Dr. Towanna Burrous

Dr. Towanna Burrous is the President of CoachDiversity Institute, the world’s first ICF-accredited coaching institution dedicated to transforming leadership through innovative, culturally aware, and inclusive practices. A pioneer in leadership coaching, Dr. Burrous is passionate about equipping leaders with the tools to create innovative organizations that thrive in an ever-evolving world.


With over 25 years of experience in technology, program management, and business development, Dr. Burrous has held pivotal roles at organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, and General Dynamics, where she honed her leadership and organizational strategy expertise. Her career highlights include advancing covert communication systems during historic global events and designing groundbreaking leadership strategies that drive sustainable change.


As an entrepreneur, Dr. Burrous has championed empowerment for underrepresented communities. She founded the Black Life Coaches Network and the Young Women’s Empowerment Network, which have provided transformative leadership development and educational opportunities for hundreds of individuals, driving meaningful change. Through the CoachDiversity Institute, she spearheads certified coaching programs and corporate services that foster inclusive leadership, strengthen employee engagement, and advance organizational excellence across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors.


Dr. Burrous is a sought-after speaker, mentor, and leader who believes in the power of resilience and authenticity. Her thought leadership inspires visionary leaders to master the skills to lead across differences, fostering inclusive and collaborative environments where innovation thrives.


Under Dr. Burrous’s leadership, CoachDiversity Institute has gained national recognition, including its ranking on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.