About - Achieving Effectiveness

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Heather Tunis is an executive coach and strategic thought partner/consultant, with 40 years of experience and leadership in organizational effectiveness, capacity building, management and philanthropy.

Prior to her focus on organizational strategy and effectiveness consulting and executive coaching, Heather’s experience includes roles as executive director, Director of Development and foundation program officer.

Certifications include the International Coach Federation, BoardSource and the Connective Leadership Institute, among others. She has studied numerous coaching and leadership assessment and development methodologies and is a highly rated Implementation Mastery session facilitator for the World Business and Executive Coach Summit (WBECS by Coaching.com).

Consulting and coaching focus areas include: strategy and planning; executive/ organizational transitions; leadership development and self-management; organizational assessment, effectiveness, capacity building; Board effectiveness counsel, training and coaching; philanthropic advising, and; fund development analysis, strategy and planning.

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It was wonderful! We are so grateful for the expertise Heather brought to our work. I honestly believe she was the right person at the right time for the right group. We accomplished far more than I thought we would in such a brief time and learned more about each other in the process.

Thank you so much, Heather, for your great guidance and for responding so well to our needs. You showed us how to "be the work"!

Board Chair, Altadena Library Foundation
Without question it was all the preparation and time Heather spent with us in working through the strategic planning process in a very organized way. Her tools, encouragement and facilitation led us to a Strategic Plan that spans the next few years.

She was adept at dealing with competing interests and personalities and moving the process forward and bringing us to consensus. Given the difficulties that were already brewing, Heather was truly amazing. She gave me personally a lot of support which was very much appreciated and contributed to my success as the CEO.

CEO, California State Park Friends Organization
You were one of several consultants I spoke with about how to improve the organization, board development, and meet fundraising goals in order to ensure we can continue to help the people most impacted in the Los Angeles housing market.

More than anyone else, you provided clear action items, broken down by category and next steps, that we can take to become a stronger, more dynamic organization. We truly appreciate the forthright assessment and action plan.

Thanks again for the great work!

Co-Director, Community Law and Action organization
To say a simple thank you for our coaching sessions seems so meager for what you have helped me accomplish.

I came to you needing help to develop the board into a partnership with the staff. I had no idea where to start. You asked good questions, helped me structure this project, and guided me to a successful beginning. Your grasp of our situation, together with your knowledge and experience, helped me position these challenges within the scope of management issues and broke these challenges down into manageable steps.

I could not have done this successfully without your guidance. Thank you more than I can say!

Executive Director, cultural organization, Orange County
You rock! I think you might be the best coach on the planet.

Founder/Director, Better Youth
Heather Tunis has superpowers, and uses them to help people and organizations be the best they can be. I brought her in to help prepare for a capital campaign and she quickly became an essential strategic partner.

Heather doesn’t just solve the problem in front of you—she helps you see the bigger picture, ask the right questions, build sustainable solutions. Her insights helped us improve financial systems and strengthen our organizational foundation. She’s smart, compassionate, detail-savvy, and one of the best listeners and coaches I’ve worked with. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC)
I recently mentioned to a colleague that I am still implementing some of the strategies we came up with during my coaching work with you; she suggested I follow up to let you know the lasting impact of our work together.

Senior Staff Attorney, OneJustice

Schedule a Complimentary 30 Minute Discovery Session

Board Chair, Altadena Library Foundation

CEO, California State Park Friends Organization

Co-Director, Community Law and Action organization

Executive Director, cultural organization, Orange County

You rock! I think you might be the best coach on the planet.

Founder/Director, Better Youth

Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC)

I recently mentioned to a colleague that I am still implementing some of the strategies we came up with during my coaching work with you; she suggested I follow up to let you know the lasting impact of our work together.

Senior Staff Attorney, OneJustice