Sherpa Coaching

What Sherpa Coaching does

Sherpa Coaching is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based executive coaching and leadership development firm founded in 2004 (with company origins traceable to 1995), serving Fortune 2000 enterprise clients, individual C-suite executives and rising leaders, and aspiring coaches seeking professional certification. The firm operates a global network of certified coaches and delivers its curriculum through university channel partnerships with the University of Georgia (flagship), Miami University, Texas Christian University, and Penn State.

The offering is anchored on the proprietary Sherpa Process — a methodology framed by a Himalayan guide metaphor — and layered with codified proprietary frameworks including the Three Sentence Rule communication model, the Corporate Culture Index measurement system, the Impact On Business (IOB) behavioral formula, the neuroscience-based SelfWare self-awareness concept, and the Team Leader Assimilation (TLA) program. Intellectual property extends to a published textbook ("The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching" authored by VP Brenda Corbett and used across all certification programs), a catalog of 10 Executive Presence workbooks, the Sherpa Leadership Institute (SLI) online learning platform, and the annual EXCO conference positioned as the longest-running industry gathering for executive coaches.

Revenue is generated through three streams: multi-year enterprise coaching contracts (1:1 executive coaching and team programs) sold on a quote basis at premium price points above $5,000, university-based certification fees delivered through the partner university channel, and ancillary product sales of books and workbooks through a Shopify storefront. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, the university channel, the SLI online platform, and recurring community touchpoints via Sherpa Triads and the EXCO conference.

Name

Sherpa Coaching

Legal name

Sherpa Coaching

Website

https://sherpacoaching.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sherpa Coaching provides process-driven executive coaching and leadership development services to Fortune 2000 enterprises and C-suite executives through a global network of certified coaches, university-based certification programs, and proprietary frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance & Accountability Coaching (EDABANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Presence & Communication Coaching (EDABANAE), Career, Purpose & Executive Wellbeing Coaching (EDABANAI)

Keywords

• Executive coaching services
• Leadership development training
• Coaching certification programs
• Corporate culture consulting
• Team coaching workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Executive Coaching Services: One-on-one executive coaching for C-suite executives and rising stars, delivered through a global network of certified Sherpa coaches.
2. Coaching Certification Programs: University-based certification programs at institutions like University of Georgia, Miami University, Texas Christian, and Penn State. Includes training, continuing education, and recertification.
3. Team Leadership Programs: Workshop and team leadership programs for organizations seeking to develop coaching cultures and refine leadership skills.
4. Sherpa Store Products: Sale of coaching books including 'The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching', 'BE...don't do', 'Why It Matters', and Executive Presence workbooks. Also includes daily pages and resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sherpa Coaching provides one-on-one executive coaching for C-suite executives and rising stars, plus university-based executive coaching certification programs and team leadership programs. Services are delivered through a global network of coaches trained in Sherpa's proprietary process methodology and are sold to Fortune 2000 organizations (Toyota, Stanley Black and Decker, Duke Energy, NCI). Complementary offerings include the Sherpa Leadership Institute online learning platform, women's leadership and executive presence programs, CSHP coaching-skills training, and a Shopify store selling branded coaching books and workbooks.

Product overview

Sherpa Coaching is a leadership development and executive coaching services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 2004. The company offers a portfolio of coaching services centered on its proprietary Sherpa Process methodology, with primary offerings including Executive Coaching for C-suite and emerging leaders, and a University-based Coaching Certification Program delivered through partnerships with University of Georgia, Miami University, Texas Christian, and Penn State. The product ecosystem includes complementary programs such as the Sherpa Leadership Institute (SLI) Online for digital learning, Team Coaching Programs (including Team Leader Assimilation), Women's Leadership Program, CSHP (Coaching Skills for High Performance), and SelfWare (neuroscience-based self-awareness training). Supporting offerings include the Annual Executive Coaching Survey (industry research since 2005), Sherpa Triads peer support network, EXCO annual conference, Sherpa Store (selling books including the core textbook 'The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching'), and Consultative Speaking training. The company operates a global network of certified Sherpa Coaches serving organizations including Toyota, Stanley Black and Decker, Duke Energy, and the National Cancer Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sherpa Leadership Institute (SLI): Online learning platform offering online programs for leadership development and coaching skills.
• Sherpa Executive Coaching
• Sherpa Leadership Institute Online

