Executive Coach & Leadership Advisor

Leaders who
think clearly
act boldly.

Thirty years of experience helping executives and organizations unlock the performance that's already there — through rigorous coaching, honest feedback, and deep partnership.

Work with David Explore Services
30+
Years Experience
500+
Organizations Served
ICF
PCC Certified

What gets modeled gets done.

— David Hughen
David Hughen
Columbia University Executive Coaching Certification (Cohort 25)
Co-Chair, Columbia International Coaching Conference 2025
ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Co-author, The Culture Book
Founder & CEO, AustinWorkNet
About David

Thirty years.
One unwavering focus.

I've spent my career at the intersection of leadership and human potential — first as a senior HR executive, then as a consultant and coach to hundreds of leaders across Central Texas and beyond.

"I begin and end with leadership. Great leadership frees people to thrive."

My work is personal and direct. I bring a rigorous, data-informed process together with genuine care for the leaders I partner with. Whether you're navigating a pivotal transition, stepping into greater complexity, or working to accelerate your impact — I'll meet you where you are.

What I Do

Focused.
High-impact.
Lasting.

My engagements are deliberately scoped — not broad consulting programs, but targeted partnerships designed to move the needle on the leadership challenges that matter most.

01

Executive Coaching

A structured, confidential partnership to help leaders grow in self-awareness, strategic clarity, and executive presence.

  • 1:1 leadership coaching engagements
  • 360° feedback & behavioral assessments
  • Customized, data-driven coaching plans
  • Onboarding & leadership transition support
  • Measured performance outcomes
02

Executive Advisory

A trusted thought-partner for senior leaders working through high-stakes decisions, organizational dynamics, and strategic challenges.

  • CEO & C-suite advisory relationships
  • Board-level leadership support
  • Organizational effectiveness assessment
  • M&A integration & culture alignment
  • Succession planning
03

Leadership Development

Programs that build leadership capability across your organization — from emerging leaders to senior teams.

  • Custom leadership programs
  • Team effectiveness & alignment
  • Mission, Vision & Values facilitation
  • Culture transformation
  • Group coaching & workshops
My Approach

Rigorous process.
Deep partnership.

Coaching isn't advice-giving. It's a disciplined process of discovery, challenge, and accountability — done in genuine partnership with the leader.

Every engagement begins with careful listening and ends with measurable, sustained change. The work in between is specific, honest, and held in complete confidence.

01
Discovery & Assessment
Structured stakeholder feedback, behavioral assessments, and in-depth intake conversations to establish a clear, honest baseline.
02
Coaching Plan Design
A focused development plan with clear goals, defined milestones, and the support structures needed to create lasting change.
03
Engagement & Accountability
Regular, structured coaching sessions with ongoing accountability, challenge, and support as new capabilities are tested in real conditions.
04
Measure & Sustain
Progress reviews with stakeholders, data-driven assessment of impact, and a clear transition to sustained, independent leadership growth.
Credentials

Grounded in deep expertise.

Thirty years of practitioner experience, combined with rigorous professional certification, inform every coaching engagement.

ICF Professional Certified Coach
PCC designation from the International Coaching Federation — the global standard for coaching excellence.
Columbia University Coaching Certification
Completed Columbia's rigorous executive coaching certification program (Cohort 25).
Author, The Culture Book
Co-authored The Culture Book: When Culture Clicks — a practical guide to organizational culture transformation.
30+ Years HR Leadership
Senior HR executive experience across multiple industries before founding AustinWorkNet and Austin HR (acquired by Asure Software).
30+ Years of Experience
500+ Organizations
2 Companies Founded
ICF PCC Certified
Client Perspectives

The work, in their words.

David has a rare ability to hold up a mirror without making you feel judged. The coaching process was rigorous, practical, and genuinely changed how I lead my team.

Senior Vice President
Technology Company, Austin TX

The 360 feedback process David facilitated gave us clarity we simply didn't have before. His follow-through with each leader was exceptional — and the results were real.

Chief Human Resources Officer
Regional Financial Services Firm

David brings honesty, warmth, and deep experience to every conversation. He's helped me navigate some of the most complex leadership challenges of my career.

CEO & Founder
Family Investment Office
Advisory & Board Service

Where mission
and complexity intersect.

Beyond coaching engagements, I serve in advisory and board capacities for organizations navigating meaningful transitions — where strategic clarity, leadership depth, and human capital expertise can make a real difference.

I'm particularly drawn to organizations where the mission is genuinely compelling: civic entities, scaling companies, nonprofits, and family enterprises working through generational change.

My Columbia University coaching community relationships and 30+ years of practitioner experience translate directly into value at the advisory and board level — especially on questions of leadership effectiveness, culture, talent strategy, and organizational design.

Strategic Advisory
Ongoing thought partnership for CEOs and senior leadership teams navigating complexity, growth, or transition.
Board Service
Board membership for mission-driven organizations where human capital, culture, and leadership development expertise add distinct value.
Human Capital Advisory
Expert input on talent strategy, compensation philosophy, culture alignment, and organizational effectiveness for boards and investors.
M&A Integration Advisory
Guidance on the human side of mergers and acquisitions — culture integration, leadership assessment, and retention strategy.
Let's Talk

Begin the
conversation.

Every meaningful coaching engagement starts with a candid conversation. I'd be glad to explore whether we're the right fit for each other.

Direct Email
[email protected]