About Adaptive Talent

Brad Herbert is a certified Leadership Coach (CPCC, PCC) with 30 years in HR spanning multiple sectors, countries, fast- growth start-ups, and Fortune 500 companies. He was the VP, Talent Development and Organizational Effectiveness for Electronic Arts’ 9,000 employees, and prior to that the VP of HR for its 15 worldwide studios. He’s been the HR Leader for two start-ups and began his career in Silicon Valley working at Netscape and EA during their hyper-growth years.

It’s been quite a ride, and since 2008 he’s had the incredible privilege of contributing to others’ success via his own practice, where he specializes in cultivating adaptability via leadership assessments, coaching and leadership development for individuals and executive teams, and consulting with executive teams to improve execution while scaling their companies’ culture and capabilities via organizational development.

His clients are usually CEOs and their direct reports in high-growth organizations. They are committed to achieving goals in all areas of their lives, and creating thriving, adaptable businesses where people love to work. Promoted to a Vice President and relocated to a new country at age 35, Brad truly understands the experience and pressure executives feel when trying to simultaneously execute strategies and develop the capacity of themselves and the company. Blending progressive talent theory and strategies, pragmatism, and a positive, casual style Brad’s partnership helps leaders achieve results, develop outstanding leaders, and strategically approach people and culture development to stay ahead of the growth curve and thrive in increasing complexity and disruption.

Brad has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and graduate of the Leadership Program from the Co-Active Training Institute, is certified as a Professional Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, and holds certifications in The Leadership Circle Profile, the Collective Leadership Assessment for leadership teams, the Leadership System, and Hogan assessments. He has a deep interest and additional training in adult development (the Immunity to Change and MindShift methodologies), neuroscience, and progressive approaches to organizational adaptability, leadership, and culture. Brad is married, loves learning, writing, travel, dogs, and experimenting with nutrition, exercise, and meditation. He is a member of the ICF Vancouver chapter where he was a finalist for the 2016 Coach Impact Award.

Reza spent the first 10 years of his career as a research and supply development engineer at Ballard Power Systems and Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation. He found his passion and purpose when he shifted from engineering to a role in Human Resources. As a Senior HR Generalist at Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, Reza managed recruitment, onboarding, and leadership development and went on to become a certified executive coach. In this role, he created a coaching and leadership development program that improved employee engagement levels by 25%, increased leadership effectiveness results by 300%, and reduced employee turnover by 100%. Reza was honored to receive the prestigious PRISM coaching award from the International Coach Federation (ICF) at the national and international level, for his work co-creating a culture of coaching and development. 

Training and certification: The Coaches Training Institute, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC); International Coach Federation, Professional Certified Coach (PCC); Chartered Professional Human Resources, CPHR Canada; CRR Global, Advanced Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC); The Leadership Circle, Leadership Circle Profile and Collective Leadership Assessment, The Leadership System; Neuroscience of Change; Positive Intelligence, Certified Mental Fitness Coach; Hogan Certified Coach; Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.

Coaching experience: Reza has coached leaders in technology (IBM, Indeed, and Microsoft), Biotech (Roche Holding AG, Biogen, Novartis), automotive (Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company), hospitality and entertainment (Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, BCLC), Legal Services (Hogan LLP, Davis Polk LLP, Goodwin Procter LLP, Spencer Fane LLP), telecommunications (TELUS), government (Worksafe BC, Translink, and The Port of Vancouver), and financial services (KPMG, UBS, Wellington, Citi Group, EQT Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners).

Reza’s education and skills in engineering, roles in HR and leadership development, and training and experience as an executive coach all come to together to when he works with leaders to address their most relevant developmental challenges. As a coach, he helps his clients transform how they lead and communicate with others. He helps leaders get clear on what drives them, how they define themselves, and what is most important to them. Reza’s clients value his diverse background, results-driven approach, and genuine warmth.

Teresa Duke, a seasoned Co-Active Coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), has forged a path in leadership development with a career that spans renowned organizations such as Netflix, Microsoft, Meta, startups and SMBs. Over the course of a decade, her executive coaching has played a pivotal role in sparking multiple promotions, orchestrating executive turnarounds, launching new companies, and guiding leaders to success.

Teresa’s executive coaching expertise, complemented by her degree in Sociology, is further enriched by her extensive career, which includes 15 years of hands-on leadership experience in spearheading and executing talent acquisition and management strategies at influential organizations such as Vivendi, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, and other renowned brands. This experience has enriched her warm and pragmatic coaching style, making her a trusted advisor to high-achieving individuals navigating the complex terrain of culture and leadership.

Teresa’s expertise also extends beyond executive and leadership coaching. As a published writer of the first BC Workplace Culture Report and numerous articles and whitepapers on Talent Acquisition and Development, her insights are sought after by leaders striving for clarity, confidence, and impact in their executive careers.

In her coaching practice, Teresa provides customized tools, playbooks, reflection, high-performing leader habits, quarterly planning and more to elevate her clients’ skills and infuse genuine enjoyment into their leadership journey. Her unique blend of science, experience, and a touch of fun and joy make her a trusted partner for leaders looking to excel and experience genuine fulfillment in the ever-evolving landscape of high-growth tech and entertainment organizations.

On her own time, Teresa is a veritable bookworm and spends time with her two teenage boys and her husband, a tech Co-Founder who likes talking tech and building companies almost as much as she does!

Sara brings 20+ years’ leadership experience to support organizations and individuals with big dreams and ambitious goals. Sara is passionate about the role that purpose-inspired leaders, organizations, and companies have in strengthening communities. She also knows that leadership can be fulfilling AND frustrating, even for dedicated, skilled, and creative people. Sara is a consultant, coach, facilitator, speaker, and the creator of Gauge Leadership Lab. Sara’s guidance offers her clients the tools and inspiration to address big challenges, do their best work, make a meaningful difference, and have fun doing it. Sara has served as an executive director, interim executive director, front-line volunteer, board chair, program director, and mentor. She draws upon leadership experience in the arts, higher education, health care, and public radio, and has honed her expertise through her work with clients in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Sara’s focus areas are:

• Leadership development: self-awareness (leadership capacities, limiting patterns); interpersonal and systems awareness; skill development (navigating conflict, fostering clarity, creating alignment); strengthening leadership presence and practice (applying insights to real-world challenges).
• Team effectiveness: tools and practices for building trust, strengthening communication, clarifying alignment, creating shared priorities.
• Coalition-building: design and facilitation of sector-based communities of practice (fostering trust; building shared knowledge; identifying shared interests and opportunities).

Sara obtained her MPA from the University of Alaska Southeast and a BA in Psychology from Trinity College. She received her executive coach training and certification through the ICF-accredited Coaches Training Institute and completed their year-long leadership development program. Sara is certified in Leadership Circle Profile; StrengthsFinder 2.0; and DiSC Workstyle Profile. A dedicated advocate of life-long learning, Sara teaches graduate-level courses on nonprofit leadership at Seattle University. Her commitment to social justice and racial equity has been profoundly shaped by nine years of service on the board of Arts Corps, as well as through continuing education with Cultures Connecting and the People’s Institute Northwest. She has also studied peacemaking practices from the Tagish Tlingit tradition of the Yukon Territory, with several circle keepers and restorative justice practitioners in the Pacific Northwest. A workshop enthusiast, she has pursued an eclectic range of interests, including improv comedy, meditation, and marketing. Still on the shortlist: Italian, mediation, yoga teacher training, and metal casting.