Dr. Shannon O'Neill & Dr. Mathew Johnson
Exclusive U.S. Partner of theAcademy of Executive Coaching
How We Work
Our Coaching Approach
Shannon's practice centers on women in leadership — at every level, not only the executive tier — and on the leaders building the conditions for them to thrive. She coaches in close partnership: rigorous inquiry held inside real warmth, so leaders can move through complexity without losing themselves in it. She also leads SPARC's coaching education, training the coaches who come next.
Mathew coaches executives of every kind: presidents, executive directors, provosts, and senior leaders across higher education, nonprofits, foundations, and government, women among them. He holds a quality of attention that lets a leader think clearly and reach their own wisdom, and he brings a sociologist's eye to the systems they operate inside — power, structure, the forces shaping a room — so they can move within them with more agency.
Not sure who's the right fit? Start a Conversation and we'll help you find it.
Get to Know Us
Beyond the Coaching Room
Shannon's roots are Nordic, and those sensibilities still shape how she moves through the world — long Fika gatherings, good licorice, a houseful of Marimekko. She's deliberate, too, about building community among women, certain that the informal connections matter as much as the formal ones.
Mathew is most himself working with his hands — on a tractor, splitting firewood, mid-project on the farm. A sociologist by training, he's always reading systems; on the farm, the system is refreshingly concrete, and that plainness carries into how he coaches.
Together, Shannon and Mathew are rooted in Vermont — a place that mirrors their values of authenticity, hard work, and community. It isn't just where they live. It's how they live.
Your Next Step
Ready to Work Together?
Whether you're navigating a leadership transition, building a high-performing team, or simply ready to invest in yourself — we'd love to hear from you.