C. Kelly Ottman, PhD
Global Executive and Retirement Coach Leadership Consultant
About
Bringing experience, expertise, evidence, and empathy, I help leaders, teams, and organizations navigate growth and transition with clarity, compassion, and courage. Through individually curated coaching and consulting, “success” aligned with values, culture, and purpose is realized.
Known for deeply understanding people and recognizing potential, I build trusted long-term coaching and consulting relationships—many beginning through keynote engagements and executive development experiences. I work across the leadership development lifespan - from leadership entry to executive assent to retirement and beyond.
My work integrates multiple dimensions of my past leadership experience, including:
- Serving as a Vice President within a large healthcare organization
- Leadership development through a prestigious two-year executive fellowship
- Earning a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
- MPA, Health Care Administration and Public Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- BS, Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
- Holding a Professorship at Milwaukee School of Engineering University
- Specializing in leadership, team development, and organizational behavior
- Teaching Executive MBA, graduate and undergraduate students
- Lead Doing Business with China Program for 10 years
- Teach leaders in China, India, and Germany
- Teaching awards at local and national levels
- Groundbreaking research on executive retirement
- Research on executives in China
- Global experience teaching and developing leaders and teams
- Consultant to multi-national leadership teams
- Global leadership coaching
- Executive Coach to the WE Empower United Nations Sustainable Development Goals awardees
- Develop university owners and leaders in India
- Corporate leadership development experience ranging from family-owned businesses to multinational organizations
- Certified Professional Retirement Coach
- MBTI Certified
SERVICES
Leadership Coaching
- Executive Leadership
- Next-level leadership development
- Executive transition coaching
- Retirement coaching
Corporate Consulting
- Organizational culture
- Change management
- Employee engagement
- Strategic planning
- Team development
- Succession planning
Board Development for not-for-profit and professional organizations
- Mission and vision clarifications
- Board development
- Strategic planning
Keynote Speaking
- Leadership and retirement
- The gendered lens of leadership and retirement
- Change management
- Doing business with China
- Cost of leadership
Curated Programs
Known for experiential learning that promotes lasting impact and meaningful engagement, I design curated experiences that combine reflection, challenge, and application. Some examples include:
- Team development on Mt. Haleakalā, Maui
- Service-learning leadership development in Vietnam and China
- Team communication and collaboration through indoor paddling experiences
Understanding organizational needs begins with deep listening. Assessments, focus groups, dialogue, surveys, and research can be used to support. From that understanding, bespoke leadership and organizational development solutions are created.
My path to leadership coaching and consulting began not in theory, but in practice. Grounded in experience, expertise, evidence, and empathy, my work today reflects a career shaped by leading, learning, and ultimately guiding others through transformation.
Reach out to let me know how I can support you and/or your organization.
Packages
Free Discovery Call
Retirement Coaching Services Provided
Through work with senior leaders, a critical need emerged—support for what comes after the executive role. My groundbreaking research with executives reveals that retirement is not simply a transition out of work, but a profound shift in identity, purpose, and meaning. Based on research, I found it is marked by unexpected loss, with opportunities to shift skills and talents, while picking up new skills to create joy.
My portal work focuses to helping leaders navigate:
- Preparation and succession planning for self and organization
- Transition beyond title
- Redefining success through reinventing retirement
- Designing a purposeful and meaningful next chapter
Experience and evidence is supported by expertise as a Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC) through the Retirement Coaches Association.
Curated Personal Retirement Coaching - 6 weeks (90 min sessions)
One-to-One Retirement Coaching
Bespoke coaching for the transition beyond your professional identity.
Bespoke coaching for the transition beyond your professional identity.
Most executives prepare financially for retirement—but rarely for what follows.
My retirement research shows only 25% actively prepare for the shift away from title, role, and professional identity. Yet this transition is one of the most significant of your life.
My retirement research shows only 25% actively prepare for the shift away from title, role, and professional identity. Yet this transition is one of the most significant of your life.
Through personalized, confidential coaching conversations, we explore the questions that matter most—purpose, relevance, relationships, and what success looks like in your next chapter.
Grounded in experience, expertise, evidence, and empathy, each engagement is fully customized to help you move forward with clarity and intention.
Navigating the Portal Beyond Title - Revitalize Retirement Breakfast Cohort - Six Thursday morning sessions starting Sept 10 - 7:45 to 9:45
Navigating the Portal Beyond Title - Revitalize Retirement Breakfast Cohort
You’ve had mentors, coaches, and support systems throughout your career.
But the transition beyond your title is different—it is not a next step. It is a portal into a new identity.
But the transition beyond your title is different—it is not a next step. It is a portal into a new identity.
Research shows how little support exists for this shift: 42% of executives report having none.
Many leaders describe themselves as pioneers, with few role models for what comes next.
This intimate group coaching experience brings together a cohort of leadership peers to navigate that transition together. Through guided dialogue, research-based tools, and reflection, you will challenge outdated assumptions and design a purposeful path forward.
Hosted in the historic Woman’s Club of Wisconsin Library, this high-touch experience includes a chef-curated breakfast, valet service, and a cohort of no more than seven executives.
Sessions are held every other week for six weeks. Between sessions, curated resources and reflection deepen insight and impact.
Step beyond your title—and invest in what comes next.
Let's Connect