Eric Kohner is an internationally recognized executive coach, senior Faculty member, and thought leader in the field of leadership development. Widely considered one of the “godfathers” of Co-Active coaching, Eric has spent over 25 years helping leaders, teams, and organizations unlock their full potential and drive transformational change.

Eric’s journey is anything but conventional. With a unique blend of street edge and bold-hearted leadership, he brings both wisdom and grit to the coaching world. As the Founder of ekcoSYSTEM, he has pioneered innovative approaches such as the BADASS Leadership Program and Accessment, two groundbreaking tools that empower leaders to access new parts of themselves and lead with bold authenticity.

As an Associate Partner with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), Eric has trained and mentored thousands of coaches and leaders worldwide, shaping the next generation of leadership through the Co-Active model. Over the last two decades, he has partnered with global organizations such as Capgemini, Sony Music Entertainment, and ING Bank, delivering coaching programs that have become embedded in company culture and leadership pipelines.

Eric is especially passionate about bringing coaching into marginalized and underrepresented communities. From teaching in prisons to developing re-entry coaching programs for the formerly incarcerated, he believes leadership development is not a luxury — it’s a human right.

Known for his candid, disruptive voice, Eric doesn’t shy away from challenging outdated systems of leadership. His philosophy is simple: coaching and leadership training aren’t just about learning new skills — they’re about transforming who you are as a leader so you can transform the systems you’re a part of.

Today, Eric continues to coach executives, co-lead transformative leadership programs, and partner with organizations to build cultures rooted in authenticity, adaptability, and meaningful impact.