CODA Partners

What CODA Partners does

CODA Partners, Inc. is a for-profit leadership development firm founded in 2003 by Dr. James P. Sartain and Kathryn Davanzo, headquartered in Gulfport, Florida, with co-founder Sartain based in Dade City, FL. The firm sells evidence-based leadership development programs built on a portfolio of proprietary intellectual property — Connected Leadership Framework©, SGT-LSID© (Self-Generated Thoughts and Leader Self-Initiated Development), Connected Communications Model©, Leader P.O.V.®, Team P.O.V.®, and Student Leader P.O.V.© — which it describes as grounded in 35+ years of longitudinal research. The Connected Leadership framework is offered as a 30-hour seminar equivalent; the more recently launched Connected Teamwork Program extends the methodology to team-level development.\n\nCODA monetizes through a Train-the-Trainer certification at $1,995 per seat, wholesale Learning Products to certified trainers at 75% of retail, and direct program delivery. Its distribution is asset-light: two Principal Partners supported by a certified trainer network of 23+ independent practitioners across the US and Austria (including international delivery via Galagan Advisory), with associated IP co-owned alongside James Sartain & Associates and Pelorus Leadership Group. End customers include enterprise accounts such as Harley-Davidson and Essilor of America (delivered via Quintin & Associates), higher-education institutions (University of Tampa, University of South Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College), and the non-profit international student segment via a 2023 partnership with SHE-CAN Global. Delivery infrastructure runs on third-party platforms Pathwright (learning) and MogoBooks (retail book sales); no proprietary technology stack or AI/ML capability is indicated.\n\nThe firm's profile is that of a small, content-led consulting and licensing operation rather than a venture-backed software business — no funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no public listing are indicated. Operational and compliance posture appears professionally maintained (Trust Signals, GDPR/CCPA-compliant privacy disclosures, ownership transparency), but revenue, headcount trend, and growth metrics are not disclosed, and the firmographic classification is 1-10 employees reflecting only the principals rather than the broader contractor network.

Name

CODA Partners

Legal name

CODA Partners, Inc.

Website

https://codapartners.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CODA Partners delivers evidence-based leadership development programs built on the proprietary Connected Leadership Framework and SGT-LSID methodology, distributed through 23+ certified trainers serving corporate, higher-education, and non-profit clients in the US and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Leadership & Management (EDAGANAA), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Executive training services
• Trainer certification programs
• Team building workshops
• Communication skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Gulfport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Train the Trainer Certification: Certification program for individuals to become CODA Certified Trainers. Certification fee is $1,995. Certified trainers purchase CODA Learning Products at 75% of retail price and must order at least $500 worth within twelve months of certification.
2. Learning Products and Materials: Sale of evidence-based curricula, facilitator kits, journals, and learning materials to certified trainers and end-client organizations. Products include Connected Leadership, Connected Communications, Team P.O.V., and related programs.
3. Program Delivery: Revenue generated by certified trainers who deliver programs to corporate, academic, and non-profit clients. Trainers operate independently, purchasing materials from CODA and delivering programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CODA Partners develops and licenses evidence-based leadership development curricula (the CODA Learning Products suite) built on the Connected Leadership Framework© and SGT-LSID©. The company sells these programs via a Train the Trainer certification and to end-client organizations through a network of certified trainers, serving corporate, academic, and non-profit audiences.

