Nicole Zehfuss, PhD

Nicole applies her extensive experience in both the corporate and academic arenas to addressing the strategy, transformation, and executive coaching needs of leaders facing complex problems related to growth. She is skilled at anticipating obstacles and developing innovative strategies to meet changing needs. Nicole is an excellent communicator with strong listening, analysis, change management, collaboration, and coaching skills.

Throughout her career, Nicole has been committed to helping others reach their career goals, as a teacher, mentor, and coach, and by developing and managing people-related programs at a variety of organizations. Prior to establishing her own company, Nicole managed the internal team member experience, strategic initiatives, and operations at a government consulting firm.

As the Chief Operating Officer at a newly formed specialist strategy consulting firm, she established internal operations, building the foundation for a compelling employee value proposition and implementing key technology solutions. Before this, Nicole worked in various roles at a large government contractor, including as Chief of Staff of the Strategic Innovation Group and lead of the firm’s onboarding program. She has also taught French history, literature, and language at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Nicole holds an MBA from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, a Ph.D. in French history from the University of Virginia, an MA from Middlebury College, and a BA from the University of Virginia. She is a Certified Professional Coach, a member of the International Coaching Federation, and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.

Nicole is a Board Member at Living Vicky, a nation-wide nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a personalized career development program that serves women throughout their careers. Nicole lives in Northern Virginia with her family and one very rambunctious dog.