Elif Suner

Walking alongside leaders, teams, and coaches!

For me, leadership has never been about standing alone. It is about cultivating presence, clarity, and trust and having the courage to walk alongside others. This philosophy has shaped my 25+ year journey as a leadership development consultant, executive and team coach, and supervisor of coaches.

As a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with more than 6,000 hours of executive, leadership, and team coaching, I have supported leaders and teams around the world in navigating uncertainty, building psychological safety, and amplifying their impact. My client portfolio includes organizations such as Meta, Google, Salesforce, Coca-Cola, IBM, Disney, VISA, Amex, Capital One, Walmart, BP, Chevron, Sanofi, Roche, and Louis Vuitton, as well as public institutions like the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health. Each engagement has reinforced my belief that leadership transformation creates ripple effects that reach far beyond the individual.

My path has spanned corporate leadership, consulting, and academia. With dual master’s degrees — an MBA and an M.Ed. in Leadership Development, I bring both strategic business insight and deep understanding of human growth into my work. I have served as President of ICF Ottawa, am a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, and, as faculty at the Gestalt Center for Coaching, I mentor and supervise coaches internationally, supporting them to sharpen their presence, creativity, and professional practice.

My approach integrates experiential learning, Gestalt, systemic, and evidence-based methods, creating a space where coachees can discover new insights about themselves. I also draw on my background in business consulting and coaching to provide practical perspectives, tools, and strategies that help leaders find their path forward.

Clients describe me as adaptive and a sparring partner when challenge is needed, a thought partner when reflection is called for, and always someone who offers a safe yet stretching space for growth. I am particularly recognized for helping leaders develop strategy, vision, executive presence, influence, and emotional intelligence, while supporting teams in building collaboration, resilience, and psychological safety.

Areas of Focus

Executive presence and influence

Strategic thinking and decision-making

Psychological safety and resilience

Conflict resolution and emotional intelligence

Managing up and navigating complexity

Team coaching and facilitation

Coach supervision and development

Key Milestones

6,000+ hours of executive, leadership, and team coaching

150+ transformational projects delivered across sectors and continents

Mentored and supervised dozens of internal and external coaches

Selected as a jury member for the Kaizen Torch Awards 2026, Dubai

Community & Recognition
Beyond client work, I am deeply committed to strengthening coaching communities. I have redesigned and launched coaching circles for public-sector leaders in Ottawa, and developed train-the-trainer frameworks that continue to expand internal coaching capacity. Within the International Coaching Federation Ottawa Chapter I had the privilege of planning and organizing a wide range of enriching events; especially during COVID, when fostering connection and support was more important than ever. I have also served other nonprofit organizations, helping bring greater confidence and clarity to women’s lives.

In 2026, I am honoured to serve as a jury member at Kaizen Torch in Dubai, contributing my global perspective and commitment to advancing leadership excellence.

At the core of my work is a simple belief: leaders, teams, and coaches thrive when they are supported to grow with clarity, courage, and impact.