Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor

Leadership that
transforms — not
just performs

Partnering with C-suite executives and high-potential leaders to unlock capability, build resilient teams, and drive growth that lasts. Grounded in 35 years of real operational experience.

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35+
Years Experience
15+
Years C-Suite
2×
Continents
John O'Melia Executive Coach

"He never separated the executive from the human being."

— Lucie B., Chief Product Officer, NY
◆ Leadership & Performance Coaching Certification — Brown University
◆ Former CEO & C-Suite Executive
◆ Startups · Scale-ups · Global Enterprises
◆ US · UK
John O'Melia
35
Years of
Real-World
Experience

About John

The coach who has sat in your chair

I grew up in the north of England in a working-class family — a foundation that gave me a roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and a belief that leadership isn't about a title. It's about building strong, resilient teams and helping individuals achieve potential they didn't know they had.

My career has taken me across the Atlantic. I've served as a CEO, navigated complex acquisitions, led through market transitions, and scaled organisations across two continents. When you work with me, you get someone who has sat in the board meetings, felt the weight of high-stakes decisions, and knows that the human element of business is everything.

To complement this experience, I completed the Leadership and Performance Coaching Certification at Brown University — layering a rigorous, evidence-based framework over real-world expertise. The result: coaching that is both psychologically grounded and commercially astute.

Rooted in Reality
No textbook theory. Grounded in decades of genuine operational leadership.
Evidence-Based
Brown University coaching certification layered over real-world expertise.
Human-First
Great leadership is personal. Integrity and true connection are non-negotiable.
Global Reach
Cross-cultural experience spanning the US and UK.

Services

A partnership
built around you

Every engagement is co-created. Whether you need focused leadership acceleration or long-term strategic support, we design the partnership that fits your timeline and goals.

01
Core Leadership Accelerator
3–6 Months
Focused, high-impact coaching for leaders navigating new role transitions, challenging situations, or looking to elevate their organisational impact.
Ideal For Leaders in transition or seeking step-change growth in performance and resilience.
  • 2 high-impact sessions per month
  • Strategic coaching & mentoring
  • Initial kick-off & goal alignment
Request a Proposal
02
Strategic Growth & Transformation
12 Months
A deep, sustained partnership for leaders scaling at the pace of their organisations — navigating complex global markets and the modern AI-driven landscape.
Ideal For Senior leaders seeking long-term organisational impact and executive presence at scale.
  • 2 primary sessions per month
  • "Spot Coaching" — 15-min urgent sessions
  • Full 360-degree leadership review
  • Ongoing text support
Request a Proposal
03
Strategic Partnership
Ongoing
For coaching alumni and repeat clients who want a trusted advisor permanently in their corner — navigating complexity and sustaining high performance over the long term.
Ideal For Post-engagement alumni seeking continued strategic support and accountability.
  • 1 strategic check-in per month
  • Ongoing text support
  • "Spot Coaching" availability
Request a Proposal

Sessions conducted via Zoom. In-person available in San Francisco · Los Angeles · New York · Boston · London · Sydney when schedules align.

Beyond individual leadership development, I take on targeted strategic advisory assignments for boards, CEOs, founders, and senior leadership teams. These engagements leverage 35 years of operational experience to solve complex challenges and drive immediate value.


Engagements are typically project-based or structured as a Strategic Retainer — a set number of hours per month, calibrated to your needs.


Inquire About an Assignment

  • Business Advisory

    Strategic counsel for CEOs, founders, and executive teams navigating the complexities of scaling — from aligning leadership to optimising execution frameworks in today's AI-driven environment.

  • Strategic Growth & Recovery

    Diagnosing operational challenges and co-creating rapid recovery plans. From stabilising retention to rebuilding sales process — a clear roadmap back to predictable growth.

  • Exit Readiness & M&A Support

    For companies preparing for an eventual sale: identifying likely buyers, building value-enhancement plans, and guiding leadership teams through due diligence readiness.

Client Voices

What leaders say

Genuine words from the executives and leaders I've had the privilege of partnering with over the years.

"

He never separated the executive from the human being — he helped me understand what was at stake and reconnect with what matters most to me. John brings serenity, deep humanity, and a lifetime of experience to every conversation.

L
Lucie B.
Chief Product Officer — New York
"

John has a rare ability to help you step back, make sense of complexity, and find clarity in situations that seem broad or ambiguous. His understanding of organisational dynamics gives his coaching real credibility.

A
Aage S.
Managing Director — New York
"

Working with John was a shift from traditional mentoring to building a real framework for how I lead my global organisation. If you're a leader looking for someone who actually understands the C-suite perspective, John is the partner you want.

J
JR T.
VP Customer Support — Philadelphia
15-Year Partnership
S
Scott L.
VP of APJ — Melbourne

"He combines genuine care with a highly creative approach to problem-solving, and his deep network and insight consistently add value. He is, quite simply, one of the most thoughtful and effective people you could work with."

"

John has been more than a CEO to me — he's been a trusted coach and mentor for over a decade. As a seasoned executive with deep life and leadership experience, he consistently brought a perspective grounded in having truly "been there," helping me navigate critical career decisions with clarity and confidence.

S
Steve T.
GVP of Sales — San Francisco
Available In-Person
San Francisco Los Angeles New York Boston London Sydney
+ Global via Zoom

How We Work

A structured path
to lasting change

Every engagement begins with understanding — your goals, your context, your pace. What follows is a rigorous, human-centred process designed to trigger deep behavioural shifts and measurable long-term performance gains.

01
Discovery Call
A complimentary 30-minute conversation to understand your goals and determine whether we're the right fit for each other.
02
Co-Create the Plan
We design the engagement together — timeline, structure, focus areas — so it precisely fits your situation and ambitions.
03
Deep Partnership
High-impact sessions, spot coaching when you need it, and the kind of honest, trusted dialogue that only comes from genuine experience.
04
Measurable Growth
We track progress against clear benchmarks — behavioural shifts, leadership outcomes, and the long-term gains that justify the investment.

Start the Conversation

Ready to lead with greater clarity?

The first step is a no-obligation discovery call. Tell me a little about where you are and where you want to be — and we'll explore together whether a partnership makes sense.

◆ No commitment required
◆ Available globally via Zoom
◆ Response within 24 hours

Your information is kept strictly confidential and will never be shared.