About Alan Heymann
Alan Heymann, JD, PCC (he/him)
Coach | Facilitator | Author | Speaker | Adjunct Instructor
Alan Heymann has served as an executive coach to hundreds of his fellow introverts, helping them feel seen and heard, to find balance in their lives and to unleash their superpowers in an extroverted world.
Alan also specializes in coaching through career and leadership transitions. He brings a warm, open and energetic presence to his coaching and facilitation clients and speaking engagements. His clients to date were born in 32 countries and work on 4 continents. They have spanned corporations (including the Fortune 50), nonprofit organizations, public utilities, federal, county and municipal governments.
The author of two books on leadership analogies: Don’t Just Have the Soup, and Embrace Your Inner Peaches, Alan is a member of the faculty of the Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership. He spent more than two decades in public, government and nonprofit communications -- leading teams from 2 to more than 100 people. Inspired by a career transformation he brought about with the support of an executive coach, Alan founded Peaceful Direction in April 2019.
Peaceful Direction is dedicated to supporting women, people of color and other groups historically underrepresented in Western leadership culture. Alan strives to bring principles of equity and justice into his work with all leaders.
Meeting the Dalai Lama in 2005.
More about Alan
From 2015-19 and 2010-13, Alan served as an executive leader at DC Water. He was most recently the founding president of the utility’s nonprofit spinoff, Blue Drop.
Other career highlights:
Vice President of Communications for The Humane Society of the United States
Various roles in the Government of the District of Columbia, including agency public information officer, mayoral speechwriter and legislative staffer
Television reporter, producer and anchor in his native Illinois.
Alan is a member of the Barker Adoption Foundation Board of Trustees. He’s followed a plant-based diet since 2002, enjoys running half-marathons and lives with his family outside Washington, DC. He is the son and parent of immigrants to the United States.
Education:
Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching (Georgetown University)
Juris Doctorate (The George Washington University Law School)
Bachelor of Science in Journalism (Northwestern University)
Certifications:
Hogan Assessments, Leadership Circle Profile 360, Designing Your Life, Everything DiSC, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method
Education
Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University
Juris Doctorate, The George Washington University Law School
Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Medill School, Northwestern University
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate, University of South Florida
Credentials & Certification
Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation
Hogan Assessments
Leadership Circle Profile 360
Designing Your Life
Everything DiSC
Certified Facilitator in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method
District of Columbia Bar
Illinois Bar
Past clients include:
Alan has also served dozens of other organizations (including the Fortune 500 and the federal government) as a subcontracted coach. This list is available upon request.