Susan Gurnik

Susan brings over 25 years of combined corporate and executive coaching experience, specializing in transformational leadership for high-growth companies navigating complex organizational change. From scaling startups to major corporate transformations, she guides C-suite executives and rising talent through today's most challenging business environments.

Her client portfolio includes organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Buffalo, and Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. Recent engagements demonstrate her range: helping a franchise founder scale from 22 to over 150 locations, guiding leadership teams through major acquisitions, and transforming aerospace executives to bridge generational gaps while driving operational excellence.

Susan's dual perspective as both former corporate executive and Professional Certified Coach allows her to understand the real pressures leaders face while focusing on practical, results-oriented solutions. She works across diverse leadership challenges - from developing executive presence and building high-performing teams to navigating complex organizational changes - always combining deep business acumen with proven coaching methodologies. Her approach integrates advanced assessment tools and emotional intelligence development with strategic thinking to create sustainable leadership transformation that drives both individual effectiveness and organizational success.

Notable Client Achievements

• Jeremiah's Italian Ice - Guided founder through six-year coaching relationship during explosive growth from 22 to 150+ locations, enabling successful franchising transition and leadership pipeline development.

• Blue Buffalo (General Mills acquisition) - Transformed senior sales director following challenging 360 review. Strengthened virtual team leadership and led cultural transformation, preparing the team for successful Fortune 500 integration.

• SpaceX - Transformed aerospace executive's leadership approach from directive to collaborative through one-year engagement. Bridged 30+ year generational gap between ex-Air Force/NASA astronaut and under-30 engineering team at Florida launch operations.

• KMI International - Facilitated founder-to-successor CEO transition through multi-year engagement, providing coaching for both leaders while managing organizational communications and resolving leadership conflicts.

• JRI USA (Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers) - Developing comprehensive leadership succession program for family member successor, incorporating mentoring, strategic projects, and formal learning components.