Product overview

CODA Partners offers CODA Learning Products, a portfolio of evidence-based leadership development programs built around the Connected Leadership Framework© and the Sartain Grounded Theory of Leader Self-Identity Development© (SGT-LSID). The core product suite includes Connected Leadership (strengthening leader self-identity and effectiveness), Connected Communications (increasing influence through communication), Connecting with Executives (presenting to executive audiences), Leader P.O.V.® (clarifying personal leadership philosophy), and Student Leader P.O.V.© (for student leaders aligned with NACE, AACU, CAS competencies). Team-focused programs include Team P.O.V.©, Leading Connected Teams, and Connected Teamwork. Supporting intellectual property includes The CL Framework, The SGT-LSID, and The CC Model. CODA also offers a Certified Trainer Program (Train the Trainer) for those wishing to deliver CODA programs, and a partnership product with SHE-CAN Global for international students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connected Leadership Program Evidence-based leadership development program designed to strengthen leader self-identity and effectiveness, helping individuals grow into leaders and improve leadership effectiveness across corporate, academic, and non-profit audiences.
• Connected Communications Program designed to increase influence and impact through effective communication skills, based on the Connected Leadership Framework and the Connected Communications Model©.
• Connecting with Executives Program that prepares individuals to present to and influence executive audiences, including training on the ten expectations of executive audiences.
• Leader P.O.V.® Capstone experience program designed to clarify and articulate a participant's leadership philosophy and point of view. Registered trademark of CODA Partners, Inc.
• Student Leader P.O.V.© Specialized version of the Leader P.O.V. program for student leaders, aligned with NACE Career Readiness Competencies, AACU, CAS Outcomes, and Seemiller's Student Leadership Competencies.
• Team P.O.V.© Facilitated process through which in-tact teams create or validate their shared definition of team and shared accountability for achieving outstanding results.
• Leading Connected Teams Program providing a framework for leading high-performance teams through case studies and personal application, helping team leaders discover requirements for team membership, purpose, commitment, and shared accountability.
• The CL Framework The Connected Leadership Framework - an evidence-based model for leadership development that serves as the foundation for all CODA learning products, offered as a standalone curriculum/IP offering.
• The SGT-LSID The Sartain Grounded Theory of Leader Self-Identity Development - a phased and cyclical process for strengthening leader self-identity, based on Dr. James Sartain's research, offered as a standalone curriculum.
• The CC Model The Connected Communications Model - based on the Connected Leadership Framework, designed to guide effective communications through five phases: Intention, Identity, Examination, Exploration, Enlistment, and Execution.
• CODA Certified Trainer Program (Train the Trainer) Train the Trainer certification program (2023-2024) that certifies individuals to deliver CODA Learning Products; certification fee is $1,995 and includes Connected Leadership Facilitator's Kit with print and online versions, scripts, PowerPoints, marketing materials, research, and ongoing mentoring and support. Requires minimum $500 purchase commitment within twelve months.
• CODA-SHECAN Connected Leadership Program Customized version of the CODA Connected Leadership Program, co-developed with SHE-CAN Global, recognizing the culture and experiences of SHE-CAN Scholars and equipping them to return to their home countries and serve as leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• CODA programs help clarify and strengthen leader identity and refine tools necessary to lead self and others to optimal results.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SHE-CAN GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In 2023, CODA Partners joined with SHE-CAN Global to customize and deliver a version of the Connected Leadership Program that recognizes the culture and experiences of the SHE-CAN Scholars. The SHE-CAN Scholars are talented low-opportunity young women from post-conflict and climate-challenged countries who are enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. The program equips them to return to their home countries and serve as leaders.
• James Sartain and Associates, Inc.coreOthersJames Sartain and Associates, Inc. co-owns the intellectual property for the Connected Leadership Framework©, SGT-LSID©, and related CODA Learning Products with Pelorus Leadership Group, Inc.
• Pelorus Leadership Group, Inc.coreOthersPelorus Leadership Group, Inc. co-owns the intellectual property for the CODA Learning Products with James Sartain and Associates, Inc. Kathryn Davanzo is associated with this entity.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting and leadership development firm with proprietary leadership assessments and programs; overlaps with CODA on leadership development but offers end-to-end talent solutions at enterprise scale.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research-intensive leadership development incumbent offering assessments, programs, and coaching; overlaps with CODA's evidence-based positioning but operates at much larger scale and serves enterprise/FT500 buyers.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership and talent management incumbent with leadership development curricula, assessments, and digital delivery; competes for the same enterprise L&D budgets as CODA but at vastly greater scale.
• Wiley Workplace Learning: Wiley's Everything DiSC and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team content is distributed through certified facilitators and corporate L&D channels — direct adjacency to CODA's trainer-network leadership content business.

Direct peers

• Dale Carnegie Training: Historic leadership and professional development franchise with a global certified-instructor network delivering facilitator-led courses — same trainer-led channel model and same target buyer (emerging leaders and corporate L&D).
• FranklinCovey: Largest direct peer: distributes evidence-based leadership and effectiveness content (e.g., The 7 Habits) through a global licensee/certified-facilitator network — the same channel-led model CODA uses at much smaller scale.
• The Ken Blanchard Companies: Closely comparable niche competitor in leadership content licensing with research-backed models (Situational Leadership, SLII) distributed through certified trainers — directly analogous to CODA's Connected Leadership Framework.
• The Leadership Challenge: Kouzes-Posner-led leadership development program (The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership) licensed through certified facilitators — the closest direct analogue to CODA's evidence-based, trainer-distributed leadership content model.
• Zenger Folkman: Mid-sized evidence-based leadership development firm known for research-driven 360° feedback and leadership workshops — comparable content philosophy and target buyer profile to CODA at a slightly larger scale.

Emerging players

• VitalSmarts (now part of PeopleFluent / Trainual ecosystem): Training company built around Crucial Conversations/Influencer content, distributed through certified trainers and digital courses — overlaps CODA's leadership/communications franchise with a comparable trainer-channel model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CODAPartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coda-partners-inc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CODA Partners