Whitney Faires: From Corporate Powerhouse to Empowerment Coach

After two decades of corporate success, Whitney Faires transitions from boardrooms to coaching, inspiring professionals to unlock their limitless potential

In the medical device industry, Whitney Faires was a force to be reckoned with. For nearly two decades, she climbed the corporate ladder at Intuitive, a leader in surgical robotics, with the determination and drive of an Olympic athlete. However, beneath her success in sales and leadership, another dream was slowly taking shape—one that would ultimately lead her to leave behind the boardrooms and sales strategies to become a coach, keynote speaker, and leadership expert, focused on elevating others.

Whitney’s story begins not in the corporate world but on the volleyball court at the University of Virginia. A record-setting student-athlete, she set four NCAA Division 1 records, captained her team for three consecutive years, and earned NCAA All-American honors in 2003. Her natural leadership abilities were clear even then, winning accolades such as the Louis A. Onesty Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award and the Craig Fielder Memorial Award for exceptional leadership and academic performance.

Her competitive spirit and drive for excellence seamlessly transitioned into her professional life. Beginning her career in pharmaceutical sales, Whitney quickly stood out as a young professional eager to make her mark. At just 24, she made a bold move across the country to take on a high-stakes sales role in healthcare. The transition, however, proved challenging, and Whitney found herself struggling to gain traction.

“I moved across the country to Los Angeles, and I was about two weeks into the job when my leader was promoted to the VP of Sales,” Whitney recalls. “Eight weeks in, I realized I was at risk of failing. I knew hard work and grit alone weren’t going to lead to the results I expected of myself.”

Instead of giving up, Whitney sought out mentorship from the executive who had hired her. This pivotal decision changed the course of her career. Within months, she turned her performance around, ultimately earning the coveted Rookie of the Year award.

“That experience was transformative,” she says. “It truly changes you as a person. It boosts your confidence, builds resilience, and enables you to see greater possibilities for your career. I felt this deep sense of purpose to do this for others.”

Less than a year after her career revival, Whitney’s talents caught the attention of Intuitive, the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. This would shape the next 16 years of her career, where she played a critical role in partnering with hospitals, launching new sales organizations, and building high-performing teams. Among her most notable achievements was leading her team to build and manage a $2 billion international lease portfolio, revolutionizing how hospitals acquired medical technology.

However, Whitney’s true passion became evident in her dedication to developing others. “There’s something magical about watching someone realize their full potential,” she reflects. “It’s not just about improving performance; it’s about helping people see possibilities they never imagined for themselves.”

Her passion led her to dedicate over 1,000 hours to coaching high-performing professionals, witnessing the transformative power of mentorship and guidance. Through these experiences, she discovered that her greatest fulfillment came not from her personal achievements but from catalyzing the growth and success of others.

This drive led Whitney to establish an Organizational Health function at Intuitive. She spearheaded high-impact programs and created a comprehensive development curriculum for the global finance organization. The results were remarkable, with clear improvements in performance, effectiveness, and employee engagement.

Additionally, Whitney served as Chief of Staff to the CFO, developing talent pipeline programs and driving organizational health initiatives. She also championed key initiatives supporting women in leadership, serving as Chair of Women in Finance (WiFi) and sitting on the board of the Women Intuitive Network (WIN).

Despite her corporate success, Whitney harbored a silent dream. “For years, I had this desire to start my own company focused on inspiring transformation in others,” she confides. “But there were always reasons to hesitate—a successful career, a company I loved, and a busy family life.”

The turning point came in November 2018 at a leadership conference. “Something shifted within me,” Whitney remembers. “The pull to launch my company became too strong to ignore. I realized I had a story to share and value to offer. This was the moment I committed to making my vision a reality.”

In 2019, she began her journey as a coach, impacting hundreds of leaders and executives. In 2024, she founded Whitney Faires Coaching, Speaking & Development, a company focused on empowering professionals to transform adversity into opportunity, strengthen their mindset, and unlock their limitless potential.

Today, Whitney channels her expertise as an executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership expert, working with various clients and organizations. Her impact in the field has even earned her recognition from notable organizations such as Power To Fly and GenHERation.

But at the heart of Whitney’s approach is her signature framework, “The Excellence Equation.” An 8-step methodology designed to transform professionals from underestimated to unstoppable. Guiding clients through developing a magnetic mindset, reframing adversity as opportunity, building resilience, and honing their leadership skills.

“My goal is to inspire and empower people to take action,” Whitney asserts. “I want to help them bet on themselves in big ways, tackle ambitious goals, and create a process to consistently achieve them.”

Looking ahead, Whitney aims to expand her impact through keynote speaking engagements, corporate leadership development programs, and leadership retreats.

Whitney’s journey from corporate executive to empowerment coach serves as an inspiration for those considering a similar transition. Her story demonstrates the power of following one’s passion and leveraging hard-earned experience to make a broader impact.

“Dream the dream, build the plan, and bet on yourself in big ways,” Whitney often tells her clients. It’s a mantra that has served her well in her own journey – one that continues to unfold as she helps others unlock their full potential and achieve extraordinary success. write an article using all information with title and subtitle make sure its beautifully represented and professionally written.