Cherry River Leadership Advisory
Clarity for high-stakes leadership.
Advisory and coaching for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating complexity, transformation, and high-impact roles.
Founded by Kim Gingras, Executive Coach & Strategic Leadership Advisor
Who I Work With
I partner with leaders who operate in environments where the stakes are high and the path forward is rarely linear.
CEOs and founders leading through inflection points
Senior executives stepping into expanded scope or new visibility
Executive teams seeking alignment, cohesion, and strategic clarity
Women leaders navigating confidence, voice, and influence in complex organizations
Why Leaders Choose Cherry River
Leaders come to Cherry River when they need:
Clarity in complex, ambiguous environments
Stronger decision-making under pressure
Executive presence that inspires confidence
Alignment across teams, functions, and stakeholders
Strategic thought partnership in high-impact roles
Support navigating transitions, restructurings, or new mandates
What Changes
At the end of our collaboration, leaders:
Make confident, well-grounded decisions
Lead with intention, presence, and clarity
Strengthen influence and executive voice
Build high-performing, aligned teams
Navigate transformation with steadiness and momentum
See patterns quickly and act on what matters most
My Approach
My coaching approach blends strategic thought partnership with behavioral understanding and a calm, insight-driven style. I help leaders see patterns quickly, distill complexity into clear decisions, and strengthen their presence and impact — particularly during periods of transition, increased scope, or high-stakes leadership demands.
My work is grounded in the ethical standards of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), deep confidentiality, and a belief that meaningful change happens when leaders feel both challenged and supported.
Three principles shape my work — drawn from my own leadership journey:
Plant Seeds
Strategic growth happens through intentional relationships, curiosity, and action — long before the next opportunity appears.
Remove Self‑Imposed Limitations
Leaders often hold themselves back more than circumstances do. They increase their impact when they clarify their sphere of influence, strengthen their voice, and allow themselves to fully inhabit their role — beyond habits or the internal narratives that limit their reach.
Be Ready for What's Next
Opportunity favors leaders who reflect, refine, and stay visible — even in uncertain or shifting environments.
About Kim
I'm an executive coach and strategic advisor who helps leaders navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Before founding Cherry River Leadership Advisory, I spent over 30 years as a global executive leading P&Ls, shaping strategy, driving transformation, and strengthening organizational performance across advanced materials, specialty chemicals, and manufacturing.
I was repeatedly selected to lead organizations facing structural challenges, misalignment, talent gaps, or fragmented commercial execution — bringing:
- strategic clarity
- commercial intensity
- disciplined operating cadence
- cross-functional alignment
- high-performing teams
- sustainable, profitable growth
I've led businesses through restructurings, force majeure events, innovation pivots, incubator development, procurement transformation, and complex stakeholder environments. I've served on a JV board, overseen governance and risk, and partnered closely with CEOs and executive committees.
Clients describe me as a trusted confidante, a strategic thinker, and a steady presence who brings clarity to complexity and momentum to ambition.
Education & Credentials
- Executive MBA, Olin School of Business, Washington University
- Bachelor of Applied Sciences, Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke
- ACT Leadership Performance Coaching Certification (ICF Level 1, in progress)
- Fluent in English and French
Offerings
Tailored engagement designed for the demands of senior leadership.
Executive Coaching
For CEOs, founders, and senior leaders seeking clarity, confidence, and elevated impact. Focus areas: decision-making, executive presence, influence, transitions, leadership identity.
Leadership Advisory
Strategic thought partnership for leaders navigating transformation, complexity, or organizational change. Focus areas: strategy shaping, stakeholder alignment, leadership communication.
Executive Team Facilitation
Strengthening cohesion, trust, and execution across senior teams. Focus areas: alignment, collaboration, strategic rhythm, cross-functional effectiveness.
Insights & Perspectives
Thoughts on leadership, influence, and the inner work of leading well.
Reframing Self-Promotion: Influence Without the 'Ick'
Many leaders — especially women — hesitate to talk about their work because self‑promotion feels uncomfortable. But visibility isn't vanity; it's influence. When leaders shift from 'promoting myself' to 'sharing value,' they unlock credibility, opportunity, and impact without compromising authenticity.
What If Your 'Weakness' Is Just Your Strength in Overdrive?
The behaviors leaders label as weaknesses often begin as strengths — until pressure, pace, or expectation pushes them too far. Reframing 'what's wrong' as 'what's overextended' helps leaders regain balance, refine their impact, and lead with greater intention and clarity.
Openness Isn't Easy — But It's Leadership
Openness requires courage: to listen, to be challenged, to reconsider, and to let others in. Leaders who practice openness create trust, strengthen alignment, and make better decisions — especially in moments of uncertainty or transition. It's not softness; it's strategic strength.