About Nancy Capistran
You're already successful. Now you're facing decisions where the stakes feel higher—and the people you can confide in feel fewer.
Rapid growth. New role. Succession. These moments demand more than advice from people who've never carried the weight you carry. They demand confidential counsel from someone who understands what's actually at stake—and won't soften the truth to protect your comfort.
Nancy Capistran is an executive coach, risk/crisis advisor, and board director who provides private counsel to professional service executives navigating exactly these inflection points. She brings operational depth from 13 years at Bose Corporation, the perspective of a three-time founder, and nearly six years coaching CEOs as a Vistage Chair. Her dual international coaching certifications (PCC and CPC) combined with her board director credential (IBDC.D) mean she can coach you through executive challenges while understanding the governance dynamics and board-level implications of your decisions.
When the stakes are high and the circle you can trust is small, Nancy is the counsel executives turn to.
She's been called a "velvet covered brick"—firm clarity delivered with unwavering support. Always in your corner, never in your blind spot.
Our Values
Integrity
We believe in the personal quality of fairness. We do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the situation.
Respect
We create successful working relationships by developing mutual respect and open dialog.
Learning
We are dedicated to striving for excellence, continuous learning, and expanding our wisdom, and the minds of our clients.
Innovation
Our process guides leaders to focus on creating effective, innovative solutions.
Value
We have a “can-do” attitude and demonstrate high-value; measured by our clients’ results.
Transparency
We have an open and honest style which creates a solid foundation of trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if private executive counsel is right for you? These FAQs address who I serve, what makes this partnership different, and the specific challenges I help solve.
Growth-minded professional service executives—CEOs, managing partners, and senior leaders whose firms sell expertise, not products. Specifically, those navigating strategic inflection points: rapid growth that's outpacing infrastructure, stepping into a new executive role, or preparing for succession. If you're already successful and now facing decisions where the stakes feel higher and the counsel feels thinner, we should talk.
The "migraine headaches" that keep professional service leaders up at night: How do I scale without losing what made us successful? Who can I trust to tell me the truth without an agenda? How do I lead through a transition I've never faced before? Am I building something that will outlast me? These aren't problems you can crowdsource—they require confidential counsel from an executive coach and advisor who's navigated high-stakes territory across industries and company sizes.
I bring three distinct lenses to every engagement: executive coach, risk/crisis advisor, and board director. I've coached leaders from revenue-generating startups to multi-billion dollar global companies across a wide range of industries—including nearly six years as a Vistage Chair coaching CEOs and business owners through growth, transition, and complex leadership challenges. I'm likely the only professional in New England holding both the PCC (Professional Certified Coach) and IBDC.D (International Board Director Certification)—meaning I understand leadership from the executive chair, the advisory seat, and the boardroom. Add 13 years managing billion-dollar crises at Bose Corporation, and you get operational depth most coaches simply don't have. I've been called a "velvet covered brick"—firm clarity delivered with unwavering support. Always in your corner, never in your blind spot.
The International Board Director Competency Designation certifies expertise in governance, fiduciary responsibility, and board-level strategic oversight. As a certified board director myself, I understand the dynamics between executives and boards—where alignment breaks down, where communication fails, and how to navigate both. When you're preparing for board presentations, managing governance challenges, or positioning for a board seat yourself, I bring credentialed insight and firsthand experience, not guesswork.
The PCC (Professional Certified Coach) is an internationally recognized credential from the International Coaching Federation, requiring rigorous training, documented coaching hours, and demonstrated mastery of core coaching competencies. The CPC (Certified Professional Coach) reflects additional specialized training in professional coaching methodology. Together, these credentials represent a commitment to the highest standards in executive coaching—not weekend certifications or self-appointed titles. When you work with me, you're working with someone who has invested deeply in the craft of coaching and is held accountable to international ethical and professional standards.
Open Your Eyes and LEAD: Hardship and Wisdom Shape the Best Leaders in Life is my internationally published, award-winning book exploring what separates good leaders from exceptional ones—and it's rarely what you'd expect. The book challenges the myth that leadership excellence comes from avoiding hardship; instead, it reveals how navigating difficulty with intention becomes the very foundation of elite leadership. If you're a successful executive facing a strategic inflection point—scaling beyond your comfort zone, stepping into a role with higher stakes, or building a legacy that outlasts you—this book will resonate. It's not theory. It's earned wisdom from leaders who've been where you are. Available on Amazon and Audible.
Clarity that accelerates decisions. Confidence to make the hard calls. Smoother transitions—whether that's stepping into a bigger role, scaling the firm, or positioning for succession. Clients often say they finally have someone who sees the whole picture and tells them what others won't. The tangible outcomes vary; the consistent thread is leaders who stop second-guessing and start executing with conviction.
