Dr. Saadat Bagherigaleh — Executive & Leadership Coach
Doctor of MedicineHarvard Adaptive LeadershipBetterUp Certified CoachHolistic Coach Certified

Transform Your Leadership. Achieve Extraordinary Results.

Executive coaching that combines the precision of medical science with proven leadership frameworks — so you can lead with clarity, resilience, and impact.

Book a Free Discovery CallSee My Results

1,661 coaching sessions · 93.53/100 impact score · BetterUp Certified

Trusted by leaders at

Salesforce
Amazon
Pernod Ricard
City of Santa Monica
Huntress
Accenture

+ 4 more organizations across 9 industries

About

Where Medical Science Meets Executive Coaching

Dr. Saadat Bagherigaleh is one of the rare executive coaches who is also a medical doctor — bringing clinical precision, neuroscience-informed methods, and over a decade of multidisciplinary experience to every coaching engagement.

With an MD from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, a Master's in Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine from MCPHS University, and Harvard coursework in Adaptive Leadership, Dr. Saadat brings a depth of understanding about human performance that goes far beyond traditional coaching frameworks.

As a BetterUp Leadership Coach since 2022, she has delivered over 1,000 hours of high-impact coaching to business owners, executives, and senior leaders at companies like Salesforce, Amazon, and OpenAI — driving measurable transformation in communication, sales effectiveness, and organizational leadership.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran · 2011

M.Sc. Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

MCPHS University, Massachusetts · 2017

Adaptive Leadership

Harvard University (edX) · 2025

Certified Holistic Coach

Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy · 2025

Why a Doctor as Your Coach?

Most executive coaches address symptoms — stress management, communication tactics, time optimization. Dr. Saadat addresses root causes. Her medical training allows her to understand the physiological basis of burnout, decision fatigue, and stress responses. This means coaching interventions that are grounded in neuroscience, not just motivational frameworks.

  • ✓Understands the neuroscience of decision-making, stress, and resilience
  • ✓Integrates evidence-based wellness practices with leadership development
  • ✓Addresses both the clinical and strategic dimensions of executive performance
  • ✓Published researcher with work presented at Harvard Medical School and SAR conferences

Professional Experience

Leadership Coach

BetterUp, Inc.

Mar 2022 – Present

Delivered 1,000+ hours coaching business owners, executives, and senior leaders across Fortune 500 companies.

Founder & Executive Coach

Fate Wonder LLC

Jan 2023 – Present

Strategic consulting practice serving healthcare and service-based entrepreneurs — startup growth, team expansion, M&A readiness.

Apprentice Faculty, Mentor & Strategic Advisor

Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy

Feb 2025 – Present

Trains aspiring coaches in neuroscience-informed practices; advises on marketing strategy and brand positioning.

Department Chair, Advisor & Faculty

Emperor's College, Santa Monica

Jan 2020 – June 2025

Directed curriculum design and mentored master's and doctoral students in clinical leadership and practice management.

Faculty & Postdoctoral Research Fellow

MCPHS University, Massachusetts

Sep 2017 – Apr 2022

Designed courses, taught pharmacology, and led funded research studies including work with the Osher Center at Harvard Medical School.

Approach

How I Coach

My coaching method draws from three domains — medical science, integrative wellness, and evidence-based leadership development. Every engagement is structured around your specific goals, with clear metrics so we both know it's working.

Neuroscience-Informed

Understanding how your brain processes stress, makes decisions, and builds new habits — so coaching interventions stick, not just during our sessions, but in the moments that matter most.

Evidence-Based

Every tool and framework I use is grounded in research. From cognitive behavioral techniques to positive psychology and mindfulness practices, nothing is guesswork.

Holistic Integration

Leadership performance doesn't exist in a vacuum. I address the whole person — energy management, stress physiology, work-life integration — because sustainable results require sustainable practices.

Data-Driven Progress

We set measurable goals from day one and track progress through structured check-ins. My BetterUp Member Progress Index of 93.53/100 reflects this commitment to demonstrable outcomes.

The Process

1

Discovery Call

A free 30-minute conversation to understand your challenges, goals, and whether we're a good fit.

2

Assessment & Goal Setting

A deep-dive session to map your current state, define success metrics, and build your personalized coaching roadmap.

3

Coaching Engagement

Regular 1:1 sessions (weekly or bi-weekly depending on your program) with between-session support, tools, and accountability.

4

Review & Evolve

Periodic progress reviews against your original goals. We adjust the roadmap as you grow and new challenges emerge.

Services

Coaching Programs Designed for Results

Every engagement starts with a free discovery call to understand your goals and find the right fit.

C-Suite & VPs

Executive Breakthrough

$2,500/mo

6-month engagement

For senior leaders navigating high-stakes decisions, organizational transformation, or personal performance plateaus.

