Client Testimonials
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As the Chief Financial Officer for a large grant-making foundation, I first brought in Michael to help mature our IT department. Over time, he became an indispensable advisor to me, helping me navigate the complexity of executive leadership.
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First, Michael has a vast network. Every vendor he recommended was absolutely top-notch. He recommended someone for our CIO position and it was one of the best hires I've ever made. And if I needed a peer connection, he always seemed to know someone to help with whatever issue I was facing.
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Second, he helps bring clarity to complex situations. For example, I was working on an organizational-wide initiative, significant in scope with multiple components and it was a challenge to get traction with leadership. Michael helped me simplify my message and frame it in a way that was easily understood and digestible by leadership, and it finally got approval.
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What I value most about Michael is his ability to balance respect with candor. He’s unafraid to challenge assumptions, ask tough questions, and push conversations to a more strategic level. I often left our discussions with greater clarity and perspective. Because of this, he earned his place as one of my most trusted advisors.
Will - CFO of a grant-making foundation
“Working with Michael was transformative during my time as a President of an Ed Tech startup. He was a trusted advisor and coach who helped me cut through complexity to create and articulate clarity in our strategy and mission. Our work together was instrumental in aligning our leadership and driving meaningful progress.”
Tracy - President of Ed Tech Startup
(Tracy was the CIO for a large, on-line university, and then brought me on board when she took her job as president of the Ed Tech startup)
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"Learning from and working with Michael has been the highlight of my career. His partnership played a key role in elevating the role of IT in my organization, turning IT into a revenue generator (bringing in over $187m in grants). Working with Michael for ten years, we significantly improved not just the operations at my organization, but dramatically improved the countless lives of people we serve across the world.”
Karl, CIO for large NGO
(Karl partnered with me for 10 years)
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"Being a CIO is frequently a high-pressure job with constant hard decisions to be made. Having an independent partner who can listen and offer advice to navigate corporate politics can be extremely helpful. Michael O’Brien was my partner for 5 years. I valued his advice, his perspective and his genuine approach to our interactions. The executive layer at my organization was in turmoil, and Michael was a “port of calm” for me and my team. I consider him a partner and a friend."
Joyce - CIO for an investment management company
“Working with Michael over the past nine years has been transformative. His ability to elevate my strategic thinking and sharpen my IT vision has directly influenced how we align technology with business goals. Just as importantly, his coaching on emotional intelligence has helped me lead with greater empathy and clarity - benefiting not only me, but the entire organization.”
Todd - CIO of a Large Food Services Manufacturer
(Todd partnered with me for 9 years)
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“Michael served as my Executive Partner for eight years during my tenure as CIO at a leading biomedical research institution. Throughout that time, he was instrumental in helping our IT organization develop capabilities that aligned tightly with enterprise strategy and leadership priorities. What I valued most was Michael’s ability to think beyond the immediate—he consistently championed high-impact conversations and transformative change. Yet he also brought precision and adaptability, offering targeted solutions that met us exactly where our next challenge emerged. His range, resourcefulness, and flexibility were exceptional.Michael elevated how we communicated, collaborated, and executed across the organization. He’s direct, insightful, and focused on what truly matters. I’m confident he can help any organization build a sustainable, mission-aligned IT model that drives strategic value.”
John - CIO - Biomedical Research Institute
(John and I partnered for 9 years)
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“Michael O’Brien is more than an executive coach; he’s a catalyst for transformation. His unique ability to blend strategic insight with genuine empathy helped me navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence. Michael doesn’t just offer solutions; he empowers you to discover them within yourself. His guidance was instrumental in my growth as a leader, and I am deeply grateful for the profound impact he has had on my professional journey.”
Amanda - University CIO
“Working closely with Michael over the past six years has had a significant impact on my career growth as a technology leader. His strategic guidance has helped me sharpen my IT vision, elevate executive communication, and better align our technology initiatives with business priorities. He has been a trusted partner in helping me lead with greater clarity, strategic focus and confidence in driving meaningful changes.”
George - CIO of medium-sized nonprofit organization
(George and I partnered together for 9 years)
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“If there is one word that sums up my experience working with Michael it is: Inspirational. Michael isn't the type of consultant to tell you 'just do this'. He gets to know who you are, what motivates you and what may be holding you back. He has given me a wealth of tools and ideas that are custom fit for me and have made me a better leader and inspired me to be a better person.”
Scott - SVP and CIO of an industry association
“Michael O’Brien was more than an executive coach - he was a catalyst for deeper thinking and meaningful growth. He pushed me to look beyond the obvious and always made space for support when I struggled to find the right path. His insight and presence made all the difference.”
Craig - CIO of a P&C Insurance Company
“Unlike a consultant, Michael did not give me answers to solve my problems. Instead, he pushed me in directions that I had often not considered so I could find my own solutions. Our consultations often provided me with the right insights and tools at the right time that allowed me to lead different transformations with confidence. Over this seven-year partnership, he helped me level up my own leadership skills and the performance of my whole organization.”
Jay Cooke, CIO - K-12 School System
“Michael often said that everything I do should be able to be explained in terms of making money, saving money, or managing risk and this will forever be top of mind in all my planning and strategy meetings. Michael is great at tying IT outcomes to business value, that coaching insight along with others have had a meaningful impact on my career path!”
Clint - CIO of a healthcare products manufacturer
"As my Executive Partner, Michael offered thoughtful insights and served as a valuable thought partner throughout our collaboration. His extensive experience in the nonprofit sector proved to be immensely beneficial, particularly in navigating several nuanced situations I was facing. Michael's guidance enabled me to approach these challenges with greater clarity and depth.
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Additionally, he thoughtfully curated and shared a wealth of resources tailored to my specific needs, significantly enhancing my ability to address complex issues with confidence and strategic foresight."
Sandeep - CIO at a large foundation
(Sandeep was the CIO at another large nonprofit and then worked with me when he transitioned to his current position.)