Products and services

• Executive Coaching One-on-one executive coaching services for C-suite executives and rising stars, using the proprietary Sherpa Process methodology to help leaders improve business behavior and achieve professional goals. Delivered through a global network of certified Sherpa coaches to enterprise clients and individual executives.
• Coaching Certification Program University-based executive coaching certification offered through partnerships with University of Georgia, Miami University, Texas Christian, and Penn State. Described as the most widely-recognized certification in the profession, using the textbook 'The Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching.' Includes training, continuing education, and recertification.
• Sherpa Leadership Institute (SLI) Online Online learning platform offering digital leadership development programs, including SelfWare neuroscience-based training modules and the Sherpa University's online portal, accessible remotely.
• Team Coaching Programs Team-focused coaching programs including the Team Leader Assimilation (TLA) program for new leader integration, team dynamics assessments using DiSC, and workshops for organizations developing coaching cultures.
• Women's Leadership Program Specialized cohort-based program helping women develop executive presence, discover their 'Why It Matters' motivation drivers, and build professional networks.
• CSHP: Coaching Skills for High Performance Coaching-skills training program teaching managers and leaders how to coach employees effectively using Sherpa's process-driven methodology.
• Executive Presence Programs Programs developing executive presence through tools like the Three Sentence Rule communication framework, body language awareness, and behavioral self-management.
• SelfWare Standalone neuroscience-based self-awareness course teaching individuals about brain function, primitive reactions, and how to rewire behaviors; covers fight-or-flight responses and behavior change. Includes a free online module via SLI.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organizations with coaching skills training outscore those without: 68.6 to 28.1 on corporate culture metrics
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and flagship.

• ToyotamajorOthers · 1 January 2016Major manufacturing client that has implemented the Sherpa process for leadership development.
• Stanley Black and DeckermajorOthers · 1 January 2016Enterprise client implementing Sherpa process for executive coaching and leadership development.
• Duke EnergymajorOthers · 1 January 2016Major energy sector client implementing Sherpa process for leadership development.
• University of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary university partner for Sherpa's executive coaching certification program. The UGA Center offers the most widely-recognized certification for executive coaches using Sherpa's proprietary process and textbook.
• Miami UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner where Sherpa teaches executive coaching as part of their academic offerings.
• Texas Christian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for Sherpa coaching certification and executive education programs.
• Penn StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner where Sherpa has taught executive coaching at eight major universities.
• Sherpa Leadership Institute (SLI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnline learning division offering online programs, SelfWare courses, and benefits of SLI for remote participants.
• National Cancer InstitutemajorOthersFederal government client where Sherpa coaches oversee and implement leadership programs. Jenn Chloupek serves as program overseer.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Egon Zehnder: Egon Zehnder is a global leadership advisory and executive search firm offering executive coaching and leadership development. Comparable to Sherpa on C-suite coaching engagements but as part of a broader advisory practice.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): DDI is a large leadership development firm providing executive coaching, leadership training, and certification-style programs to global enterprises. Comparable to Sherpa on corporate culture, leadership skills, and Fortune 500 engagements.
• Korn Ferry (Leadership Development): Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a sizable executive coaching and leadership development practice. Comparable to Sherpa on enterprise coaching engagements and team leadership programs, but as part of a much broader talent/consulting portfolio.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a coaching practice serving C-suite executives. Comparable to Sherpa on C-suite executive coaching services and large enterprise relationships.

Emerging players

• BetterUp: BetterUp is a venture-backed digital coaching platform offering on-demand executive and leadership coaching to enterprises. Competes with Sherpa for enterprise coaching spend but with a tech-enabled, lower-cost model and broader scale.
• CoachHub: CoachHub is a digital coaching platform serving enterprises globally with a large pool of vetted coaches. Comparable to Sherpa in enterprise coaching services but operates a tech marketplace model versus Sherpa's proprietary methodology approach.

Direct peers

• The Ken Blanchard Companies: Blanchard delivers leadership development programs, coaching skills training (including for managers), and certification programs for organizations. Comparable to Sherpa's CSHP and team coaching offerings with strong enterprise distribution.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a research-driven leadership development provider offering executive coaching, leadership programs, and certification. Comparable to Sherpa on university-affiliated research, executive coaching delivery, and team leadership offerings.
• Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching: Marshall Goldsmith's Stakeholder Centered Coaching is one of the most widely deployed executive coaching methodologies and certification programs globally. Directly comparable to Sherpa's process-driven coaching certification and Fortune 500 enterprise deployments.

Others

• International Coaching Federation (ICF): ICF is the leading global credentialing body for professional coaches, setting standards and certifying individual coaches. Comparable to Sherpa's certification function as ecosystem infrastructure rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1045266/admin
• Xx.com/thesherpacoach
• Facebookfacebook.com/SherpaCoaching

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 Sherpa Coaching