Lead With Clarity. Execute with Confidence. Grow With Purpose.

Hi, and thanks for stopping by

to learn more about my background and training

As an independent business consultant since 1995, I have worked with domestic and international clients in various industries: Engineering, Medicine, Non-Profits, Psychology, Government Relations, Law, Alternative Energy, Construction, and Agriculture to name a few.

My clients have hired me to help them with (traditional and digital) marketing, business development, project management, educational outreach, cross-cultural communications, grant applications (federal, state, and local), opposition research, human resources support, and business administrative services.

The following are some highlights of how I did and continue to support my clients' interests:

  • educating stakeholders (project owners, engineers and construction professionals, financiers, regulators, educators, elected officials, and the general public) on advanced waste-to-energy digester systems

  • developing a US $3.2M waste-to-energy agricultural biogas system

  • submitting successful applications to federal, state, and local entities to be awarded $985,000 in grant funds

  • developing partnerships with resellers and installers of photovoltaic (PV) panels

  • shepherding PV panels through the technical certification process

  • acquiring clients for PV projects

  • providing administrative support by working with law professionals to establish foreign-held corporations

  • assisting with staffing up of a growing non-for-profit

  • managing business accelerator programs

  • coaching business owners on pitch-readiness (to obtain financing and funding)

  • coaching employees to improve performance

Having run a consultancy, with multiple employees at times, and also working with my business clients and their teams, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by businesses, their leaders and key team members – and this informs my approach today.

When working with business owners and professionals, our time together is focused on the areas of strategic thinking, implementation planning and executing. We also address challenges to managing these changes effectively while keeping internal and external stakeholders engaged appropriately - to further support client success.

What makes my approach unique is that I bring an outside perspective to the discussion, with an ability to quickly hone in on what needs to be addressed to bring about the desired change. My direct communication style and willingness to question the status quo and address potential blind spots often lead to my clients reaching the results they seek more quickly.

Ultimately, I'm an independent outside thinking partner that helps implement change, provides feedback, challenges assumptions, offers accountability, and is a sounding board - all in an effort to help my clients reach their objectives.

If you're wondering what working with me looks like, please also have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page.

CERTIFICATIONS

The following certificate programs are in addition to the many ICF*-approved online seminars and trainings – too many to list here – that I attend on an ongoing basis and that inform my approach to coaching.


*The ICF (International Coaching Federation) has become the pre-eminent organization that sets the standards for the coaching industry. The trainings and certifications I seek out meet or exceed the requirements of the ICF.

CERTIFIED EXECUTIVE COACH

Center for Executive Coaching

July 2021

An ICF-approved curriculum of proven, practical systems and methodologies that produce measurable results for leaders and their organizations.

Led by a Harvard MBA, the training consists of 125 coach-specific training hours, of which 90 are instructional and interactive learning and 35 hours consisting of peer coaching.

Additional focus-specific coach certifications

PERCEPTUAL SHIFT COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

CHANGE LEADERSHIP COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

POWER & INFLUENCE COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

COMMUNICATION IMPACT COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

CERTIFIED COACH

Coach Training Alliance

November 2012

An intensive program that teaches coaching competence, as well as marketing and business skills to aspiring coaches.

60 ICF-approved coach specific training hours of interactive learning, including supervised peer coaching, plus 20 hours of peer coaching.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

INTERNATIONAL COACHING FEDERATION


The ICF is a membership organization for trained coach practitioners; sets standards and manages the credentialing of coaches; oversees and manages the accreditation and approval of coaching education providers; facilitates interaction between innovators, researchers, technologists, venture capitalists, press and influencers to build and maintain a comprehensive and high-quality body of knowledge on the art and practice of coaching.

© 2026 Sylke Chesterfield, Certified Executive Coach. All Rights Reserved .