“To be at your edge, where you’re unsteady and uneasy – to be wobbling – is to be growing, finding balance and eventually, steadiness.”
Shalini Madan Benson serves as an executive leadership coach and facilitator for the Partnership for Public Service. She has more than 25 years of experience working in leadership roles of progressively greater responsibility in the federal, private, and nonprofit sectors, including managing teams of more than 50 people and overseeing budgets of over $5 billion. She has worked as a nonprofit vice president, a private sector consultant and a member of the Senior Executive Service. She has firsthand experience transforming leaders and teams to achieve their potential by focusing on purpose and authenticity.
Creating greater connections, growing joy, and supporting leaders who serve is her purpose. Shalini enjoys working with people who are navigating personal or professional transitions, and with leaders who are working through issues of identity – both their own and those of others. Her clients especially appreciate her lightness during tough conversations. She makes space to address deeply personal professional challenges and honors and respects her clients’ experiences while framing them for opportunities and new horizons. Clients report leaving her sessions refreshed, hopeful and optimistic.
Experience
Coached in multiple industries, including local and federal government, and the nonprofit and private sectors Served in the Office of Management and Budget as a Presidential Management Fellow, in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in the Department of Energy, and in the National Institutes of Health and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Experienced leader across multiple sectors, including roles as a nonprofit vice president, a private sector consultant and a member of the federal Senior Executive Service. Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Founding board member of Girls Global Academy, the first all-girls charter high school in Washington, D.C., providing a global education to a diverse group of young women.
Education, Training and Certifications
- Master’s degree in Public Policy (Georgetown University)
- B.A. Politics and Philosophy (Brandeis University)
- Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University)
- ICF (International Coaching Federation) Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Assessment Certifications
Leadership Circle 360 Assessment Experience DiSC, EQ-1 2.0; Mile Marker 360; Public Service Leadership 360
Personal
Shalini is a creative, curious and kind mother of three; a spouse, daughter and nonprofit board member; a small business owner; and a leadership coach and friend. She is a first generation Indian American with a healthy dose of New Jersey-born pride. Her name is pronounced “SHA-lyn-ee,” and her pronouns are “she” and “her.” After a challenging, rewarding and productive career in the federal government and nonprofit sector leading and managing teams, she was burned out and took a break. She used the time to try new things and rediscovered yoga.