Sean Ryan
Lead Strategist | Executive Advisor | Organizational Architect
Sean Ryan is a strategic leader with deep expertise in building systems, aligning teams, and guiding organizations through complex growth and transformation. As Lead Strategist at Chief Collective, Sean combines Fortune 100-level insight with real-world execution, helping clients create clarity, structure, and scalable solutions.
With a consulting pedigree from McKinsey & Company and executive leadership experience at Excel Fitness—a private equity-backed Planet Fitness franchise—Sean has led enterprise-wide strategy rollouts, M&A integrations, and organizational alignment for high-growth companies. His approach blends vision with actionable roadmaps, ensuring leaders not only see the path forward but have the structure to execute with precision.
Before joining Chief Collective, Sean served as Director of Projects and Chief of Staff / Director of Strategy at Excel Fitness, scaling operations from 90 to 150+ locations, steering acquisitions, and driving cross-departmental alignment around KPIs and growth goals. At McKinsey, he delivered 15+ client engagements across healthcare, higher education, pharmaceuticals, public health, and social impact—collaborating with executives, boards, and global NGOs to solve complex challenges.
Sean’s leadership style is rooted in servant leadership, communications clarity, and systems thinking. He thrives on helping organizations move from ambiguity to alignment—designing processes, building accountability structures, and ensuring teams execute at the highest level.
Whether advising executives, leading strategic planning sessions, or architecting systems for scale, Sean’s mission is clear: help leaders think clearly, act decisively, and execute with purpose.
Key Highlights
Strategic Growth Planning
Designed and executed growth roadmaps that scaled Excel Fitness from 90 to 150+ locations with full team alignment.
Fractional Executive Leadership
Served as Chief of Staff and Strategy Director, partnering with boards and C-suites to align teams, initiatives, and KPIs.
Process & Systems Optimization
Developed acquisition playbooks, integration SOPs, and tracking systems for multi-location enterprises.
Client Journey & Experience Design
Advised Fortune 100s and leading non-profits on strategies to improve engagement, retention, and service delivery.
Multi-Location & Franchise Expertise
Led complex M&A integrations while maintaining brand consistency and operational excellence across regions.
Cross-Sector
Leadership
Impact across private equity, higher education, public health, nonprofits, pharmaceuticals, and faith-based institutions.
Business Strategy That Drives Real Results
Great businesses aren’t built on ideas alone, they’re built through aligned execution.
At Chief Collective, consulting isn’t theoretical. It’s strategic support designed to move your business forward in practical, measurable ways.
Sean partners with clients to help clarify direction, design smart infrastructure, and implement strategies that generate momentum, fast.
A Framework Rooted in Execution, Systems & Strategic Thinking
Chief Collective’s consulting model is led by operators, not theorists. Sean brings a depth of leadership experience and a sharp ability to identify what’s missing, and fix it.
Whether helping a founder transition out of day-to-day operations or refining a company’s internal systems, Sean guides clients from conversation to action with clarity and purpose.
Consulting Outcomes Include:
Creating clear growth roadmaps tied to business goals
Implementing internal systems that support accountability and scale
Streamlining leadership roles and team responsibilities
Improving marketing infrastructure and sales process
Strengthening client journey and retention strategy
Aligning quarterly execution plans with long-term vision
Driving Business Success with Proven Strategies
Strategic Planning
& Execution
Design and implement growth plans grounded in clarity, action, and accountability.
Sales & Leadership Optimization
Improve how your team sells, leads, and communicates—internally and externally.
Client Journey & Brand Experience
Create consistent, compelling brand touchpoints that improve loyalty and growth.
Operations & Workflow Design
Install systems that support execution and improve day-to-day efficiency.
Fractional Leadership & Implementation
Fill leadership gaps with strategic oversight, team management, and cross-functional execution.
Marketing Infrastructure
Support messaging, campaign strategy, and systems that connect marketing to results.
High-Level Growth Strategy, Without the Corporate Overhead
Sean understands what it takes to scale a business. Through his role at Chief Collective, he supports entrepreneurs, leadership teams, and service providers in building businesses that are agile, efficient, and growth-ready.
This isn’t corporate consulting. It’s leadership-level strategy, made actionable.
Schedule a Call Today with Sean and Explore What’s Possible!
Impact
Through Insight
Executive Coaching & Consulting Designed For:
Business
Owners & CEOs...
navigating high-growth challenges, leadership dynamics, and strategic decision-making.
Executives & Leadership Teams...
looking to strengthen their leadership identity, executive presence, & organizational influence.
Individuals Seeking Major Life Change...
ready to break free from limitations, shift their mindset, and create real movement in their lives.
Entrepreneurs & Scaling Businesses...
needing a performance-based framework to transition from working in the business to on it.
Execution That
Transforms Businesses
At Chief Collective, strategy is only as powerful as its execution. That’s why our consultants don’t just build plans—they stay with you through implementation.
We combine real-world expertise with deep operational insight to help businesses scale with clarity and strength. Whether building your next quarter or your next five years, we’re here to make it real.
Let’s create the structure your business needs to grow.
Why Strategy Execution Matters More Than Ideas
Many businesses have big goals but lack the resources and execution strategy to scale effectively. Without the right leadership and systems, growth stalls, inefficiencies multiply, and opportunities are lost.
Chief Collective bridges that gap by eliminating bottlenecks, streamlining operations, and building scalable structures that drive profitability—without the growing pains.
Strategic clarity is important, but real transformation comes from expert guidance and hands-on implementation. Chief Collective delivers both.
Accelerate Growth Today
Businesses that scale successfully don’t wait, they take action. Book a strategy call today and discover how Chief Collective can turn vision into results faster.
Real Clients,
Real Results
Read what clients have to say about me
Meredith R
Coaching Client | Jacksonville
Sarah V
Coaching Client | Charlotte
This was super fun and I hope to do more team meetings like this in the future. It definitely made me feel like our team grew a little closer together in relation to our cohesive work. Excellent content! The writing exercises on the wall were the most helpful, especially working with people you don't normally work with because it brought everyone onto the same page. My favorite lesson is "No energy vampires allowed."
Dave S
Coaching Client | Charlotte
Everything was awesome, Kevin was great! All the exercises were fun & interactive. Interactive is always great as it keeps people moving and engaged. Team building exercises are a great way to mix it up while making people’s minds work together to achieve a common goal. The puzzle and the writing exercises worked well. This is a great way to get teams together work through team building, day to day operations / sales ideas as well as business growth goals. Constant solutions to consistency & processes to streamline day to day operations as a team. How companies can bring their teams together to set & exceed goals & expectations.
Darr T
Coaching Client | Charlotte
Thanks for taking the time to coach us through the Power of a Positive Team Workshop. I feel that it really helped realign us as a company to think about our goals for the future and the power of positive interactions, not just amongst ourselves, but also towards our customers. I look forward to future team building exercises like this! You did a fantastic job, and I look forward to future team building workshops with you.
FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about and our services.
How is Chief Collective different from other business coaching and consulting firms?
We combine strategic thinking with hands-on implementation—partnering with you to deliver outcomes, not just advice.
Who is Chief Collective’s coaching and consulting best suited for?
Our services are built for service-based businesses, entrepreneurs, multi-location brands, and leadership teams seeking structured growth and support.
What results can I expect from working with a Chief Collective strategist?
Clear plans. Better execution. Stronger alignment across teams. Faster traction and sustainable growth.
How does the fractional leadership model work, and how is it different from hiring a full-time executive?
You get high-level leadership on a part-time or project basis—ideal for growing businesses that need support without the commitment of a full-time hire.
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