Executive Coaching for Tech Leaders
You’ve mastered the tech. Now the hardest part is the people.
Technical leadership coaching for CTOs, VPs of Engineering and engineering managers.
I co-founded AdvisorEngine as CTO and scaled it from 4 to 140 people, through two acquisitions and a $50M round, to its sale to Franklin Templeton. I know what changes when your success as a builder stops guaranteeing traction as a leader.
Now I coach technical leaders through the part nobody trained them for: influencing a CEO and board, navigating politics without losing integrity, and building a team that runs without you in every decision. Certified by UC Berkeley Haas and the ICF (PCC).
Built for the leader you are becoming
CTOs and co-founder CTOs
You run technology and sit on the leadership team. The CEO wants a partner, the board wants a plan, and the team still pulls you into every hard call. We work on your relationship with the CEO, board-level communication, and a team structure that scales past you.
VPs of Engineering and Heads of Platform
You own delivery across several teams and answer to people who don’t read code. Priorities collide, headcount is political, and you are the one translating. We work on stakeholder maps, saying no without burning trust, and hiring and promoting the managers under you.
Engineering managers and new leaders
You were promoted because you were the best engineer. Now your job is other people’s output, and nobody explained how. We work on the IC-to-manager shift, one-on-ones and feedback, and what your team actually needs from you.
Also working with Directors of ML/AI, research leads or science founders? Same work, different vocabulary. Science founder coaching →
Coaching from someone who has done the job
4 → 140
people at AdvisorEngine, where I was co-founder and CTO
Exit
sold to Franklin Templeton, after two acquisitions and a $50M round
Hundreds
of tech leaders coached through Techstars, NSF I-Corps, Cornell eLab and Ventures for Climate
Before coaching, I built trading and risk systems at Citigroup and Deutsche Bank, then took an MBA at Columbia and London Business School. At AdvisorEngine I went from writing code to running the technology of a 140-person company through two acquisitions. At Scout I wrote the code for the first satellite built to photograph other satellites. So when you bring me a CEO who changes direction weekly or a team that won’t scale, I’ve usually lived a version of it.
Why work with me
As a technical leader, the challenges do not stop when you hit VP or CTO. They just change shape. The hard part is no longer the architecture, it is the ambiguity. Influence without authority. Strategy without clarity. Pressure without a playbook.
I have led across the stack from engineering teams to executive rooms and I know how disorienting it can feel when your success as a builder no longer guarantees traction as a leader. I also know how easy it is to default to doing more, instead of pausing to recalibrate what matters most.
That’s where I come in.
My coaching is not about pushing you to perform harder. It is about helping you find alignment with your values, your role, your relationships, and your next chapter. Sometimes that is doubling down. Sometimes it is evolving. Either way, the goal is clarity.
What changes
From best engineer to manager in three months
Andrew, Engineering Manager, Robotics
Andrew moved from individual contributor to manager at a robotics startup during a turbulent stretch. We worked on what his team needed from him, where the growth opportunities were, and how to keep the team on track. After three months, the company asked him to take on an expanded managerial portfolio.
Prioritizing and knowing when to pivot
Nedko, Head of Platform, BioTech
Nedko leads a platform team in biotech. The work combined coaching with advice drawn from my own operating experience: self-assessment, spotting strategic opportunities, prioritizing, and recognizing when a change in direction was needed.
A CTO thought partner who knows the market
Evaldas, CTO, AdTech
Evaldas wanted advice that understood both the technology and the market. We tailored the work to his company’s projects, and it sharpened how he approached strategy.
Not sure where to start?
Ways to work together
Harbor
Clarity on a pressing issue
Best for: one pressing issue, like a hard CEO conversation, team tension or unclear expectations.
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Deep dive into a current challenge (e.g. call with CEO, team tension, unclear expectations)
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Strategic thought partnership to untangle complexity
90-minute call • $500
Near Shore
Reset your trajectory as a tech leader
Best for: engineering managers and new VPs resetting how they lead.
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Career narrative and positioning work
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Stakeholder mapping and influence strategies
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Exploration of team structure and leadership dynamics
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Personal leadership development plan
- Optional involvement in key preparation (e.g. performance reviews, board meetings)
3-months • Biweekly 45-minute calls
Horizon
Step fully into executive leadership
Best for: CTOs and VPs stepping fully into executive leadership.
