Executive Coaching
Rigorous, equity-informed coaching for leaders who are ready to grow.
A Trusted Thought Partner for Complex Leadership
Executive and senior leadership is rewarding — and relentlessly demanding. The decisions are harder, the stakes are higher, and the people you’d normally turn to are often the ones affected by the choices you’re making.
Five/6teen offers executive coaching as a rigorous, confidential, and deeply human practice. Dr. Kim works one-on-one with executives, directors, and senior leaders to strengthen their leadership effectiveness, navigate complexity, and sustain the kind of clarity and presence the work requires.
An Equity-Informed Coaching Practice
Dr. Kim’s coaching practice is shaped by her research on Black women’s leadership in predominantly white institutions, her own experience navigating senior leadership, and her deep expertise in organizational dynamics. This means she brings a particular depth of understanding to clients who are:
Leaders of color navigating organizational cultures that were not built with them in mind
Women in senior or executive roles managing visibility, authority, and institutional expectations simultaneously
Leaders in mission-driven organizations carrying the weight of purpose alongside the demands of operations
Executives in transition — stepping into new roles, navigating a leadership change, or preparing for the next chapter
At the same time, this is rigorous professional coaching — grounded in evidence-based frameworks and her certification through the Institute for Coaching Excellence — that serves any leader ready to do serious, sustained growth work.
What We Work On
LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS
Strengthening strategic decision-making, executive presence, stakeholder management, and the clarity of vision and communication that distinguishes good managers from exceptional leaders.
SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP
The best leaders can’t lead if they’re burned out. We work on the practices, boundaries, and self-awareness that allow leaders to sustain high performance without sacrificing well-being.
NAVIGATING TRANSITION
Whether you’re stepping into a new executive role, leading your organization through change, or preparing for a career pivot, coaching provides the structure and support to navigate the transition with intention.
EQUITY IN YOUR LEADERSHIP
Developing a leadership practice that is authentically equity-centered — in how you lead your team, develop your culture, make decisions, and show up in the room.
What A Coaching Engagement Looks Like
Executive coaching engagements with Five/6teen are structured as three- or six-month retainers, with bi-weekly or monthly sessions depending on the depth and pace of work. All sessions are confidential and conducted virtually or in person in the Chicago area.
A complimentary 30-minute call to explore your goals, assess fit, and determine whether this coaching relationship is the right match.
Chemistry & Discovery
A structured intake process to clarify coaching goals, establish baseline, and design the arc of the engagement.
Goals & Framework
Regular one-on-one sessions using evidence-based coaching frameworks, reflective practice, and Dr. Kim’s deep sector expertise.
Coaching Sessions
Between-session commitments, reflection prompts, and accountability structures to ensure coaching translates into real-world leadership practice.
Application & Accountability
A mid-engagement and closing review to assess progress against goals and determine whether to extend, close, or shift the focus of the engagement.
Review & Renewal
Coaching Credentials
Dr. Kim is a certified coach in Life, Leadership, and Executive Coaching through the Institute for Coaching Excellence. She holds an Ed.D. in Leadership & Innovation from Arizona State University, and additional certificates in Ethical & Inclusive Leadership and DEI in the Workplace, along with training in Conflict Resolution. Her active research on Black women’s leadership directly informs her coaching practice.
“If you’re feeling stuck or like you just need someone in your corner, this is an excellent option to pursue. The sheer knowledge that was imparted was invaluable.”
— Alexis Green — Coaching ClientReady to Get Started?
Let’s talk about your organization’s needs and whether Five/6teen Consulting is the right partner for this moment.