  • Weekly 60-minute 1:1 coaching sessions
  • Unlimited between-session voice/text support
  • Personalized leadership development roadmap
  • 360-degree feedback integration
  • + 2 more included
Get Started
Most Popular

Directors & Business Owners

Leadership Accelerator

$1,500/mo

3-month engagement

Ideal for leaders stepping into bigger roles or owners scaling their teams and operations.

  • Bi-weekly 60-minute coaching sessions
  • Between-session email support
  • Communication and team alignment frameworks
  • Strategic clarity and decision-making tools
  • + 2 more included
Get Started

Founders & Startup Leaders

Entrepreneur Intensive

$4,500

90-day sprint

A focused 90-day program for founders at strategic inflection points — growth, hiring, M&A, or exit.

  • 8 intensive coaching sessions over 90 days
  • Strategic advisory on operational clarity
  • Team scaling and culture-building frameworks
  • Exit planning and enterprise value positioning
  • + 2 more included
Get Started

Corporate Employees

BetterUp via Employer

Check with HR

Varies by plan

Already have BetterUp through your company? You can request Dr. Saadat as your coach directly through the platform.

  • Access through your employer's BetterUp subscription
  • Same world-class coaching methodology
  • Integrated progress tracking via BetterUp platform
  • Mental fitness assessments and resources
Get Started
Results

Proven Impact, Measured by Data

Coaching outcomes tracked and verified by BetterUp's Member Progress Index — an aggregate score across five post-session survey dimensions, rescaled to 100 points.

0+

1:1 Coaching Sessions

Total sessions delivered across the BetterUp platform

0+

Hours of Coaching

Direct coaching hours invested in client development

0+

Days on Platform

Active on BetterUp since 2021

0/100

Member Progress Index

Aggregate of all coaching outcomes across five dimensions

Impact Score Breakdown

Equipped for Change95.22/100

"I am more equipped to make changes that are important to me."

Goal Progress95.41/100

"Working with my Coach is helping me make progress towards my goals."

Impact on Development88.97/100

"How impactful has working with your Coach been for your development?"

Overcome Obstacles93.57/100

Ability to navigate and overcome professional and personal challenges

Self Awareness94.49/100

Growth in self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Over the last 12 months, Dr. Saadat has helped 8 people live with more purpose, passion, and clarity.

Testimonials

What Leaders Say

Real reflections from executives, directors, and managers who have worked with Dr. Saadat.

“Saadat has been and continues to be an invaluable coach for me. I started working with Saadat about four years ago in May 2022. In that time, she's helped me think through and gain clarity around a variety of personal and professional challenges. Perhaps most of all, Saadat helps empower me by helping me develop a more resilient set of tools to help solve my challenges. Whether it is about handling an uncomfortable dynamic with a colleague, or trying to determine the right direction of a career goal, Saadat has a way of helping me to evaluate what I want from things and new strategies to try in order to give me the tools to help not only solve my daily challenges but grow on a daily basis. In addition to all of her practical help in our coaching sessions, I truly appreciate the rapport we've developed. Saadat's manner always helps put me at ease. She's always warm, friendly, and genuinely cares about what matters most to me.”
AL
Adam Lorie

Sr. Solution Architect in Marketing Cloud Readiness

Salesforce

1 / 11

“...an invaluable coach...”

Saadat has been and continues to be an invaluable coach for me. I started working with Saadat about four years ago in May 2022. In that time, she's helped me think through and gain clarity around a va...

AL
Adam Lorie

Salesforce

“...could not be happier...”

I've been working with Saadat for the past several months and could not be happier with the coaching she's provided! In just 4 weeks I've made quick progress on the action items she's given me. Her at...

CS
Cristina Sosa

Salesforce

“...earn a promotion under Saadat's guidance...”

In our time working together, Saadat has helped shape me into a better leader, partner, and person. Her empathy, encouragement, simultaneously direct and kind communication has been so so so appreciat...

MC
Matt Caudill

Turquoise Health

“...her greatest strength...”

Saadat has been my coach for the last 1.5 years. She has played an important role in coaching me through this period in various topics. What impressed me the most is how different my needs were week o...

SK
Sumanth Kondakindi

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

“...positive long lasting changes...”

It has been a pleasure to work with Saadat over the past year. She is an asset and has helped in building techniques to manage both personal and professional situations. She possesses a wonderful abil...

CR
Cory Rivers

Salesforce

“...tangible impact on many aspects of my life...”

Saadat's unique combination of versatility and depth sets her apart as a coach. She offers an immense arsenal of tools to support her clients based on her broad background in healthcare, coaching, and...

NP
Nayan Patadia

Salesforce | Booth MBA

FAQ

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