I am a Leadership Coach.
I work with impact-driven leaders and entrepreneurs who seek to make the world a better place.

I help my clients understand their deepest aspirations, dismantle limiting beliefs, and become better, more effective versions of themselves. Together, we create sound, realistic strategies for progress and work to execute them. I guide with grace, vulnerability, compassion, and (occasionally) brutal honesty.

Having founded, built, and successfully exited a well-known strategic communication agency, and having gone through deep, uncomfortable change and growth myself, I can help others who recognize the urge to transform and elevate themselves. 

Desi Guusje Bendeler, CEO | Leadership Coach

Who I work with

I work with leaders from all walks of life who are ready to unlock their fullest potential and increase their positive impact in the world around them. I tend to work with people who are highly motivated and committed to raising their ceilings, such as:

  • Entrepreneurs in high-pressure situations while standing alone at the top

  • Impact makers who feel they aren't doing enough

  • High-achieving women leaders who feel tension between ambition and values 

  • Successful first generation immigrant professionals navigating a foreign culture and language

  • Go-getter creatives trying to balance commerce with personal drive to create 

What we work on

All impact makers start somewhere, whether that is a steady climb up the professional ladder to that dream leadership position, or — like I did — start from scratch out of a garage with a lofty idea to change the world. I help my clients tap into their potential and actualize a highly successful and gratifying career. I made countless tough decisions around hiring, firing, how to grow, when to invest, how to inspire teams, build highly successful external brands and thriving internal cultures, win and keep clients, build sound operational systems and processes, and be a trustworthy, inspiring leader. I empower and guide my clients to do the same and much more.

Often, we let ourselves be held back by limiting beliefs, internal and external obstacles, and sometimes simply, our own nature. Barriers like imposter syndrome, not acting from our values or showing up authentically, feeling isolated in a world that doesn’t look or sound like we do, not responding from Self, imbalanced work-life integration, fear to be leading with vulnerability and an open heart, improper management of our energy for true peak performance, inability to recognize what is important versus what is urgent, the lack of a deep sense of self-worthiness, and developmental trauma are some of the topics that arise during the coaching journey. When these barriers are recognized and alleviated, choices become easier to make and the path to actualizing our fullest potential becomes crystal clear and achievable.

How my clients benefit

I let my clients speak for themselves

  • “As a psychologist, I believed I was well-equipped to handle my own career challenges. However, my interactions with Desi reminded me that we all need another to see ourselves more clearly. Desi masterfully blends warmth with exceptional professionalism, creating a nurturing yet effective coaching environment. Her attentive presence and keen listening skills ensure that each reflection she offers is not just heard but felt, often paving the way for significant insights. With Desi, you will embark on a fulfilling journey that spans initial exploration, goal-setting, and decisive action. Desi's approach is grounded in clear, structured coaching frameworks that keep you accountable, while also making the process enjoyable. Her guidance is a beacon for anyone looking to make their life path more rewarding and sustainable. I have every confidence she will help you make a lasting change!”

    — Aurélie Athan, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Research Professor, Columbia University

  • “Following recent changes in my life and within my company, I started questioning my identity; who I’m expected to be at this juncture and how I strengthen certain aspects of my character to meet the challenge. Desi’s coaching came as a tremendous gift, as it’s rare to find someone who completely understands the challenges of running a business and raising children, while striving to find inner harmony. Her approach has been nurturing. Her thoughts and questions guide me toward revelations and actions that help me achieve my goals without pressure.”

    — Nancy Mancilla, President & Founder, ISOS Group, a division of Environ Energy

  • “Desi, here's how I've found our work most helpful: * Helped me better understand my own definition of "excellence" (this varies from person to person) * Better see the link between my work and the influence I want to have on the world around me * Understand how my particular blend of strengths and weaknesses work together — either supporting growth or holding me back * Get "unstuck" in my work * Think through how and where to receive mentorship * Better understand how "toxic" people affect me — and plan for a way to not give them as much influence over me moving forward."

    Geoff Ledford, Director, Marketing Strategist, EWI

My credentials

Formal leadership coach training and a wealth of rich life experiences inform my coaching.

In my life, I’ve worn a variety of hats:

  • Leader — Over twenty years of experience leading multidisciplinary, engaged, and highly successful teams

  • Entrepreneur — Built and successfully exited a well-known strategic communication agency

  • CEO — Rallied teams, clients, and other stakeholders around visionary goals and achieved actualized positive impact in the world

  • Educator (K-12 & university) — Inspired students to find and express their passion in visual art

  • Leadership coach — Help clients to transform and show up as their whole selves in professional and personal lives

Contact

If you would like to find out more about my coaching approach and philosophy, call me.

I believe in building real, human-to-human connections — and words on a website aren’t much of a substitute for a real conversation. If you think you could benefit from an executive coach or want to ask questions — without pressure to commit to working together — please give me a call or book a free 30-minute phone call with me.