Lisa Leit Named Executive Coach of the Year – USA: Transforming Leadership Through Holistic Coaching

Training and Coaching
August 21, 2025
5 min read

The Global 100 – 2025 Awards have recognized Lisa Leit, founder of Happy Whole Human (HWH), as Executive Coach of the Year (USA) — a testament to her groundbreaking work in reshaping how leaders thrive in today’s demanding world.

Lisa Leit’s path to becoming one of the world’s most influential executive coaches began in the field of developmental psychology, where she focused on understanding human growth, relationships, and self-actualization. But she soon recognized a crucial gap — while leaders often strive for success in their professional roles, they struggle to align this with personal well-being. “I saw an opportunity to bridge that divide,” Lisa reflects. “Executive coaching gave me a way to help people thrive both as leaders and as whole human beings.”

This philosophy led to the founding of Happy Whole Human, a coaching organization committed to helping leaders integrate personal well-being with professional excellence. One of Lisa’s most notable contributions is the development of the Happy Whole Human Holistic Wellness Assessment, an evidence-based tool that identifies key gaps in a client’s life — from leadership and communication to emotional resilience and work-life balance. This tool serves as the foundation for her individualized coaching programs and has positioned HWH at the forefront of holistic leadership development.

What sets Lisa Leit apart in a crowded coaching industry is her deeply integrated and scientific approach. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, mindfulness, and leadership studies, she combines cutting-edge research with practical coaching strategies. Each coaching session is fully personalized, addressing everything from executive performance to mental and emotional well-being. “Leadership is not just about strategy and results — it’s also about resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful relationships,” Lisa explains.

Her work has led to countless success stories. One particularly impactful case involved a senior executive facing extreme burnout and stress. Through coaching, Lisa helped him uncover and dismantle limiting beliefs, develop healthy boundaries, and implement practical self-care and leadership strategies. Within months, he not only revitalized his career but also rebuilt stronger relationships at home. “Seeing someone go from burnout to balance is why I’m so passionate about this work,” she says.

Winning Executive Coach of the Year marks a significant milestone, but Lisa sees it as just the beginning. “This award is an incredible honor and gives us a platform to reach even more leaders who need support,” she shares. Looking ahead, HWH is focused on expanding online coaching programs, developing innovative digital tools, and collaborating with companies that prioritize employee well-being. Lisa is also deeply committed to training the next generation of coaches through the Happy Whole Human Institute, ensuring that her holistic methods continue to impact leaders worldwide.

Lisa believes that to coach others effectively, one must live by the same principles. She prioritizes mindfulness, self-care, and clear boundaries, practices that allow her to sustain her energy and passion for helping others. “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” she says. “Taking care of ourselves makes us better leaders, coaches, and people.”

Looking to the future, Lisa’s vision is to make holistic coaching accessible to leaders everywhere, creating a ripple effect that transforms not only individual lives but entire organizations. “When leaders thrive as whole humans, they create healthier workplaces, stronger communities, and more sustainable success,” she emphasizes.

As the coaching industry evolves, Lisa Leit remains at the cutting edge, combining science, compassion, and real-world strategies to redefine what leadership coaching can be. Her recognition as Executive Coach of the Year is a powerful acknowledgment of her impact — and a sign of even greater things to come.

For more on Lisa Leit and Happy Whole Human, visit www.happywholehuman.com.

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Training and Coaching
Emily Lloyd
Chief Writer, GPMG