward.
Testimonials
I'd like to offer a heartfelt thank you for the significant impact you've had on my career journey.
As someone who was seeking to return to work after a long career break, I’m thrilled to have accepted an offer for a senior strategy role at a Fortune 500 company. During our work together, your thoughtful observations, candor, and humor consistently guided me to come at this process from a place of strength. I am honored to know you and to have worked with you. You are an excellent executive coach. I look forward to starting my new role and am ever thankful for your counsel.
– Kate R.
Working with Bryn was a wonderful experience.
I was in the difficult situation of transitioning out of a family business, which added layers of emotion and complexity to my job search. Bryn coached me to determine what was important to me in the next phase of my life, and to pursue it with intention. This enabled me to reframe my mindset so that I could truly move forward. Bryn helped me to get grounded in my strengths, position myself, and create a narrative that I could take out to my network and explore opportunities. I would not hesitate to work with Bryn again. I highly recommend her to anyone who is at an inflection point.
- Derek P.
Working with Bryn is a partnership.
She is fully invested and brings experience and structure that helped me think broadly about opportunities and options. She has a wealth of resources and ideas and is upfront and open about the work that you will need to put into the process of making a transition. She is supportive, but also challenges me to think differently. Bryn taught me how to be purposeful and approach networking with focus, intent and an open mind. I leave our coaching sessions buoyed by her enthusiasm and appreciative of how she can keep my feet on the ground and focused on the work ahead. I recommend Bryn without reservation.
– Brad G.
I’m Bryn Pane'e Burkhart
Your coach, guide, thinking partner, and (devil's) advocate.
Coaching clients to be authentic to who they are, and to lead from a place of strength and confidence are the key pillars of my coaching practice. I have found many people live their lives reactively, rather than intentionally. The goal is to lead your life, rather than be led by it. This will transform you into a better, brighter version of yourself — but in order to do this, you have to first own your story. Here’s a bit of mine:
My roots
My family is from Hawai'i, but I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Being raised in the South and being Native Hawaiian was a formative and at times difficult experience. But the highlight of my childhood was spending entire summers in Hawai'i with my ohana (family). I’ve always felt rooted and at peace here, and continued to visit annually as an adult.
In 2022, two years into the global pandemic, my husband and I redesigned our lives and moved from Boston, which had been our home for 20+ years, to Honolulu. I wanted to bring my father home after decades of living in the continental United States, and I really wanted my children to know our roots. We chose a life rich in aloha spirit, where we could strengthen our family ties and cultural connections. The opportunity to finally live and invest our energy in Hawai'i truly feels like a calling to me. I now coach clients across the Hawaiian islands, continental US, Australia and Japan.
Upending a secure life in Boston, leaving a beloved and comfortable role at MIT and moving 5000+ miles away was hard, but put us in alignment with our value system. It also gave me the opportunity to practice what I coach my clients to do: manage stress (!), push past my comfort zone and make energizing, life-affirming choices.
My values
My upbringing and subsequent work in business and education cultivated values of integrity, connection, vitality, joy and learning (after all, we are works-in-progress!). These values have served as wayfinding tools for my career and life decisions. During our work together, I’ll help you connect to your own core values so that you can lead your life and your organization powerfully, from a place of strength.
As a leadership coach, I do more than help you increase your effectiveness, define your goals or navigate change.
I help you clarify who you are at your core, and then take action, leading with authenticity, purpose and confidence.
Education & Certifications
I invite you to take a look at my LinkedIn profile to see the full slate of my professional experience, activities, volunteer work and accomplishments - plus, more client recommendations.
B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication
Ed.M in Education
Trained Mental Fitness coach
Client Success Story
From Large Corporations to Small, High-Growth Firm
Client Objective
After spending my entire career in large, public companies like GE Healthcare and CVS/Aetna, I wanted to pivot to a smaller, privately-held company where I could be a member of the executive management team.
Challenge
I knew this transition would not be easy. Smaller companies would look at me and say, “He’s a big company guy. He won’t know how to function in a small company.” Bryn coached me to proactively address these challenges.
Client Evolution
I landed a Chief Marketing Officer position at a high-growth, private-equity-backed healthcare IT company. It was a perfect match for my skillset and aligned with the vision I set for myself, with Bryn’s coaching and guidance. If you are in transition, she will help you figure out what truly matters to you, and then how to best position yourself for the role of your dreams. She was a true partner – one who collaborated with me but also pushed me to be the best version of myself and not take the easy way out.
– Justin Steinman, Chief Marketing Officer, Definitive Healthcare
What do you want and what’s getting in your way?
My coaching style is positive, direct, and practical. I follow a“clear is kind” ethos (thank you, Brene Brown!) and come to each coaching session ready to have real conversations. I am an “all in” coach: delivering honest feedback, providing structure to your progress and holding you accountable for taking action.
You’re the greatest change agent in your own life, and I support and champion your success.
I use Gallup’s CliftonStrengths assessment and the Positive Intelligence (PQ) Saboteur assessment in my practice as tools to enhance your self-awareness, build your confidence and help you maximize your potential.
Having coached thousands of people, I have seen time and again that the biggest obstacle to achieving success and happiness can be our inner “saboteur” voice that unconsciously blocks our progress. Together, we transform your mindset, anchor your confidence and you learn lifelong skills that will enable you to adeptly navigate life’s challenges. Here’s how the coaching process typically unfolds:
How we work together:
Goal Setting
We do a deep dive into your background and define the goal(s) for our work together. What type of leader do you want to be? What do you want that you currently don’t have? What’s possible for you? I coach my clients to unlock their potential and think big picture.
