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FAQ / Support

Everything you need to navigate the site, the Owen Coaching Network, payments, and how to reach the team. If something is not covered here, email alumni.ldp@vanderbilt.edu.

Student asking questions

About This Site

  • What is leadership development?

    At Owen, leadership development is about self-awareness: the tools and habits that let you assess your strengths, your weaknesses, and your overall effectiveness, and then use that knowledge to learn from experience in a structured way. The goal is for you to build personal development habits you carry through your career.

  • How is this different from career planning?

    Leadership development shapes a career, but it does not replace career planning. If you are stepping into a new role, working on a specific leadership skill, or thinking about engaging an executive coach, this is the right place.

  • Will this replace my organization's development planning?

    Treat what you find here as a supplement to whatever your employer offers. The resources on this site will help you get more out of those programs and fill in the gaps.

  • Are these resources meant for solo use or with others?

    Both. Many of the tools are for individual reflection. Others work better in conversation, whether with an executive coach through the Owen Coaching Network, a colleague, or a friend.

Meet the LDP Team

Melinda Allen, Executive Director

Melinda co-founded the Leadership Development Programs for Owen and has led them since 2005. Before Owen, she ran admissions and career management efforts at both Owen and Goizueta Business School at Emory. She has worked with graduate business students and the corporate community that hires them for over two decades. BS, Emory University; MS, Human Resource Development, Georgia State; certification in Human and Organizational Development, University of Georgia.

Emiko Sekino Baldwin

Joined LDP in 2012. She spent nearly ten years at Boston Scientific in talent management roles, including MBA recruitment, building MBA internship programs, supporting an enterprise-wide HR system rollout in Asia, building a leadership development program in Japan, and growing the L&D function on the West Coast. BA, Vassar College; MIM/MBA, Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Laura Wright

Joined LDP in May 2017. She spent six years at Tivity Health (formerly Healthways) on leadership development, internal communications, talent acquisition, and change management — including helping colleagues lead through a CEO transition and the sale of two business lines. MA, Organizational Leadership, Peabody.

Coaching FAQs

  • Who is executive coaching suited for?
    • Early- and mid-career professionals aspiring to executive roles.
    • C-suite executives wanting to improve their own or their organization's effectiveness.
    • People who feel they've stopped learning or growing in their current role.
    • People who want to understand their leadership style and how they affect others.
    • People navigating a "trigger event" or a change.
    • People in a personal or career transition, or a recently expanded role.
    • Leaders of organizations going through change.
    • People struggling with the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of the current business environment.
    • People recovering from a setback who want help getting back on track.
  • When should I consider engaging a coach?

    A few situations where coaching tends to pay off:

    • You want something more, better, or different than what you have today.
    • You are navigating a politically charged environment and want to do it well.
    • You are between jobs, between companies, or sustaining momentum through a transition.
    • You are leading through a merger, acquisition, or new senior leadership.
    • You are facing a major life transition: a relocation, an expanding family, aging parents, retirement.
    • You want help integrating feedback and refining relationship skills.
    • You are stuck or stagnating and want to break through.
    • You just got a big promotion with expanded expectations.
    • You are new to the C-suite and looking for balance.
  • Why coaching specifically?

    Coaching is a way to carve out dedicated time, with someone whose job it is to help you think, away from the day's noise. The space is what makes new awareness and behavior change possible. It is a journey, not a sprint.

  • Does coaching take place in person or by phone?

    By phone (or video) unless you and your coach are in the same city and choose otherwise. The outcomes are the same either way.

  • Can I speak with a coach before selecting one?

    Yes, we recommend it. Reach out to one or two coaches for a 15–30 minute conversation. Use it to gauge how the coach might approach your goals, and how comfortable you feel with them.

  • What if my first-choice coach isn't available?

    We try to assign your first choice, but their availability and your timeline don't always line up. Please come with a backup name. You are more likely to land your first choice if you have flexibility on the start date.

  • What if I'm not sure which package I want?

    A few things to consider:

    • Time. Coaching has work between sessions. Can you preserve time for both the session and the prep/reflection?
    • Goals. Short-term and need a sounding board? Silver may fit. Longer-term goals or more complexity? Gold or Platinum.
    • Budget. Coaching is an investment in you. The supplemental tools are often useful for years afterward.

    You can always start with one package and renew into another later.

  • Why opt in to the Hogan Assessment?

    We use Hogan because it is globally portable, rigorously validated, and widely used (50% of the Fortune 500). It tells you not just how you see yourself but how others may see you, which is where most of the useful coaching conversations live. See the Hogan Assessment page for more.

  • Is there an application process?

    No. The Owen Coaching Network is open to any interested Owen alumni.

  • Where do I register and pick a coach?

    Visit the Executive Coaching section and follow the steps on the Next Steps / Getting Started page: decide if you are ready, shop around for the right coach, choose your coach. The registration form is where you indicate your goals, your coach selection, and your payment method.

  • What happens after I pay?

    You'll get two emails: a payment receipt and a confirmation from the LDP team. Once we verify your registration, your coach will reach out within 5–7 business days to set up the first call.

  • What if I have more questions?

    Email alumni.ldp@vanderbilt.edu and a member of the team will respond.

  • Is the Owen Coaching Network available to anyone?

    Currently it is available exclusively to Owen alumni. It is not available to other Vanderbilt graduates outside of Owen.

Payment FAQs

  • What credit cards do you accept?

    American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover.

  • Do you store my credit card information?

    No. The payment system does not store card information.

  • Can I pay by check?

    Yes. Select pay-by-check during online registration and note the address you'll mail to. Payment terms are net 30 days from completing your online registration.

  • Can I make multiple payments?

    Yes. Indicate that during registration. All packages require a minimum first payment to start. Bookmark the payment link so you can return for subsequent payments.

    To make an additional payment on a Silver, Gold, or Platinum package: click here to make your next payment.

  • What if I want to meet my coach face-to-face instead of remotely?

    Pricing assumes remote coaching unless you and your coach are in the same city. If you want in-person visits during the engagement, work that out directly with your coach; travel expenses are on you, above the package pricing.

  • What if I complete my package and want to renew?

    You can renew up to one additional package by repurchasing on the Owen Coaching Network site. After that, negotiate directly with your coach.

  • What if I want to cancel mid-engagement?

    You can cancel with 30 days' notice in writing to both Owen and your coach. Payments already received are not refunded.

I Don't Know What I Need, or It Isn't Listed Here

If you are experiencing or considering a transition that the site doesn't directly address, or you are not sure where to start, you have two options:

  1. Work with an executive coach. Often the fastest way to figure out what you actually need is to talk to someone whose job it is to help you sort it out. Visit the Owen Coaching Network.
  2. Tell us what you'd want here. We're always adding to the site. Email alumni.ldp@vanderbilt.edu with topics you'd like us to cover. When a topic trends, we expand.