Our Story

Coach to Lead was established in 2018 by Dr. Denise Snowden to help educational leaders achieve their vision through practical, personalized support. During her time on faculty at The Ohio State University and throughout her engagements with school districts across the country for almost 30 years, Denise saw firsthand how complex and context-specific leadership challenges can stifle individual growth and innovative organizational change. She created Coach to Lead in response to these needs.

Coach to Lead anchors our processes in the core values of commitment, collaboration, and care, bringing clarity to school improvement through an iterative human-centered approach. This philosophy has allowed us to focus on delivering high-quality leadership development and strategic planning. Coach to Lead combines strategic change practices with a passion for helping leaders to Lead from the Inside Out.

Coach to Lead by the Numbers

25+ years of designing, researching, and leading adult learning.
700+ facilitation and speaking engagements.
Meets or exceeds expectations 100% of the time.

A trusted partner to national organizations, school districts, and higher ed in 9 states.
30+ school districts directly supported in urban, suburban, and rural contexts.

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Denise A. Snowden, Ph.D.

Founder & CEO

Meet Dr. Denise Snowden, a dedicated educator and leader with almost 30 years of experience in the fields of adult learning, education, and leadership. As the founder of Coach to Lead, Denise has committed her career to helping leaders transform their organizations from within. Her journey began in the classroom, where she not only transformed the lives of her students, but achieved national board certification, the most rigorous credential for educators. Challenged to expand her influence, Denise took on executive leadership roles in non-profit and philanthropic organizations where she led national projects, designed comprehensive learning systems for organizational change, and elevated social justice. During this time, she spent seven years preparing future school and district leaders as a faculty member at The Ohio State University.

With a doctor of philosophy in educational policy and leadership, Denise specializes in facilitating strategic change, coaching, and collaborative leadership development. Her insights have shaped school transformation efforts in many states such as Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Colorado, and she has partnered with notable organizations, including the U.S. Department of Education, KnowledgeWorks, Battelle for Kids, and the Gates Foundation. Denise’s research, recognized with multiple honors, continues to guide her work helping leaders and teams navigate complex educational landscapes.

At Coach to Lead, Denise applies her expertise in practical ways, partnering with school districts and learning organizations nationwide. She brings not only technical knowledge but a deep commitment to building high-performing, reflective leadership teams. Her work empowers educators and leaders to create lasting change for students, schools, and communities.

For more detailed information about Denise's experiences, visit her LinkedIn page.

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