Reality Check
Next, we look at where you are now and have conversations about the roadblocks in your way. Sometimes there are real gaps or specific areas to address, other times we’re blocked by limiting beliefs, assumptions, or imposter syndrome. Here, we deal with the reality of your situation against your goal(s).
Options & Choices
You always have a choice. You may not always get to choose the circumstances of your life, but you ALWAYS get to choose your response. Together, we look at all the opportunities that exist for you, so you can make conscious choices. We co-create options and then define a concrete strategy that will move you towards your goal(s).
Action
Coaching is about forward movement. Considering the opportunities and options you have, you’re going to employ different behaviors, make new choices and take considered action from a place of strength. I provide clear structure and accountability to the process, and we partner on each step to move you towards your goal. You will learn so much about yourself and transform into a brighter, better version of you!
Your future is bright.
Ready for your next evolution?
Free 30 minute Introductory Call
Schedule a chat to discuss your current situation, desired outcomes and decide if we’re a good fit. In addition to my standard offerings (see below), I provide individual sessions and custom coaching packages, as well as team-based Strengths coaching. I coach in-person and virtually, with clients in the Hawaiian islands and across the United States, Australia and Japan.
3-Month Career Coaching
$4,000
For those in career transition who want the tools, resources, and coaching to execute a job search strategy and own their long-term career management.
We focus on: Reflective groundwork, your mindset and confidence, your narrative, branding and positioning, intentional networking, interviewing, salary negotiation, and onboarding.
Full 34 CliftonStrengths Assessment
Career Transition Handbook and additional supporting resources
90-minute Foundational Session to create a specific coaching plan with outcomes
After the Foundational session, 6 more hours of coaching
On-demand coaching support/communication between sessions
One 30-minute coaching check-in session to be used after completion at your discretion
6-Month Leadership Development Coaching
$7,000*
Ideal for executives and managers who want to lead and develop their teams more effectively. Also for those who want to advance in their role and/or expand their impact.
Topics we focus on could include: leading through change, moving from boss to coach, developing and managing your team, vision setting and strategy, executive presence, communication skills, navigating difficult workplace decisions, greater self-awareness/finding your purpose.
*Corporate rates may differ
Full 34 CliftonStrengths Assessment
Positive Intelligence Saboteur Assessment and book, plus additional supporting resources
Two-hour Foundational Kickoff Session to create a specific coaching plan with outcomes
After the Foundational session, 12 more hours of coaching
On demand coaching support/communication between sessions
Quarterly 30-minute coaching check-in sessions for one year after completion of the package
Testimonials
A big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being an excellent coach, advisor, and an incredible source of support and inspiration through the last few years.
I would not have been able to confidently navigate my career without your help. At every stage, you helped me think through what I wanted, how to get there and to confidently position myself in conversations and salary negotiations so that I could build a more fruitful life overall. I count you as a lead advisor on my personal board and I am so grateful for our relationship. You are an invaluable resource and I strongly recommend your services as an executive coach.
– Nidhi B.
Navigating a transition is stressful and intimidating.
Having spent a long time at a former employer, I felt constricted in my career. Bryn’s coaching enabled me to work through my emotional challenges and evolve into a position of strength and confidence. Bryn coached me on how to articulate my strengths, desires, and interests, and together we considered how that fit with my professional experience. Using that as a foundation, we created a pitch and professional profile that helped me reinvigorate my network, meet others, and begin meaningful conversations. Further, Bryn has created great tools for networking, interviewing, and negotiating salary. I can’t imagine having to work through that process on my own; for sure it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun or productive!
– Robin W.
Bryn has been there for me through the toughest struggles in my career.
She coached me to uncover what was truly important to me as an individualand a leader. She helped me stay true to this even when I wanted to give up. I have endless gratitude for her coaching and patience as I embarked on my journey of self-discovery as a professional and woman of color from an elite school. Bryn was the first person who helped me verbalize that I wanted to be the CEO of my own company and she has been one of my greatest cheerleaders who got me to the CEO role I have now. Bryn’s coaching was a godsend and gave me the support to achieve my dreams.
– Scarlett L.
Speaking & Workshop Facilitation
I’ve created and delivered engaging workshops for companies and business leaders that have earned world-class net promoter scores. Video links to some of the topics I’ve covered are below.
I also facilitate team-based coaching workshops, typically using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths assessment and their decades of research that increases workplace engagement and productivity using strengths-based practices.
Contact me to discuss creating customized workshops for your organization. I deliver highly engaging and practical content, ensuring that participants leave feeling energized and that their time was well spent.
Client Success Story
From MIT to serial entrepreneur
Client Objective
I came to Bryn when I was feeling stuck in my career, having left a corporate product innovation role to have more flexibility with my young son.
Challenge
At the time, I was conflicted about how to balance motherhood with my career ambitions, entrepreneurial drive and expertise in human-centered design. Bryn coached me to get clear on what I wanted and needed at this stage of my life and career. Her coaching helped me uncover possibilities for myself that I had not considered, and to stay true to my priorities and values.
Client Evolution
My family and career have both expanded since I first started working with Bryn. I’ve been on the founding teams of four organizations, giving me both the flexibility I need and the opportunity to build businesses. I’m now pursuing my dreams with the launch of an incubator focused on innovating and enhancing the experience of working mothers. Working with Bryn as I developed this business venture was invaluable. She helped me frame my vision for what I wanted to create, who I wanted to be as a entrepreneur and supported me to go for my dreams from a place of intention and confidence.
– Jossy Lee, Founder & Creator, woom
Ready to unlock your potential?
I've successfully supported thousands of clients to become more effective leaders and managers.
It would be a privilege to enable your next evolution. Your future is bright!