About Verstehen Executive Coaching

Luke Lyons, Ph.D.

Executive Coach | Educator | Technology Leader

Bringing over 25 years of management and education experience to coaching, I leverage my extensive leadership experience in software consulting, product development, and higher education to help clients reach organizational and professional goals.

My own personal experience in the trenches of the corporate and higher education space has brought professional struggles, frustrations, achievements, and career pivots that are an empathetic source of support for clients who are stuck.  I view the coaching process as a vehicle for self-awareness and draw on my ability to listen deeply to connect insights with professional goals, personal identity, and core values.

In my coaching role, I support client learning and growth goals in relation to career discernment, executive presence, strategic planning, professional development, performance management, skillful self-expression, emotional intelligence, and stress management.  I work with clients at all stages of their careers, including undergraduate and graduate students aligning educational pursuits to career direction.

In addition to coaching and leading technology initiatives, I have designed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses for over 15 years at several universities, including Concordia University Chicago, North Park University, and Wilkes University Pennsylvania.

Currently, I am an adjunct professor and leadership coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Education and Certifications

Committed to continuous learning and growth, I completed my doctoral degree in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago and earned an M.S. in Information Systems and Project Management from DePaul University.  My undergraduate degree is from Boston College where I majored in English. Additionally, I completed my executive coaching certificate from Northwestern University.

How we Support Client Learning and Growth

Our coaching framework creates a supportive, non-judgmental space for clients to identify challenges and personal and commercial solutions. With an emphasis on curious questioning and reflection, we help leaders make sense of complicated situations, gain transformational insights, and move forward in productive, healthy ways.