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Full assessment of current role, impact, and growth edges
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Strategy for navigating org politics without losing integrity
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Strengthening the relationship with your CEO and peers
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Structuring your team for scale and alignment
- Access to relevant resources, templates, and tools
6-months • Biweekly 45-minute calls
Each package includes: Initial assessment, Personalized development plan, Curated book and resource recommendations, Email/WhatsApp Support, Network Connections, Conferences Recommendations, Accelerator Lists, Investor Lists and Social Group Recommendations,
Near Shore and Horizon include a pro-rated refund guarantee.
Not sure which fits? The first call is free and we’ll decide together.
Vladimir was a major contributor to my successful transition from IC to Manager in a tech startup. I really appreciated how he leveraged his own experience in the tech industry; he had context and insight into the challenges I faced, and our common background helped build a productive coaching relationship. Specific issues that Vladimir helped me with included recognizing growth opportunities, understanding what my team needs from me, and strategizing on team success through turbulent startup times. After three months of coaching, my company asked me to step up into an expanded managerial portfolio; I’m certain I would not have been ready to expand my role like that without the work that Vladimir and I had done.
Andrew
Engineering Manager, Robotics
Vladimir is one of the most exceptional business coaches I have ever had the privilege to work with. His unique ability to blend practical advice with insightful strategies sets him apart in the coaching field. Beyond his skills as a coach, Vladimir brings a wealth of experience from his dual background as an entrepreneur and a CTO.
His approach is always tailored, reflecting a deep understanding of both the technological and market challenges that businesses face today. Working with him has not only driven growth for our projects but has also significantly enhanced our strategic approach. I highly recommend Vladimir to anyone looking to elevate their business with seasoned, effective guidance.
Evaldas
CTO, AdTech
Vladimir was very helpful with his insight around my painpoints. His constructive feedback helped me come up with the plan that I needed to succeed
Amol
Executive Director, Generative AI
I’m immensely thankful for the incredible journey I’ve embarked on with Vladimir as my executive coach. His phenomenal emotional and constructive sessions have truly transformed my life. As a renowned NASA research scientist, I thought I had seen it all, but Vladimir’s guidance and unwavering support have helped me rebuild myself as a person. I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and insightful coach.
Scott
Senior Scientist, Geobiology and Astrobiology
Himani
Working with Vladimir has been instrumental to my career and personal development. His coaching has played a pivotal role in my growth ad a leader, self assessment and reflection, identifying strategic opportunities, prioritizing, and pivoting when a chance in direction is necessary.
The combination of exploring (coaching) and advising (experience-based) has been invaluable. Highly recommend giving Human Interfaces a try.
Nedko
Head of Platform, BioTech
Trusted by Founders and Leaders from Top Startups and Tech Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is executive coaching for tech leaders?
Executive coaching for tech leaders is 1:1 coaching for CTOs, VPs of Engineering and engineering managers on the leadership side of the job: working with the CEO and board, leading through other managers, and handling politics without losing integrity. Sessions are with me, Vladimir Baranov, a former co-founder and CTO of AdvisorEngine and an ICF PCC-certified coach, by Zoom or phone.
How do I choose an executive coach with tech experience?
Look for three things. First, a coach who has held a technical leadership role, so you don’t spend sessions explaining how engineering organizations work. Second, a recognized coaching credential, such as ICF ACC, PCC or MCC, so the sessions are real coaching and not just advice. Third, a free first conversation to test the fit.
I was co-founder and CTO of AdvisorEngine, which I scaled from 4 to 140 people before its sale to Franklin Templeton. I’m an ICF PCC-certified coach trained at UC Berkeley Haas, and the first 30-minute call is free.
Do you coach newly promoted tech leaders?
Yes. Many clients come to me in their first months as a new engineering manager, director, VP of Engineering or CTO. We work on what changes with the promotion: leading through other managers instead of doing the work, setting expectations, saying no, and building credibility with the CEO and peers.
A single 90-minute Harbor session ($500) works for one pressing issue. Near Shore is built for engineering managers and new VPs resetting how they lead.
What is your coaching approach?
I use a blend of directive and non-directive coaching to help you move forward in your leadership journey.
