Hi! I'm Donna

I believe we each have what it takes to create the change we want to see. Too often we get stuck or can't figure out a way to remove the myriad of roadblocks.

But that can change!

The world needs you. Give yourself a chance (and the permission) to be remarkable! I can be your partner in crime (so to speak) and accelerate your path forward — for you, your team, your business or organization.

We’re not just human beings, we’re humans becoming, always changing, shifting, adapting to new circumstances and challenges. The thing is, do you want life to dictate that change, or you?

I'm honored to have been recognized for the second year in a row as one of the Top Leadership Coaches in 2023 by Coach Foundation

Donna Karlin has been recognized as one of the Top Leadership Coaches by Coach Foundation

I'm a pioneer in the realm of leadership coaching. For 40 years I've been helping people become remarkable. I'm an award-winning author, keynote speaker and best known as The Shadow Coach®.

I coach TED Fellows, and Senior Fellows, I'm a Coach at StartingBloc, UnCharted, Alliance of Women Directors, the Sundance Institute and the Evolve Program. That's more of a calling and a gift than work. My clients are leaders, entrepreneurs, and high potentials from Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups, governments, first-responders and anyone dealing with chaos, volatility and crises

I LOVE working with people who want to become more of who they are, do what's meaningful and achieve their highest and best potential. We have fun as we wade through the mess of life and make sense of it and do something that matters.

For more information check out Donna on LinkedIn

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This is the only relationship where someone will be there specifically for you, only for you and accept all of who you are.

Think about it for a moment. When in your life has someone been there for you without judgment?

It's a relationship unlike any other.

And since I have privileged access to your dreams, fears and struggles, it's only fair that you learn a little more about me.

I am a proud Canadian and global practitioner

I live in Canada's capital. It's home, although my work takes me to 6 continents. So it's the best of all worlds so to speak!

I'm a two-time cancer survivor

Surviving cancer twice, gave me a whole new perspective in life. Add to that a tornado hitting our home and now a global pandemic. It gives us a new focus, and a challenge I'm happy to tackle!

A lifetime ago (my first career) I was an orchestra percussionist

I never pursued an easy path nor a career that was easy for a woman, especially way back when. My orchestra career gave me lessons in leadership, teamwork, and coming together as one unit that stayed with me and influences my life and work.

I'm blessed with an amazing family

My husband grounds me and for those of you who know me, that's no easy feat! Our kids are living their dreams or on the path to getting there. Proud doesn't begin to say it!

I'm a voracious reader

I read everything and anything that teaches me more about people, and life. I don't read books about coaching. I am a coach who works with people and want to know what they're living.

I love to create

Whether it's in the kitchen (I trained as a chef just because), painting porcelain which is a great stress buster, to writing books, articles, and a series of stories for our family, I never have nothing to do. Boredom has NO place in my life.

There are many different ways you can work with us. Check out or organizations and what we offer. That's just a starting point. We tailor our work specifically to YOU!

The No Ceiling Just Sky Institute

We're a people, ideas and organizational accelerator, This is where ideas take flight and we help you create a roadmap to get there! Learn more...

A Better Perspective® Coaching, Consulting and Training

A Better Perspective Coaching and Consulting

We bring a 360° perspective to human evolvement; a dynamic, strengths-focused, full-circle approach to leadership development. We purposefully use the word evolvement because it's all about helping you evolve into your level of excellence. Learn more...

The inCUBEatory

Our "brand-new" addition to the Institute. A 'container' where we accelerate people, ideas, frameworks and organizations. Donna brings her unique, tried and true approach that she uses with TED Fellows, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
Learn more...

I'm a lifelong learner. I continue to take courses, learn how to deal with anything people related, and design thinking related. As a Coaching Psychologist (organizational) I want to continue to learn about human systems, organizational systems, how people think, behave, create, and innovate. Well, you get the picture.

Together we can:

Create a clear vision

We need a starting point and that's where we determine the desired end result. All options are put on the table. Then we narrow them down as we define what success looks like.

Develop a roadmap to get there

We design what has to be done to get you to that desired end result. Through a unique process, we make sure you don't veer off track

Change your perspective

You'll learn how to think differently, make decisions for the right reasons and recognize how you might get in your own way. Roadblocks are removed so there's nothing but what we call, superconductivity.