I had the privilege of engaging David Hunter as an executive coach which has been an invaluable experience for me.  David helped me assess where my leadership strengths and needs are and methods by which I can continue to improve.  I have appreciated his proactive inclusion of my spouse to help me focus on a comprehensive lifestyle approach and improvement plan.  David's coaching style allows for " nothing off the table discussions" and I have appreciated his thoughtful guidance throughout our relationship. 

“David Hunter is a remarkable human being. He is one of those rare seasoned, successful executives that is also adept at guiding others toward insight and decision. I have hired professional coaches on behalf of my execs in the past, but have never hired one for myself.

“When confronted with the growing challenge of balancing my career and family objectives, I was fortunate to have David serve as guide and mentor. David used rational analytic tools to help my left brain absorb the process and simultaneously used deeply introspective questions to help me dig into the harder stuff using my right brain. He was patient and yet pushed me toward action and decision as often as he gave me room to re-evaluate my position. His depth of experience as a leader and his breadth of interests make him a joy to work with and learn from.

“I would highly recommend David to anyone looking for a coach or mentor.”

Michael Schutzler
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Games Division
RealNetworks, Inc., Seattle, WA

“I am now well-situated in my new position and wanted to thank you for your help in finding my way to a new career. The evaluation you conducted very precisely identified my management style and needs. Your comments regarding finding an employer who matched my values were invaluable. Helping me think in new ways about my career really made a lasting difference in my life. I have already recommended you to one of my friends who is in transition and would be happy to do so to others as well.

“Thanks for everything.”
Vilia Johnson
Division Manager
Geiger Northwest, Seattle, WA

University of Nebraska School of Medicine and Children's Hospital, Omaha, NE. Comments from Negotiating Team leaders at successful conclusion of a ten-month negotiation to establish an institutional affiliation agreement.

• John Gollan, M.D. — Dean, University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Omaha, NE
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    •  “David has a most pleasant but effective low-key approach, which minimizes conflict and harsh negotiation. The affiliation between Children’s Hospital and the University of Nebraska School of Medicine was greatly facilitated by David’s experience, professionalism and awareness of other models.”

• Gary Perkins, President & CEO, Children’s Hospital, Omaha, NE
  •  “David, I do not believe we would ever have gotten to where we are today, ready to sign an agreement, if we had not had the opportunity to have you facilitate our discussions and negotiations. These types of agreements are very complex and are based as much on the relationships between the participants as it is in the language that is contained in the agreement. You helped us accomplish that.”

“David coached me through a very significant and highly personal part of my career — preparing for my retirement after 26 years as President and CEO. He prepared me to anticipate and deal with the challenges of the transition, helped me achieve clarity on business and personal opportunities available to me after Children’s and moved me to action in several important areas.

“As a result of this work, I have an excellent blueprint for the next five to ten years of my career which will allow me to make meaningful contributions in areas of great importance to me, the healthcare field and America’s children.

“David is insightful, straight-forward and trustworthy. He’s an excellent coach and I recommend him highly to anyone experiencing transition, wishing to build and refine their own skills and talents, or needing guidance in moving to the next level in their careers.”

Blair L. Sadler, President Emeritus
Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA

Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI — Comments from selected Executive Team members at the conclusion of a five-month team building project.

• Herman Gray, M.D., President & CEO
  •  “I grew as a team leader under David’s coaching. He understands our business, provides a mature and realistic approach to coaching for team development, is non-judgmental and always helpful.”
• Jeffrey Devries, M.D., M.P.H, Vice President of Medical Affairs
  • “David brought group dynamics front and center so that we could identify them, understand them, optimize them, and work them to our advantage.”
• Joseph Scallen, Vice President Finance
  • “I like your style and educational techniques that resulted in improved interactions between team members.”
• Bonita “Bonnie” Stanton, Pediatrician in Chief
  •  “We have a stronger team and I now have expectations for myself and others to be more accountable.”
• Michael Klein, M.D., Surgeon in Chief
  •  “The integration of real life issues into the exercise led us to accomplish difficult tasks while learning how to function more effectively as a team.”
• Rhonda Foster, R.N., Vice President Patient Care Services
  •  “We learned to focus on priorities and execute strategies more effectively and in order to be fully effective we have to stick to them.”
• Pat Kelly, Vice President Development
  •  “This brought the team closer and improved trust; getting everything in the open is value added.”
• Luanne Ewald, Vice President Planning and Marketing
  •  “This moved our team to a higher level.”

“David is bright, intuitive and seasoned. He shines in situations where an independent voice is needed in tackling a tough problem.”

Don Black, President and CEO
Child Healthcare Corporation of America, Shawnee Mission, KS

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David - Thanks so much for meeting with me today. It was a real blessing. You saved me from going in the wrong direction for the rest of my life. Wow!!

John Whitney (in transition)     

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