Client Testimonials
Our company name changed in early 2011 to LeaderXpress. Participant comments may reference our former name, The Innovative Edge.

What Clients Say about Our Coaching and Leadership Groups

"In my long career in the electronics industry, Denise has been the most outstanding example of the consummate leadership coach and consultant that I have had the privilege to work with! We have used Denise to teach leadership seminars and provide personal coaching to our top contributors for many years and have reaped the tremendous benefits of her education and experience. As well, her seminars and personal coaching have allowed me to reach new leadership heights in my own career. Unlike other leadership consultants and coaches that just quote theories from books, Denise not only knows and can quote this theory, but she has real world practice in applying it in a vast number of situations." Marty Michael, Senior Director, GTS, Synopsys

"I got a chance to fulfill my vision, written in your leadership forum, and I am now exactly where I saw myself - as a VP of HR in a high-growth company. In all honesty, it was your leadership forum and coaching that got me into gear, allowed me to seek and take ownership of my future, and take actions as needed. Thanks." Pat Wadors, SVP, HR, Plantronics

"I can only tell you that your programs, for myself and for many of my key team members, have been life-changing in many aspects, both in the workplace where we're able to take on harder challenges and behave and respond in appropriate ways, but in my own personal life. I have a new level of awareness and purpose that I don't think I had before I met Denise." Debra Martucci, CIO and VP of Information Technology, Synopsys.

"The leadership forum program provided me a pathway towards the next level of my leadership in my life and life's work. With Denise's intuitive guidance and her coaching expertise, I was able to move my work forward in a very short time frame. Most importantly, I realize that the leadership passage for me is one of my life's passions." Lisha Driscoll, VP in private wealth management technology, San Francisco.

"The program provided a uniquely crafted method for matching up big picture goals with practical means to achieve them. In only one day Denise masterfully led our group to quickly form a powerful, mutual support network in identifying true values and desires that are near and dear to us but may have been lost over time. I came out renewed, and thrilled to have a user friendly program where I am reaping the benefits now and for many years to come!" Anne Gilsten, New York City.

"...And about coaching...I found a real mentor in Denise. Being a woman in a man's business world is challenging. Denise provided the space and skills that allowed me to learn how to play here while maintaining my sense of self." Melanie Gill, Director of Marketing, Real-Time Innovations (RTI).

"There is a distinct quality and uniqueness to the programs Denise offers. I wanted to go into the leadership program to be a better manager, but with the program and the added coaching, came out a better leader not only in an organizational role, but my own life. And how many programs do you know of out there that will really have such an impact on your life?" Jodi Fraser, Director of Learning and Development, San Francisco.

"I have become a more confident, focused, intentional, well-aligned and passionate leader by applying what I learned in the leadership program. And coaching was so helpful. With coaching, I was able to individualize the course material to specific situations and worked directly with my coach to sharpen my approaches. I learned so many tools and techniques that I'll be using throughout the rest of my career." Lisa Arellanes, Director, Kaiser Permanente.

"Denise has a rare gift for bringing together people and processes in a way that changes lives. Not only are her programs powerful, but the women she attracts are the type you hope will be in your life forever." Renee Dineen, Associate Director, Vacaville Learning Team, Genentech.

"In the Leadership Strategy Forum, the discipline of the regular group meetings plus my mastermind partner kept me focused. I wouldn't have reached my goals without this."  Diana Finucane, Director HR/Benefits, Applied Materials.

"I would strongly encourage participation in a small master mind group for the many benefits you'll get toward developing your leadership." Michelle Garrison, Group Director, Corporate Applications, Synopsys.

"My mastermind partner and I have decided to continue our weekly phone chats even though our group has finished. I'm so glad I've made this connection!"  Elayne Chou, PhD, Psychotherapist, Career Counselor and Consultant, Berkeley, CA

"The caliber and course materials and coaches with The Innovative Edge are the highest caliber I have ever seen in professional leadership development. I have sponsored probably 30 managers through the Leading Without Limits program and another 50 or more senior staff in additional programs The Innovative Edge offers.  I have yet to have anyone come back and say it wasn't a tremendous value add for them in their role and in their career. Their programs are consistently of the highest quality." Sue Flautt, Managing Director, QOS, Kaiser Permanente

"The Innovative Edge programs have a certain interactive quality that makes them much different and better than other programs. I felt like the goals are clear and we got down to business. Be prepared to ask yourself some difficult questions and to be challenged. Expect to feel exhilarated both as you're going through the program and on your way out." Kimberly Kupiecki, Senior Vice President,  A&R Edelman

