“My coaching supports clients as they connect to the core of who they are and why they do the work that they do so they can begin to evolve into the next best version of themselves.”
Chris Schiavone is a PCC-level ICF certified executive coach, facilitator and leadership development expert. She has over 20 years of experience developing high-performing leaders and organizations across the nonprofit, private and public sectors. She is known as an empathetic realist whose unique combination of authenticity and practicality helps her clients discover new ways of thinking, leading and achieving results.
She is most passionate about supporting senior executives, women leaders, clients navigating personal and professional transitions, and working parents. Her clients often seek support in gaining clarity about their professional next steps and leveling up as a leader in their field. Chris also regularly coaches clients who want to reimagine how work and life can be integrated in a more fulfilling way. She helps her clients develop self-awareness and gain confidence in tackling leadership—and life’s—challenges with purpose.
Chris has extensive experience partnering with clients to successfully navigate change, develop high-performing teams and maximize organizational impact. Whether it’s working with groups, teams or one-on-one clients, Chris creates a collaborative and experiential learning environment. Her coaching approach is driven by curiosity, trust and candor.
Her clients often cite her ability to quickly build trust and create a partnership rooted in empathy and honesty. They also appreciate her commitment to allowing leaders to bring their full selves to their coaching sessions, no matter what they might be dealing with, and be honored and respected.
Experience
Coaches leaders from across industries including the federal government, global manufacturing, higher education, health care, private equity and global nonprofits. She has served as a coach and facilitator for organizations including the Partnership for Public Service, The Women’s Impact Alliance, Chief, Torch and numerous Cabinet-level federal government agencies.
Under her watch as director for executive and team coaching, the Public Service Leadership Institute scaled its coaching practice by 575% and successfully delivered the Public Service Leadership 360 assessment and one-on-one, team and group coaching to thousands of federal leaders. She spearheaded LeadHERship in Government, an initiative to better understand and promote women leaders’ experience in federal service. She has presented on the topic for Executive Women Government, the Senior Executives Association, the African American Federal Executive Association and Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership.
Extensive experience leading organizational transformation efforts. She’s led multiyear, multimillion-dollar culture change and leadership transformation initiatives at Cabinet-level departments, resulting in significant improvement in annual employee satisfaction scores. Her experience includes working with agencies with strong union partnerships and in highly politicized work cultures.
Education, Training and Certifications
- M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Hofstra University
- B.A. in Psychology, Salisbury University
- Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University
- ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Assessment Certifications
MHS Emotional Intelligence 360 assessment; Everything DiSC; Center for Creative Leadership 360 assessment suite; Public Service Leadership 360 Assessment
Personal
Chris grew up on the Jersey Shore and now resides in Maryland with her husband, three young children and their golden retriever. She is passionate about supporting women leaders and mothers in the workplace. Through her own experience as a working professional and as a mom, she knows how critical it is to have coaching and sponsorship in the workplace—and the positive impact it can make when you have support. She comes from a long line of public servants, including her dad who served for almost 40 years in the federal government. She loves cycling, live music, a good book and is happiest when she is at the beach with friends and family.