Strategic inflection points create isolation. The higher you climb, the fewer people you can confide in without consequence. Private counsel offers what group settings cannot: complete confidentiality, undivided attention, and coaching tailored precisely to your situation—not diluted across twelve other priorities. This is your thinking partner, your strategic sounding board, your trusted advisor who understands what's actually at stake.
Crisis doesn't wait for scheduled sessions. When urgent situations arise—leadership departures, reputational threats, client emergencies, or internal conflicts—I'm accessible. As a risk and crisis advisor, former co-founder of Crisis Interception, LLC, and with 13 years of experience at Bose Corporation managing crisis response across international markets, I help you assess rapidly, communicate strategically, and lead through chaos without becoming it.
Elite leadership is intentional—never accidental. It's built on trust, refined through challenge, and sustained by courageous action when comfortable silence would be easier. I help leaders bring both discipline and humanity to the decisions that define their legacy.
A confidential conversation. No pitch, no pressure—just an honest exploration of what you're facing and whether this relationship makes sense. If we're the right fit, we design an engagement around your specific situation. If not, I'll tell you directly and point you toward what might serve you better.
You get an executive coach who's actually been in the arena—not someone who learned leadership from textbooks. When you're navigating a strategic inflection point, you need counsel from someone who understands the weight of the decisions you're facing, sees around corners you can't, and won't flinch when the conversation gets hard.
I bring three distinct lenses to every engagement: executive coach, risk/crisis advisor, and board director. As a three-time founder—Capistran Leadership, Crisis Interception (co-founded with Tara Goodwin), and SHIFT Coaching & Consulting—I've built businesses from the ground up and know what it means to carry the weight of decisions that keep you awake at night. I've coached leaders from revenue-generating startups to multi-billion dollar global companies across a wide range of industries, including nearly six years as a Vistage Chair coaching CEOs and business owners through growth, transition, and complex leadership challenges. I'm likely the only professional in New England holding both the PCC (Professional Certified Coach) and IBDC.D (International Board Director Certification)—meaning I understand leadership from the executive chair, the advisory seat, and the boardroom. Add 13 years at Bose Corporation—a multi-billion-dollar global company—spanning new product development, service, compliance, risk, and crisis management, and you get operational depth most coaches simply don't have.
I've been called a "velvet covered brick"—firm clarity delivered with unwavering support. Always in your corner, never in your blind spot.
The Impact
Clients Experience
Strategic insight, clarity, and actionable guidance that turn complex challenges into lasting results.
"Nancy is a consummate professional and a wonderful person. She always strives to improve the lives of those around her. She is a giver in every sense of the word. She is organized an excellent communicator, and a great listener. I recommend her easily with all the confidence in the world."
"Nancy had great depth and experience. What struck me the most, was her willingness to thoughtfully and purposefully give of herself to others. I have sought Nancy's counsel on a number of topics. In every instance, she has been responsive, knowledgeable, effective, empathetic, and kind. That's a rare combination for which I am thankful."
"Nancy made an immediate impact. She was authentic, interpreted the situation and my needs quickly and accurately, and provided valuable insight, perspective, and guidance."
"Nancy is intuitive, an excellent listener, and gently guides you to a place of strength and equilibrium. I am eternally grateful for her insight, talent, and ability to hone in on the crux of an issue. She is my 'go-to' coach and cheerleader and I guarantee that your life will be better with Nancy in your corner."
"I wholeheartedly recommend Nancy for any company managing internal issues, experiencing growing pains, or simply looking for another perspective in order to move their company to the next level."
"I can honestly say that I have grown tremendously this past year in my role because of the work we have done together. You will get much more than a coach with Nancy — you will gain a lifetime colleague."
"Our work together has been transformative. She provided me with excellent resources and is an exceptionally trusted advisor."
Nancy is an exceptional leader and advisor who helps CEOs, boards, and teams collaborate effectively, remove blind spots, and build strong, future-ready cultures.
Nancy’s thought leadership always offers clear, actionable insights that shift perspectives and spark meaningful impact.
Nancy guided my transition to the executive suite with clarity and confidence. A true master of messaging and leadership.
Nancy’s coaching combines insightful questioning, strong accountability, and unwavering support—helping me lead with confidence and focus.
Nancy brings clarity, context, and perspective. Thanks to her leadership and curation of peers, I’ve grown as a leader, manager, and family man.
Nancy listens intently, offers grounded insight, and brings unique crisis leadership experience that makes her an exceptional coach.
With empathy and strategy, Nancy helped me navigate difficult business challenges and align my career to my true passions. She’s my go-to coach.
Nancy quickly discerned my needs and delivered insightful, actionable guidance that created immediate results.
Nancy deeply understands human dynamics, helping me grow as a leader and avoid costly missteps. Her guidance is invaluable.
