Mark Darren Gregor

People Strategist | Executive Coach (PCC) | Fractional Executive | CHRO & AI Partner | ♻︎Top 100 Global Coaching Leaders Awardee

Simsbury, Connecticut, United States

About

When high-performing executives are under pressure, they don’t need surface-level coaching. They need a space where complexity is understood, and transformation is possible. With over 25 years of experience in customer success, product management, marketing, and business strategy, I bring a multidimensional lens to my executive coaching. My background leading initiatives across industries (including technology, healthcare, finance, and retail) allows me to map organizational dynamics quickly and help leaders find clarity in complex, high-stakes environments. I specialize in coaching analytical, high-capacity leaders as they navigate critical leadership transitions such as preparing for promotion, stepping into expanded roles, or recalibrating under pressure. Corporate L&D decision-makers and Private Equity firms trust me with their leaders because I bring a rare blend of business fluency, emotional depth, and strategic clarity. Clients describe my style as direct, intuitive, and intellectually rigorous. I create spaces where leaders can be both vulnerable and visionary, helping to unlock self-awareness while designing actionable strategies that elevate leadership influence, team performance, and meaningful change. I also advise leaders on AI strategy and deployment, supporting organizations in leveraging AI to drive innovation, improve decision-making, and enhance human capacity, while navigating the ethical and relational dimensions of technological change. ICF PCC certified, I hold a Master’s in Human Behavior from NYU, certifications in AI (including IBM’s AI Foundations for Business), and training across modalities such as CTI, Landmark, DiSC, Enneagram, MBTI, and Hogan. Clients I've worked with include Meta/Facebook, Yahoo, Stanford University, CVS Health, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Target, Vanguard, PNC Bank, Liberty Mutual, and many others across industries and sectors. TIGER 21 executive finalist candidate. 📩 If you're an L&D leader, PE stakeholder, or executive seeking a coaching partner who brings depth, discretion, and results, I’d be glad to connect.

Experience

  • Executive Coach | Fractional Leader | Top 100 Global Coaching Leaders Awardee at IN Development
    2010 - Present · 16 yrs 6 mos

    Empowering leaders and organizations to break through limitations and lead with clarity, purpose, and impact. Provide executive coaching, leadership development, and fractional executive services that drives lasting transformation in addition to elevated performance. Philosophy is grounded in deep insight, radical self-honesty, and strategic action. Clients span industries and geographies, from Fortune 100 firms to mission-driven healthcare systems. Consistently report measurable gains in engagement, effectiveness, and fulfillment. Notable clients include leaders at Meta, Yahoo, Target, Kaiser Permanente, Stanford Medicine, El Camino Health, Travel & Leisure, UC Berkeley, Cognizant, Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, among others.

  • Senior Coach | Leadership Trainer | Learning & Development at Hone
    2021 - Present · 5 yrs 6 mos

    Delivering transformative leadership development for global teams through Hone’s live, expert-led learning platform. As a Senior Coach, I facilitate a portfolio of 30+ distinct courses across core leadership, communication, management, and inclusion competencies. My work supports professionals across industries in building inclusive cultures, developing emotional intelligence, and leading with authenticity. Trusted by enterprise clients and fast-scaling teams alike, I bring depth, empathy, and clarity to every session — empowering lasting behavior change and workplace equity.

  • Sloan Group International (11 yrs 1 mo)
    • Vice President, Customer Success
      2016 - 2025 · 9 yrs

      Held executive responsibility for customer success and strategic client partnerships at a premier global leadership development firm. Oversaw half of the company’s client portfolio, spanning Fortune 500 and multinational organizations across industries and geographies. Led end-to-end engagement from enterprise consultation and program architecture to delivery, scaling, and measurement. During my 11-year tenure, I helped triple company revenue and guided the business through a full acquisition and three CEO transitions — while maintaining client trust, operational continuity, and consistent delivery excellence. My leadership shaped global programs in executive coaching, group development, and succession planning — integrating insights from neuroscience, systems thinking, and positive psychology. I also designed scalable, customizable learning solutions and trained a distributed network of coaches and consultants across 28 markets and 135 cities. Representative clients: Vanguard, Northern Trust, PNC Bank, Yahoo, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Stanford Health Care, CVS Health, Exelon, Medtronic, SquareSpace, Grail Bio, and Liberty Mutual.

    • Senior Consultant, Client Experience
      2014 - 2016 · 2 yrs

  • Head of Global Marketing & Events at The Reconnection
    2008 - 2010 · 2 yrs

    Directed global marketing and event operations for a fast-growing wellness organization producing large-scale experiential trainings in 30+ countries — with 1–2 live events weekly and audiences of up to 1,000 attendees. Oversaw all international marketing, advertising, and promotions (digital and traditional), driving a 30% increase in event revenue during tenure. Led a cross-cultural network of 50+ event organizers, partners, and co-sponsors. Managed complex logistics including venue procurement, international travel, translation, A/V production, and vendor coordination — all while navigating rapid market expansion across languages, cultures, and time zones. Introduced scalable systems to increase operational efficiency, improve profit margins, and ensure brand consistency across global markets. Led the expansion of the company’s portfolio beyond its core event business — launching a diverse range of new offerings that significantly extended reach and revenue potential. Spearheaded strategic planning and restructuring initiatives that transformed the organization into a more agile, effective, and sustainable enterprise.

  • Marketing Manager, e-Commerce & Retail at Barnes & Noble
    2006 - 2008 · 2 yrs

    Led enterprise-wide marketing strategy and customer experience for Barnes & Noble’s retail and eCommerce divisions — driving $320M+ in annual revenue through targeted campaigns, brand partnerships, and loyalty initiatives. Owned the online customer experience for Bn.com promotions, maintaining its position as the #1 rated online retail destination. Directed national advertising efforts contributing to over $200M in annual retail sales. Orchestrated strategic merchandising and co-marketing programs with top-tier partners including HarperCollins, Scholastic, Random House, Google, PayPal, AMEX, TRU TV, Universal, and Sony Pictures. Developed and executed the B&N MasterCard® marketing strategy, resulting in a 281% increase in new online credit card member acquisition. Oversaw the full lifecycle and P&L of the B&N Consumer Gift Card business — optimizing performance and driving growth across retail and digital channels.