About Brian Wood

Experience as a Certified Player Agent with the NBA Player's Association, WNBA and FIBA

Brian achieved All-Metro, captain and MVP honors while playing basketball at William Paterson University in NJ. After completing his undergraduate degree (BA Communications) in 1987, he combined the hunger for competition and adventure by participating on several traveling basketball teams including tournaments in Denmark, Puerto Rico, Australia, Mexico City, Alaska, Panama and Hawaii.

Juggling career, family and volunteer responsibilities, Brian found time to earn his MBA at the University of Phoenix in 2014.

Certified Professional Coach - Business, Leadership and Transition

He earned a CPC (Certified Professional Coach) designation through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC). IPEC is on the short list of programs in the US approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF) for direct certification.

Brian is an accredited Master Practitioner of the Energy Leadership Index Program (ELI-MP).

Brian is a certified Leadership Circle Profile Practitioner. Brian has previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce has built an environment that enhances the economic vitality for members and the business community.

Executive Coach and Associate Professor at Arizona State University

The American Express Leadership Academy at the ASU Lodestar Center accepts a cohort of Arizona's top emerging nonprofit leaders for a year-long professional and personal leadership development program. The program provides knowledge and tools needed to take on elevated leadership roles within the nonprofit sector. Professional executive coaches are leveraged to accelerate the leadership and growth process, generating additional positive impact within the nonprofit community.

This 9-month program is comprised of best practice approaches to leading and managing nonprofits, from renowned professors and practitioner instructors at ASU as well as established nonprofit leaders from organizations that engage with the ASU Lodestar Center.

Unique and Powerful Coaching Perspective

The athletic and Corporate America journey has provided Brian with valuable perspective, while exposing a clear need relative to coaching. Athletes are often provided with essential coaching at an early age. When it’s time to transition away from active participation, more often than not – coaching no longer takes place. Just when it’s needed the most! The same holds true for anyone in transition while playing the game of life.

Brian is Inspired to make a difference in your life. He’s motivated to collaborate, identify and help you pursue your purpose – building a legacy of greatness!

Testimonials

Christy McClendon

MSW President/CEO New Pathways For Youth

"Coaching with Brian was a gratifying and growth oriented experience. His approach of gently challenging and co-creating possibility was validating while allowing for personal and professional insight to ways of being present and intentional. I am not only more aware but have clearly defined possibilities and practices to advance my goals in an authentic and grounded presence. I was so impressed with his coaching that I invited our entire team to a session with Brian."

Laura Capello

President/CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona

"I had the great pleasure to meet Brian when he was interviewing for Valley Leadership and I was on the selection panel. I was impressed with him right away and I thought he was one of the most prepared candidates we had that year. I specifically remembering making myself a mental note to get to know him better and was sure he would be selected to be a part of Valley Leadership next class. Over the next several years, Brian and I became friends and I always felt better when I walked away from one of our conversations. He always thanked me for this time and help, but I don't think he realized how much our meetings meant for me and how much better I always felt about myself. Brian just has that way with people. He knows how to coach you even when you don't realize you are being coached. He asks all the right questions and listens better than anyone I know. He is motivating and inspiring but not afraid to speak the truth. Brian's passion to make our community better by making people better makes him an inspiring leader and great coach and I would recommend him highly to anyone interested in self-development."

J. Ibeh Agbanym

Amazon Best Selling Author, Leadership Coaching Strategist, Public Speaker

"Brian is very instrumental and present in his coaching practices. He understands the importance of meeting his clients where they are in their journey, before taking them to a place of relevance. I have worked with Brian as an organizational psychology practitioner and a leadership coaching strategist! He is a transformational leader by application and displays intellectual humility in his work."

Jeanne-Marie Hormell

Supervisor, Design Center APS - Arizona Public Services Electric Company

"Brian and I met through the Tempe Chamber "Women in Business" program last year - he was assigned to be my mentor. Brian was encouraging and asked me very challenging questions that helped me figure out my goals as an individual and professional. He would always say "JM, you got this - the sky is the limit!" His coaching helped me build the confidence I was lacking and taught me to leverage my strengths. For six months he strategized with me on how to approach applying for a leadership position and he also coached me as I was training for a fitness competition. At the end of the six months I accomplished both! I was offered the supervisor role and placed 4th in the competition. I am so thankful for meeting Brian and for how much he taught me about myself and my strengths."

Elaine M. Armfield

Assoc. Director, Corporate Relations & Strategic Programs, Arizona State University

"Brian Wood is truly a game changer. His wisdom in all realms of life - family, professional, and athletic - make him the exact right coach for me. I was at a point in my career and personal life when I needed to take a hard look at my options, and decide what I really wanted. Brian's thoughtful and caring coaching helped me ask difficult questions, examine my motives, and decide how to best move forward. He offered unique perspectives that opened up new areas of my life - healing old wounds, building bridges, challenging my preconceived limits, and considering the impossible - I would never have thought of, but in hindsight were just what I needed. I am now building my own version of success - not anyone else's. Brian, and his unique and humorous coaching style, has encouraged me, with no judgment, to move forward towards the most fulfilling life I can live."