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Colleen Headshot_edited.png
Leadership Coach | Strategy Consultant | Social Impact Champion

I’m Colleen Kazemi—a mom, wife, leadership coach, strategist, and former CEO and COO with two decades of experience spanning tech, entrepreneurship, and the social impact sector. I help leaders and organizations gain clarity, strengthen operations, and grow their impact with purpose and sustainability.

From the beginning, I’ve been driven by a fundamental question: Why do some people have access to opportunity, support, and resources—while others don’t? And more importantly, what can we do to unlock those resources for those who need them most?

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A Nontraditional Start

I began my career in direct service, working with youth and families after earning a degree in psychology from CU Boulder. That early experience grounded me in the realities of systemic inequity—and sparked a lifelong curiosity about how people and systems change. I became fascinated by what helps leaders succeed, what holds organizations back, and how we can design support that actually creates access and drives equity.

A Shapeshifter’s Journey

That curiosity—and a desire to understand systems from the inside—led me into the Silicon Valley tech and agency world. I spent 15 years helping Fortune 500 brands grow and transform. I was often called on to sit at the intersection of engineering, product, and business—translating needs and value across functions and bridging communication gaps to accelerate execution. I led global teams, built data-driven programs, and supported mergers and acquisitions—learning how to navigate complexity and align stakeholders across sectors.

That shapeshifting ability—operating between perspectives and roles—became one of my core strengths. It helped me see where things break down, where opportunities are hiding, and how to translate vision into action.

Building a Mission-Driven Business

Eventually, I felt a deep pull back toward mission-driven work and co-founded Pure Cultures, a biotech company focused on leveraging probiotics to reduce antibiotic use in agriculture. I joined a SF Bay BioTech accelerator as one of the only non-PhDs in the room—leading business strategy, raising capital, building a fermentation facility, and co-negotiating the company’s acquisition. I bridged the gap between scientific innovation and market application, securing major partnerships with companies like Purina and Rabo Bank. That journey deepened my commitment to solving problems at the intersection of health, sustainability, and equity.

Funders, Nonprofits & the Power of Perspective

Over the last decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of impact investing, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership—mobilizing funding, building cross-sector partnerships, and supporting underrepresented leaders through capacity-building programs rooted in trust and equity. As CEO of Social Venture Partners Denver, I held a rare dual role as both funder and nonprofit executive, giving me a unique perspective on how to bridge resources and real-world needs.

In every role, I’ve served as a bridge—connecting funders and founders, aligning strategy with operations, and turning big vision into practical execution. That’s the shapeshifter mindset: seeing across systems, translating between worlds, and helping people find the clarity and structure they need to lead with impact.

 
How I Work Today

I lead a coaching and consulting practice for social impact leaders, entrepreneurs, and funders who want to scale what works—and lead what’s next. I help clients get clear on priorities, strengthen their operational backbone, and make confident, values-driven decisions that drive results.

My approach blends proven coaching methodologies with two decades of cross-sector leadership and a shapeshifter mindset. I specialize in helping leaders diagnose what’s working, identify strategic gaps, and focus on the levers that matter most. With a data-informed lens and a robust network of tools and talent, I guide clients toward clarity, alignment, and execution—so they can lead with purpose, structure, and impact.

 
The Whole Person

When I’m not coaching, consulting, or connecting people to new ideas, you’ll find me in Colorado or on the road with my husband and our rescue pup. I’m learning Spanish, spending time with my adult children and grandbaby, cooking meals with my family, and finding inspiration on the trails, in the ocean, and through the rhythms of daily life. I’m also deeply engaged in the communities I visit, especially in Baja, where I support grassroots efforts and build relationships rooted in mutual respect and learning. These practices keep me grounded and energized—so I can show up fully for the leaders and communities I serve. Coaching is about the whole person, it’s important not to lose yourself in your professional endeavors. For me, matching values to work and daily life is where I find clarity, resilience, and purpose.

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