Salt Pond Leadership Partners
Supporting the professional development for those seeking to refine or expand their leadership presence and effectiveness.
What I Do
Offering services in leadership coaching, training and consulting, Salt Pond Leadership Partners will customize an approach that meets the specific professional development needs of yourself or your organization. Focus is given to the ‘whole’ person, understanding where they are rooted today and how they can leverage this to create the desired growth and development.
Meet Susan
I recently retired from my role as President at The Smithers Group, where I began my career in the organization as an entry level scientist and over the course of 30+ years, joined the ranks of the senior operations executives. During my time at Smithers, I led multiple contract research organizations at a global level, each facing mission-critical challenges. I was charged with identifying and accelerating strategic measures to strengthen performance with sustained multimillion-dollar operational results. Recognized for business acumen, sound fiscal judgment, and collaborative strategic partnerships, I was able to achieve aggressive growth, enhanced profitability and reduced costs. Above all else though, I consider myself a growth champion for business talent. Throughout my leadership experience, I was charged with talent acquisition and employee development to support operational growth and succession planning. This was accomplished through targeted training in addition to mentoring and coaching. This extensive experience in corporate operations and organizational leadership forms the basis by which I launched Salt Pond Leadership Partners.
I currently serve on the Advisory Board of EBS Builders in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.
Services
Leadership Coaching
I provide a personalized approach to support professional development for executives, new managers, as well as high-potential employees. Whether you are navigating a transition from individual contributor to people leader, trying to understand and develop your leadership style or orchestrating a challenging cultural transformation, leadership coaching is a proven and effective approach to help refine the direction, confidence and resolve necessary for success.
Training
Adapted to individuals or groups, I can customize leadership training programs to meet the unique needs of your organization. Potential training topics include the five levels of leadership and how to effectively move through each level, leading with integrity, effecting positive change, self-discipline and establishing vision.
Consulting
Bringing decades of leadership and operational experience as well as institutional training on coaching methods, I can provide advice and guidance based on real-life business challenges and lessons learned. Areas of expertise include expanding and developing leaders in high growth environments, near- and long-term succession planning and managing change and transitions within your organization.
FAQs
Why Leadership Coaching?
Leadership coaching is a customized, one-on-one development process designed to help leaders enhance their performance, leadership skills, and self-awareness. I use a variety of tools such as structured conversations, feedback from 360 assessments and goal-setting to support my client’s growth. Coaching has been shown to be an effective approach improving leadership skills and presence, identifying and overcoming self-limiting beliefs and increasing self-awareness. Businesses utilize executive coaching because it helps leaders grow faster, make better decisions, and create healthier, more productive teams.
Here’s why it’s valuable:
1. Improves leadership skills – Coaches help leaders communicate better, delegate more effectively, and manage conflict with more confidence.
2. Boosts performance – Individuals often perform better with clear goals, accountability, and constructive feedback.
3. Enhances self-awareness – Coaching helps people recognize blind spots and work through self-limiting beliefs or behaviors.
4. Supports succession planning – High-potential employees can be prepared for bigger roles through targeted development.
5. Promotes retention – Investing in professional growth shows employees they’re valued, which increases loyalty and engagement.
6. Strengthens company culture – Leaders who grow tend to create more inclusive, empowering environments for their teams.
What’s the best way to select a leadership coach?
Here are the main things to consider:
1. Experience and background – Look for a coach who has experience working with leaders at your level or in your industry. Some may also have a business or industrial psychology background, which can be a benefit depending on your needs.
2. Coaching style and approach – Different coaches have different methods (e.g., directive vs. reflective). Ask about their process—do they use assessments, set structured goals, offer feedback?
3. Credentials and training – Certifications from reputable organizations like the International Coach Federation (ICF) show they’ve had formal training and follow ethical guidelines.
4. Chemistry and trust – This is huge. A good coaching relationship is built on trust, so you should feel comfortable, challenged, and heard. Most coaches offer a free discovery session—use that to evaluate the fit.
5. Clarity on goals and outcomes – A good coach will help define what success looks like from the start and track progress over time.