Rachel Benyola consults leaders in the areas of high-potential development, entrepreneurship, succession planning, interpersonal conflict, and career transitions. She has coached executives and emerging leaders within retail, fashion, entertainment, healthcare, government, nonprofits, and higher education. Her experience spans across such companies as the Hudson Bay Company, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Gilt Groupe, Omega, Macy's, Anthem and Bristol Myers Squibb. A particular area of focus is coaching female executives on leading through and transforming cultural barriers within organizations.
Rachel's coaching is inspired by her passion for servant leadership. She is a direct, tenacious coach who unearths the entrepreneurial spirit in her coachees with creative, proven coaching methods. She activates and inspires leaders to move and take action with focused vision. She challenges leaders to go beyond their comfort zone and activates their inner enthusiasm for their work. Rachel leverages dynamic, often unseen resources for leaders from both within and outside organizations. Her coaching mottos include: listen aggressively, communicate effectively, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and create positive energy.
In addition to consulting, Rachel is Founder and Chief Executive of Kova, a luxury outdoor gear company featuring a safe, durable, one-of-a-kind, patented bicycle helmet that folds flat for travel and ease of use. As a result of her success, she has received numerous honors and awards, including being recognized as a Forbes' 30 Under 30 and one of the nine Innovators of the Year by Smithsonian Magazine. She also speaks on leadership, the entrepreneurial mindset, and innovation for maker communities, Forbes, MENSA, women’s leadership organizations, and several universities.
Rachel holds an MS in Psychology from Chestnut Hill College, MBA from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship with a certification in Leadership, and BA in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. She is trained in a variety of psychometric assessments, including the DISC and Hogan Assessments.
