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Kim Surko

Honest Feedback You Need.
Unwavering Support You Deserve.

Helping leaders navigate the steep climb from high-performing individual to high-impact leader.

 20 Years. Thousands of Decisions. One Grounded Perspective.

20+

Years in the trenches

Navigating the high stakes evolution of Big Tech and Startups from the C-Suite

$0 → $1B

Hyper-growth Decisions

Evolving Leadership capacity to bridge the gap during massive pivots and $1B+ scaling.

3

Board-level credentials

ICF, CPC, & ELI-MP.
Data-backed frameworks to measure presence and resilience.

1

UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

A unique, seasoned lens as a woman and LGBTQIA+ leader in the corporate executive space.

About Kim

CPC, ACC, ELI-MP

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I specialize in transitioning high-performing leaders into world-class executives. Having coached leaders at global firms like Microsoft, EY and Google, I help new executives master the invisible skills of senior leadership: managing board dynamics, shifting from execution to strategy, and building high-trust teams under pressure. I provide first-time CXOs and VPs with a tactical roadmap to survive their first 100 days, avoid common burnout traps, and establish immediate authority without losing their authentic voice.

I operate at the intersection of executive coaching and strategic advisory. Unlike pure-play coaches who only ask questions, I leverage two decades of experience in startups and Big Tech to act as your consultant and sounding board. I don’t just offer inquiry; I provide a tactical roadmap to survive your first 100 days, avoid the burnout trap, and navigate complex organizational politics with situational insight.
Known by former CEOs as "The Velvet Hammer," I am recognized for a unique ability to blend deep emotional intelligence with an uncompromising, results-driven edge. My approach provides the direct feedback you need and the unwavering support you deserve. Together, we bridge the gap between human-centered values and the grounded authority required to lead in the modern era.

"Known as 'The Velvet Hammer' for her ability to blend deep emotional intelligence with an uncompromising strategic edge..."

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The Grounded
Authority Framework

Transforming complexity into a tactical roadmap for growth.

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Evolution over Overhaul

Stop trying to be a 'different person.' We leverage your existing natural strengths to power the specific new behaviors your high-level role demands.

Grounded Authority

Executive presence isn’t a mystery; it’s a metric. We break down 'presence' into concrete, manageable skills that can be measured and refined.

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Behavioral Roadmapping

We bridge the gap between your current state and the boardroom’s expectations. Your growth isn't an abstract concept—it’s a tactical plan with clear milestones.

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Unshakeable Composure

True leadership is built on a foundation of truth and resilience. We move beyond 'performing' a role and focus on building an internal core that thrives in complexity.

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Ways To Work Together

For businesses + executive teams

Leadership is the primary bottleneck of hyper-growth. Surko Coaching partners with organizations to resolve the friction that stalls momentum—from cultural pivots to organizational alignment. We address the unspoken complexities of the C-suite to ensure leadership capacity and culture evolve at the same speed as the business.

 
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For Individuals

Leadership requires a strategic edge and the resilience to sustain it. Surko Coaching acts as a strategic advisor for executives navigating high-stakes roles. Through the refinement of presence and the optimization of personal leadership energy, we help leaders command the room with an authenticity that is both powerful and sustainable.

 
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Media Features

Why Client’s Trust Kim

  • "Kim is amazing! She is able to support me as a neurodivergent overachiever! She helps me break down my large goals and tasks to manageable and meaningful accomplishments. I am a big thinker and sometimes that is my downfall. She understands that and appreciates who I am and how I am and that makes me feel safe. "

    Margaret ELLIS R. | Co-Founder & Executive Director

  • "Kim's coaching services were invaluable for me. What felt like drift and burnout became a focused strategy for my next chapter. Kim doesn’t hand you platitudes, she helps you articulate your value, build confidence for real conversations, and move past self-doubt into decisions that actually feel intentional. If you’ve felt stuck, unanchored, or overwhelmed by what’s next, this coaching partnership is the kind of strategic, human-centered support that makes change feel doable rather than impossible."

    Victoria Flynn | Creative Translator for Founders and GTM 

  • "Kim’s coaching has been truly life-changing and I am so grateful for her support through both challenging & celebratory moments. She consistently goes above and beyond as a coach - offering thoughtful reflections, practical advice, super organized notes, thought-provoking "homework / reflections", actionable next steps, and even quick check-ins & calls after tough meetings. She has been both my accountability partner and a steady source of encouragement, guiding me through professional challenges with empathy, compassion & patience. Kim has created a safe, supportive and authentic space where I feel understood & heard. Her energy work, which grounds everything she does, has been eye-opening and transformative for me, helping me shift and sustain my energy in ways that have been both inspiring and profoundly helpful. I feel incredibly grateful to have Kim as a coach. She has become one of my most trusted support systems and a guiding light in my personal and professional growth. I cannot recommend her highly enough."