Directive Coaching
In directive coaching, I offer clear advice and recommendations to solve a specific technical challenge. This approach works best when the right answer is relatively clear. For example, it can be highly effective for clients preparing for a promotion or organizing a team for an upcoming technology push.
Non-Directive Coaching
In non-directive coaching, I guide you in developing your own solutions to adaptive challenges—issues where multiple paths could lead to success. These might include identifying the next step in your personal development or finding new ways to motivate your team and partners.
Whichever approach we take, my support is outcome-driven, actionable, unconventional, realistic, mindful of both rules and how to bend them, grounded in research, and designed to create a frictionless experience.
Why work with you as a tech leadership coach?
I come to every session ready to listen deeply to what you are working on, help you navigate your own decision-making process, and, when appropriate, offer relevant recommendations.
Each conversation draws on a broad mix of experiences. I have spent over 20 years in the technology field, working with leaders and companies across many sectors. I have led both large and small teams as a technology executive and delivered more than 200 hours of coaching to clients from diverse backgrounds around the world.
I am a certified executive coach through the Haas School of Business, Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute at UC Berkeley. I have served as CTO and CIO for fintech and spacetech start-ups, and I mentor regularly at business schools and accelerator programs including TechStars, NSF I-Corps, and Cornell eLab. I am also a graduate of Columbia’s Greenhouse and Techstars Space Programs.
What skills do engineering leaders need to become strong executives?
Moving from a technical role into a tech leadership position requires more than just deep technical expertise—it involves mastering executive presence, strategic thinking, and effective communication with business stakeholders.
🔹 How a coach helps: An executive coach works with you to strengthen executive skills such as stakeholder management, team leadership, decision-making, and roadmap planning. They provide feedback on your leadership style, help you manage internal roadblocks, and guide you toward making a bigger impact in your organization.
How does coaching help with executive alignment and reorganizations?
🔹 How a coach helps: A tech leadership coach helps tech leaders build alignment between technical and business teams, refine their negotiation skills, and develop strategies for managing organizational change. They provide insights on executive communication, decision-making frameworks, and leadership styles that work in high-growth environments.
What topics do tech leaders typically bring to sessions?
✔ Managing Your Psychology
✔ Building and Optimizing Your Support Structure
✔ Engineering KPIs
✔ Managing a Roadmap
✔ Developing your Team Leaders
✔ Running Great Meetings
✔ Setting and Managing to Expectations
✔ Defining what Good Looks Like
✔ Negotiating With Vendors
✔ Defining and Running an Effective Hiring Process
✔ Defining and Evolving Organization Structure as the Company Grows
✔ Assessing Technical Risk
What does a coaching session look like?
Every session combines self-reflection with concrete steps toward progress. I meet with clients virtually via Zoom for one-hour sessions, each centered on a specific leadership topic.
The aim is to help you make progress on an opportunity you are exploring or a challenge you are facing. You start by sharing the context, I ask targeted questions, we explore possible options together, and then we shape a clear plan of action.
What results can I expect from coaching?
Depending on their goals, I have helped clients land interviews, secure job offers, earn promotions, and negotiate higher salaries. I have supported them in clarifying their next career step, standing out in competitive markets, and communicating more effectively with their teams. Together, we have defined leadership styles, navigated workplace conflicts, increased visibility, and delivered stronger results from technology investments.
How can coaching help me improve team performance and engineering operations?
🔹 How a coach helps: A coach helps tech leaders implement best practices for managing roadmaps, defining KPIs, running efficient meetings, and developing technical leaders within their teams. They offer a structured approach to improving engineering processes, hiring strategies, and team communication.
How can coaching help me plan my long-term career as a tech leader?
🔹 How a coach helps: A coach helps you assess your strengths, clarify your career vision, and build a roadmap for achieving long-term success. They provide structured coaching sessions that focus on personal development, leadership evolution, and positioning yourself for high-impact roles in the future.
How does coaching keep me accountable as I grow as a leader?
🔹 How a coach helps: A coach acts as an accountability partner, ensuring you stay focused on meaningful leadership improvements. Through structured coaching programs, regular check-ins, and ongoing support, they help you stay on track, make measurable progress, and develop into a stronger leader over time.