"The Leading Without Limits™ program is simply the best leadership program I have ever attended. Not only do I have a more complete grasp of the many competencies that make up a world-class leader, I now feel that I have a path towards mastering these skills myself." Ken Nelsen, Vice President, Global Technical Services (GTS), Synopsys

"The Leading Without Limits™ Program provided me a pathway towards the next level of leadership, in my life and my life's work. With my coach's intuitive guidance and coaching expertise, I was able to move my work here forward within the constructs of the program in very short time frame. Most importantly, I realized that the leadership passage for me is one of my life's passions." Lisha Driscoll, Vice President, in Private Wealth Management Technology, San Francisco, CA

"It (the program) takes you just enough out of your comfort zone so that you have significant "aha moments" and then challenges you to create a path forward that is both inspirational and life-changing." Maura McGinnity, Director, Major Gifts, Office of Development, Stanford University

"The Leading Without Limits Mastery program has completely changed the way I think and the way I interact with people in my daily life. Through repeatedly practicing and reflecting the core competencies of an effective leader, I have gained much more confidence in my leadership style. I would like to thank Ruth, who was my coach, for opening the door for a life-long learning experience." Frank Lee, Ph.D., Vice President of Engineering, AMSG, Synopsys

"It is one thing to hear about leadership and understand it intellectually, but another to have it woven into our lives, in ways that are different than others, yet the same in its powerful impact on and within our beings. That's what I've experienced from participating in the exceptional leadership programs from The Innovative Edge." Valerie Troy, Learning & Development, San Francisco, CA

"By the end of 3 months I became self-aware of my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. My executive coach constantly challenged my assumptions, helped me write my goals and create an action plan to achieve them. The program had a lasting impact since it was for an extended period of 3 months (unlike most classes where you are done in 5 days) and there was a lot of 1-1 interaction within the group and with the coach. I will continue to recommend this class to my friends and colleagues who could also benefit immensely from this program."
Sreelakshmi Kolli, Director, Global IT Operations, Align Technology

"Throughout my career I have been involved in many leadership programs that were good. The Innovative Edge programs were great. I attended the Leading Without Limits program six years ago and that program was not only phenomenal, but the women were amazing." Melanie Gill, Director of Marketing, Real-Time Innovations (RTI)

"Having completed leadership training programs at the Harvard Business School and the Steven Covey program, I was a little skeptical about the benefits of the Leading Without Limits™ (LWL) program. After participating in LWL, there were significant improvements in both communication and consensus building in our management team. I would like to commend The Innovative Edge for developing and leading an excellent leadership program." Scott Gee, MD, Director, Prevention and Health Information, The Permanente Medical Group

"Leading Without Limits™ was an extraordinary experience with an appropriate name.  The unique approach of class work, peer collaboration and coaching supports you on your journey to becoming a more effective leader. I found the program both challenging and highly rewarding and Ruth Varney was a fabulous coach and teacher.  It has been more than year since I took the program and I'm still leveraging the learning from the experience both professionally and personally.  It is well worth the investment!" Michael Guenet, Director of Applications Engineering, Northeast Region, Synopsys, Inc., Marlboro, MA

"The LWL program has helped me tremendously in my job. I came into the program as a new manager and it gave me so many tools. Most importantly, it opened my eyes to my responsibilities and role as a manager and caused me to approach it in a much more strategic manner. I feel very fortunate that I've been able to participate in the program. It was a fabulous experience." Nicole Morin, Senior Consultant, QOS, Kaiser Permanente. 

"The best on-line training class I have taken! I found it interactive, relevant, and convenient. I highly recommend it." Mark Pellowski, SVP Finance, Informatica

"This program gives concrete tools for sales professionals for influencing and communicating with customers and in all kinds of situations, especially the tough ones!" Antti Innamaa, Applications Consultant, Synopsys, Espoo, Finland

“What great tools I now have to use in influencing! The short video clips for each topic, case studies and articles, and the WebEx meetings with breakouts all contributed to a higher level of learning. It was one of the best programs I have been through.” Cindy Olsen, Senior Director, HR, Concur

"Excellent content, very well organized, engaging and inspiring. Embrace this online course: you and your team members will greatly benefit from it." Stephan Debray, Informatica

Many more client comments about Influence Matters!