Kelly Derbin Coaching Services
About The Coach
Background
Kelly Derbin has a unique background that blends healthcare, leadership experience, education, and coaching. Her career in academic medicine began as a Family Medicine faculty member, where she taught and mentored medical students and residents and developed educational programs.
After returning to California in 2009, Kelly joined Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, where she held a variety of leadership roles and co-founded the organization’s Leadership Development Program. As Medical Director of Leadership Development for nearly a decade, she partnered with senior leaders to build leadership capabilities across the organization. She has worked with emerging and established leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness, navigate organizational change, and foster high-performing teams.
Kelly holds degrees from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC (B.S., M.D., and M.S.Ed.). She is a UC Davis-trained Leadership Coach, an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation, and co-founder of the PAFMG Leadership Coaching Institute.
Philosophy
Kelly believes meaningful leadership begins with self-awareness. Her coaching helps leaders better understand themselves, lead with greater authenticity, and expand their capacity to create meaningful impact.
Her approach is grounded in curiosity, thoughtful observation, and deep listening. She creates a supportive space for clients to explore challenges, consider new perspectives, and identify possibilities for growth. Kelly partners with her clients to help them discover their own insights, build confidence, and lead with greater clarity and purpose. Kelly is particularly passionate about supporting clients through career transitions—whether they are contemplating a new direction, stepping into a new role, or considering what comes next. Her own experience across multiple dimensions of leadership—as a physician, educator, executive partner, training and development professional, and coach—gives her a broad and nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities leaders face throughout their careers.
Hear from some clients about their coaching experiences:
“This experience has been transformative for me as a leader. A fantastic opportunity to grow as a human being and improve communication strategies. I’d strongly recommend this experience to others. Kelly is a truly gifted coach. I feel tremendous gratitude for this experience.”
--Surgeon leader
" Kelly is an exceptional coach. At a time when I was feeling stuck, frustrated, and overwhelmed, our conversations gave me space to explore my current situation. Ultimately, her thoughtful questioning helped me consider new perspectives and develop the confidence I needed to forge a new path. I'm so grateful for our work together!
--Healthcare Operational Leader
“I felt empowered to chart my own journey, develop effective vocabulary for crucial conversations, and learn to validate the contributions of others.”
--Surgeon leader
"Kelly's coaching has without a doubt contributed to the positive changes and successes in my life. Her kind and knowledgeable approaches bring introspection and insightful reflections. Her expert coaching has made me more confident in myself, my decisions, and with interactions with others. Kelly is phenomenal!"
--Entrepreneur