Gena Cotton
Gena Cotton is an Executive and Leadership Coach with a career shaped by over 20 years of military service and a deep commitment to fostering growth in individuals and teams. Known for her compassionate and collaborative approach, Gena works with clients from all walks of life, guiding them through self-discovery, personal growth, and leadership development. She focuses on strengthening communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence skills—helping clients navigate challenges and achieve their aspirations with clarity and resilience.
Gena’s upbringing on Chicago’s South Side instilled a profound appreciation for community and perseverance. Now residing in Northern Virginia—the historic and unceded land of the Nacotchtank people—she draws on her lived experiences as a descendant of enslaved people and as someone navigating life with a nonapparent disability. Her perspective is shaped by a blend of socio-economic privilege and a commitment to creating spaces where diverse voices are valued, and equity is not an ideal but a practice.
During her Army career, Gena held roles that honed her leadership and strategic planning abilities, including serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for the Army Talent Management Task Force. She led initiatives that reshaped talent acquisition practices and strengthened team dynamics, and her operational leadership spanned managing complex logistical and human resource challenges for large teams. These experiences inform her coaching style, which combines structure with empathy to support clients as they tackle obstacles and embrace opportunities.
Gena is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credentialed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), reflecting her commitment to high standards of coaching excellence. Her academic background further highlights her dedication to continuous learning: she holds Executive Certificates in Organization Development, Leadership Coaching, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University, as well as a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University-Central Texas and an MBA from the College of William & Mary.
Guided by empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to ethical practices, Gena is passionate about helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential. She invites her clients to envision what’s possible, challenge limiting beliefs, and grow into their most effective and authentic selves—all while honoring their unique identities and experiences.
