ABOUT & BIO

Iris Cullinan, Certified Executive Coach

Iris is a heart-centered consultant, coach, facilitator, and entrepreneur who melds insights from the behavioral science and wellness fields to create powerful change for mission-driven leaders and organizations.

  • 1,000+ Leaders Transformed

    through coaching & learning experiences

  • 6+ Certifications

    across coaching, facilitation, DEI, and wellness

  • 12+ Years' Experience

    strategically transforming organizations

My Approach

People-First & Evidence-Based

Leadership isn’t just strategy and skills. It’s physiology, psychology, and environment. I help leaders understand their stress responses, recognize patterns that hold them back, and build new ways of leading that feel natural and sustainable. This integrative, science-backed approach aligns with human nature, not against it.

Emotional Intelligence as a Performance Driver

Emotional intelligence is more than a “soft skill”—it’s the foundation for making better decisions under pressure, building trust, and leading through uncertainty. I help leaders harness their emotional patterns to show up with greater presence, resilience, and wisdom when it matters most.

Insightful, Inspiring, and Actionable

Transformation happens through consistent action. My coaching and programs are designed to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. Together, we’ll create customized plans, practical tools, and accountability systems that turn insight into measurable results. You won’t just feel more empowered—you’ll lead with greater clarity, influence, and impact.

I’ve worked with leaders from across industries such as…

Bio-Pharma, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Professional Services, Financial Services, Insurance, Energy, Consumer, Telecommunications, Advertising, Nonprofit

…and with companies including...

Regeneron, Convatec, Alcon, Point32Health (Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan), Takeda, Citizens Bank, New York Life Insurance Company, Johnson & Johnson/Kenvue, Chevron, Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Recent Client Wins

  • Cascaded and embedded teamwork behaviors at a global healthcare company through a gamified simulation, enablement for manager-led discussions, and a summit for the top 100 leaders.

  • Created a framework, strategy, and multi-year roadmap for a high-growth pharmaceutical company to advance the frontier of culture and social impact practices, codify and scale their culture, empower and engage their workforce, and make a global impact.

  • Developed the learning and change management strategy for a Fortune 500 Energy organization to accelerate workforce AI knowledge and skills.

  • Led the transformation of a DEI function, including an Employee Resource Group Leadership Development Summit, helping the client exceed their annual membership growth objectives (16% to 32%).

  • Reset a high-stakes, off-track software implementation at a Fortune 500 insurance organization by developing and implementing a strategic program, including quantitative and qualitative assessments and a series of cross-functional leadership offsites.

Background & Qualifications

Iris Cullinan is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and facilitator with over a decade of experience helping leaders and organizations navigate complexity, lead through change, and foster cultures where people thrive. She specializes in leadership resilience, emotional intelligence, team effectiveness, and communication—equipping leaders with the tools to drive performance while sustaining well-being.

Iris has coached and trained thousands of leaders across sectors—from nonprofits and start-ups to Fortune 500 companies spanning industries such as bio-tech, healthcare, financial services, technology, and more.

Prior to shifting into her independent practice full-time, Iris served as a Senior Manager at a talent development consulting firm, where she was a trusted advisor to culture, talent, and DEI leaders, driving large-scale workforce and culture transformation initiatives.

Blending leadership science with a grounded, human-centered approach, Iris integrates cutting-edge research in neuroscience and psychology with practical, actionable tools. Her work is rooted in the belief that leadership effectiveness and well-being are not separate—but essential partners in sustainable success.

In addition to her corporate consulting work, Iris is the founder of RARE FORTUNE, a personal development and spiritual wellness company dedicated to helping purpose-driven leaders heal burnout, replenish their energy, and reconnect with their deeper sense of purpose. Through a thriving community platform and personalized coaching services, RARE FORTUNE offers a restorative space for leaders to align with their values and bring more meaning to their work.

Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and has earned certifications across both leadership development and holistic wellness disciplines, including:

  • Certified Executive Coach, Center for Executive Coaching

  • Certified Virtual Facilitator, NetSpeed

  • Certified Life & Career Coach, Courageous Living

  • Certified Breathwork Facilitator, SOMA Breath

  • Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Asheville Yoga Center

  • Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, National Guild of Hypnotists

  • Certified Sound Healer, Jeffrey Charles Warren

Through this integrative lens, Iris empowers leaders to not only perform at their best—but to lead with clarity, compassion, and resilience in today’s ever-evolving work environment.

When she isn’t coaching, consulting, or leading workshops, she can be found enjoying the beautiful mountains and lakes of her home state, New Hampshire, exploring the world on spontaneous trips, and drinking endless cups of herbal tea.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re ready to invest in leadership that’s resilient, adaptive, and impactful—I’d love to connect.