    Darcy R.   |  Creative Director

  • "Working with Kim has been one of the best investments I’ve made in myself. After experiencing an unexpected layoff, I felt uncertain about my next steps—but her guidance helped me bounce back with confidence and clarity. She gave me the tools and mindset to not only move forward but to see new opportunities where I once saw setbacks. What I appreciate most is that she doesn’t just give advice—she really listens, asks the right questions, and challenges me to think differently. She has helped me recognize my strengths, rebuild my confidence, and set meaningful goals that I’m actively achieving. Every session left me feeling energized and focused, with practical steps I was able to put into action right away. If you’re looking for someone who is supportive, insightful, and genuinely invested in helping you grow, I can’t recommend Kim enough!"

    Elliott L. | Sales

  • "Kim isn't just a coach; she is also a mentor. Her intelligence, thoughtfulness, and ability to balance solution-driven thinking with genuine empathy transformed my career. She possessed an intuitive sense of when to challenge me to speak up and when to offer unwavering support, creating a safe space for my growth. She empowered me to confidently navigate complex operational challenges, directly impacting my ability to streamline processes and improve team efficiency. Under her guidance, I not only found my voice but also developed critical leadership skills that I continue to leverage today. I am so grateful for her influence and the lasting positive impact she's had on my career."

    Danielle Kim | Director of Customer Success

  • "I’ve worked with Kim in the past, both directly and indirectly, and her coaching style reflects her leadership style in the best way. Together, we navigated several periods of real change where I realized I couldn't go through it alone after returning from a sabbatical. For me, those moments were when things moved quickly, and clarity was harder to find. While I had the story figured out, I needed to genuinely believe it myself, even if that meant rewriting some key parts. What stood out during this time was her ability to pivot with me, offering guidance and direction without judgment. She creates space to think, not pressure to perform; although she did hold me accountable. Her flexible approach, combined with thoughtful worksheets and practical prompts we worked through together, gave me the pause I needed to step back and recalibrate. At a time when I was questioning nearly everything I thought I knew, Kim helped me reaffirm my purpose and reconnect with what truly makes me unique. That work became a foundational framework for my next steps. The answers weren’t shockingly new; they were already there. I just hadn’t slowed down enough to write them down, connect the dots, and give them shape in the way I needed. Kim helped me do exactly that. If you’re navigating change, feeling stuck between what was and what’s next, or just need a trusted guide to help you think more clearly, book a session - Kim brings clarity and conviction in a way that truly sticks."

     Richard Bull, PhD  | Senior Transformational Leader

  • "Kim has been instrumental in my career growth, from my early days as an individual contributor to now leading a global team. Over the course of nearly a decade, in roles where she was both my direct manager and my peer, Kim’s mentorship and coaching have helped me navigate major career transitions—shifting from a career in Financial Services to Marketing Technology and Agency Services—while building the confidence to take on greater leadership responsibilities. What sets Kim apart is her ability to provide strategic guidance while allowing room for independent problem-solving. She has a unique talent for asking the right questions, helping me prioritize effectively, and ensuring I had the space to develop my own approach. One of the most defining moments of my career was reshaping our customer support model—an initiative filled with complexities and competing priorities. With Kim’s coaching, I was able to focus on the core elements that would drive impact, ultimately implementing a scalable framework that improved customer outcomes and streamlined our internal operational efficiencies. Kim’s ability to empower and elevate those around her makes her an exceptional coach. Anyone looking to navigate career transitions, develop their leadership skills, or drive meaningful professional growth would greatly benefit from working with her."

    Brian Guiles | VP of Customer Success

  • "Kim's support was truly transformative. It wasn't about management; it was about empowerment. She didn't just give me answers; she helped me discover them within myself. She skillfully guided me to understand my own motivations, ensuring my actions aligned with my authentic desires, and she taught me how to own my achievements and present them strategically. Kim's unwavering support and insightful guidance enabled me to progress from an individual contributor to running the professional services department in just six years. Through her coaching, I not only found my voice but also developed critical leadership skills and a deep sense of self-belief that continue to shape my career."

    Caroline Thompson | VP of Customer Success

  • "Kim was instrumental in helping me navigate one of the most challenging transitions of my career. After being laid off but staying on for two months to transition a client, I was overwhelmed with feelings of anger, failure, and embarrassment. Kim provided a safe space for me to process those emotions, listening openly and without judgment during our weekly one-on-ones. She gently encouraged me to focus on what I could control rather than dwelling on the past, helping me reframe the experience as an opportunity for both career and personal growth. Beyond her incredible support, Kim was a role model for the kind of leader I aspired to be—bold, empathetic, and sharp in how she approached challenges. Her ability to balance honesty with encouragement made a lasting impact on me. If you ever have the opportunity to work with Kim, take it. Her unique blend of boldness, warmth, and insight is truly special, and she has an undeniable ability to leave a lasting impression on those she works with. "

    Andrea Breslin | Director of Product

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