Adam Vane, MCC
Professional Expertise
Quoted as an expert by both Bloomberg and Tribune media, Adam has over 20 years experience helping people from more than 100 organizations break through their upper limits to see their strategy realized more quickly.
As an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC), Adam specializes in assessment, group facilitation and one-on-one coaching sessions for C-Suite and emerging leaders in the areas of leadership, executive presence, team building and conflict management.
His background as a mediator has led to a specific expertise in helping leaders and executive teams become more cohesive and focused on strategy execution as opposed to struggling with communication roadblocks.
A long-time designer and facilitator of customized executive training, he takes a blended approach to coaching, so that clients receive expertise gained from years of helping executives overcome their toughest challenges.
Examples of customized training programs include “Heroic Conversations” for a large pharmaceutical, “Being an Effective Mentor” for a private equity firm, “From Conflict to Collaboration“ for a global law firm, “The Artful Facilitator” for an international NGO and “Presentation Skills” for physicians at an ivy league medical university.
He is currently a preferred vendor for the United Nations for “Groups In Crisis” and coaches UN country leaders on leading teams, facing down hostile press interviews and negotiating with rebel factions in countries such as Afghanistan, Algeria and the Sudan.
As a presenter, Adam speaks internationally to members of Vistage and YPO, the world’s largest chief executive organizations and has also delivered presentations to the Conference Board, the New York City Bar Association, the Columbia Business School Alumni Club and the United Nations Organization Development Conference in Copenhagen.
As an educator, Adam is a mentor coach and examiner for the Columbia Coaching Certification Program (an executive certification program of Columbia Business School) and an adjunct instructor for the Department of Organization and Change at the Paul McGhee Division of New York University.
Adam earned his M.A. in Organizational Psychology and Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Columbia University and a B.S. in Business Management from Tulane University. He is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) through the International Coaching Federation. His pro-bono work has involved mediating disputes between gang leaders and local community members in the Bronx.
His other interests include music composition and performance. In his early 20’s, he toured Europe performing at clubs, concerts, and music festivals, including the International Music Festival in Basel, Switzerland and a concert in Pesaro, Italy.
Current and Recent Coaching Assignments
CEO of a global healthcare organization to help him develop his executive team and manage strategic and cultural challenges arising from rapid growth. Company achieved 990% income growth during the three-year engagement and reached #468 in the Inc. 5000
CEO of a national defense contractor to develop his ability to encourage team collaboration while negotiating a complex regulatory environment
CFO of an financial services firm to improve his ability to listen, reduce arguments with the senior team and achieve the collaborative results consistent with the team’s objectives
CEO of a national services firm to transform his indirect style, delegate more effectively and manage conflict within the organization
CEO of regional electric utility to improve his capability for negotiating difficult conversations in order to drive an organization-wide change initiative
Chief Executive of an $11B insurance company to develop her ability to manage critical relationships and negotiate for results with her executive team in a rapidly shifting environment
Senior Partner of a global law firm to leverage his communication style with clients and improve his standing with associates in order to improve billings and grow the size of his practice group
CEO of $500M global non-profit to enhance her relationships with her board, manage the senior team more effectively and improve time management, both with her own meetings and in how the organization structures meetings in general
UN Resident Coordinator (highest ranking UN country leader) to improve their ability to negotiate with rebel factions, leverage executive presence at international press conferences and hold more effective performance management conversations with key stakeholders
Education and Professional Affiliations
M.A. Organization Development, Columbia University
Master Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
Certificate in Systemic Team Coaching
Certificate in Conflict Resolution, Columbia University
Certificate in Mediation, Institute for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution
B.S. Management, Tulane University
Certified to administer DiSC, Hogan, Myers-Briggs, Center for Creative Leadership assessments and other assessments
Other Interests
His other interests include music composition and performance. In his early 20’s he toured Europe performing at clubs, concerts, and music festivals, including the International Music Festival in Basel, Switzerland and a concert in Pesaro, Italy.
He lives in New York City with his wife Kathleen and their two cats.
To work with Adam, please contact us at
