Darlene Fountaine

Shifting Mindsets Together: Helping leaders clear obstacles, unlock growth, and thrive. With over 25 years of professional experience across consulting, nonprofit leadership, and roles as an independent school administrator and board member, Darlene Fountaine brings a wealth of knowledge to her work as an executive life and leadership coach. These diverse experiences have shaped her coaching journey and deepened her passion for helping individuals and organizations achieve transformative growth. As a dedicated advocate for Belonging and Inclusion, she has worked with thousands of people to reshape cultures and agendas in meaningful ways. Today, Darlene coaches leaders across the spectrum, emerging managers, seasoned senior executives, vice presidents, and individual contributors stepping into leadership for the first time. Her superpower is partnering with leaders at all stages by helping identify where they may be stuck, clarifying unmet goals, and uncovering the obstacles in their way. Known as the “go-to person” by colleagues and friends, she takes great pride in being a trusted resource for those ready to make meaningful changes. Darlene believes successful coaching starts with listening, understanding each client’s story and recognizing the patterns that either propel them forward or hold them back. By uncovering blind spots and self-imposed limitations, she guides clients toward a holistic, values-driven approach to self-care and growth. As they evolve personally, they gain confidence, productivity, and effectiveness in both professional and personal roles. In addition to coaching, Darlene serves as the chair of the board of an independent high school, contributes to two other education-related nonprofits, and mentors undergraduate business students. Originally from Detroit, she earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her MBA from the University of Southern California. She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), with certifications in Teams and Relationships, Diversity and Inclusion, Board Leadership, and Women’s Entrepreneurship.