Nancy has been instrumental as a mentor and advisor—steadying our fast-growing firm and helping us make smarter, stronger decisions.
Nancy’s leadership talk left a lasting impression. She inspired ways to strengthen leadership at work, at home, and in life.
Nancy engaged and inspired our Women’s Empowerment luncheon with practical takeaways and authentic lessons in leadership.
Nancy’s executive coaching was transformative, blending straight talk, innovative insights, and practical tools to sharpen my leadership.
Nancy is empathetic, insightful, and generous with her knowledge. Every conversation leaves me better equipped to lead.
Nancy blends business acumen with human understanding, making her a trusted advisor for leaders navigating growth or crisis.
In under an hour, Nancy helped me reframe my career path with clarity and courage. Her perspective changed my trajectory.
Nancy is a beacon of calm and clarity, guiding entrepreneurs through growth and high-stakes challenges with care and wisdom.
Working with Nancy challenged and pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. She’s a coach and a lifelong colleague.
Nancy transformed communication and accountability in my family-owned businesses, making us both more effective and profitable.
Nancy’s knowledge, perspective, and professionalism have strengthened my leadership and supported my business growth.
The Impact
Clients Experience
Strategic insight, clarity, and actionable guidance that turn complex challenges into lasting results.
"Nancy is a consummate professional and a wonderful person. She always strives to improve the lives of those around her. She is a giver in every sense of the word. She is organized an excellent communicator, and a great listener. I recommend her easily with all the confidence in the world."
"Nancy had great depth and experience. What struck me the most, was her willingness to thoughtfully and purposefully give of herself to others. I have sought Nancy's counsel on a number of topics. In every instance, she has been responsive, knowledgeable, effective, empathetic, and kind. That's a rare combination for which I am thankful."
"Nancy made an immediate impact. She was authentic, interpreted the situation and my needs quickly and accurately, and provided valuable insight, perspective, and guidance."
"Nancy is intuitive, an excellent listener, and gently guides you to a place of strength and equilibrium. I am eternally grateful for her insight, talent, and ability to hone in on the crux of an issue. She is my 'go-to' coach and cheerleader and I guarantee that your life will be better with Nancy in your corner."
"I wholeheartedly recommend Nancy for any company managing internal issues, experiencing growing pains, or simply looking for another perspective in order to move their company to the next level."
"I can honestly say that I have grown tremendously this past year in my role because of the work we have done together. You will get much more than a coach with Nancy — you will gain a lifetime colleague."
"Our work together has been transformative. She provided me with excellent resources and is an exceptionally trusted advisor."
Nancy is an exceptional leader and advisor who helps CEOs, boards, and teams collaborate effectively, remove blind spots, and build strong, future-ready cultures.
Nancy’s thought leadership always offers clear, actionable insights that shift perspectives and spark meaningful impact.
Nancy guided my transition to the executive suite with clarity and confidence. A true master of messaging and leadership.
Nancy’s coaching combines insightful questioning, strong accountability, and unwavering support—helping me lead with confidence and focus.
Nancy brings clarity, context, and perspective. Thanks to her leadership and curation of peers, I’ve grown as a leader, manager, and family man.
Nancy listens intently, offers grounded insight, and brings unique crisis leadership experience that makes her an exceptional coach.
With empathy and strategy, Nancy helped me navigate difficult business challenges and align my career to my true passions. She’s my go-to coach.
Nancy quickly discerned my needs and delivered insightful, actionable guidance that created immediate results.
Nancy deeply understands human dynamics, helping me grow as a leader and avoid costly missteps. Her guidance is invaluable.
Nancy has been instrumental as a mentor and advisor—steadying our fast-growing firm and helping us make smarter, stronger decisions.
Nancy’s leadership talk left a lasting impression. She inspired ways to strengthen leadership at work, at home, and in life.
Nancy engaged and inspired our Women’s Empowerment luncheon with practical takeaways and authentic lessons in leadership.
Nancy’s executive coaching was transformative, blending straight talk, innovative insights, and practical tools to sharpen my leadership.
Nancy is empathetic, insightful, and generous with her knowledge. Every conversation leaves me better equipped to lead.
Nancy blends business acumen with human understanding, making her a trusted advisor for leaders navigating growth or crisis.
In under an hour, Nancy helped me reframe my career path with clarity and courage. Her perspective changed my trajectory.
Nancy is a beacon of calm and clarity, guiding entrepreneurs through growth and high-stakes challenges with care and wisdom.
Working with Nancy challenged and pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. She’s a coach and a lifelong colleague.
Nancy transformed communication and accountability in my family-owned businesses, making us both more effective and profitable.
Nancy’s knowledge, perspective, and professionalism have strengthened my leadership and supported my business growth.
Accelerating Results through
Smarter Leadership, Clear Decisions, and Better Outcomes.