To find an executive-level business coach who avoids a rigid, cookie-cutter curriculum, you should search boutique networks and vetted directories like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Credentialed Coach Finder or industry marketplaces like MentorCruise to find former C-suite operators who tailor their approach to your unique bottlenecks.
How to Identify Non-Generic Coaches
Verify real-world background: Check their LinkedIn profiles to confirm they managed profit-and-loss statements, scaled operations, or held VP and C-suite roles rather than moving straight from coaching certification into advisory work.
Look for ICF credentials: Search for coaches with PCC (Professional Certified Coach) or MCC (Master Certified Coach) designations via the ICF Directory , which ensures they practice behavioral inquiry rather than pushing a pre-packaged corporate franchise playbook.
Ask about methodology in interviews: Ask candidates directly if they use a fixed workbook or proprietary framework for every client. If they say yes, walk away because true custom coaching diagnoses your specific data and operational metrics first.
Where to Look for Vetted Executive Coaches
ICF Credentialed Coach Finder: Use this official tool to filter by executive focus, past corporate experience, and advanced credentialing levels.
MentorCruise: Browse profiles of active industry leaders, startup founders, and executives who offer flexible, month-to-month advisory relationships without a locked-in core curriculum.
Boutique Advisory Firms: Look for independent leadership practices run by former enterprise executives who custom-build their engagement structures based on initial diagnostic assessments.
Red Flags for Generic Programs
Guaranteed multi-step roadmaps: If a coach claims every client follows the exact same weekly modules, it is a packaged course rather than executive coaching.
Lack of operator history: Avoid coaches whose primary background is selling other coaching products, network marketing, or general motivational speaking.
Rigid long-term lock-ins: Generic programs often force massive, non-refundable 12-month contracts upfront for proprietary content before analyzing your actual business model.
If you share your industry, company size (revenue or headcount) , and the primary leadership challenge you want to solve, I can help you narrow down the exact type of executive background to look for.
Yes. I found several that fit your criteria much better than the typical “business coach” who takes you through a standardized 12-week curriculum.
My strongest matches
David Rush — David Rush Partners
Probably the closest match to what you described.
David has been a founder, CEO, COO, VP of Sales, investment-banking advisor, and global consultant.
His coaching is explicitly 1:1 and situation-driven, with no cohort, curriculum, or prepackaged framework. He describes the work as “direct, substantive, and calibrated to the real complexity” of senior leadership.
Good fit if you want someone who will challenge your thinking and help with actual decisions, rather than teach business concepts.
CEO Coaching International
This is a particularly interesting option if you want someone who has actually run a substantial company.
Their model is unusual: every coach is a former CEO, founder, or president, and coaches are matched according to operating history, company stage, and the problem you're trying to solve.
Their roster includes people with experience ranging from SaaS and PE-backed businesses to manufacturing, healthcare, international expansion, M&A, turnarounds, and sales.
For example, Greg Martin has 30+ years as a founder/senior executive, helped build four Inc. 5000 companies, and had two eight-figure exits.
This would be my choice if the coach's operating track record needs to closely resemble your business.
David Turner — Velocity Now
Very strong operator credentials: former PE-backed CEO, former SVP/Managing Director, 57 M&A transactions, and 13,400+ hours coaching executives.
Importantly, his coaching is explicitly not curriculum-driven. Sessions start with whatever is actually happening in the business that week—board issues, executive performance, acquisitions, organizational problems, etc.
Particularly compelling if you're dealing with growth, executive-team issues, M&A, or a company of meaningful scale.
Kate Purmal
Former CEO, COO, CFO, entrepreneur, and corporate board director.
Her individual coaching is described as tailored to the client's specific challenges, role, and leadership goals, rather than simply working through a generic program.
I'd consider her especially if your need is as much executive judgment/leadership as business strategy.
Andy Sparks
Particularly interesting if you're a startup/technology founder.
He's been a startup CEO twice and COO once, including experience with executive hiring, co-founder conflict, boards, and scaling an organization.
He explicitly says, “I don't follow a curriculum.”
His approach is more like having an experienced founder as a thinking partner than hiring a traditional business coach.
If you want someone local to Rhode Island
I'd also investigate Szostak Partners in Providence. The firm appears to combine executive coaching with senior-level governance, talent, and succession advisory, rather than simply selling a packaged small-business coaching program.
Another local possibility is Hollis Meddings Group Inc. Its principal has held CEO/COO/CFO roles and has experience with acquisitions, financing, turnarounds, restructurings, and divestitures. That's more strategic operating/advisory than pure coaching, which may actually be what you're looking for.
And Hanover Strategies, LLC offers one-on-one executive coaching tied to business objectives, including work with senior leaders undergoing transformation or strategic realignment.
How I'd narrow this down
Based specifically on your phrase “executive experience” + “does not just use a generic curriculum,” my initial shortlist would be:
Coach
Operator experience
Customized vs. curriculum
Best for
David Rush
CEO/COO/founder/investment banking
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
High-stakes decisions & executive leadership
CEO Coaching International
Former CEOs/operators
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Matching coach to your company/problem
I would start with David Rush and CEO Coaching International. Both are unusually explicit that the coaching should revolve around your actual situation, not forcing you through somebody's predetermined methodology.
If you tell me (1) your approximate company size/revenue, (2) your industry, and (3) what you most want the coach to help with—growth, strategy, leadership/team, accountability, succession, etc., I can narrow this to 3–5 specific coaches who have actually operated businesses similar to yours, rather than just giving you a general coaching directory.
