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BoardVision · Sep 17, 2025 · 34 min

Coaching the CEO

An executive coach is not typically an advisor, a problem solver, or a performance corrector. Rather, a coach is someone who helps with self-discovery, Dawn Zier says. In this episode, Zier, an executive leadership coach and board member, and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss the role of coaches in the governance ecosystem. They explore when and why a CEO or C-suite coach may be necessary or desired; why this is a positive thing for executive leadership, the board, and the company; and the board’s role in establishing and supporting the success of a CEO-coach relationship. Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisor Guest: Dawn Zier, executive leadership coach, The ExCo Group; chair, Hain Celestial Group; board member, Acorns and Prestige Consumer Healthcare; former CEO, Nutrisystem Related NACD Resources: Making CEO Succession Plans Stick Survey Analysis: Board-CEO Relationship Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

0:00-34:45

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An executive coach is not typically an advisor, a problem solver, or a performance corrector. Rather, a coach is someone who helps with self-discovery, Dawn Zier says.


In this episode, Zier, an executive leadership coach and board member, and NACD advisor Susan Paley discuss the role of coaches in the governance ecosystem. They explore when and why a CEO or C-suite coach may be necessary or desired; why this is a positive thing for executive leadership, the board, and the company; and the board’s role in establishing and supporting the success of a CEO-coach relationship.


Host: Susan Paley, NACD advisor


Guest: Dawn Zier, executive leadership coach, The ExCo Group; chair, Hain Celestial Group; board member, Acorns and Prestige Consumer Healthcare; former CEO, Nutrisystem


Related NACD Resources:


Visit nacdonline.org for further research and information.

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