Alexandra Zagbayou

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT ALEXANDRA ZAGBAYOU

I partner with leaders and organizations in transition to move from uncertainty to clarity, from misalignment to cohesion, and from vision to action. As the Founder of AnchorED Coaching & Consulting, I specialize in: Executive Coaching – Guiding leaders through professional growth, decision-making, and transition Leadership Team Development – Strengthening executive teams for collaboration and effectiveness Strategic Planning & Facilitation – Helping organizations align vision, strategy, and operations Organizational Retreat Planning – Creating space for teams to reflect, reset, and reimagine Board Governance Support – Strengthening board leadership, structure, and engagementI work with leaders across industries but am deeply committed to supporting first time executive leaders, women and people of color-led institutions—helping them lead with strategy, authenticity, and impact.With over a decade of leadership experience, I know firsthand the challenges of scaling an organization, fostering inclusive cultures, and making values-based decisions in times of change. Before launching my consulting practice in 2022, I was a founding team member and later Executive Director of Student U, where 10x the organization, raised funding, brokered a public-private partnership to renovated a historical building, and cultivated a diverse, equity-driven leadership structure. Currently, I also serve as a Professor of the Practice at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, bringing real-world leadership insights into the classroom.I believe leadership is creating the conditions for others to thrive and requires clarity of purpose, courage, and community—anchoring ourselves in our values while embracing the discomfort of growth. My work is deeply personal, shaped by my experience leading an organization in my 20s, as well as, my identity as a proud immigrant from Côte d’Ivoire, daughter of a first-generation college student, and sister to seven amazing siblings.When I’m not coaching or teaching, you’ll find me: Dancing to the djembe on Saturday mornings Wandering along the Eno River Sending hilarious Instagram memes to my friends Traveling with my husband to visit family and see the world. Interested in working together? If you’re a leader or organization navigating change and want a trusted partner to journey alongside you and your team, I’d love to chat!