David has devoted his life to studying the art and science of change and guiding people through transitions and transformations. He is passionate about helping people across critical thresholds so they can free themselves to be more fully human. He knows from his own journey the price we pay when we don’t seize these moments.
After leaving his first profession, he spent ten years integrating coaching into large change projects—primarily in transforming how public sector agencies served people. He founded Narrative Coaching in 2002 based on his doctoral work; he has taught it to over 20,000 practitioners around the world. He founded Integrative Development in 2012 as a revolutionary framework for learning and development.
He started The Moment Institute in 2018, and he is currently teaching the first global cohort of Integrative Development practitioners to proactively address the issues and opportunities of our challenging times. The Institute will continue to teach narrative coaching and its global community to continue this 20-year legacy.
In 2022 was selected as one of two coaches on a panel to write standards for the use of AI in coaching. He serves as the Learning & Development Advisor for Ovida (www.ovida.org) with a focus on optimizing the potential gains for users.
David has also worked on coaching, change, and leadership initiatives for over 70 organizations. Three of his most interesting projects: (1) He co-developed and co-facilitated the InterCultural Coaching Institute, a pilot program in Portland, Oregon (USA); (2) he worked with a large professional services firm to embed the Narrative Coaching framework in their culture; and (3) he developed and delivered a first-of-its-kind coaching-based program for Aboriginal leaders in Australia.
David has presented his work to 25 universities and professional associations around the world, including the opening keynote for the first International Coaching Psychology Congress in London. He serves as a Thought Leader for the Institute of Coaching at Harvard, and he has written over 60 publications on coaching.
David Drake presents on "Creating Moments of Meeting in Coaching" at the Annual 2016 Coaching in Leadership and Healthcare Conference.
2016 Conference Interview with David Drake, as interviewed by Joan Ryan, Senior Leadership Coach and IOC Founding Fellow
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