As Senior Director of Leadership Development and the National Coaching Services Lead, Michael Kim plays a central role in shaping The Leadership Academy’s coaching practice for school, district, and system leaders. He leads design of the organization’s educator coach training program, oversees leader and executive coaching, and develops innovative coaching tools and resources to strengthen leadership capacity across systems. His work ensures that school and system leaders are equipped with the skills, strategies, and supports they need to drive meaningful, student-centered change.
Beyond his coaching work, Michael partners directly with education leaders on a wide range of critical priorities—including strategic planning, early-career leadership development, and building effective teams. Since joining the organization in 2007, he’s supported clients in more than a dozen states, from Arizona to Maine, bringing both breadth and depth of experience to his practice. His expertise extends to thought leadership as well: he co-authored The Leadership Academy’s first book, “Coaching Education Leaders,” which shares the organization’s groundbreaking coaching approach. His insights have also been featured in Education Week.
Before joining The Leadership Academy, Michael served in AmeriCorps, where he supported a school-based youth services program for a New Jersey high school. He provided academic tutoring and counseling, and helped with teen center programming, which included mentoring, community service and volunteerism. He also supported the New Jersey Community Development Corporation and its efforts to support the Paterson, New Jersey community with youth development, housing initiatives, and large-scale community events. During his tenure with AmeriCorps, he also traveled to Mississippi and Louisiana to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rutgers College. He is based in the New York tri-state area.
